Antigua and Barbuda

Antigua and Barbuda is an island state in the Caribbean. The state is only half the size of the city of Berlin. This makes Antigua and Barbuda one of the smallest states in the world, also in terms of population.

The island of Antigua was discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1493. He named it after a church in the Spanish city of Seville. "Antigua" means "the old one." In the years that followed, the inhabitants were taken away as slaves or died of diseases. Today, the islands are mainly inhabited by people whose ancestors came from Africa.

The coral island of Barbuda is located about 40 kilometers to the north and is not much smaller than the main island of Antigua. "Barbuda" means "the bearded one." On the north coast divers can discover numerous shipwrecks.

The island of Antigua is known for its 365 sandy beaches. Many tourists spend their vacations here. Water sports enthusiasts can snorkel, sail, swim and surf in the clear, warm water.