Project: Antigua and Barbuda/Country
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Location
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The island nation of Antigua and Barbuda is located in the eastern arc of the Leeward Islands of the Lesser Antilles, which separate the Atlantic Ocean from the Caribbean Sea.
Antigua, the largest island, is about 21 km (13 mi) across and 281 km² (175 sq mi) in area. Barbuda, located about 65 km (40 mi) the north, covers 161 km² (62 sq mi). The islands are rimmed by reefs and shoals and the shorelines of both islands are greatly indented with beaches, lagoons, and natural harbors.
See Also: Geography of Antigua and Barbuda
Administrative Divisions
The Island of Antigua is divided into six parishes. Barbuda island and the smaller Redonda islands are considered dependencies, although they are integral parts of the state and essentially function as administrative divisions.
The capital of Antigua and Barbuda is St. John's, located at St. John’s Harbour on the northwest coast of Antigua. The principal city of Barbuda is Codrington, Barbuda, located on Codrington Lagoon.
See Also: Parishes and Dependencies of Antigua and Barbuda
History
Antigua’s history traces back to pre-agricultural Amerindians known as the “Archaic People”, with the earliest settlements dating back to 2900 BC. These early inhabitants were succeeded by the ceramic-using, agricultural Saladoid people, who migrated from Venezuela. Around 1200 AD, Arawakan speakers replaced the Saladoid, and by 1500, the Island Caribs had taken their place.
In 1493, Christopher Columbus visited the island, naming it after the Church of Santa Maria de la Antigua in Sevilla, Spain. English settlers colonized it in 1632, and it became a British possession. The nearby island of Barbuda was colonized in 1678. Its name, derived from the Spanish word “barbuda” meaning “bearded”, possibly refers to either the beards of the native Barbudans or the island’s fig trees.
The history of Antigua and Barbuda is significantly marked by slavery. The first sugar plantation was established in Antigua in 1674 by Barbadian-born British soldier, plantation owner, and slave-owner Christopher Codrington. Within four years, African slaves constituted half of the island’s population. Despite emancipation in 1834, along with all others in the British Empire, many former slaves continued to work on plantations for meager wages due to limited alternatives.
On November 1, 1981, Antigua and Barbuda gained independence from the United Kingdom. This day is now commemorated annually as Antigua and Barbuda’s Independence Day, a national holiday.
See also: History of Antigua and Barbuda
Ethnicities
The population of Antigua and Barbuda is predominantly composed of individuals of African descent, who constitute approximately 87% of the population. These individuals are primarily descendants of African slaves hailing from regions such as the Bight of Biafra, Gold Coast, Sierra Leone, Guinea, Bight of Benin, and Senegambia in West and Central Africa. Following this, mixed-race individuals represent about 5% of the population. Hispanic individuals account for 3%, while white individuals, primarily of British and Portuguese descent, make up about 2% of the population. Other ethnic groups collectively represent about 3% of the population. Native Americans, although a smaller demographic, also form part of the country’s diverse ethnic tapestry.
Languages
English is the official language of Antigua and Barbuda, but the most widely spoken language is Antiguan Creole. This dialect, also known as Broken English, Leeward Caribbean Creole, or Patwa, is prevalent throughout the Leeward Islands of the Caribbean and boasts approximately 150,000 native speakers. The use of Standard English often correlates with the socioeconomic status of the speaker. Individuals from higher socioeconomic backgrounds, who have likely received formal education, are generally more proficient in the grammatical nuances of the English language. In addition to English and Antiguan Creole, Spanish is spoken by an estimated 10,000 residents of Antigua and Barbuda. The majority of these Spanish speakers are originally from the Dominican Republic and migrated to the country post-1981.
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Religions
The population of Antigua and Barbuda is primarily Christian, accounting for about 77% of the population. The Anglican Church is the largest denomination, representing about 18% of the population. This is followed by Seventh-day Adventists and Pentecostals, each comprising about 12% of the population. The Moravian Church and Roman Catholics each account for about 8%, while Methodists represent about 6%, Wesleyans about 5%, and the Church of God and Baptists about 4% each. Mormons and Jehovah’s Witnesses each constitute less than 1% of the population. The remaining segment of the population adheres to other religious beliefs, including Rastafarianism, Islam, Hinduism, and the Baha’i faith. Antigua and Barbuda’s constitution guarantees freedom of religion, and this right is generally upheld. However, it’s worth noting that Rastafarians do encounter some challenges in practicing their religion.
See Also: Religion in Antigua and Barbuda
See Also: Demographics of Antigua and Barbuda
Antiguan Barbudan Naming Conventions
Most Antiguan Barbudans use English-style naming conventions. However, the minority of Spanish-speaking Antiguan Barbudans often abide by Spanish naming customs.
This page was last modified 20:29, 26 October 2024. This page has been accessed 84 times.