Antigua is a tropical paradise located in the Leeward Islands of the Caribbean. It is one of the most important destinations in the sailing year as well as being one of the top vacation & holiday destinations in the world.
geography
Antigua, the largest of the English-speaking Leeward Islands, is about 14 miles long and 11 miles wide, encompassing 108 square miles. Its highest point is Boggy Peak (1319 ft.), located in the southwestern corner of the island. Its coastline is peppered with numerous coves and bays, many with beautiful white sand beaches. The south west corner is quite hilly, rising to 402 meters at Boggy Peak, the islands highest point.
Barbuda, a flat coral island with an area of only 68 square miles, lies approximately 30 miles due north. The nation also includes the tiny (0.6 square mile) uninhabited island of Redonda, now a nature preserve. The current population for the nation is approximately 68,000 and its capital is St. John's on Antigua.
The country's boundaries also include Redonda, an uninhabited rocky islet about 1 sq. km in size which lies 32 miles south-west of Antigua.
time zone
Time Zone: Atlantic Standard Time, GMT -4.
climate
Antigua and Barbuda is warm all year round with soothing south-easterly breezes. Temperatures do not vary that much throughout the year – they are generally between 24 and 30 degrees in the daytime. The coolest night time temperatures can drop to as low as 20 degrees which can feel very cool and in the summer can be as hot as 27 degrees.
If you check the weather forecast regularly you will see that the forecast is often for cloud and rain. This is usually fluffy clouds which pass through quickly. It does rain and for most of the year the rain is short bursts of tropical rain which are over in 10 minutes. If a tropical wave is passing through during the hurricane season, this can last on and off for a few days. The worst months for heavy rain are historically October, November and December.
The hurricane season is June 1st to November 31st, that said the highest risk months are mid august to Mid October. The last hurricane to hit Antigua was in 1999 and in 50 years there have been only 6 direct hits.
Temperatures generally range from the mid-seventies in the winter to the mid-eighties in the summer. Annual rainfall averages only 45 inches, making it the sunniest of the Eastern Caribbean Islands, and the northeast trade winds are nearly constant, flagging only in September. Low humidity year-round.
map
Antigua (pronounced An-tee'ga) and Barbuda are located in the middle of the Leeward Islands in the Eastern Caribbean, roughly 17 degrees north of the equator. To the south are the islands of Montserrat and Guadeloupe, and to the north and west are Nevis, St. Kitts, St. Barts, and St. Martin.
(Click on the image below to find Antigua on the globe)
living
Antigua provides one of the most culturally diverse living experiences in the English speaking Caribbean. Residents include native persons whose origin are African, however in recent times immigration has brought peoples from many parts of the world including, England, America, Italy, France, Syria, Lebanon, Germany, and other Caribbean islands.
The quality of life is good in Antigua with a relatively low crime rate and good weather year round. One can find most life conveniences available in a modern society and many of the services which would be expected to have a good life style.
There is a fairly good standard of education up to the high school level after which students desiring a higher level would have to go off island.
business
Antigua & Barbuda possess a modern business society and most facilities expected to carry on business. The business law here is at an international standard.
The primary sectors are tourism, tourism related services, general services, and retail business. Banking and off shore gaming are other areas important to the economy of Antigua & Barbuda.
The following links can provide more helpful information about Antigua & Barbuda:
Antigua Nice
Antigua and Barbuda Department of Tourism
The High Commission of Antigua & Barbuda
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
The Government of Antigua & Barbuda
Antigua Hotels & Tourist Association
Antigua & Barbuda Telephone Directory
Antigua Barbuda Sports Tourism Alliance
Adventure Antigua
Antigua Tropical Adventures
Price Waterhouse Coopers
Global Bank of Commerce
Antigua Computer Technology
Cable & Wireless
