ANTIGUA, an island in the British West Indies, forming, with Barbuda and Redonda, one of the five presidencies in the colony of the Leeward Islands. It lies 5om. E. of St. Kitts, in 6' N. and 61° 45' W., and is 54m. in circumference, with an area of 1o8 square miles. There is no central range of moun tains as in most other West Indian islands, but among the hills in the south-west an elevation of 1,3 28f t. is attained. Absence of rivers, paucity of springs, and almost complete deforestation make Antigua subject to frequent droughts, and although the average rainfall is 45.6in., the variations from year to year are great. The high rocky coast is much indented with excellent harbours, that of St. John being safe and commodious, but in ferior to English Harbour, formerly a naval depot. The soil, especially in the interior, is very fertile. Sugar and molasses are the only important exports. Sweet potatoes, yams, maize and guinea corn are grown for local consumption. Antigua is the residence of the governor of the Leeward Islands, and the meeting place of the general legislative council. The Presidency has a local legislative council of 16 nominated members, half official and half unofficial. Until 1898, when the Crown Colony system was adopted, the council was partly elected, partly nominated. Elementary education is compulsory. Some agricultural training is provided by the Government, and the Cambridge local exam inations and those of the University of London are held annually. Antigua is the see of a bishop of the Church of England, the members of which predominate, but Moravians and Wesleyans are numerous. There is a small volunteer defence force.
The island has direct steam communication with Great Britain, the United States and Canada, and is served by the submarine cable. St. John (population about 7,000), the capital, situated in the north-west, is built on an eminence overlooking one of the most beautiful harbours in the West Indies. The trade (im ports f253,291, exports f266,368) is, since the institution of Im perial Preference, principally with England and Canada. The dependent islands of Barbuda and Redonda (q.v.) have an area of 62 square miles. Population of Antigua Antigua was discovered in 1493 by Columbus, who is said to have named it after a church in Seville, Santa la Antigua. It remained uninhabited until 1632, when a body of English settlers took possession, and in 1663 a further settlement was made under the direction of Lord Willoughby, to whom the island was granted by Charles II. It was raided by the French in 1666, but was soon after reconquered by the British and for mally restored to them by the Treaty of Breda.