St. John's, Antigua and Barbuda facts for kids

Quick facts for kids St. John's
City
Top: St. John's skyline; Middle: Museum of Antigua and Barbuda, St. John's Harbour; Bottom: Fort James, St. John's Cathedral
Location of St. John's in Antigua and Barbuda
Country	Antigua and Barbuda
Island	Antigua
Parish	Saint John
Colonised	1632
Government
• Body	St. John's Development Corporation
Area
• Total	10 km2 (4 sq mi)
Elevation	0–59 m (0–194 ft)
Population  (2011)
• Total	22,219
• Density	3,100/km2 (8,000/sq mi)
Ethnicities
• African	84.86%
Time zone	UTC-4 (AST)
Airport	V.C. Bird International Airport

St. John's is the capital city of Antigua and Barbuda. This country is made up of islands in the Caribbean Sea. St. John's is the largest city in the country. It has about 22,219 people living there. The city is the main business hub and the most important port on the island of Antigua.

History of St. John's

St. John's has been the main center for government in Antigua and Barbuda since 1632. That's when people first settled there. It became the official capital when the country became independent in 1981.

Economy: How St. John's Makes Money

St. John's is one of the most modern cities in the Lesser Antilles. It is well-known for its many shops. You can find everything from big shopping malls to small stores selling fancy jewelry and clothes.

Many tourists visit St. John's. They come from resorts on the island. Also, large cruise ships often stop at the city's harbors, Heritage Quay and Redcliffe Quay.

The city also has a strong financial industry. Some big global banks have offices here. This helps the city's economy grow.

There is a lively market on the edge of the city. Here, you can buy fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, and fish every day.

The only place that makes rum on the island is the Antigua Rum Distillery. It is located in the Citadel area of St. John's.

People of St. John's

Most people in St. John's are like the rest of Antigua. They are mainly of African or mixed European-African background. There are also smaller groups of Europeans, including British and Portuguese people. Some Christian Arabs from the Levant also live here.

The busy City Centre of St. John's

Culture and Fun in St. John's

St. John's has several interesting museums. The Museum of Antigua and Barbuda teaches about the country's history. There is also the Museum of Marine Art. This small museum has old rocks, volcanic stones, and wood that has turned to stone. It also has over 10,000 shells and items from old English shipwrecks.

The Antigua Recreation Ground in St. John's, a famous cricket venue

Just outside St. John's is the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium. This stadium is mostly used for cricket games. It even hosted matches during the 2007 Cricket World Cup. The Antigua Recreation Ground, which is the national stadium for Antigua and Barbuda, is also located in St. John's.

Geography: Where St. John's is Located

St. John's is surrounded by other small towns and villages. One nearby village is St. Johnston. To the north of the city, you can find McKinnon's Pond.

Main Sights: What to See in St. John's

The most famous building in St. John's is St. John's Cathedral. Its tall, white towers stand out against the city skyline.

Near Factory Road and Independence Avenue, you'll find the Botanical Garden. This small park is a peaceful place. It has shaded benches and a gazebo, perfect for relaxing away from the city's busy streets.

The lighthouse on Sandy Island guides ships to St. John's harbour

Sandy Island has a lighthouse on it. This small island is about 5 kilometers off the coast. The lighthouse helps guide ships safely into St. John's harbor.

Fort James is an old fort at the entrance to St. John's harbor. It sits across from Fort Barrington. Other old forts on the island include Fort Berkeley, Fort George, Fort Charles, and Fort Shirley (Shirley Heights).

Government House is where the governor lives. It was built in the 1800s. The building has been damaged by bad weather. It is now on a list of important places that need protection.

Transportation: Getting Around St. John's

St. John's is served by the V. C. Bird International Airport. This is the main airport for the country.

There is also a heliport in the city called Fort Road Heliport. It is located on Fort Road.

Education in St. John's

St. John's is home to two medical schools: the American University of Antigua and University of Health Sciences Antigua.

For younger students, there are several secondary schools. These include Christ the King High School, Princess Margaret School, and the Antigua Girls High School. There are also private elementary schools, like St. John's Lutheran School.

Climate: Weather in St. John's

St. John's has a Tropical savanna climate. This means it feels like summer all year round. Days are hot, and nights are warm. The most rain falls between September and November. This is when hurricanes are more likely to happen. The highest temperature ever recorded in Antigua and Barbuda was 34.9 degrees Celsius (94.8 degrees Fahrenheit). This happened on August 12, 1995.

See also

In Spanish: Saint John (Antigua y Barbuda) para niños