Antigua Bound

Welcome to Antigua Bound

While planning my vacation to Antigua there was so much information to weed through (not all applicable or useful) and not enough forums where people could ask questions and get up to date information about Antigua.

In early 2002, while trying to get as much information about Antigua and the resort that I would be staying at, I met many people on the net who were more than willing to send me detailed information about their trips, site maps, event schedules, photos, etc. and who were always willing to answer my many questions. The Assistant Manager of this site was one of these people:

Terry - (Terry-FALLSTON_MD_USA)

This forum is a place where we hope all people can come together and ask questions, share stories about their trips, rant and rave about Antigua and, hopefully at the end of it, make us all well equipped, better informed travelers.

Syndy - Island-Babe1 - Trinidad

Antigua "The Caribbean you've always imagined"

Pronounced (An-tee'ga), it is located in the middle of the Leeward Islands in the Eastern Caribbean, roughly 17 degrees north of the equator and is best known as the country with 365 beaches (one for each day of the year). To the north and west are Nevis, St. Kitts, St. Barts, and St. Martin, and to the south are the islands of Montserrat and Guadaloupe.

The largest of the English-speaking Leeward Islands, Antigua is about 14 miles long and 11 miles wide, encompassing 108 square miles (280 km2). Its highest point is Boggy Peak (1319 ft.), located in the southwestern corner of the island. Barbuda, a flat coral island with an area of only 68 square miles, lies approximately 30 miles due north. The nation also includes the tiny 0.6 square mile (1.6 km2) uninhabited island of Redonda, now a nature preserve. The current population for the nation is approximately 68,000 and its capital is St. John's on Antigua.

Time: GMT - 4 Currency: $1 US = $2.70 EC

Local Drinks: Wadadli Beer, Cavalier

Local Food: BBQ Free-Range Chicken, Roast suckling pig, pilaffs

Information: http://www.antigua-barbuda.org/

History: Arawak Indians settled here in the 1st century AD. Columbus sighted and named the islands during his voyage to the West Indies in 1493. In 1784, Admiral Horatio Nelson sailed to Antigua and established Great Britain's most important Caribbean base. The three islands became an Associated State in Feb. 1967 and on Nov. 1st 1981, became fully independent from England. They have produced some of the greatest sportsmen in the West Indies recently (e.g. cricketer Sir Vivian Richards).

Government: These isles are a constitutional monarchy, with allegiance to the British Sovereign. Its government is made up of a Prime Minister, Governor General, Parliament and Senate. The government has been dominated by the Antiguan Labour Party (ALP) for the most part. The nation continues to fight and strive for greater economic growth/development and continues to accomplish this by being a member of CARICOM and the Organization of East Caribbean States, as well as close ties to U.S.A. Tourism (it's main industry).

Attractions: Antigua and Barbuda offers tourists a multitude of attractions to visit while on vacation. From St. John's, English Harbour, Museum of Antigua & Barbuda, to 365+ beaches, snorkeling & scuba diving.

Main Events: Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta (April), Caribana (June), Caricom Day (July), and Antigua Carnival (July-August).