Antigua Island Information
Antigua facts and figures
Antigua (pronounced An-tee-ga) is an island in the Caribbean.
It has a population of about 70,000, of which over 27,000 reside in St Johns, the capital.
Antigua is 54 miles in circumference, with an area of approximately 108 square miles.
The surface is relatively flat, and there is no central range of mountains as in most other Caribbean islands, but among the hills in the southwest an elevation of 1,319 feet (402 m) feet is attained on Boggy Peak, the highest point on the island.
Antigua is subject to frequent droughts, and although the average rainfall is 45.6 inches, the variations from year to year are great.
The water scarcity problem is partly solved by desalination of sea water. The high rocky coast is much indented by bays and arms of the sea, several of which form excellent harbours, that of St John's being safe and commodious.
The soil is very fertile. Sugar and pineapples are the chief products for export, but sweet potatoes, yams, maize and guinea corn are also grown for local consumption.
Leading population areas are St. John's (22,634), All Saints (3,412) and Liberta (2,239), according to the 2001 Census. St John's, the capital, is situated in the northwest, near to the airport and has a deep harbour which is able to accommodate large cruise ships.
English Harbour on the southeastern coast, is famed as a "hurricane hole" (protected shelter during violent storms) and the site of a restored British colonial naval station. The latter is called "Nelson's Dockyard".
Nelson was at the time a Captain in the British Navy and in his correspondence he made it clear that he would prefer not to be there, but rather facing the French!
Today English Harbour and the neighbouring village of Falmouth and Falmouth Harbour are an internationally famous yachting and sailing destination and provisioning centre.
Antigua's economy has become increasingly reliant upon tourism, and it markets itself as a luxury Caribbean escape.
Many hotels and resorts are located around the Antiguan coastline, and the island's single airport (V C Bird airport) is serviced by several major airlines including Virgin Atlantic, British Airways, American Airlines, Continental Delta and Air Canada.
The only regular service to Antigua's sister island, Barbuda flies from VC Bird. The United States Air Force maintains a small airbase adjacent to the airport.
Antigua's official currency is the Eastern Caribbean (EC) Dollar. However, many prices in tourist oriented businesses are shown in US dollars. The EC dollar is pegged to the US dollar at a fixed rate of $1 US = $2.7 EC.
At the end of April and beginning of May Antigua Sailing Week, an annual world-class regatta started in 1967, brings many sailing vessels and sailors to the island to race and party.
Sport
The major Antiguan sport is cricket. Antigua is the location of a 2007 World Cup site, on a new ground constructed on an old cane field in the North of the island. Sir Vivian ("Viv") Richards is one of the most famous Antiguans, who played for, and captained, the West Indies team.
Unbeknown to many sports fans around the World, former England striker Emile Heskey has Antiguan roots, and his parents have a family home on the coast. Emile is infact Antiguan, but was brought up in England, hence his eligibility for the England national side.
Geography
- Land area: 108 sq. mi. (280 km²)
- Location :
- Capital and largest city: St. John's, pop. 27000
- Climate: tropical marine; little seasonal temperature variation.
- Terrain: mostly low-lying limestone and coral islands, with some higher volcanic areas.
- Elevation extremes: