Where is Antigua located? Antigua and Barbuda on the world map: capital, flag, coins, citizenship and attractions of the island state
“Look long enough at the sea and you will have all the stories you want.” Jojo Moyes. - The weather is pleasant. -Even the wind is like that. - I thought it would be hot and sunny. But no. - Hello everyone, friends! This is “Heads and Tails” and we have arrived in Antigua and Barbuda! - Alina, what associations come to your mind when you hear the word Antigua? - Something so beautiful, sophisticated, exotic, delicious. Antigua. - Super. Probably so rich, you know. Aristocratic. - Well, maybe. -What associations come to mind when you hear the word Barbuda? - Well, the word is “Barbuda”. It's like something is falling. Some kind of stone. Barbuda. Or some kind of shamanic dances. You know, those ugh ugh, Bar-boo-da. - Something so barbaric? - Well, yes, something like that. - Poor thing. - I'm not sure. - Poor thing?! - Maybe. - Poor thing! - Fine. - Super. Then we will now flip a coin and decide which of us will be Antigua and which will be Barbuda. - Oh, that's what you're talking about! - Eagle! - Tails! - What did you say about Antigua? - Don't know. There are no longer any associations at all, Kolya. - Come on, Alinka, don’t be upset. In fact, you remain Antigua. You remain refined, sophisticated, aristocratic, beautiful, rich for sure, but not this time. I will remain Barbuda, what do I have to lose. Especially when you are Barbuda with a gold card. Antigua and Barbuda are small islands in the Caribbean. Covered with tropical greenery and surrounded by white beaches. This weekend I will show you all the delights of Antigua. And I'll go to Barbuda - a favorite vacation spot of the Hollywood rich. You can already get acquainted with the island without leaving the airport territory. And all thanks to the graffiti that depicts... The brightest, most outstanding, interesting things you can meet, see or try here. I suggest you learn interesting facts about these islands. In fact, the state of Antigua and Barbuda consists not of two islands, but of three. And this third one is called Retonda. It was in Antigua that cricketers were popular all over the world. This is officially my favorite sport because there are matches every day, imagine every day. In Antigua, there has been a unique variety of pineapple for 2000 years, called black pineapple. And now the most unusual and my favorite fact - Antigua has 365 beaches. Imagine, every day you can change the beach. That's why we came here with our marine. To the beach! So now I'm heading to Barbuda. There are two ways to get to Barbuda - the first is by plane, the second is by boat. Well guys, this is the Caribbean Sea, what kind of plane. I’m always ready to smell and touch it again. So I rented a private boat and set off to explore Barbuda. And I, with my 100 dollars, stay to explore the island of Antigua. And first of all, I will go to the capital - the city of St. John's. But it turned out that getting there is not so easy. I don't see a stop or any sign of public transport. But you don’t want to spend money on a taxi right away. Therefore, I suggest just catching it by hand. 20 minutes - and I’m already in the capital. Although the capital is a strong word. St. John's looks like our provincial urban village. And only 30 thousand people live here. But every day for a few hours the population of the city grows significantly. And all thanks to tens of thousands of tourists. Who sail here on cruise ships. As part of the tour, they have only 3-4 hours to get acquainted with the main attractions of the city. So, the first of them is the Heritage Quay shopping area. There are cafes and street entertainers, but its main feature is the duty-free shops. That is, stores where you can buy goods without taxes. Tourists leave tens of thousands of dollars here every day. The second attraction is Redcliffe Quay. This is the historical part of the city. It used to sell sugar cane, rum, and slaves. But slavery was abolished, and sugar production fell into decline, so now... they sell souvenirs, jewelry and delicious food. And finally, the third attraction. I am in a special place - behind me is Mr. Bird, or as the locals call him, the Pope of the Nation. This is the first Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda. He is considered a national hero! He achieved the country's independence, raised wages on sugar cane plantations and restored roads on the islands. In the meantime, Alina is getting acquainted with Antigua, I got to Barbuda. Barbuda is a cozy green island with pristine paradise beaches. Private villas of Hollywood celebrities. Luxurious restaurants and hotels. But the island was like this until September 2017. Two years ago, Barbuda was hit by Hurricane Irma, the most powerful Atlantic hurricane in the last decade. He destroyed the entire infrastructure of the island. He left about 2 thousand people homeless. And caused $100 million worth of damage! Now the island is slowly being rebuilt. But even after 2 years, I still haven’t recovered from the disaster. Let's see what Barbuda now has to offer the wealthy tourist. So, to explore the island, I need a car. In order to rent a car here I need a car rental. The car rental is located in the village, in order to get there you need to take a taxi. In an hour and a half I walked around the capital of Antigua far and wide. In fact, the town itself is quite small. But that doesn’t mean there’s nothing to see here, guys, 365 beaches! I have something to do, so I'm off! This weekend I'm going to travel around the entire island and show you the main attractions of Antigua. The path is not close. It is unknown whether there will be shops and cafes along the way. Therefore, it is better to stock up on food in the city. Well, I took care of the restaurant - now I have it all in the bag with me. Another good thing - you can get to the nearest beaches by public bus - for only 2 and a half dollars. After 15 minutes, the taxi driver brought me to the only rental on the island of Barbuda, which was opened after the hurricane. - Hello, I need a car. - We don't have any cars available. - Yes, I just need one day. - Everything is booked a month in advance. - I can pay more! - Sorry, there is nothing at all. - OK. Thanks a lot. Can you help me? Can you give me a ride? - Then I'll hire you? - Yes, no problem. - Why didn’t I guess before? Let's continue to get acquainted with Barbuda! The island of Antigua is washed, on the one hand, by the Caribbean Sea, and on the other, by the Atlantic Ocean. Therefore, there are beaches here for every taste and color. For example, “Deep Bay”! A deep bay among 2 rocks with a thin coastline of snow-white sand. The beach is public, so anyone can relax here absolutely free. The only caveat is that there are no sun loungers, no changing rooms, no cafes nearby. But “Jolly Beach” is a private beach at the hotel. All amenities are available here. But if you are not a guest, you have to pay for a sunbed. And here is Hawksbill Beach. Its feature is a mountain in the shape of a turtle's head. . They say that a kind giant turtle once lived here. One day, bloodthirsty pirates swam to the shore. Unable to tolerate their ignorance, the turtle emerged from the water, scared off the villains and froze forever, becoming the amulet of this beach. And the beach is guarded by such cute creatures. Good ones. My dear ones, you saw just a little one there. so tiny. Klaaass, look what they are like. Good ones. Such a goat beach - in a good way. I also asked the taxi driver to take me to the beach. Friends, this is the most famous beach in Barbuda - Pink Beach. Translated it means “pink beach”. This is one of the few places in the world where the coastline is such an unusual color! And all thanks to crushed pink shells and corals from the nearby reef, which are washed ashore by the waves. But that was before Hurricane Irma. And now “Pink Beach” looks like this. It used to be really pink, but then a hurricane came and lost its color. No, of course he is also handsome. But it’s not so pink anymore, this unique feature of his has gone with the hurricane. The wind almost completely washed away the coastline and damaged the coral reef, which is why the beach lost its color. Although if you look closely, you can see these small shells in the sand, thanks to which it was pink. Of course, there are much fewer of them than there were before, but they exist. The most interesting thing is that now all tourists coming to Barbuda, the first thing they do is go to the pink beach. Listen, well, they read old forums. Somewhere the beach is still really pink, but you won’t be like that. You will know that there is no pink beach here. We are trying for you. I love. I decided to give Barbuda another chance. And I asked my taxi driver to take me to the most expensive hotel on the island. It turned out to be “Beach House”. Just three years ago, a lot of tourists came here with a gold card, like me. But then Hurricane Irma came and the hotel was destroyed. The hotel had 22 luxury cottages... its own helipad, spacious swimming pool and private access to the beach. Just imagine what the view was like here. Surely there wasn't all that grass. This is how one hurricane caused so much destruction. Okay, but something has to work on this island. - Will you please take me to some restaurant? - We have no restaurants on the island after the hurricane. But I can call my friend, she will organize something special for you on the beach. Unlimited card - and in Barbuda an unlimited card! They arranged an exclusive lunch for me, firstly, secondly - in nature, thirdly, look how authentic it is. Of course, of course, there is no luxury or frills here, but look how soulful it is. So, an “exclusive lunch” in Barbuda consists of: overripe avocados and bananas, coconut water and lobster with rice and vegetables. In general, what the locals themselves eat every day. Of course, the infrastructure here is still suffering greatly, but listen, the nature is magnificent and the people are good. They didn’t have a cafe by the ocean, but they built it, albeit small for now, but they built it.. To their health! Well, now that you’ve seen the beaches, it’s time to get acquainted with another attraction of Antigua. Black pineapple. It grows only on these islands where there is a suitable humid climate and endless sun. However, they are not transported from the island, because ripe pineapples spoil quickly. And unripe ones will not ripen in another climate. They say that black pineapple has more sugar than regular pineapple. That is why it is several times sweeter. Let's check this now. Oh here he is. But it turned out that the black pineapple is not black at all. I don't even know why it's black. Perhaps due to the difference from the classic pineapple in the color of this top, you see it is darker. Now let's check whether it's like that or whether it's sweet. It’s tasty, but I can’t say it’s downright killer sweet. I would say that this is a good ripe tasty pineapple, if they gave me a taste with my eyes closed, I would say that it is just a pineapple that tastes familiar to me. There is nothing to add. As you can see, there is practically no entertainment on the island: no restaurants, no hotels. Therefore, tourists, in order to somehow attract tourists, came up with such an attraction or something. This is a nature reserve where people are taken on this boat. Ten minutes of travel and I'm there. 20 thousand birds live here, and the island's population is 1,400 people. That is, after this, to say that Barbula is an island of people, it seems to me, no. This is the island of birds. And here are some more chicks. There's a little chick sitting there. Over there in the nest. Just hatched, look! Wow! The main attraction of this reserve is the frigate birds. They cannot swim, but they can stay in the air for hours. They cannot sing, but they click loudly with their long hooked beak. But their main feature is the red throat sac of males, which they inflate during the mating season to attract a female. Cool! I'm impressed! Even though Antigua is a small island, I can’t get around it on foot. And since the buses don’t run regularly, I’ll hitchhike again. In general, as you understand, there is nothing to do in Barbuda for now. So I boarded my private boat and returned to the island of Antigua. This is where I will settle. They say that the rich are offered an exclusive housing option - right on the shores of the Caribbean Sea in a “luxury” tent. But these are no ordinary tents. No, no, no. This is glamping. Glamping consists of two words - glamor and camping. Why it is called that, now you will see for yourself. Glamping is outdoor recreation with all the amenities. Therefore, my tent is more like a tent, which contains a luxurious bed, a chest of drawers for things, a mini-bar, a sofa, and what is important - there is even a shower! Look, I get it, this is truly glamping. It looks like a tent, well, it looks like a tent, but what’s there? And when you go inside, it’s just luxury. And most importantly, here you can stand upright even on the bed. Where have you seen such tents? You have never seen such tents anywhere! Watch, enjoy, remember! The coolest thing here is 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 steps to the sea! I arrived at the next attraction in Antigua. Observation room. There is a life hack - until 5 pm there is an entrance fee, but after 5 pm the guard leaves and you can enter for free! By arriving a little later, you'll not only save $9, but you'll also see the best sunset in Antigua. Hats off to Antigua and Barbuda. You look at it from above and you realize that this is a real gem in the Caribbean. I want to take care of this place and not tell anyone. Can you smell it? What's happened? Listen, it’s delicious! Wow! This shaman of wonderful smells. Yes, friends, it turns out that glamping is not only a “luxury” tent, it is also a picnic on the shore, which a professional chef will organize for you. Wow, what a smell. So, what's on my plate - chicken, fish, shrimp, corn. But it was all cooked on a barbecue - with smoke still in the background of the sunset. Immediately, ordinary ingredients are transformed into a cosmic dish. You know, Kolya, now I’m also organizing “glamping” for myself. And do it yourself and absolutely free! I've already done this. So, this is definitely some kind of top or bottom. So, what is this? What kind of hospitality? I will spend the night like this, and this will protect me from animals. Ahahaha. Well, the first pancake, or rather the tent, was lumpy. It should definitely work now! Tomorrow, when I’m getting ready, don’t forget to remind me about the pegs, okay? Because my situation was so uncomfortable. And the situation was in the Maldives. Where are the pegs? These are such small, funny things, thanks to which the tent does not fly away from the wind in an unknown direction. Bring back Regina! In general, everyone should remember about pegs. Me, you, pegs. Sasha, maybe I’ll shoot and you collect? Magic wands. Well, 20 minutes of persistence and... Tadaaam! I did! Who's the beauty? I'm beautiful! Friends, as you understand, we at “Heads and Tails” are not looking for an easy way - neither for ourselves nor for you. It is here, knee-deep in water, making our way through the thickets, that we will hide a bottle with a hundred bucks and a note for you. And then you, making your way through the thickets, knee-deep in water, will look for it. So, bottle, 100 bucks, let's roll it up. Your holiday in Antigua and Barbuda will be much more enjoyable with a treasure from Eagle and Tails. And to find it, go to the island of Antigua, to the end of Valley Church Beach. There, in the stones, among the bushes, we hid the treasured 100 dollars, good luck with the search. And with a stick, a stick, like in billiards. Let's go to the hole. There is housing, all that remains is to resolve the issue of dinner. Sash, do you have a lighter? It's burning! Now let’s prepare the kitchen “equipment”, in my case a stick. First, the stick must be disinfected by dousing it with fire. You never know. Maybe some dog is an ambassador for her. You know, anything can happen. Better to play it safe. And finally, let's move on to cooking. For dinner we have overseas potatoes and sausages. Listen, the smell, the smell in general, is Michelin. So, shall we try it? Great with smoke. These are the moments that are never forgotten! Hotel all inclusive, right? From what? On the third day it's boring. You come, it’s the same thing, these tables are bursting with food, it’s the same thing. Breakfast-lunch-dinner. And then look: find this firewood, light a fire, don’t tear your dress, here comes adventure after adventure. Good night. What waves do you hear? I will fall asleep to their noise. Good morning! What invigorating water! Well, come here, I already got up this morning, swam in the sea, exercise, breakfast, here you go. I don’t do it that way - like this. Good morning. Not far from my overnight stay there is another attraction of the island of Antigua. The so-called Pillars of Hercules. These are vertical limestone rocks on which waves have been crashing for centuries, honing a unique pattern. Locals believed that the pillars of Hercules served as the entrance to the kingdom of the dead. And a warning to sailors to stay away from this place. Believe it or not, hundreds of ships have actually crashed in this place! And if you have a mask and snorkel, you can see them without even sailing far from the shore! At a depth of only two to three meters. For example, here is a small fishing boat that sank in a strong storm about 20 years ago. And here are the remains of an old cargo ship that transported sugar cane. But several decades ago, it crashed on underwater rocks and now serves only as a home for a flock of yellow-striped grenades. And a free underwater attraction for tourists. Early in the morning, I also decided to explore the underwater world of Antigua and Barbuda. But not floundering near the shore, like Alina, but hired a boat and went out to sea. The Caribbean Sea is one of the largest and warmest seas in the world. Every six months - from June to November - terrible hurricanes sweep over it. Therefore, it is recommended to dive in the remaining six months - in order to safely view the underwater world and its inhabitants. Today I was lucky enough to meet a Caribbean reef shark. Size - one and a half meters, weight - 50 kilograms. But its main “feature” is that it is considered harmless to people. Despite this, the reef shark should not be provoked. Over the past 50 years, these predators have attacked people a dozen times. And even though the culprits of the attacks were the people themselves, it’s better for me to swim up and out of harm’s way. By the middle of the second day I reached the most beautiful beach in Antigua. Its name is “Halfmoon Bay”. It is a bay shaped like a perfect crescent. Bordered by a strip of white sand adjacent to dense tropical greenery. . This area is still untouched by private villas and hotels. Therefore, locals consider this beach to be a real paradise on earth. According to locals, this is the best beach, well, we'll see. I don't even know where to start. Population density - yes, there is no population here, there is wild nature. Contingent - well, people like me. Those who are interested. Infrastructure. What? We haven’t heard of it here, I suggest you just enjoy it! Despite the lack of infrastructure, the beach is rated five. Another plentiful activity in Antigua is fishing for the elusive mahi-mahi. Mahi-mahi is one of the fastest predators in the Caribbean. It reaches speeds of up to 60 kilometers per hour. But the main thing is that mahi-mahi is a strong fighter! She resists to the last, and often simply breaks off the bait. Therefore, catching this fish is not so easy and you need to know several nuances. Firstly, mahi-mahi bites on flying fish. Mahi-mahi loves this kind of fish. Secondly, the spinning rod must be strong, with thick fishing line. We will use 5 fishing rods - so for sure! And thirdly, you will need strong hands, an experienced fisherman. It will take about 20 minutes to get the mahi-mahi on board the boat. And, of course, the main attribute of fishing is patience. For some reason I decided to sit there, I’ll rest a little. Guys, I will now spend almost half of my budget, namely 50 dollars on the excursion that I am going on now. And they promised me that I would see not one, not two, not even five, but hundreds of stingrays! Just 10 minutes from the shore is the “city of stingrays” - this is what locals call the shallow waters on the reef, where a school of southern Atlantic stingrays lives. The conditions here are ideal for them - shallow depths and warm, clean waters. It is to these stingrays that curious tourists are brought every day to swim with the sea creatures. It’s just fantastic - they are not afraid of people, but swim very close. Oh they squeak. They emerge from the water and squeak. Southern stingrays are calm and obedient animals. They are already accustomed to the fact that people come here and feed them, so they have long become tame. He is like a puppy - he goes to where they give him a treat. Stingrays feed on small fish and shellfish. So, catch a big stingray, catch a small stingray. He swims up and, like a vacuum cleaner, picks up the squid. Having learned that feeding occurs regularly during the day, local stingrays have changed their usual lifestyle: unlike their other relatives, they sleep at night and not during the day. They live in a pack, not alone, and they themselves seek contact with people. How pleasant it is to the touch. These are fantastic creatures, I am absolutely delighted, I have... goosebumps, not from the cold, but because it is simply incredible. After half an hour of waiting, it finally took the bait! Like mahi-mahi. Right. Look, look, it's spilling out there. Well now, the main thing is not to lose your temper! Wow! I don’t understand how Alina pulled out her marlin - I swung with mahi-mahi. One mahi-mahi here! A little more effort - and the second mahi-mahi is on the hook! But that's not all! Listen, finally, I’ve had some truly successful fishing in my life, and instead of one mahi-mahi, there are three at once! Hurray, we did it! Hurray, another fishing trip that came out with a plus sign. Another rare fish, and not just one, but 3! Mahi-mahi hooray! At the end of the second day, I came to the last beach on my list - Dickenson Bay. And tourists come to this beach to find a bar, but a very unusual bar - on the open sea! The bar is called Kon Tiki. It is built on pontoons and can accommodate up to 50 people at a time. And today I am among them. Take me to your place. There is even a special transfer on a small boat. You gesture that you need to actually go to the bar. A small boat comes and takes you to the desired place. The transfer is free, but drinks, of course, cost money. Another nice bonus is that everyone here is in a good mood, because they have been sitting here for several hours. Oh, it’s just swaying on the waves here. I don’t even know if it’s worth trying what the guests recommend. But word for word, and you are already on the same wavelength as other vacationers. We can afford a cocktail, Sash. So, what we have is a small company, good music, good mood. It doesn’t matter how old anyone is, who came from where, everyone is just in high spirits. I like. Not only do you drink a delicious cocktail, but you also watch the most beautiful short film of the day - it's sunset. Having visited Antigua and Barbuda, you understand - this is where the real sea holiday is! - 18 steps to the sea If you want, get relaxation. - Watch, enjoy, remember. If you want, look for adventure. - These are fantastic creatures, I’m absolutely delighted, I’m getting goosebumps. And it doesn’t matter whether you have a gold card or 100 dollars - there are enough beaches for everyone! - I take my hat off to Antigua and Barbuda - you look like that from above and you understand that this is a real gem in the Caribbean. - Of course, there is no luxury or frills here, but look how soulful it is. - And there is nothing to add. - We are trying for you. I love. - They are just so cosmic. One didn’t bite me, but kissed me on the shoulder. - Woohoo! The holiday has arrived! Hello! - That's for sure! Hello! - Well, how are you? Tell me, I’m already burning with impatience. - Very good. These islands are truly paradise. There are 365 beaches. - How did you make it? 365 beaches, have you been everywhere? - No, I was at five or six, but they were incredibly beautiful. Just like the picture. And I also had contact. - You mean with aliens? - Well, actually. Ha ha ha! With stingrays! But they really are like aliens. They are just like that.. - This is all good, of course, Alinka, but this is just a warm-up. - Oh, what did you do? Caught a mahi-mahi? I don't know.. - For a second I caught a mahi-mahi mahi-mahi mahi-mahi! -Did you catch the mahi-mahi? - Yes, Alina! - Congratulations! - Woohoo! - This is plus one! - Plus three, friends! Plus three, cloudy in places. Bye bye! See you again! - This is joy! - Shall we take it or..? - We'll take it, of course! - We'll pick it up. - How are they? Well, was it hard? - It was very difficult.
Three islands - Antigua, Barbuda and Redonda - form a small but proud state, lost in the Caribbean Sea.
For several centuries in a row, starting from the 17th century, the British owned the islands and used them essentially as huge plantations of sugar cane, tobacco and cotton. Slaves were used for work, whose descendants make up the bulk of the modern population. The country became free only in the last century, when Foggy Albion gave Antigua “freedom” and the status of a state associated with Great Britain.
The tropical climate of the islands offers a variety of beach holidays, and the best time to travel is from November to April, since during the European summer there is a rainy season. The country has beaches for every taste, and without exaggeration - 365 of them are at your service.
Natural attractions
The coasts of Antigua and Barbuda are indented with lagoons and bays that were once the craters of ancient volcanoes. By the way, three volcanoes still rise above such a modest territory of the islands: Agua, Fuego and Acatenango. But don't worry, it's safe to relax here, as the volcanic activity of these three giants stopped several million years ago.
In Barbuda, it is highly recommended to visit the caves.
Since the island is rich in limestone, you can see with your own eyes real stalactites, stalagmites, underground pools and other cave delights.
To feel like a real islander, you can go on a safari with the promising name “Tropical Adventures”; however, for safety reasons, you will move through the bushes in jeeps, accompanied by professionals, but this fact will not harm your impressions much.
Active recreation and cultural program
When you realize that you are tired of the exotic island life, you can plunge a little into the bohemian environment and visit a casino, yacht club or golf center on the island of Antigua. For extreme sports enthusiasts, there is diving and windsurfing, for which competitions are held here.
The capital of the country is St. John's (Antigua), where the main attractions of the country are concentrated. If you want to study this exotic state more thoroughly, it is worth visiting the National Museum.
The Devil's Bridge, carved into the rocks by the stormy waters of the Atlantic, is a truly impressive sight. They say that slaves used to use the bridge to gain eternal freedom - they threw themselves headfirst into the abyss of the waves. Another must see is St. John's Cathedral, a colonial-style Anglican church. Here, in the capital, a market has been preserved to this day, where slaves were traded for several centuries in a row.
Cultural characteristics
Antigua and Barbuda is a country that mixes the nationalities of European, African, American and Oriental peoples. Calypso and reggae, carnivals and, as a legacy of colonial times, cricket are held in high esteem.
Among the locals there are excellent cricketers, some of the best in the world.
The people living here are believers and peace-loving, guests are greeted cordially, but some accepted standards of behavior must be followed. For example, you should refrain from overly revealing backgammon and military style - any military symbols in civilian clothing are simply prohibited.
The most significant events in the cultural life of Antigua and Barbuda are Sailing Week (held annually in April) and Carnival (organized every summer). The magnificent show lasts for 10 days, so there is a high chance of getting into the very center of events and enjoying the incredible extravaganza.
National holidays
- January 1 - New Year;
- the first Monday in May is Labor Day;
- November 1 - Independence Day;
- December 9 is National Heroes Day;
- December 25—Christmas.
Kitchen
The cuisine of Antigua and Barbuda is a mixture of taste preferences of Latin Americans, French, Chinese, Danes and many others.
At the head of the table are legumes, from which soups are prepared, stewed, fried and steamed. The ingredients of many dishes include sweet potatoes and corn, fish and various seafood. Main courses are usually served with meat, poultry, beef or pork, also fried or stewed. Roast is popular, which usually contains tomatoes, the same legumes, as well as meat or sausage. They cook here in the usual ways, but there is also a non-standard approach - for example, baking a dish in banana leaves.
For dessert, various sweets are traditionally served - fruit jelly, apple, pineapple or mango pie, ice cream or coffee with fruit.
As for drinks, residents prefer juices from dates, apples, raspberries, mangoes, passion fruit, guava, etc. Alcoholic products are consumed less frequently; beer or rum are popular.
Shopping
Antigua and Barbuda is a duty-free zone, which will undoubtedly make your shopping experience even more enjoyable. What do travelers bring from the islands? Local rum, which is some of the best in the world, as well as Bay Rum cologne, which is produced at a local distillery.
Susie's Hot Sauce, which includes chili peppers, is now a beloved Caribbean delicacy and is known throughout the world, and it all began with a small family business.
Pay attention to hand-painted T-shirts with images of various animals and flowers, ceramics, figurines, wicker baskets, original jewelry made from sea shells and tree seeds. When purchasing ceramic cookware, it is important to remember that it can only be stored warm, but will crack in cold temperatures.
Store opening hours: from 08:30 to 16:30
VisaThe period of stay in the country under the visa-free regime is 1 month. Is it possible to enter the country using a general Russian passport? No. What is the validity period of the passport? The passport must be valid at the time of entry. But the rules may change, so it is better that the passport is valid for the entire trip. Do I need additional documents for entry?... Read more
How to get there?The island nation is a popular tourist destination. Direct flights from Russia to St. John's Airport... Read more
Border nuancesRussian citizens do not need a visa to visit Antigua and Barbuda; there are no other border nuances. You should have with you... Read more
CustomsDuty-free import of 200 cigarettes, 2 liters of alcohol and items for personal use is allowed. Import and export of foreign currency must be declared if the amount ... Read more
Car rentalAll the world's major car rental brands are represented on the islands. This area is superbly developed here, which makes the tariffs comparatively...
- an island state in the West Indies, in the eastern Caribbean Sea. The state is located on three islands of the Leeward Islands archipelago - Antigua, Barbuda and Redonda (the latter is an uninhabited rock).
The country's name comes from the country's two largest islands.
Official name:
Capital: St. John's
Territory area: 442.6 sq. km
Total Population: 86.8 thousand people
Administrative division: The state is divided into 8 districts.
Form of government: Constitutional monarchy
Head of State: The Queen of Great Britain, represented by the Governor General.
Population composition: 91% are black, 4.4% are mulatto, 1.7% are white, 2.9% are other.
Official language: English. The local dialect "Patois" is also widely used, which is a mixture of English, Spanish, Portuguese, French and local dialects.
Religion: 26% - Anglicans, 12% - Seventh-day Adventists, 11% - Pentecostals, 11% - Moravians, 10% - Catholics, 22% - other Christians (Methodists, Baptists, Church of God, etc.), 6% - atheists and undecided .
Internet domain: .ag
Mains voltage: ~230 V, 50 Hz
Country dialing code: +1-268
Climate
Tropical trade wind, warm and relatively dry. All year round, the air temperature ranges from +26-27 C (January) to +30-32 C (July). Precipitation is approximately 1300 mm per year, with the maximum amount of rain falling between August and September-December.
Winds blow almost constantly on the islands, significantly softening the heat. In the period from June to November, tropical hurricanes may pass over the country's territory, accompanied by stormy winds and heavy rainfall.
Geography
Antigua and Barbuda, an island country in the eastern Caribbean Sea (in the West Indies) is part of the Lesser Antilles archipelago (part of the Windward Islands group). Consists of two middle islands - Antigua and Barbuda, a small uninhabited island. Redonda and several small islands near the island. Antigua. Area - 442 sq. km, including Antigua - 281 sq. km, Barbuda - 161 sq. km.
Hilly o. Antigua consists predominantly of coralline limestones with volcanic highlands in the southwest (Shurley Mountains; the highest point in the southwest of the island is Mount Boggy, 402 m) and southeast. The coastline is heavily indented, there are deep natural harbors and bays (including St. John's in the northwest - length 3.2 km; Parham in the northeast, English in the south).
40 km north of Antigua, Barbuda is a flat coral island with a deep Codrington Lagoon. The island's shores are lined with beautiful sandy beaches, shallow waters and coral reefs. Both islands are washed by the Atlantic Ocean from the northeast. Redonda Island is rocky, with a maximum height of 305 m above sea level. There are earthquakes (the strongest were in 1690 and 1843).
Flora and fauna
Flora
There are no forests on the island of Antigua, which distinguishes it from other islands of the archipelago. The territory of the island of Barbuda is covered with forests.
The national plant of Antigua and Barbuda - Widdy Widdy - Corchorus siliquosus L) belongs to the linden family (Tiliaceae).
The national flower of Antigua and Barbuda is the Agave. The Dagger Log's (Agave karatto Miller).
The national fruit of Antigua and Barbuda is the Antiguan black pineapple (Ananas comosus). It was originally used for making twine, clothing and for medicinal purposes. It is now grown mainly on the south side of Antigua.
Animal world
The fauna of the islands is poor. On the island of Barbuda many species of birds, lizards, and turtles have been preserved. Wildlife is better preserved on the island of Barbuda. The avifauna is the richest. Coastal waters abound in fish and crustaceans. Marine parks have been created to protect the ecosystems of coral islands.
The national bird of Antigua and Barbuda is the Frigate (Fregata magnificens L - a member of the family of oceanic birds of the order Copepods) - also known as the Weather Bird. The national animal of Antigua and Barbuda, the Deer, was introduced by Codrington in the early 18th century and lives only on the island of Barbuda and the Guianas.
Attractions
The Wadadli island group was discovered by Columbus in 1493, during his second expedition to the shores of the New World. Columbus named the island after the Antigua de Santa Maria church in Seville.
A beautiful island with a picturesque coastline, many bays and rich vegetation, for a long time became an arena for the struggle of European colonists with aggressive Indian tribes and the forces of nature. Only in the middle of the 17th century did life begin to improve for the settlers, and today the islands of Antigua and Barbuda are one of the largest resort areas in the West Indies.
Antigua is home to a huge number of modern hotels, nightclubs, casinos, water sports centers and entertainment complexes.
Banks and currency
East Caribbean dollar (XCD or EC$), equal to 100 cents. In circulation there are banknotes in denominations of 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5 dollars and coins in denominations of 1 dollar, 50, 25, 10, 5, 2 and 1 cent. The East Caribbean dollar is pegged to the US dollar and the exchange rate has not changed since 1976 (EC$2.7 = US$1). The US dollar is freely circulated; many prices are quoted in both American and East Caribbean dollars.
Banks are open from Monday to Friday from 8.00 to 13.00 and from 15.00 to 17.00. Some banks, most notably the Bank of Antigua, are open on Saturdays from 08.00 to 12.00.
Currency can be exchanged at bank offices, hotels and large stores. Although the East Caribbean dollar is tightly pegged to the US dollar, exchange rates can vary widely between institutions. The most stable exchange rate is at the offices of international banks in St. John's; in tourist areas the rate is often less favorable, although you can freely pay in US dollars there.
All types of credit cards are accepted for payment. If the price of a product or service, when paying with credit cards, is initially indicated in East Caribbean dollars, then the amount will be debited from the card, taking into account the conversion at the exchange rate, so in such cases you should clarify the terms of conversion in advance. Travel checks can be cashed at bank offices, hotels and large stores. To avoid additional conversion costs, it is recommended to use travel checks in US dollars.
Useful information for tourists
The islands attract many tourists with their beautiful sea beaches with white and pink coral sand. Tourism is the dominant direction of the country's economy.
The country is also a well-known offshore hub, attracting foreign capital flows and providing huge tax benefits to non-residents.
It is customary to tip in the amount of 10-15% of the total cost, depending on the level of service. It is customary to leave the taxi driver 10%, and the porter 50 cents for each bag.
Antigua and Barbuda- an island state in the Lesser Antilles group, consists of two relatively large islands and several small islets near their coast. In the east the islands are washed by the Atlantic Ocean, in the west by the Caribbean Sea.
The largest of the islands, Antigua (280 sq. km), stretches 20 km in length and 15 km in width. Located 48 km from Barbuda. The island is of volcanic origin. This is a relatively low piece of land with a flat, flat topography and an indented coastline. Reefs stretch along the coast. The highest point is Mount Boggy, 402 m above sea level.
Barbuda is a coral island (161 sq. km). Two-thirds of the territory is occupied by a flat plain with a height of no more than 4 m. The remaining part of the island has a flat, elevated topography with a maximum height of 38 m. In the west, the island is washed by the picturesque vast Codrington Lagoon.
Redonda (1.6 sq. km), a virtually uninhabited rocky islet of volcanic origin. It lies 40 km south of Antigua. Almost flat, but quite green. It is one large natural park.
There is no river network on the islands, which poses an acute problem of fresh water. The fauna of the islands is represented mainly by rich avifauna; in the surrounding waters there are coral reefs.
The capital of the state is St. John's, located on the island of Antigua.
Climate
Tropical trade wind, warm and dry all year round. Winds blow almost constantly on the islands, noticeably increasing in September. Rains (short-term) occur only in September-November. The driest period is considered to be from February to April, when there are no more than three rainy days per month.
Average water temperature +24..+26°C, average air temperature by month: January-March +28°C, April +29°C, May-June +30°C, July-October +31°C, November- December +29°C.
The best time to visit Antigua and Barbuda is from late November to early May.
Last changes: 03/07/2013Population
Population - 86.8 thousand people (2010). Average life expectancy is 73 years for men, 77 years for women. Urban population – 30%.
Ethno-racial composition: blacks - 91%, mulattoes - 4.4%, whites - 1.7%, others - 2.9%.
Religions - Anglicans 26%, Seventh-day Adventists - 12%, Pentecostals - 11%, Moravians - 11%, Catholics - 10%, other Christians (Methodists, Baptists, Church of God, etc.) - 22%, others - 2%, atheists and undecided – 6%.
English is the official language, but many locals speak Antiguan Creole. The Barbuda accent is slightly different from the Antiguan accent.
In the years leading up to independence, Standard English was more widely spoken than Antiguan Creole. Subsequently, Antiguan Creole came to be regarded by Antiguans as an important aspect of their culture. Generally, the upper and middle classes avoid Antiguan Creole. The education system rejects the use of Antiguan Creole and teaching is conducted in standard English.
Last changes: 03/07/2013Currency
East Caribbean dollar (XCD or EC$), equal to 100 cents. In circulation there are banknotes in denominations of 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5 dollars and coins in denominations of 1 dollar, 50, 25, 10, 5, 2 and 1 cent.
The East Caribbean dollar is pegged to the US dollar, the exchange rate has not changed since 1976 (EC$2.7 = US$1). The US dollar is freely circulated; many prices are quoted in both American and East Caribbean dollars.
Credit cards and traveler's checks are accepted for payment in almost all hotels, restaurants, and shops. Banks are open from Monday to Thursday from 8:00 to 17:00, break 13:00-15:00, on Fridays from 8:00 to 17:00 with break 12:00-15:00.
Before paying for purchases with a credit card, be sure to find out what currency payment is accepted in, since converting XCD into “hard currencies” can be an expensive undertaking.
The East Caribbean dollar is a currency used in 7 countries that are members of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States: Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
Last changes: 03/07/2013Communications
Telephone code: 1 - 268
Internet domain: .ag
How to call
To call from Russia to Antigua and Barbuda, you need to dial: 8 - dial tone - 10 - 1 - 268 - subscriber number.
To call from Antigua and Barbuda to Russia, you need to dial: 011 - 7 - area code - subscriber number.
Landline communications
The communication system on the islands is quite modern and well developed. Payphones that can make international calls are located throughout the world and operate on several types of calling cards ("phonecards"), which are sold at post offices, telephone company offices, hotels and supermarkets.
Many hotels provide a telephone in each room, from which you can make an inexpensive local call or go through an operator to an international line (usually the cost of a call from a hotel room is 10-15% more expensive than from a pay phone).
International calls can also be made from the post office.
Mobile communications
Cellular communications standard GSM 850, GSM 900/1900 and TDMA cover all the islands and are quite well developed.
Internet
Network technologies and means of servicing them are developed quite intensively on the islands. In the capital and in the main resorts you can find Internet cafes.
Last changes: 03/07/2013Sea and beaches
The island of Antigua has more than 300 good sandy beaches. The north of the island is rich in numerous resorts and modern hotels; this is a place for a noisy and fun holiday. In contrast to the north - the southern part of Antigua, here secluded deserted beaches provide a quiet, relaxing holiday away from the hustle and bustle.
Barbuda is a coral island whose beaches are covered with white and pink sand. Unlike Antigua, it is a more relaxing holiday and the beaches are not crowded.
Last changes: 03/07/2013Story
In 1493, the island of Antigua was discovered by the Spanish expedition of Christopher Columbus, which named it Santa Maria de la Antigua (after the church in Seville). Due to the lack of water on the island and the raids of the Caribs, Antigua and Barbuda was not settled by Europeans for a long time. 1632 Englishmen from the island of St. Kitts settled in Antigua. In 1663, King Charles II officially granted the island to Lord Willoughby, who sent a large group of settlers to it. They began to grow cotton, tobacco, indigo and ginger. In 1666 the island was occupied by France, but under the Treaty of Breda it was returned to England. In 1671, Antigua and Barbuda, together with the islands of St. Kitts, Nevis, Anguilla and Montserrat, became part of the English colony of the Leeward Islands. In 1689, King William III ordered the convening of an Assembly consisting of landowners and planters on each of the islands.
In 1674, Christopher Codrington (governor 1689-1704) founded the first large sugar cane plantation in Antigua and began to develop the island of Barbuda as a base for supplying his plantation. The cultivation of sugar cane became the basis of the island's economy, and slaves were imported from Africa to work on the plantations. By the mid-18th century, Antigua had over 150 cane processing factories.
In 1816 the Leeward Islands were divided into two separate colonies; one of them included Antigua, Barbuda and Montserrat. In 1833, the Leeward Islands colony was restored, and Antigua became its center (the residence of the governor general). In 1834, slave labor on Antigua's plantations was abolished, but the former slaves remained economically dependent on the planters. The emergence of a free peasantry was hampered by a lack of land and funds.
In 1871, Antigua had Legislative and Executive Councils. In 1898 the Legislative Council, which had been partly elected and partly appointed by the British Governor, dissolved itself and the island was introduced into a crown colony system. The new council, headed by the governor, consisted of 16 appointed members. In 1936 the Council was reorganized. It now consisted of 3 officials, 3 appointed and 5 elected members, but was still headed by the administrator of the island.
Demand for sugar fell sharply during the global economic crisis of the 1930s, causing the local economy to decline. In 1939, a royal commission recommended allowing the activities of the trade union movement, and in 1940 the Trade Union and Workers' Union arose and the strike movement began. According to the British-American agreement of 1940, the United States leased territory in Antigua to create a military base for a period of 99 years.
In 1946, Cornwell Baird, who had headed the Trade Union and Labor Union since 1943, founded the Antigua Labor Party (1946), which achieved electoral success that year. In 1951, universal suffrage was introduced in Antigua, and the ALP won elections to the Legislative Council. In 1958-1962, Antigua was part of the West Indies Federation; in 1960, the Leeward Islands colony was officially dissolved, and Antigua became a separate British possession. Vie Baird took over as Chief Minister.
In 1967, Antigua received the status of a “state associated with Great Britain” with internal self-government rights. Issues of defense and foreign policy remained under the jurisdiction of the British government, and executive power on the island passed into the hands of the local government, headed by Prime Minister W. Baird.
In the general elections of 1971, the ALP was defeated for the first time; the opposition Progressive Labor Movement (PLD), based on the Antigua Workers' Union created in 1967, came to power. The new Prime Minister George H. Walter announced his desire to carry out democratic changes in the interests of workers, and in September 1972 - his intention to achieve full independence after 1976. However, Walter refused to sign the act of independence, insisting during negotiations with Great Britain on the creation of a unicameral parliament , the introduction of a representative electoral system and the expansion of self-government in Barbuda.
The country's economic situation worsened in the early 1970s. In 1972, due to the crisis in the sugar industry, sugar factories were closed. In 1976, the ALP returned to power, and V. Baird again headed the country's government. In April 1980, the ALP won the elections again. After lengthy negotiations, Great Britain agreed to provide Antigua and Barbuda with financial assistance in the amount of $18 million during the first 10 years after independence. In 1980, the government adopted a five-year development plan, in which the main role was given to the development of agriculture and industry, primarily oil refining. In conditions of 20% unemployment, the authorities promised to create 6 thousand new jobs.
On November 1, 1981, Antigua and Barbuda became an independent state. The Barbuda people's movement, which advocated the separation of the island from Antigua, refused to sign the act of independence, although Barbuda received internal self-government.
Actual power in the country passed to the Baird family clan, which also owned the largest television station. A fairly successful transformation of the economy and the development of tourism have led to a significant increase in the well-being of a significant part of the population. The ALP won the 1984 and 1989 general elections.
In the late 1980s, a struggle for leadership broke out between V. Baird’s sons, Lester and Vie Jr. W. Baird Jr. was convicted of connections with drug dealers and illegal arms trafficking; in 1990 he was forced to resign from the government. In January 1992, a report about the Prime Minister's embezzlement of $25,000 sparked mass protests; the opposition declared a general strike. 82-year-old V. Baird was forced to promise to leave politics. In 1993, he handed over the post of leader of the ALP to his son L. Baird, who headed the country's government after the elections in March 1994.
The ALP's prestige suffered significant damage in 1995 when the Prime Minister's brother Ivor Baird was caught with a drug shipment. The US has declared Antigua a money laundering center. In 1997, the opposition United Progressive Party (UPP) boycotted parliamentary sessions for the first time in history. Before the 1999 elections, at the initiative of the ruling party, parliament adopted an amendment to the electoral law that allowed the use of television during the election campaign. Victory again went to the ALP, but the opposition accused the authorities of numerous violations.
In December 1999, a constitutional reform commission was created; it was planned to expand the autonomy of Barbuda and resolve the issue of transition to a republican form of government.
In the early 2000s, new scandals broke out in the country. The Byrd clan was increasingly accused of corruption and nepotism. The government was criticized for bribery, misappropriation of national health insurance funds, and a 13-year-old girl accused the prime minister of sexually abusing her and her brother. L. Baird denied the accusations and organized an investigation, which declared there was no evidence.
In March 2004, the country held regular parliamentary elections, which were held in a peaceful atmosphere. The opposition United Progressive Party won a landslide victory. The government was headed by 55-year-old labor activist B. Spencer, who promised that “the time for change has come.”
Last changes: 03/07/2013In late 2007, the World Trade Organization officially cleared Antigua and Barbuda to infringe $21 million worth of intellectual property rights owned by U.S. companies. The decision came as the United States had harmed the island nation's economy by illegally blocking access to several Internet sites. casinos that are registered on the island. Now, in particular, citizens of Antigua and Barbuda will be able to legally sell “pirated” films, music CDs, etc.
Last changes: 03/07/2013Cruise ship passengers can stay in the country without a visa, provided they depart the country on the evening of the day of arrival.
Don't forget that when leaving the country, a fee of $20 is charged for each passenger, for children under 12 years old - 50% of the fee.
Fighting fish with harpoon guns is prohibited! Sea fishing is permitted only from locally registered vessels.
Like many other Caribbean islands, in Antigua and Barbuda the daily routine seems to shift towards the evening. Lunch is late and not very filling. But dinner in these parts is often so plentiful and long that it often lasts until late. Moreover, local residents prefer to dine outside the home, although family dinners, especially on holidays, are one of the foundations of everyday life.
Government offices are open Monday to Friday from 08.00 to 16.00 (usually until 15.00 on Friday). Shops are open from Monday to Friday from 09.00 to 12.00-13.00 and from 13.00-15.00 to 17.00-18.00. On Saturday - from 09.00 to 13.00-14.00. Many shops close for lunch at 12.00 and open their doors again only at 14.30-15.00. Some institutions practice a five-o-clock break.
Swimming and sunbathing topless is not prohibited, but it is not particularly popular - only some hotels, on the sections of beaches they own, introduce such an opportunity. This is not accepted on public beaches - most of them have separate, almost isolated areas for nudists. Often they are simply carried to the outskirts of the beach area.
Tap water is usually chlorinated and is relatively safe, but bottled water is recommended. Drinking water outside the main cities may be contaminated and not recommended for consumption. Milk and dairy products are generally pasteurized and safe, as are meat, poultry, seafood, fruits and vegetables.
On most beaches there are no sharks or other dangerous marine life, as they are fenced off from the ocean by coral reefs.
Natural hazards inherent to the island include hurricanes and associated flooding.
Last changes: 03/07/2013Shopping and entertainment
The island of Antigua has a casino, a yacht club and a diving center, as well as two golf courses with 18 holes each. Dickenson Bay is the center of windsurfing in Antigua, where windsurfing competitions are held in January and July. Barbuda has a 9-hole golf course.
Nightlife in the capital of Antigua is centered mainly around restaurants and bars. There are only a few nightclubs here. Clubs are busier on weekends and during high season (winter) when there are many holidays and music festivals.
There is a good selection of goods in Duty free stores: jewelry, precious stones (including the famous Colombian emeralds), watches - all at fairly competitive prices.
Shops are open from 8:00 to 12:00 and from 13:00 to 17:00.
Last changes: 03/07/2013How to get to Antigua and Barbuda
Russia does not have direct flights with Antigua and Barbuda.
The most convenient options:
British Airways flight with a transfer in London (a British visa is required, as there is a change of airports - arrival from Moscow to London at Heathrow airport, departure from London from Gatwick airport to Antigua). Lufthansa and Condor flight via Frankfurt. In this case, a Schengen visa is not needed, since the flight is direct - you arrive at Frankfurt airport and fly from there to Antigua. The cost of these flight options is on average 1000-1200 euros (round trip).
Antigua VC Bird International Airport is located in the north-eastern part of the island of Antigua, 6 km east of St. John's, with daily 20-minute flights to Codrington Airport on the island of Barbuda.
Flight duration to Antigua and Barbuda: New York - 4 hours, Miami - 3 hours, Baltimore - 4 hours, Toronto - 4 hours, Puerto Rico - 1 hour, London - 8 hours, Frankfurt - 9 hours 15 minutes, Paris - 8 hours.
There are no buses from the airport - you can only take a taxi there. Some hotels provide free airport-hotel-airport transfer.
Last changes: 05/13/2013
