Barbuda

Barbuda is an island and a dependency located in the eastern Caribbean. It is part of the twin-island state of Antigua and Barbuda. The island functions as an autonomous entity, meaning it has a level of self-rule. Barbuda sits approximately north of its sister island, Antigua.

The island is characterized by a very flat landscape. The western portion is dominated by the Codrington Lagoon.

In contrast, the eastern portion features the elevated plateau known as the Barbuda Highlands.

Throughout the island, visitors will find salty ponds and scrubland under a tropical marine climate.

The physical geography of Barbuda creates distinct environments for its inhabitants. The Codrington Lagoon occupies much of the west. The Barbuda Highlands provide higher ground in the east. Most human settlements are concentrated in and around the village of Codrington.

This village serves as the primary residential and social center. The island's low population density makes it one of the most sparsely populated places in the Caribbean. As of 2011, the population was recorded at 1,634 people. This low density is much lower than the population density found on Antigua.

Human history on Barbuda began thousands of years ago. The first inhabitants arrived between 2,900 and 3,000 BC. These people belonged to the Archaic Age. Some scholars call them the Ciboney or Siboney. Others prefer the term "Archaic People" or "first settlers." These settlers arrived by canoe and lived as hunter-gatherers. They used tools made from sea shells. They crafted cutting blades, hoes, and picks from gastropods. They also made water containers from conch, trumpet, and whelk shells. Archeological sites have been found along the southwest coast and near the lagoon.

Later groups inhabited the island during the Ceramic period. The Arawaks arrived at least by 1,000 BC. They likely came from present-day Venezuela and Guyana. Their population on Barbuda reached a peak between 1,500 and 800 years ago. The Arawaks were skilled farmers. They grew corn, peanuts, sweet potatoes, cotton, and tobacco. They also grew various medicinal plants. The Arawaks are famous for Saladoid pottery. This pottery features white-on-red designs with zoned-incised crosshatching. The Kalinago people also visited the island. They often came to harvest seafood and land animals. They called Barbuda "Wa'omoni," which may mean "Island of Herons."

European colonization changed the island's structure significantly. The Spanish traveled near the area in 1493, but it is unclear if they saw Barbuda. In 1625, Captain Smith and John Littleton attempted to colonize the island. By 1666, the English and French had formed a colony. The village of Codrington became the main residential area. In 1685, the island was leased to brothers John and Christopher Codrington. The Codrington family held the island until 1870. They were absentee owners, meaning they lived elsewhere. They used resident managers to run the island. In 1710, a French force led by John Bermingham attacked the Codrington castle.

Slavery was a dark period in Barbuda's history. The slave population grew from 172 people in 1746 to 503 in 1831. This led to several instances of resistance. In 1741, Beach's Rebellion occurred due to cruel treatment by an island manager. In 1774, another manager named McNish was killed during a rebellion. Slaves successfully occupied the Codringtons' castle during this time. Eventually, the Slavery Abolition Act 1833 led to the end of slavery in 1834. Because the island was one large land grant, Barbudans kept using the land as communal property. This right to communal land was later protected by law in 2007.

Modern Barbuda is part of a parliamentary, representative democratic monarchy. The island is part of the Commonwealth of Nations. King Charles III is the current monarch of Antigua and Barbuda. Barbuda has a unique political system. It has a local government called the Barbuda Council. This council was established by the Barbuda Local Government Act in 1976. The council has 11 members. Nine are directly elected, and two are ex officio members. These two members represent Barbuda in the national Parliament. The council manages public works, finance, and agriculture.

The council sessions are held in Codrington.

Natural disasters have also shaped modern life. In September 2017, Hurricane Irma struck the island. This was a Category 5 hurricane. The storm was extremely powerful and destroyed more than 90 percent of Barbuda's buildings. The entire population had to be evacuated to Antigua. However, the island showed great resilience. By February 2019, most residents had returned home. Interestingly, the population is now higher than it was before the hurricane. Today, the economy relies on tourism, government jobs, and fisheries. The lobster catching industry is a major part of the island's exports.