Barbados, or as known by the British "Little England", is an Independent island nation situated on the boundary of the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. The island is 430 km² (166 sq. mi.), and is primarily low, with some hills in the island's interior. Its location is 13ºN,59ºW, which is about 434.5 km (270 miles) north-east of Venezuela. Barbados is one of the Lesser Antilles and it lies to the east of the main chain of islands, with the nations of Saint Lucia and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines being its closest neighbours.

Barbados is mainly composed of coral-limestone. It is tropical with constant tradewinds and consists of some marshes and mangrove swamps. Some parts of the island's interior are also dotted with large sugarcane estates and wide pastures with many good views to the sea.

Barbados

(In Detail) (Full size)
National motto: Pride and Industry
Official language	English
Capital	Bridgetown
Queen	Elizabeth II
Governor General	Sir Clifford Husbands
Prime Minister	Owen Arthur
Area  - Total  - % water	Ranked 181st 430 km² Negligible
Population  - Total (2002)  - Density	Ranked 170th 276,607 642/km²
Independence -Date	From the UK November 30, 1966
GDP (PPP)  - Total (2002)  - GDP/head	Ranked 170th 4,000 millions $ 14,457 $
Currency	Barbadian dollar (BBD)
Time zone	UTC -4
National anthem	In Plenty and In Time of Need
Internet TLD	.bb
Calling Code	1-246

Barbados has one of the highest standards of living and literacy rates in the world and is currently according to the UN's UNDP, the #1 developing country in the world. The island is a major tourist destination.

History

Main article: History of Barbados, History_of_the_Caribbean

The name Barbados comes from a Portuguese explorer named Pedro A. Campos in 1536, who originally called the island "Os Barbados" ("The Bearded Ones"), the explorer named the island this upon seeing the appearance of the island's fig trees, whose long hanging aerial roots he thought resembled "beards". According to consistant accounts by decendants of the aboriginal Arawak tribes on other local islands, the original name for Barbados was Ichirouganaim.

The island was uninhabited when first settled by the British in 1627, though Amerindian tribes had lived on the island previously. Slaves brought in from Africa worked the sugar plantations established on the island until 1834 when slavery was abolished. The economy remained heavily dependent on sugar, rum, and molasses production through most of the 20th century.

The gradual introduction of social and political reforms in the 1940s and 1950s led to complete independence from the United Kingdom in 1966, with the island remaining a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. In the 1990s, tourism and manufacturing surpassed the sugar industry in economic importance.

Politics

Main article: Politics of Barbados, Politics_of_the_Caribbean

Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom is head of state, and is represented by a Governor General. In Barbados the Queen is styled "By the Grace of God, Queen of Barbados and of Her other Realms and Territories, Head of the Commonwealth." The present government is proposing that Barbados become a republic within the Commonwealth, with a ceremonial president replacing the Queen.

Executive power however is in the hands of the prime minister and his cabinet. The prime minister is usually the leader of the winning party in the elections for the House of Assembly, the lower house of parliament, which has 28 seats. Its members are elected every 5 years. The Senate has 21 members, and its members are appointed by the governor general.

Barbados is a full and participating member of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

Geography

Main article: Geography of Barbados

Barbados is a relatively flat island, rising gently to central highland region, the highest point being Mount Hillaby at 336 m. It is located in a slightly eccentric position in the Atlantic Ocean compared to other Caribbean islands. The climate is tropical, with a rainy season from June to October.

Though one might assume the island deals with severe tropical storms and hurricanes during the rainy season it actually does not. The island gets brushed or hit every 3.09 years and the average number of years between direct hurricane hits is once every 26.6 years.

In the parish of Saint Michael lies Barbados' chief city Bridgetown, which is the nation's capital. Locally Bridgetown is sometimes referred to as "The City" or "B-town". Other towns include Holetown, in the parish of Saint James and Speightstown, in the parish of Saint Peter.

The island is 23 km(14 mi.) at its widest point, and about 34 km(21 mi.) long.

Parishes

Main article: Parishes of Barbados

Barbados is divided into eleven parishes: Christ Church, Saint Andrew, Saint George, Saint James, Saint John, Saint Joseph, Saint Lucy, Saint Michael, Saint Peter, Saint Philip, and Saint Thomas.

Economy

Main article: Economy of Barbados

Historically, the Barbadian economy had been dependent on sugarcane cultivation and related activities, but production in recent years has been diversified into the manufacturing and tourism sectors. Offshore finance and information services have become increasingly important foreign exchange earners, and there is also a healthy interest into the island's light manufacturing sector. In the last ten years the Government has been seen as business-friendly and economically sound. Since the late 1990's the island has seen an increasing construction boom, the island began to see new hotels, re-developments, new homes, office complexes, condos, and mansions being developed across the island.

The government continues its efforts to reduce unemployment, encourage direct foreign investment, and privatise remaining state-owned enterprises. Unemployment has been reduced from high levels of around 14% in the past to only under 10%.

The economy contracted in 2001 and 2002 due to slowdowns in tourism, consumer spending and the impact of 9/11, but the economy rebounded in 2003 and showed growth for 2004.

Traditional trading partners include: Canada, the Caribbean Community (especially Trinidad and Tobago), the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Business links and investment flows have become substantial, as of 2003 the island saw from Canada CAN$25 Billion in investment holdings, placing it as one of Canada's top five destinations of Canadian Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). Canadian Outward Foreign Direct Investment to the World. Businessman Eugene Melnyk of Toronto in Ontario, Canada is said to be Barbados' richest permanent resident.

In 2004 it was announced that Barbados' Kensington Oval will be one of the final venues hosting the 2007 Cricket World Cup.

Characteristics and tourist information

The island of Barbados has a single major airport, the Sir Grantley Adams International Airport (GAIA) (IATA identifier BGI). The Grantley Adams Airport receives daily flights by several major airlines, from points around the globe, as well as several smaller regional commercial airlines and charters. The airport serves as the main air-transportation hub for the Eastern Caribbean. The airport is currently under-going a US$100 Million upgrade and expansion.

The island is well developed and there are many local quality-hotels known internationally which offer world-class accommodations. Timeshares are available, and many of the smaller local hotels and private vilas which dot the island have space available if booked months in advanced. The southern and western coasts of Barbados are popular, with its calm light blue Caribbean sea and fine white and pink sandy beaches. Along the islands' east coast the Atlantic Ocean side are tumbling-waves which are perfect for surfing, but a little bit risky with its under-tow currents.

Shopping districts are another treat in Barbados, with its ample amount of duty-free shopping. There is also a festive nightlife available in mainly tourist areas like the Saint Lawrence Gap. Other attractions include wildlife reserves, jewelry stores, scuba diving, helicopter rides, golf, festivals, sight seeing, cave exploration, exotic drinks and fine clothes shopping.

Attractions, Landmarks and Points of Interest

Name / Parish Location:

For cities and towns see: List of cities in Barbados

Transportation

Transportation on the island is good, with public taxis, called "ZRs" (pronounced "Zed-R")s, traveling to most points on the island. These public taxis as they are known can at times be crowded, but will usually take the more scenic routes to destinations. These buses generally depart from the capital Bridgetown or from Speightstown in the northern part of the island.

Buses are abundant in Barbados. There are three bus companies running seven days a week, and a ride on any of them costs $1.50 BDS. The two smaller buses can make change; the larger, Barbados Transport bus cannot. Many routes require a connection in Bridgetown. However, if you wait long enough, you might find a bus that bypasses the capital and takes you right to your destination. Drivers are happy to help you get where you're going. Unfortunately, they are generally not willing to tell you how or when to use the competing bus companies, even if they're your only choice.

In a bus terminal (sometimes just a parking lot full of buses), it is normal for a driver's assistant to attempt to escort you to his vehicle. This can sometimes cause arguments between drivers, because every driver will want you on his bus; nevertheless, it is prudent to stay with the first person who talks to you (though the arguments seem to be in the spirit of friendly competition).

Some hotels also provide visitors with shuttles to points of interest on the island. Hotel shuttles generally leave right outside of the hotel's lobby. The island also has an abundance of taxis-for-hire, visitors staying on the island may find this an expensive option, most hired-taxis will take you to points of interest but they can be expensive, visitors also have the option of car and vehicles rentals in Barbados, presuming they have a valid drivers license from their native country.

Demographics

Main article: Demographics of Barbados

Between eight and nine tenths of all Barbadians (also known colloquially as Bajan) are of African descent, mostly descendants of the slaves and workers on the sugar plantations. The remainder of the population includes small groups of Europeans and Asians, including the Redlegs. The official language is English and while most Barbadians are Protestant Christians, chiefly of the Anglican Church, there are other Protestant, Roman Catholic, Hindu and Muslim minorities.

Culture

Main article: Culture of Barbados

The influence of the English on Barbados is more noticeable than on other islands in the West Indies. A good example of this is the island's national sport: cricket. Barbados has brought forth several great cricket players, including Garfield Sobers and Frank Worrell.

Citizens are officially called Barbadian, however residents of Barbados colloquially refer to themselves or the products of the country as "Bajan". The term "Bajan", may have come from a localized pronunciation of the word Barbadian which at times can sound more like "Bar-bajan". The term Barbadian, is used less frequently than is "Bajan".

The largest Carnival cultural events which take place in Barbados are the Congaline Festival and Crop Over Festival as known internationally.

As is the case in many of the other Caribbean and Latin American countries, Carnival is an important event for many people on the island, as well as the thousands of tourists that flock to the island to participate in the annual events.

The smaller of the two events is the Congaline Festival, which takes place during the last week of March. The Crop Over Carnival which includes various musical competitions, and other traditional activities usually kicks into high gear from the beginning of July, and ends in its entirety during the first week of August.

The Crop Over festival closes with a large parade in the final days of the festivities.

See also: Music of Barbados

National symbols

A yellow and red Poinciana

The national flower is the Poinciana (Caesalpinia pulcherrima (L.) Sw. , Barbados Pride), which grows across the island of Barbados.

Barbados' Coat of Arms

Golden Shield

The Golden Shield in the Coat of Arms carries two "Pride of Barbados" flowers and the "Bearded" Fig Tree (ficus Citrifolia) which was common on the island at the time of its settlement by the British and contributed to Barbados being so named.

Coat of Arms

The coat of arms depicts two animals which are supporting the shield,

On the left: is a dolphin (dexter); symbolic of the fishing industry and sea-going past of Barbados. On the right: is a Pelican (sinister); symbolic of a small island named Pelican Island that once existed off the coast of Bridgetown.

Above the shield is the helmet of Barbados with an extended arm clutching two sugar-cane stalks. The "cross" formation made by the cane stalks represents the cross which Saint Andrew was crucified. On the base of the Coat of Arms reads "Pride and Industry" in reference to the motto of the country.

International rankings

• CIA World Factbook - GDP - (PPP) per capita:
  • 2004: ranked 59th of 232 countries & territories -- $ 15,700 59th
• Economist, The, Worldwide quality-of-life index:
  • 2005 ranked 33 out of 111 countries 33rd
• Heritage Foundation/The Wall Street Journal, Index of Economic Freedom countries:
  • 2005 ranked 32 of 155 countries 32nd
• Reporters without borders:
  • 2004: N/A [1]
• Save the Children, State of the World’s Mothers:
  • 2004: N/A [2]
• Transparency International, Corruption Perceptions Index:
  • 2004: ranked 21 out of 146 countries surveyed 21st
• UN, Human Development Index (HDI):
  • 2004: ranked 29th out of 177 countries 29th (3rd in the Americas, after Canada and the United States
  • 2003: ranked 27th out of 175 countries 27th
  • 2002: ranked 31st out of 173 countries 31st
  • 2001: ranked 31st out of 162 countries 31st
  • 2000: ranked 30th out of 174 countries 30th
  • 1999: ranked 29th out of 174 countries 29th
  • 1998: N/A
• World Economic Forum, Global Competitiveness Report/Growth Competitiveness Index:
  • 2004-2005: N/A [3]
• World Bank:
  • Total GDP per capita
    • 2003 (World Bank): ranked 38 -- $ 15,712
  • Total GDP (nominal)
    • 2003: ranked 138 -- $ 2,628

See also

• Communications in Barbados
• Foreign relations of Barbados
• List of Barbadians
• Military of Barbados
• Transportation in Barbados
• List of cities in Barbados

External links

• Barbados Government Information Network - The official website of the government of Barbados.
• Hurricane History of Barbados
• Official Website of the Parliament of Barbados
• The official website of the Barbados Tourism Encyclopedia
• Website of the Central Bank of Barbados
• Min. of Foreign Affairs - All About Barbados
• Points and places of Interest when in Barbados