St. John's, Antigua and Barbuda

St. John's

St. John's in mid-December 2011

Location of St. John's in Antigua and Barbuda
Coordinates: 17°07′N 61°51′W / 17.117°N 61.850°W / 17.117; -61.850
Country  Antigua and Barbuda
Island Antigua
Colonised 1632
Area
 • Total 10 km2 (4 sq mi)
Elevation 0 m (0 ft)
Population (2011)
 • Total 81,799
 • Density 3,100/km2 (8,000/sq mi)
Time zone AST (UTC-4)

St. John's is the capital and largest city of Antigua and Barbuda, a country located in the West Indies in the Caribbean Sea. With a population of 22,193,[1] St. John's is the commercial centre of the nation and the chief port of the island of Antigua.

History

The settlement of St. John's has been the administrative centre of Antigua and Barbuda since the islands were first colonised in 1632, and it became the seat of government when the nation achieved independence in 1981. Saint John is also the capital of Antigua.

Economy

St. John's is one of the most developed and cosmopolitan municipalities in the Lesser Antilles. The city is famous for its various shopping malls as well as boutiques throughout the city, selling designer jewellery and haute-couture clothing. There are also many independent, locally run establishments, selling a variety of fashions.

St. John's attracts tourists from the many exclusive resorts on the island and from the cruise ships which dock in its harbour at Heritage Quay and Redcliffe Quay several times a week.

The investment banking industry has a strong presence in the city. Many major world financial institutions have offices in St. John's.

There is a market on the southwestern edge of the city where fresh produce, meats, and fresh fish are sold daily.

The Antigua Rum Distillery is located at the Citadel and is the only rum distillery on the island. Annual production yields more than 180,000 gallons bottled.

Demographics

The majority of the population of St. John's reflects that of the rest of Antigua: people of African and mixed European-African ancestry, with a European minority, including British and Portuguese. There is also a population of Levantine Christian Arabs.

Downtown St. John's

Government

The Eastern Caribbean Civil Aviation Authority has its headquarters on Factory Road in St. John's.[2]

Culture

Several museums, including the Museum of Antigua and Barbuda and the Museum of Marine Art, a small facility containing fossilised bedrock, volcanic stones, petrified wood, a collection of more than 10,000 shells, and artefacts from several English shipwrecks.

St. John's Cricket Ground

Just east of St. John's is the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, a multi-use stadium in North Sound, that was created mostly for cricket matches, and has hosted the matches during the 2007 Cricket World Cup. The Antigua Recreation Ground, Antigua and Barbuda's national stadium, is located in St. John's.

Geography

Nearby villages and settlements include St. Johnston.

Main sights

The city's skyline is dominated by the white baroque towers of St. John's Cathedral.

The Botanical Garden is near the intersection of Factory Road and Independence Avenue. This small park's shaded benches and gazebo provide a quiet refuge from the bustle of activity of St. John's.

St. John's Antigua Light

St. John's Antigua Light is a lighthouse located in the city's harbour (17°08′03″N 61°55′35″W / 17.1343°N 61.9263°W / 17.1343; -61.9263).

Fort James stands at the entrance to St. John's harbour. Other nearby forts include Fort George, Fort Charles, Fort Shirley, Fort Berkeley and Fort Barrington.

Transportation

St. John's is served by the V. C. Bird International Airport.

Education

St. John's is home to two medical schools called American University of Antigua and University of Health Sciences Antigua. Secondary schools include Christ the King High School, Princess Margaret School and the Antigua Girls High School.

Climate

Climate data for St. John's, Antigua and Barbuda (V. C. Bird International Airport)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 31.2
(88.2)		 31.8
(89.2)		 32.9
(91.2)		 32.7
(90.9)		 34.1
(93.4)		 32.9
(91.2)		 33.5
(92.3)		 34.9
(94.8)		 34.3
(93.7)		 33.2
(91.8)		 32.6
(90.7)		 31.5
(88.7)		 34.9
(94.8)
Average high °C (°F) 28.3
(82.9)		 28.4
(83.1)		 28.8
(83.8)		 29.4
(84.9)		 30.2
(86.4)		 30.6
(87.1)		 30.9
(87.6)		 31.2
(88.2)		 31.1
(88)		 30.6
(87.1)		 29.8
(85.6)		 28.8
(83.8)		 29.8
(85.6)
Daily mean °C (°F) 25.4
(77.7)		 25.2
(77.4)		 25.6
(78.1)		 26.3
(79.3)		 27.2
(81)		 27.9
(82.2)		 28.2
(82.8)		 28.3
(82.9)		 28.1
(82.6)		 27.5
(81.5)		 26.8
(80.2)		 25.9
(78.6)		 26.9
(80.4)
Average low °C (°F) 22.4
(72.3)		 22.2
(72)		 22.7
(72.9)		 23.4
(74.1)		 24.5
(76.1)		 25.3
(77.5)		 25.3
(77.5)		 25.5
(77.9)		 25.0
(77)		 24.4
(75.9)		 23.9
(75)		 23.0
(73.4)		 24.0
(75.2)
Record low °C (°F) 15.5
(59.9)		 16.6
(61.9)		 17.0
(62.6)		 16.6
(61.9)		 17.8
(64)		 19.7
(67.5)		 20.6
(69.1)		 19.3
(66.7)		 20.0
(68)		 20.0
(68)		 17.7
(63.9)		 16.1
(61)		 15.5
(59.9)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 56.6
(2.228)		 44.9
(1.768)		 46.0
(1.811)		 72.0
(2.835)		 89.6
(3.528)		 62.0
(2.441)		 86.5
(3.406)		 99.4
(3.913)		 131.6
(5.181)		 142.2
(5.598)		 135.1
(5.319)		 83.4
(3.283)		 1,049.2
(41.307)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) 11.1 8.7 7.3 7.2 8.6 8.3 11.8 12.7 12.0 12.9 12.4 12.1 124.7
Source: Antigua/Barbuda Meteorological Services[3]

References

  1. ↑ http://www.antigua.gov.ag/pdf/Census_2011_Preliminary_Data_Release.pdf
  2. ↑ "Eastern Caribbean Civil Aviation Authority (formerly, The Directorate of Civil Aviation) (Main Offices)." Eastern Caribbean Civil Aviation Authority. Retrieved on 23 December 2012. "Address : Factory Rd City : Saint John's State : Antigua Country : Antigua and Barbuda"
  3. ↑ "Normals and Averages". Antigua and Barbuda Meteorological Services. Retrieved 14 October 2012.
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