The largest island of Antigua, is 21 km (about a dozen miles) across and 281 km2 (about a hundred square miles) in area.[1] Barbuda covers 161 km2 (62 sq mi) while Redonda encompasses 2.6 km2 (1.0 sq mi).[1] The capital of Antigua and Barbuda is St. John's, located at St. John's Harbour on the northwest coast of Antigua.[1] The principal city of Barbuda is Codrington, located on Codrington Lagoon.[1]
In Antigua and Barbuda forest cover is around 18% of the total land area, equivalent to 8,120 hectares (ha) of forest in 2020, down from 10,110 hectares (ha) in 1990.[2][3]
Antigua and Barbuda both are generally low-lying islands whose terrain has been influenced more by limestone formations than volcanic activity.[1] The highest point on Antigua is Boggy Peak, the remnant of a volcanic crater rising 402 meters (1,319 ft).[1] This mountain is located amid a bulge of hills of volcanic origin in the southwestern part of the island.[1] Lake Estate is the third tallest recorded point on Antigua.[citation needed]
The limestone formations in the northeast and northwest are separated from the southwestern volcanic area by a central plain of clay formations.[1] The map of northeastern Antigua features several small and tiny islands, some inhabited. Barbuda's highest elevation is 44.5 metres (146 ft), part of the highland plateau east of Codrington.[1]: 435 The shorelines of both islands are greatly indented with beaches, lagoons, and natural harbors.[1] The islands are rimmed by reefs and shoals.[1] There are few streams as rainfall is slight.[1] Both islands lack adequate amounts of fresh groundwater.[1] Tiny Redonda rises to 246 metres (807 ft) and has very little level ground, while Barbuda is very flat with few if any hills.[citation needed]
The islands' climate is classified as Tropical Maritime[citation needed] and is moderated by fairly constant northeast tradewinds, with velocities ranging between 30 and 48 km/h (19 and 30 mph).[1] There is little precipitation because of the islands' low elevations.[1] The pleasant climate fosters tourism.
Rainfall averages 990 mm (39 in) per year, with the amount varying widely from season to season.[1] In general the wettest period is between September and November.[1] The islands generally experience low humidity and recurrent droughts.[1]
Hurricanes strike on an average of once a year[1] between July and October.[citation needed] 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.[1] On 12 August 1995, a temperature of 34.9 °C (94.8 °F) was recorded at St. John's. This is the highest temperature to have ever been recorded in Antigua and Barbuda.[4][5] The coolest period is between December and February.[1]
Like other island nations, Antigua and Barbuda faces unique environmental issues created by its proximity to the ocean, and small size. These include pressures on drinking water resources, natural ecosystems, and deforestation more generally.
Not only do these issues threaten the residents of the island, but also interfere with the economy – where tourism is 80% of the GDP.[10] The 2017 hurricane season was particularly destructive, with Hurricane Maria and Hurricane Irma, repeatedly damaging vulnerable infrastructure on the islands of Antigua and Barbuda.[11]
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.
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