What makes Antigua unique among the Leeward Islands? Take a look around. Unlike its neighbors, Antigua boasts a landscape largely devoid of towering mountains and dense forests. Instead, rolling hills and valleys define its terrain. In fact, Antigua holds the distinction of being the sunniest of the Leeward Islands, basking under clear skies that seem to stretch endlessly.
Antigua, discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1493, was named after the Santa Maria de la Antigua Church in Seville, Spain. But don’t let the tranquility fool you. This island paradise harbors a history as rich and vibrant as the colors dancing on the surface of the Caribbean Sea. Antigua witnessed the arrival of English settlers in 1632, marking the beginning of its journey as a British possession. This era wasn’t without its challenges. Antigua faced raids from the French in 1666 and even endured attacks from the Carib people, once a formidable presence in the West Indies. The island’s early economy found its footing in tobacco cultivation. Later, in the 17th century, the allure of sugar’s sweet profitability enticed the island into a new era of agricultural dominance.