Antigua and Barbuda

Antigua and Barbuda (/ænˈtiːɡ(w)ə ... bɑːrˈb(j)uːdə/(About this soundlisten); a TEE-g(w)ə ... bar-B(Y)OO-də) is a nation in the West Indies in the Americas, lying between the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. It comprises of two noteworthy islands, Antigua and Barbuda, and various littler islands (counting Great Bird, Green, Guiana, Long, Maiden and York Islands and further south, the island of Redonda). The changeless populace numbers around 81,800 (at the 2011 Census) and the capital and biggest port and city is St. John's on Antigua. Lying close to one another (the principle Barbuda air terminal is under 0.5° of scope, or 30 nautical miles, north of the fundamental Antigua air terminal), Antigua and Barbuda are amidst the Leeward Islands, some portion of the Lesser Antilles, generally at 17°N of the equator.

The island of Antigua was investigated by Christopher Columbus in 1493 and named for the Church of Santa María La Antigua.[5] Antigua was colonized by Britain in 1632; Barbuda island was first colonized in 1678.[5] Antigua and Barbuda joined the West Indies Federation in 1958.[6] With the separation of the league, it ended up one of the West Indies Associated States in 1967.[7] Following without anyone else's input administering on its inner undertakings, freedom was allowed from United Kingdom on 1 November 1981.

Antigua and Barbuda remains an individual from the Commonwealth and Elizabeth II is the nation's ruler and head of state.[8]

Historical underpinnings

Antigua is Spanish for "old" and barbuda is Spanish for "unshaven". The island of Antigua was initially called Wadadli by Arawaks and is privately known by that name today; Caribs perhaps called it Wa'omoni. Christopher Columbus, while cruising by in 1493 may have named it Santa Maria la Antigua, after a symbol in the Spanish Seville Cathedral.