Antigua and Barbuda

Physical Geography

Antigua and Barbuda are two islands between the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. Antigua is the larger of the two main islands. Antigua is 108 sq. mi, and Barbuda is 62 sq. mi (Infoplease, 2011). St. Johns is the capital and largest city of Antigua. English Harbour and Codrington (capital of Barbuda) are other large cities (Infoplease, 2011). The island of Barbuda is a coral island (Infoplease, 2011). The islands enjoy a very pleasant tropical climate which remains warm and relatively dry throughout the year (World Travel Guide, 2010). Tropical storms and hurricanes may occur between June and November (World Travel Guide, 2010).

Education

The education system in Antigua and Barbuda followed the British pattern and included public and private schools (Meditz and Hanratty, 1987). The literacy rate of Antigua and Barbuda is more than 90%, expressing that the education system is a success (Meditz and Hanratty, 1987). The island of Antigua currently has two medical schools, the American University of Antigua (AUA), founded in 2004, and The University of Health Sciences Antigua (UHSA), founded in 1982 (Wikipedia, 2011). In addition to the two medical schools Antigua and Barbuda has the Institute of Information Technology (ABIIT), and Antigua has a government owned state college (Wikipedia, 2011).

Art Forms

Music and Dance

Antigua and Barbuda holds a ten-day festival to celebrate emancipation. Many major events are held during the ten days, and smaller innumerable festivities (Antigua and Barbuda, 2006). Music and dance are the greater of the events. Antiguan dance consists of folk dance and reggae to say the least. Calypso music can be heard throughout the islands as well as at the festivals, and other events. Calypso is the oldest musical form and has its roots in slavery (Antigua and Barbuda, 2006). Other forms of music are bamboo percussion that was replaced by steel drum music, soca, and reggae.

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