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] 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]}

Due to the spread out islands it has an Exclusive Economic Zone of 110,089 km² (42,506 sq mi).^{[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.^[2][3] The coolest period is between December and February.^[1]

Location

Antigua and Barbuda are Caribbean islands between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east-southeast of Puerto Rico.

Geographic coordinates

17°03′N 61°48′W / 17.050°N 61.800°W / 17.050; -61.800

Area

• Total: 442.6 km² (170.9 sq mi) (Antigua 280 km² (110 sq mi); Barbuda 161 km² (62 sq mi))
• country comparison to the world: 205
• Land: 442.6 km² (170.9 sq mi)
• Note: Includes Redonda, 1.6 km² (0.62 sq mi):

Maritime claims

• Territorial sea: 12 nautical miles (22.2 km; 13.8 mi)
• Contiguous zone: 24 nautical miles (44.4 km; 27.6 mi)
• Exclusive economic zone: 110,089 km² (42,506 sq mi) and 200 nautical miles (370.4 km; 230.2 mi)
• Continental shelf: 200 nautical miles (370.4 km; 230.2 mi) or to the edge of the continental margin

Terrain

Mostly low-lying limestone and coral islands, with some higher volcanic areas

Land use

• Arable land: 20.5%
• Permanent crops: 2.3%
• Permanent pasture: 9.1%
• Forest: 22.3%
• Other: 57.2% (2011)

Irrigated land

1.3 km² (0.50 sq mi) (2012)

Total renewable water resources

0.05 km³ (0.012 cu mi) (2011)

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

• Total: 0.01 km³ (0.0024 cu mi)/yr (63%/21%/15%)
• Per capita: 97.67 m³ (128 cu yd)/yr (2005)

Environment - current issues

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.

Barbuda has a large western harbor.

Antigua edit

• Northernmost point – Boon Point
• Easternmost point - Man of War Point, Green Island
• Easternmost point (mainland only) - Neck of Land
• Southernmost point - Nanton Point
• Southernmost point (including Redonda) - headland on southern coast of Redonda (also the southernmost point in Antigua and Barbuda)
• Westernmost point - Five Islands
• Westernmost point (including Redonda) - headland on Western coast of Redonda (also the westernmost point in Antigua and Barbuda)
• Westernmost point (mainland only) - Pearns Point
• Lowest point: Caribbean Sea: 0 m
• Highest point: Boggy Peak: 402 m (1,319 ft)

Barbuda edit

• Northernmost point – Goat Point (also the northernmost point in Antigua and Barbuda)
• Easternmost point - unnamed headland on eastern coast (also the easternmost point in Antigua and Barbuda)
• Southernmost point - Coco Point
• Westernmost point - Cedar Tree Point

•   This article incorporates public domain material from The World Factbook. CIA.