Antigua
- ISS004-E-8158
- 28 February 2002
- 20:29 UTC
Antigua is the largest — at 280 km² in area — of the islands that from the nation of Antigua & Barbuda. It lies in the northeastern reaches of the Caribbean, located 61 km north from the French-owned island of Guadeloupe; Barbuda lies 45 km to the north. The island measures 25 km from east to west and 18 km from north to south.
The island is mountainous in the southwestern regions, relatively flat in the central areas, while the north and east has a landscape of rolling limestone hills and valleys. A highest elevation of 402 m above sea level is reached at the summit of Boggy Peak, located amongst the hilly terrain of volcanic origin that occupies the southwestern part of the island.
Antigua has a highly indented coastline of bays and headlands, some of which form impressive natural harbours that cut deeply in to the island. Along the east, north and south coasts lies a system of fringing reefs.
image: earth sciences and image analysis laboratory, nasa johnson space center
