Barbuda

Barbuda is an island in the Eastern Caribbean, and forms part of the state of Antigua and Barbuda. It has a population of about 1,500, most of whom live in the town of Codrington.

Barbuda is located north of Antigua, in the middle of the Leeward Islands. To the south are the islands of Montserrat and Guadaloupe, and to the north and west are Nevis, St. Kitts, St. Barts, and St. Martin.

The Siboney were the first to inhabit the island of Barbuda in 2400 B.C., but Arawak and Carib Indians populated the island when Christopher Columbus landed on his second voyage in 1493. Early settlements by the Spanish and French were succeeded by the English, who formed a colony in 1666.

The island was leased in 1685 to brothers Christopher and John Codrington, who had founded the town of Codrington. The Codrington family produced food on their land in Barbuda, and also transported slaves as labour for their sugar plantations on Antigua. There was more than one slave rebellion at Codrington during the 1740s, during which slaves rose against tyrannical managers. All the slaves were freed in 1834.

In 1719, Codrington and the island of Barbuda had its first census (of both people and livestock), conducted by Sir William Codrington (1715-1790).

In the second half of the 18th century, the first map of Barbuda was made. This indicates:

• substantial buildings in the Highland area
• a castle in Codrington
• a fort at River, now known as the Martello Tower
• houses at Palmetto, Coco Point, and Castle Hill
• eight catching pens
• several defensive cannon gun battery units in the south, north, west, and east
• two large plantations in the Meadow and Guava area and in the Highlands area

Barbuda is home to the Frigate Bird Sanctuary, which is located in the Codrington Lagoon. Other points of interest include Highland House (the 18th century home of the Codrington family) and the Indian Cave, which contains ancient Amerindian petroglyphs.

Geography

• Land area: 171 mi² (440 km²)
• Capital and largest city (1991): Codrington (capital of Barbuda), est. pop. 1,000
• Climate: tropical marine; little seasonal temperature variation.
• Terrain: mostly coral limestone islands
• Elevation extremes:
  • Lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m.
  • Highest point: Highlands 38 m.

Climate

In January and February, the coolest months, the average daily high temperature is 81°F (27°C). In July and August, the warmest months, the average daily high is 86°F (30°C). Monthly averages are as follows:

Jan 22.3 28.2 56.9 10.0Feb 22.1 28.3 37.6 8.0Mar 22.5 28.6 46.7 8.0Apr 23.3 29.2 67.6 9.0May 24.3 29.8 112.5 10.0Jun 25.3 30.5 49.5 8.0Jul 25.4 30.7 86.6 11.0Aug 25.4 30.9 100.6 13.0Sep 24.8 30.7 140.5 11.0Oct 24.3 30.4 130.8 13.0Nov 23.7 29.5 134.9 13.0Dec 22.8 28.6 87.4 13.0

Coordinates: 17°37′N 61°48′W