ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA wonder of the Caribbean.-

Antigua and Barbuda are part of the Lesser Antilles, consists of two main islands, the island of Redonda more smaller, rocky and uninhabited. They are located at the eastern Caribbean Sea.

Antigua is the largest, is of volcanic origin, and lowland forest, covering an area of 154 miles, this island was named by Christopher Columbus on his second voyage, in honor of the church of Santa María la Antigua in Seville - Spain in 1493. The other major island of the archipelago is Barbuda, its origin is coral and has an area of 68 miles. and has forests with large trees. Was named after the first settlers, seeing lichens falling from the palm trees, this seemed a long beard.

Originally, the Carib Indians lived in these islands, after the islands were colonized by the Spanish and finally by the British, most people in Ireland in 1632. With the arrival of African slaves industry sugarcane was consolidated in 1687. Later. It is in 1850, with the arrival in Saint John, the people of the Madeira Islands of Portugal when the city grows, as its economic strength in the region.

The islands became independent from Britain in 1981 and they are members of the COMMONWEALTH. The official language is English and its capital is Saint John, the most populous city with more than 22,300 people, Saint John is on the island of Antigua. Walking through the old town of Antigua, recalls times of pirates, buccaneers and privateers.

The islands have a temperate climate, which ranges between 73.4 º F. and 87.8 º F. in January and August respectively. The islands are a clear reference point for tourists in the area of the Antillas, without doubt, a fabulous destination to visit. Among its attractions are: The Cathedral of San Juan, the Museum of Antigua and Barbuda, the Government Palace, Fort James, the botanical garden and carnival between the last week of July and first week of August.

The beaches of Antigua and Barbuda are almost pristine, with an average of 109 yd. To 3281 yd. Of white or pink sands, clear waters of coral reefs, with a varied marine fauna and mysterious shipwrecks, the product of ancient shipwrecks, offering visitors the chance to practice a multitude of water activities such as sailing in all variants, snorkeling, kaysurfing, diving, deep sea fishing, catamaran cruises, etc. Also the possibility of practicing on land horseback riding, zip line and the national sport: Cricket.

The islands congregate a large influx of privileged tourists, some 730,000 annually, mainly from the United States, Puerto Rico, Great Britain, France, Germany and Russia. Many top executives, celebrities and European aristocrats, looking placid and romantic places. Antigua and Barbuda possess in addition to paradise retreats or cabins, beaches and coves of the most diverse faunas, only Barbuda had both 170 species of endemic birds. Also, these islands are the natural habitat of the whale shark, the green turtle, hawksbill turtle and the dove quail, which together are the delight of lovers of the purest nature.

Completing this tourist offer are its luxurious shops of the world's leading brands, which make shopping, great resorts, the Grand Casino, and a wide range of hotels and restaurants. The islands are 35 seaports, where luxury yachts dock and cruise around the world. International Airport Vere Cornwall Bird, who also receives a large flow of visitors from throughout the Americas and Europe, where it is not unusual to see private jets of celebrities in Hollywood.

Antigua and Barbuda has a rich cuisine based on products offered by its coast as: gold, tuna, sailfish or marlin, lobster or turtle. As the exotic food "sea eggs" sea urchin roe, which is prepared in various ways.

Other local delicacies include the cou-cou made from cornmeal and okra. the Roti: Indian-Caribbean dish with meat curry, wrapped in chipatee. The conkies, a mixture of cornmeal, coconut, raisins, potatoes, auyana and spices, all served in a banana leaf, similar to tamales.

The typical Barbuda`s rum, or the traditional Mauby, made from sugar cane bark and herbs of the island.