Antigua may be considered as bearing very much the same relation to the leeward islands, that Barbados does to the windward, being the seat of the central government and the head quarters of the military force,—that however detached from Barbados. Like Barbados too, compared with the islands subordinate to it, Antigua is the most populous, productive, and wealthy;—distinctions it is believed, owing chiefly to similarity of circumstances; some relating to the soil and climate, some to the people inhabiting it, and some to the manner in which it was originally settled and planted.

By consulting the map, it will be perceived how it is situated in relation to the adjoining islands, and how it is nearly at the same distance from Guadaloupe and St. Christopher's, and to the windward of each; both of which are to be seen from its higher grounds when the atmosphere is clear, as is also Montserrat, which, is nearer than either of them,—Guadeloupe being about forty miles distant, and Montserrat only about twenty-five.

In form Antigua is circular, about 20 miles long, and 54 in circumference, comprising within its area about 108 square miles, equivalent to 69,277 acres.