Antigua (pronounced An-tee-ga) is an island in the Caribbean, part of the country of Antigua and Barbuda. It is also known by another name, Wadadli, which means approximately "our own" (Wadadli is also the name of the local beer brewed on the island).

It has a population of about 68,000, of which over 24,000 live in the capital of St. John's, at 17° 6' N. and 61° 45' W., and is 54 miles in circumference, with an area of 108 square miles. The surface is comparatively flat, and there is no central range of mountains as in most other West Indian islands, but among the hills in the southwest an elevation of 1,319 feet (402 m) feet is attained on Boggy Peak. Owing to the absence of rivers, the paucity of springs, and the almost complete deforestation, Antigua is subject to frequent droughts, and although the average rainfall is 45.6 inches, the variations from year to year are great.

The 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, especially in the interior, is very fertile. Sugar and pineapples are the chief products for export, but sweet potatoes, yams, maize and guinea corn are grown for local consumption. Leading population settlements 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 and in correspondence made it clear he would prefer not to be there, but rather facing the French. Today English Harbour and the neighbouring village of Falmouth 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 coastline, and the island's single airport (V C Bird airport) is serviced by several major airlines including Virgin Atlantic, British Airways, USAirways, American Airlines, Continental, BWIA, and Air Canada. The only regular service to Barbuda flies from VC Bird. The United States Air Force maintains a small base adjacent to the airport.

The country's official currency is the East Caribbean 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.

History of Antigua

Antigua was first inhabited by the Siboney ("stone people"), whose settlements date at least to 2400 BC. The Arawaks--who originated in Venezuela and gradually migrated up the chain of islands now called the Lesser Antilles--succeeded the Siboney. The warlike Carib people drove the Arawaks from neighboring islands but apparently did not settle on either Antigua or Barbuda.

Antigua was discovered by accident in 1493 by Christopher Columbus, who is said to have named it after a church in Seville, Spain, called Santa Maria la Antigua. It remained, however, virtually uninhabited until 1632, when a body of English settlers took possession of it. This settlement was abandoned following attacks by Carib Indians. In 1663 another settlement of the same nation was effected under the direction of Lord Willoughby, to whom the entire island was granted by Charles II. It was ravaged by the French in 1666, but was soon after reconquered by the British and formally restored to them by the Treaty of Breda. It remained under British control until 1981, when Antigua and Barbuda gained independence. The government is a constitutional monarchy, with Queen Elizabeth II as the head of state and two elected houses, the upper one called the Senate.

Sport

The major Antiguan sport is cricket. Antigua is the location of a 2007 Cricket 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