BARBUDA

barbuda, an island in the british west indies. it lies 25 m. n. of antigua, of which it is a dependency, in 17deg 33' n. and 61deg 43' w., and it has an area of 62 sq. m. pop. (1901) 775. it is flat and densely wooded. on the western side there is a large lagoon, separated from the sea by a spit of sand. the part of the island under cultivation is very fertile, and the air is remarkable for its purity. cattle and horses are bred and wild deer are still found. salt and phosphates of lime are exported. the island was annexed by great britain in 1628 and was bestowed in 1680 upon the codrington family who, for more than 200 years, held it as a kind of feudal fief.