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Antigua and Barbuda Facts & Worksheets

Antigua and Barbuda is an independent Commonwealth nation in the Eastern Caribbean.

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Antigua and Barbuda is an independent Commonwealth nation in the Eastern Caribbean. The country is made of two major islands and several small islands positioned where the Atlantic and Caribbean meet. Antigua and Barbuda is known for several reef-lined beaches, rainforests, and resorts.

See the fact file below for more information on the Antigua and Barbuda or alternatively, you can download our 19-page Antigua and Barbuda worksheet pack to utilise within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

INTRODUCTION

  • Antigua and Barbuda, a Caribbean twin-island country lying between the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, is made up of two major islands and several small islands including Great Bird, Green, Guiana, Long, Maiden, and York Islands and the island of Redonda.
  • John on Antigua is the capital and largest city, while Codrington is the largest town on Barbuda.
  • Antigua and Barbuda are in the middle of the Leeward Islands, part of the Lesser Antilles, lying near each other with 62 km (38 miles) between them.

ETYMOLOGY

  • The word Antigua is Spanish for “ancient” and Barbuda is Spanish for “bearded”.
  • The island of Antigua was formerly called Wadadli by Arawaks and is still locally identified today by that name while Caribs probably called Barbuda Wa’omoni.
  • In 1493, while sailing by, Christopher Columbus may have called it Santa Maria la Antigua, after an icon in the Spanish Seville Cathedral.

BRIEF HISTORY

  • The first known inhabitants of Antigua and Barbuda were called the Siboney or “stone people”.
  • Later, the stone people were succeeded by the Arawak people, who resided on the islands for hundreds of years.
  • These people survived by planting peas, maize, corn, and other vegetables. As a result, they introduced agriculture to the two islands.
  • The Arawak people were consequently replaced by the superior Island Caribs.
  • Christopher Columbus discovered the two islands In 1493 upon his second voyage and named the bigger island “Santa Maria de la Antigua”. For years the Spanish and French, tried to conquer the two islands, but failed due to the resistance put up by the fierce Caribs.
  • After several failed efforts at colonization by the Spanish and French, the British arrived on its shores and in 1632 they finally managed to colonize the island of Antigua.
  • Antigua officially became a British colony in 1667.
  • Large numbers of African slaves were imported to work in the sugar industry on the islands, which became very profitable in time, making it the island’s economic backbone.
  • In 1834, slavery was abolished.
  • The smaller island of Barbuda was annexed to Antigua in 1860.
  • On November 1, 1981, Antigua & Barbuda became officially independent, ending over 350 years of British rule, although the country still belongs to the British Commonwealth.

GEOGRAPHY

  • The total area of Antigua and Barbuda is 442 sq km (171 sq miles) which is 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC.
  • There is not much difference in climate change on the islands as they mostly constantly enjoy a tropical maritime climate.
  • Both islands are not acknowledged for having a large number of wild animals but you can see occasional deer, boars, mongoose, racer snakes, and migrating birds.
  • Antigua and Barbuda are both commonly low-lying islands, limestone and coral islands, with some higher volcanic areas.
  • The country’s terrain has been changed more by limestone formation than volcanic activity.
  • The highest point on the country is Mount Obama, originally called Boggy Peak until 2009. It was named after the former US President for his birthday. It is the remnant of a volcanic crater that reaches a height of 402 metres (1319 feet).
  • Both islands do not have any permanent rivers but possess a lot of natural harbors, beaches, and lagoons.
  • Both islands have reefs and shoals at the edges and are famous for their beautiful, stunning white sandy beaches and clear waters.
  • Tourism dominates the local economy in Antigua, where there is no shortage of high-end resorts. Barbuda has beaches but does not have the infrastructure that Antigua offers.
  • South-west of Antigua, about 40 km (25 mi), lies the small and rocky island of Redonda, which does not have inhabitants.

DEMOGRAPHICS

  • As of September 27, 2020, the population of Antigua and Barbuda is 98,123, mostly made up of people of West African, British, and Madeiran descent.
  • People in Antigua and Barbuda are called Antiguans or Barbudans, depending on which island they are from.
  • The official language of the country is English.
  • The country’s major religion is Christian (predominantly Anglican with others Protestant, and some Roman Catholic).
  • The type of government of Antigua and Barbuda constitutional parliamentary democracy in which the head of state is the monarch who appoints the Governor-General as vice-regal representative. The current Queen of Antigua and Barbuda is Elizabeth II, having served in that position since the independence of the islands from the United Kingdom in 1981.
  • The Royal Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force has around 250 personnel, divided between the army and the coastguard.
  • The country’s literacy rate is 90% and the life expectancy is 77 years.

Antigua and Barbuda Worksheets

This is a fantastic bundle which includes everything you need to know about the Antigua and Barbuda across 19 in-depth pages. These are ready-to-use Antigua and Barbuda worksheets that are perfect for teaching students about the Antigua and Barbuda which is an independent Commonwealth nation in the Eastern Caribbean. The country is made of two major islands and several small islands positioned where the Atlantic and Caribbean meet. Antigua and Barbuda is known for several reef-lined beaches, rainforests, and resorts.

Complete List Of Included Worksheets

  • Antigua and Barbuda Facts
  • Symbolized
  • Fast Facts
  • Brochure Page
  • Significant Events
  • Map and the Islands
  • More about Antigua and Barbuda
  • Land of 365 Beaches
  • Antiguans and Barbudans
  • All About
  • Travel Plan

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Link will appear as Antigua and Barbuda Facts & Worksheets: https://kidskonnect.com - KidsKonnect, October 4, 2020

Use With Any Curriculum

These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.

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