Antigua and Barbuda: Geography

Antigua is the largest of the Leeward Islands, in the West Indies, 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. Its tropical maritime climate, with little seasonal variation, is influenced by the trade winds blowing off the Atlantic Ocean to the east and the Caribbean Sea to the west. Antigua's dependencies include the islands of Barbuda, 30 miles (48 km) to the north and the uninhabited island of Redonda which is a nature reserve. Antigua has an area of 280 square kms and a coastline of 153 kms. Its rocky coast has many inlets, promontories and the coastline is lined with beautiful white sand beaches. In the interior the island is limestone and is generally low lying. The south west is volcanic in origin and hilly rising to Boggy Peak, 402 metres, the islands highest point. Antigua has no rivers, few springs and a low rainfall resulting in frequent droughts. Water shortages are overcome by desalination plants. Barbuda has an area of 160 square kms, a low lying coral island and on the west the large Codrington Lagoon, home of the world's largest frigate bird sanctuary. Barbuda is a short flight and 90 minutes by boat from Antigua.