# Redonda

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Uninhabited Caribbean island

This article is about the Caribbean island. For other uses, see [Redonda (disambiguation)](/source/Redonda_(disambiguation)).

Not to be confused with [Rodondo Island](/source/Rodondo_Island) in Australia or [Redonda Rock](/source/Redonda_Rock) in the Galapagos.

Redonda The island of Redonda, viewed from the south in 2023 Redonda highlighted in Antigua and Barbuda Redonda Show map of Antigua and Barbuda Redonda Show map of Lesser Antilles Redonda Show map of the Caribbean Geography Location Caribbean Sea Coordinates 16°56′18″N 62°20′42″W / 16.93833°N 62.34500°W / 16.93833; -62.34500 Archipelago Leeward Islands, Lesser Antilles Area 1.5 km2 (0.58 sq mi) Length 1.36 km (0.845 mi) Width 0.53 km (0.329 mi) Highest elevation 296 m (971 ft) Administration Antigua and Barbuda Parish Saint John[1] Demographics Population 0 Additional information Time zone AST (UTC-4)

**Redonda** ([Antiguan and Barbudan Creole](/source/Antiguan_and_Barbudan_Creole): *Radonda* or *Radawnda*) is an [uninhabited](/source/List_of_uninhabited_regions) [Caribbean](/source/Caribbean) [island](/source/Island) which is a dependency of [Saint John, Antigua and Barbuda](/source/Saint_John%2C_Antigua_and_Barbuda),[2] in the [Leeward Islands](/source/Leeward_Islands), [West Indies](/source/West_Indies). The island is about 1.6 kilometres (1 mi) long, 0.5 kilometres (0.3 mi) wide, and is 296 metres (971 ft) high at its highest point.[3]

It lies between the islands of [Nevis](/source/Nevis) and [Montserrat](/source/Montserrat), 56.2 kilometres (34.9 mi) southwest of [Antigua](/source/Antigua). Redonda is closer to Montserrat than to any other island; it is located 22.5 kilometres (14.0 mi) northwest of Montserrat and 32 kilometres (20 mi) southeast of Nevis.

Redonda is home to vast numbers of sea birds, and the island was an important source of [guano](/source/Guano) before artificial fertilisers started to be mass-produced. Guano-mining operations started in the 1860s and ceased after the start of [World War I](/source/World_War_I). During the mining operations a few buildings and other installations were put in place on the island, and some physical remnants of that phase in its history are still visible.

The name "Redonda" means "round" in [Spanish](/source/Spanish_language). In 1493, on his second voyage to the New World, [Christopher Columbus](/source/Christopher_Columbus) saw the island and named it "Santa María la Redonda" (the name in the Spanish language means "Saint Mary the Round").

The island was annexed by the Antiguan [Parish of Saint John](/source/Saint_John_Parish%2C_Antigua_and_Barbuda) on 26 March 1872.[1]

## Description

Antigua and Barbuda map with Redonda (lower left).

The west (leeward) coast of Redonda consists almost entirely of sheer cliffs many hundreds of feet high, 2011

At a distance, Redonda appears as if it were one very large rock. It is the remnant of an ancient extinct [volcano](/source/Volcano). The land rises from sea level mostly as sheer cliffs, especially on the [leeward](/source/Leeward) (west) side. At the top of the island there is a relatively flat but tilted area of grassland which slopes to the east. There is no source of fresh water other than rain.

Judging by the name he gave the island, to [Columbus](/source/Christopher_Columbus) the island appeared to be rounded, at least in profile. In reality the island is long and narrow, and reaches a height of almost 1,000 feet (300 m). The actual land area of the island is hard to estimate because of the extreme steepness of the slopes, but it is calculated to be somewhere between 1.6 square kilometres (400 acres) and 2.6 square kilometres (640 acres).

Redonda is uninhabited. The difficult topography, the lack of a safe place to land a boat, and the absence of any freshwater source other than rainfall makes the island inhospitable to humans.

A small stone hut on the top of the island dates from the days when guano was mined there.

A herd of feral goats and thousands of rats were cleared from the island in 2017 as part of an [island restoration](/source/Island_restoration) programme.[4]

A detail of the west coast shows the reddish volcanic rock cliffs and a small rock islet with a visible intertidal algal zone, 2011

## History

In 1493, [Christopher Columbus](/source/Christopher_Columbus) and his crew became the first known Europeans to see Redonda, on his second journey. He claimed it for the [Crown of Castile](/source/Crown_of_Castile), but did not land there. He named the island *Santa María la Redonda*, meaning Saint Mary the Round, reflecting the island's apparent profile when viewed from the side.

As the island is a rock of just over a square kilometre, it did not represent any interest for the powers involved in the [colonisation of the Americas](/source/European_colonization_of_the_Americas) and, for centuries, it was a refuge for [pirates](/source/Piracy_in_the_Caribbean).

In the 1860s, deposits of phosphate derived from seabird [guano](/source/Guano) were discovered on Redonda, leading to commercial mining operations employing labourers from nearby [Montserrat](/source/Montserrat). The island was subsequently annexed to the British colony of Antigua (1869) in order to regulate extraction of these resources, and its incorporation was formalised by the [Redonda Annexation Act](/source/Redonda_Annexation_Act) of 1872.[5]

During the decades after the 1860s, the rich [guano](/source/Guano) deposits of Redonda were [mined](/source/Mining) for [fertiliser](/source/Fertiliser), with an annual yield of up to 7,000 [tons](/source/Ton). Only during this time was the island inhabited by workers; the population was 120 in 1901. After the guano mining, [aluminium phosphate](/source/Aluminium_phosphate) for [gunpowder](/source/Gunpowder) production was discovered and mined. A [cableway](/source/Cableway) was constructed to transport material down to the loading pier on the coast.[6][7]

In 1914, during the [First World War](/source/First_World_War), the mining operations ceased, and most workers left the island. Maintenance workers remained on the island until 1929, when a [hurricane](/source/Hurricane) destroyed almost all the remaining facilities.[6] The island has remained uninhabited since then. Two stone huts still stand from the time when the island was occupied. Although the closest island to Redonda is [Montserrat](/source/Montserrat), and the second closest is [Nevis](/source/Nevis), in 1967 Redonda became a dependency of the more distant [Antigua](/source/Antigua), now part of [Antigua and Barbuda](/source/Antigua_and_Barbuda).

Scientists from the [Montserrat Volcano Observatory](/source/Montserrat_Volcano_Observatory)[8] visit the island in a helicopter periodically; they are using Redonda as an observation point from which to take measurements of the [Soufrière Hills](/source/Soufri%C3%A8re_Hills), an active volcano on [Montserrat](/source/Montserrat).

## Ecology and conservation

The island is a breeding colony for multiple species of [seabirds](/source/Seabird).[9] It has been designated an [Important Bird Area](/source/Important_Bird_Area) (IBA) by [BirdLife International](/source/BirdLife_International) because it supports [red-footed](/source/Red-footed_booby), [brown](/source/Brown_booby) and [masked boobies](/source/Masked_booby), as well as [magnificent frigatebirds](/source/Magnificent_frigatebird).[10]

Animals [endemic](/source/Endemism) to the island include the [Redonda ground dragon](/source/Redonda_ameiva),[11] the [Redonda anole](/source/Redonda_anole)[12] and an unnamed species of dwarf gecko.[13]

The island's local ecology was severely affected by [invasive species](/source/Invasive_species), particularly introduced [goats](/source/Goat) and [rats](/source/Black_rat), for almost a century. [Island restoration](/source/Island_restoration) efforts were initiated in 2016, beginning with removing the island's 60 goats and roughly 6,000 rats.[14][4] The Redonda Restoration Programme involves the Environmental Awareness Group, Wildlife Management International and [Fauna and Flora International](/source/Fauna_and_Flora_International). Several years after the goats were removed, some local plant life began to recover.[14][15]

In September 2023, the Redonda Ecosystem Reserve was established, covering nearly 30,000 hectares (74,000 acres) of land and sea,[16] making it the largest marine protected area in the region.[17]

## Micronation

Main article: [Kingdom of Redonda](/source/Kingdom_of_Redonda)

The island of Redonda, seen from [Nevis](/source/Nevis), with [Montserrat](/source/Montserrat) in the distance, 2006

Redonda is the setting for the myth of the "[Kingdom of Redonda](/source/Kingdom_of_Redonda)". [M. P. Shiel](/source/M._P._Shiel), an author of fantasy novels, claimed that in the year of his birth, 1865, his father [Matthew Dowdy Shiell](/source/Matthew_Dowdy_Shiell), from [Montserrat](/source/Montserrat), decided to celebrate his first male child by arranging for the boy to be crowned [King](/source/King) of Redonda at the age of 15, in a ceremony purportedly carried out on the small island by a bishop.

Shiel first expressed the idea of the "Kingdom of Redonda" in a promotional leaflet for his books. Since then, the title has been "passed down", and continues to the present day. For a period of time the "Royal" lineage of Redonda had a more or less solely literary theme, with the title being given to writers, such as [John Gawsworth](/source/John_Gawsworth) and [Jon Wynne-Tyson](/source/Jon_Wynne-Tyson). Wynne-Tyson (King Juan II), his successor the Spanish novelist [Javier Marías](/source/Javier_Mar%C3%ADas) (King Xavier), and rival contenders for the Redondan title, such as Gawsworth, William L. Gates and Bob Williamson, were featured in a [BBC Radio 4](/source/BBC_Radio_4) documentary, *Redonda: The Island with Too Many Kings*, which was broadcast in May 2007.[18]

## See also

- [Rodondo Island](/source/Rodondo_Island), in [Bass Strait](/source/Bass_Strait) between [Australia](/source/Australia) and [Tasmania](/source/Tasmania), which was named for its resemblance to Redonda

## Notes

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-laws.gov.ag_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-laws.gov.ag_1-1) ["The Redonda Annexation Act"](http://laws.gov.ag/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/cap-373.pdf) (PDF). *laws.gov.ag*. 26 March 1872. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20230326022109/http://laws.gov.ag/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/cap-373.pdf) (PDF) from the original on 26 March 2023. Retrieved 21 August 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["Government of Antigua and Barbuda"](http://www.ab.gov.ag). *www.ab.gov.ag*. Retrieved 11 July 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Antigua and Barbuda: Redonda"](https://web.archive.org/web/20150511100323/http://www.antiguanice.com/v2/travel.php?cat=90). *www.antiguanice.com*. Archived from [the original](http://www.antiguanice.com/v2/travel.php?cat=90) on 11 May 2015. Retrieved 11 July 2017.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:0_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:0_4-1) ["Environmental transformation spells brighter future for Redonda's fantastic beasts"](https://phys.org/news/2018-07-environmental-brighter-future-redonda-fantastic.html). Retrieved 31 August 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** [*Redonda Annexation Act*](https://laws.gov.ag/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/cap-373.pdf) (PDF). 26 March 1872.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-kras-2008_6-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-kras-2008_6-1) Kras, Sara Louise (2008). "The History of Redonda". [*Antigua and Barbuda*](https://books.google.com/books?id=TnItHSAgevMC&pg=PA18). Cultures of the World. Vol. 26. Marshall Cavendish. p. 18. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-7614-2570-0](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-7614-2570-0) – via books.google.com. a cableway using baskets was built to transfer the mined phosphate to a pier for shipping

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** [*Houses and Population at Successive Censuses*](https://ufdc.ufl.edu/UF00076863/01559/images/20). 1911.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["MVO - Montserrat Volcano Observatory"](http://www.mvo.ms/). *www.mvo.ms*. Retrieved 11 July 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["Rare Reptiles Rebound with Radical Restoration of Caribbean Island | Global Wildlife Conservation Global Wildlife Conservation"](https://www.globalwildlife.org/2018/08/15/rare-reptiles-rebound-with-radical-restoration-of-caribbean-island/). *www.globalwildlife.org*. Retrieved 31 August 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-bli_10-0)** ["Redonda"](https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/redonda-iba-antigua-and-barbuda). *BirdLife Data Zone*. BirdLife International. 2024. Retrieved 11 September 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** ["Pholidoscelis atratus: Daltry, J.C."](https://doi.org/10.2305%2Fiucn.uk.2017-3.rlts.t50009685a121638486.en) *The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species*. 22 July 2015. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.2305/iucn.uk.2017-3.rlts.t50009685a121638486.en](https://doi.org/10.2305%2Fiucn.uk.2017-3.rlts.t50009685a121638486.en).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** Daltry, J.C.; Mahler, D.L.; Powell, R.; Dewynter, M. (2020). ["*Anolis nubilus*"](https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/178336/18970845). *[IUCN Red List of Threatened Species](/source/IUCN_Red_List)*. **2020** e.T178336A18970845. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-3.RLTS.T178336A18970845.en](https://doi.org/10.2305%2FIUCN.UK.2020-3.RLTS.T178336A18970845.en). Retrieved 12 November 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** ["Of Rats and Reptiles: An Expedition to Redonda"](http://www.anoleannals.org/2017/02/21/of-rats-and-reptiles-an-expedition-to-redonda/). *Anole Annals*. 21 February 2017. Retrieved 31 August 2018.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:1_14-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:1_14-1) ["Destructive wild goats ruled the island of Redonda for over a century. Now, it's being reborn"](https://web.archive.org/web/20210418093532/https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/raveous-wild-goats-ruled-this-island-for-over-a-century-being-reborn). *Science*. 2 January 2020. Archived from [the original](https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/raveous-wild-goats-ruled-this-island-for-over-a-century-being-reborn) on 18 April 2021. Retrieved 27 March 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Lewis_2023_u594_15-0)** Lewis, Nell (29 September 2023). ["A Caribbean island once ruled by rats is now a wildlife haven"](https://www.cnn.com/2023/09/29/travel/redonda-caribbean-restoration-wildlife-c2e-scn-spc-intl/index.html). *CNN*. Retrieved 29 September 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** Handy, Gemma (1 October 2023). ["Redonda: Tiny Caribbean island's transformation to wildlife haven"](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-66922735). *BBC*. St John's, Antigua. Retrieved 1 October 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** Editorial Staff (17 October 2024). ["Redonda Celebrates One Year as Largest Marine Protected Area in the Region - Antigua News !"](https://antigua.news/2024/10/17/redonda-celebrates-one-year-as-largest-marine-protected-area-in-the-region/). Retrieved 22 January 2025. [Antigua.news](/source/Antigua.news)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** ["Redonda: The Island with Too Many Kings"](https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b007j7t6). *BBC Radio 4*. 27 May 2007.

## References

- This article incorporates [public domain material](https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/about/copyright-and-contributors/) from [*The World Factbook*](https://web.archive.org/web/20251205000000/https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/) (2025 ed.). [CIA](/source/CIA).

## External links

- [Antigua and Barbuda Museum](http://www.antiguamuseums.org)

- ["Redonda Island"](https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/The_Encyclopedia_Americana_(1920)/Redonda_Island). *[Encyclopedia Americana](/source/Encyclopedia_Americana)*. 1920.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to [Redonda](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Redonda).

Wikivoyage has a travel guide for ***[Redonda](https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Redonda#Q457261)***.

v t e Parishes and dependencies of Antigua and Barbuda Parishes Saint George Saint John Saint Mary Saint Paul Saint Peter Saint Philip Dependencies Barbuda Redonda

v t e Populated places of Antigua and Barbuda Largest city: St. John's Saint George Barnes Hill Blackman's Estate Carlisle Coolidge Fitches Creek New Winthropes Osbourn Piggotts Renfrew Sea View Farm Sugar Factory Upper Lightfoot Saint John Adelin All Saints Bathlodge Bellevue Heights Belmont Bendals Blue Waters Branns Hamlet Buckleys Cedar Grove Cedar Valley Clare Hall Clarkes Hill Creekside Crosbies Emanuel Five Islands Grays Hill Green Castle Greenbay Gunthropes Hatton Hill Herberts Hodges Bay Jacks Hill Marble Hill McKinnon's Paradise View Piggotts Ville Potters Village Prison Farm Scotts Hill Skerretts Skyline St. Claire St. John's St. Johnston Tomlinson Trade Winds Upper Gamble's Yeptons Saint Mary Bolans Crabs Hill Ebenezer Jennings John Hughes Johnsons Point Old Road Urlings Saint Paul All Saints Bethesda Christian Hill Cobbs Cross Dieppe Bay Dow Hill English Harbour Falmouth Green Hill Liberta Marsh Village Pattersons Swetes Table Hill Gardens Tyrell's Saint Peter All Saints Diamonds Freemans Guiana Island Long Island Maiden Island Pares Parham Vernons Saint Philip Collins Freetown Glanvilles Mill Reef Montpelier Newfield Seatons St. Philip's Willikies Barbuda Barbuda-East Barbuda-North Barbuda-South Codrington Redonda n/a

v t e Antigua and Barbuda articles History Archaic era Ceramic era Post-Saladoid Early colonisation (1493–1687) Height of slavery (1688–1832) Kingdom of Antigua plot Antigua-Barbuda-Montserrat Post-emancipation (1833–1870) Governors British Leeward Islands Presidency of Antigua (1871–1958) Territory of Antigua (1958–1962) Colony of Antigua (1962–1967) Associated State of Antigua Independence Post-independence (1981–1994) Late Bird era (1994–2004) Post-Bird era (2004–2014) Since 2014 By topic Barbuda Political Pre-Columbian Timeline Geography Antigua Barbuda Barbuda Bank Beaches Birds Cities Capitals Population Forest reserves Geology Historical sites Islands Mammals Mountains and hills Barbuda Highlands Shekerley National Cultural Heritage National parks Parishes and dependencies Pre-Columbian sites Reptiles and amphibians Rivers World Heritage Sites Politics Attorney general Barbudan independence Cabinet Constituencies Constitution Elections Federalism Flag Foreign relations Government Human rights Intelligence Judiciary High Court Law Leader of the Opposition Local government Military Monarchy Governor-General Royal tours National security Parliament House of Representatives Senate Police Political parties Prime Minister list Deputy Prime Minister Republicanism Economy Agriculture Aviation Airlines Airports Communications Companies Central Bank East Caribbean dollar (currency) Human Development Index International rankings Newspapers Railways Roads Science and technology Tourism Trade unions Transport Society Census Crime Disability Discrimination Education Health Immigration Languages Creole English Spanish People Religion Demographics Squatting Youth Culture Art Box hand Carnival Cuisine Black pineapple Ducana Fungee Mauby Raisin buns Sugar cake Sunday bread Ethnicity Housecoat bands Music Benna National symbols Notable Antiguans and Barbudans Public holidays Outline Index Bibliography Category

v t e Parish of Saint John Populated places Adelin Belmont Bendals Blue Waters Branns Hamlet Buckleys Cedar Grove Cedar Valley Clare Hall Clarkes Hill Crosbies Emanuel Five Islands Golden Grove Greenbay Herberts Nut Grove Ottos Potters Radio Range Skyline St. Claire St. John's St. Johnston Tomlinson Upper Gamble's Villa Yeptons Caribbean portal Geographical features Boon Point Cooks Creek Dickenson Bay Five Island Harbour McKinnon's Pond Redonda History and culture Fort Barrington Fort James Government House Kingdom of Antigua Landmarks and tourism Antigua Carnival Blue Waters Hotel

Authority control databases International VIAF GND National United States Israel Other Yale LUX

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Redonda](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redonda) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redonda?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.