St.john's

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St. John's
Newgate Street in St. John's
Location of St. John's in Antigua and Barbuda
Coordinates: 17°07′N 61°51′W / 17.117°N 61.85°W / 17.117; -61.85
Country	Antigua and Barbuda
Island	Antigua
Colonised	1632
Area
- Total	4 sq mi (10 km2)
Population (2005)
- Total	31,000
- Density	8,029/sq mi (3,100/km2)
Time zone	AST (UTC-4)
Emergency Numbers	Police/Ambulance: 911 Fire: 462 0044 Air/Sea Rescuse: 462 3062 Police HQ: 462 0125

St John's is the capital and largest city of Antigua and Barbuda, a country located in the West Indies in the Caribbean Sea. St John's is located at 17°7′N 61°51′W / 17.117°N 61.85°W / 17.117; -61.85Coordinates: 17°7′N 61°51′W / 17.117°N 61.85°W / 17.117; -61.85. With a population of 24,226 (2000), 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.

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 jewelry 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 harbor at Heritage Quay and Redcliffe Quay several times a week. The city buzzes daily with European and American tourists.

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 fresh produce, meat and fish 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.

Culture

Several museums, including the Museum of Antigua and Barbuda and the Museum of Marine Art, a small facility containing fossilized bedrock, volcanic stones, petrified wood, a collection of more than 10,000 shells, and artifacts 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.

Cityscape

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 VC Bird International Airport.

Education

St. John's is home to a medical school called American University of Antigua.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: St. John's, Antigua and Barbuda

• St. John's travel guide from Wikitravel
• Street Map of St John's Antigua From Paradise Islands (non commercial site)
• Map of St. John's at Caribbean-On-Line.com