Geography of Antigua and Barbuda

Antigua and Barbuda both are generally low-lying islands whose terrain has been influenced more by limestone formations than volcanic activity. The highest point on Antigua is Boggy Peak, the remnant of a volcanic crater rising 402 meters (1,319 ft). This mountain is located amid a bulge of hills of volcanic origin in the southwestern part of the island. Lake Estate is the third tallest recorded point on Antigua.

The limestone formations in the northeast and northwest are separated from the southwestern volcanic area by a central plain of clay formations. The map of northeastern Antigua features several small and tiny islands, some inhabited. Barbuda's highest elevation is 42 meters (146 ft), part of the highland plateau east of Codrington. The shorelines of both islands are greatly indented with beaches, lagoons, and natural harbors. The islands are rimmed by reefs and shoals. There are few streams as rainfall is slight. Both islands lack adequate amounts of fresh groundwater. Tiny Redonda rises to 246 metres (807 ft) and has very little level ground, while Barbuda is very flat with few if any hills.

There are many coral reefs in the vicinity of Antigua and Barbuda. The island of Guadeloupe lies to the southern, on the far side of the Guadeloupe Passage from Antigua. Due to the spread out islands it has an Exclusive Economic Zone of 110,089 km² (42,506 sq mi).

Antigua and Barbuda is famous for its beaches, estimated at 365, particularly those on Antigua itself. The most noteworthy feature of Barbuda’s coastline is the natural lagoon on the western side of the island.

The islands' climate is classified as Tropical Maritime and is moderated by fairly constant northeast tradewinds, with velocities ranging between 30 and 48 km/h (19 and 30 mph). There is little precipitation because of the islands' low elevations. The pleasant climate fosters tourism.

Rainfall averages 990 mm (39 in) per year, with the amount varying widely from season to season. In general the wettest period is between September and November. The islands generally experience low humidity and recurrent droughts.

Hurricanes strike on an average of once a year between July and October. Temperatures average 27 °C (80.6 °F), with a range from 23 °C (73.4 °F) in the winter to 30 °C (86 °F) in the summer and autumn. The coolest period is between December and February. Its low humidity makes it one of the most temperate climates in the world.

Outcroppings on Valley road in Antigua and Barbuda

Antigua southern shore

Antigua beach view

The sandy soil on much of the islands has only scrub vegetation. Some parts of Antigua are more fertile–most notably the central plain–due to the volcanic ash in the soil. These areas support some tropical vegetation and agricultural uses. The planting of acacia, mahogany, and red and white cedar on Antigua has led to as much as 11% of the land becoming forested, helping to conserve the soil and water.

Location

Antigua and Barbuda are Caribbean islands between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east-southeast of Puerto Rico.

Geographic coordinates

17°03′N 61°48′W

Area

• Total: 442.6 km² (170.9 sq mi) (Antigua 280 km² (110 sq mi); Barbuda 161 km² (62 sq mi))
• country comparison to the world: 205
• Land: 442.6 km² (170.9 sq mi)
• Note: Includes Redonda, 1.6 km² (0.62 sq mi):

Maritime claims

• Territorial sea: 12 nautical miles (22.2 km; 13.8 mi)
• Contiguous zone: 24 nautical miles (44.4 km; 27.6 mi)
• Exclusive economic zone: 110,089 km² (42,506 sq mi) and 200 nautical miles (370.4 km; 230.2 mi)
• Continental shelf: 200 nautical miles (370.4 km; 230.2 mi) or to the edge of the continental margin

Terrain

Mostly low-lying limestone and coral islands, with some higher volcanic areas

Land use

• Arable land: 20.5%
• Permanent crops: 2.3%
• Permanent pasture: 9.1%
• Forest: 22.3%
• Other: 57.2% (2011)

Irrigated land

1.3 km² (0.50 sq mi) (2012)

Total renewable water resources

0.05 km³ (0.012 cu mi) (2011)

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

• Total: 0.01 km³ (0.0024 cu mi)/yr (63%/21%/15%)
• Per capita: 97.67 m³ (128 cu yd)/yr (2005)

Environment - current issues

Water management, a major concern because of limited natural fresh water resources, is further hampered by the clearing of trees to increase crop production, causing rainfall to run off quickly

Environment

international agreements

• Party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling

Geography - note

Antigua has a deeply indented shoreline with many natural harbors and beaches. Antigua's southernmost point is Cape Shirley.

Barbuda has a large western harbor.

•  This article incorporates public domain material from the Library of Congress Country Studies website http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/.
•  This article incorporates public domain material from the CIA World Factbook website https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/index.html.