(Reprinted from the Historical and Archaeological Society(HAS)–Museum of Antigua and Barbuda Newsletter No. 105)
Did you KNOW?
Once upon a time…
Antigua and Barbuda was just one piece of land? Barbuda separated from Antigua geographically about 9,600 B.C. when sea levels of the world rose due to polar glaciers melting during a warm period.
Photo credit: Mapcarta
For 100 years the most south-westerly point of Barbuda (Palmetto Point) has grown at an average of 30 feet to the south in every year?
A white sandy beach in Barbuda is so long that the end dips below the horizon due to the earth’s curvature! It extends from Palmetto Point to Cedar Tree Point for nearly eight miles.
Frigate birds (Weather birds) can fly at an altitude of 2,000 feet, and their usual flying speed is 22 mph? The wingspan is 8 feet and the weight is only 3 lbs as their bones are hollow.
Photo credit: Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority
The last sailing workboat of Antigua and Barbuda was the “Lindy” owned by George Webber of Barbuda in 1990?
It is known that about 127 ships have been wrecked on Barbuda’s treacherous reefs? The oldest was a Spanish Galleon in 1695 and the largest was a 7,800-ton steamer in 1927.
A 1956 Smithsonian Expedition discovered eyeless shrimps in the deep dark waters of Dark Cave in the Highlands?
In 1989 40 llamas arrived by air & barged to Barbuda and Barbudans refused landing.
