Barbados
Just a plane ride away lies the real fantasy island, Barbados.
Barbados offers sun, two seas, and an indescribable richness of colour. The island abounds with exotic locations and exciting history, while the extensive variety of culture, sports and activities make Barbados the gem of the Caribbean.
Barbados offers sun, two seas, and an indescribable richness of colour. The island abounds with exotic locations and exciting history, while the extensive variety of culture, sports and activities make Barbados the gem of the Caribbean.
The Beaches
As a tropical island, Barbados is home to many beautiful beaches. Barbados beaches are as diverse as the island and everyone has their favourite. All along the Barbados shores large and small beaches are dotted with coral formations, the soft coral rocks weathered by the ocean surf, forming abstract sculptures.
The Capital
The capital city of Barbados is Bridgetown. Bridgetown was settled by Charles Wolverstone 5th of July, 1628. He brought with him 64 settlers to the land formally claimed by James Hay, the Earl of Carlisle. Bridgetown was originally named Indian Bridge after the bridge built over a nearby river.
The Commonwealth
Barbados became a member of the Commonwealth on its attainment of independence on November 30, 1966 and has built a society consistent with the fundamental principles and values of the Commonwealth. These include a commitment to democracy, human rights, freedom, world peace, rule of law, opportunity for all, balanced development, gender equality, freedom of expression and good governance.
Fast and Fun Facts
- Population: Approximately 285,000
- Climate: Eight to nine hours of sunshine most days.
- Geography: A 21 mile x 14 mile Caribbean island. West and South Coast have calm Caribbean sea and endless beaches. Rugged cliffs and Atlantic Ocean on the East Coast.
- Language: English with a broad dialect.
- Currency: Barbados Dollar - US $1 = BDS $2 approx.
- Visitors highlight the friendliness of Barbadians as the island's greatest and most pleasing asset. This is reflected in the highest repeat visitor factor in the region of 39%.
- The people of Barbados have a history of long ingrained Christian principles, a sound and free educational system with a literacy rate of 97%.
- Ethnic groups: 93% black, 3.2% white, 2.6% multicultural, 1% east asian, 0.2% others.
- Religious groups: 74.6% Christian, 4.8% other, 20.6% non-religious/unknown.
- People from the island are known colloquially as Bajan (pronounced Bay-jan).
- Barbados has the third oldest parliament in the world, with uninterrupted parliamentary governance since 1639.
- Barbados was the only vacation destination in this Hemisphere with a scheduled Concorde service. One of the retired British Airways concordes now resides at our international airport.
- The name 'Barbados' is derived from the Bearded Fig Trees once found in abundance on the island.
- Barbados is completely surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean.
- Barbados is 21 miles long and a smile (14 miles) wide!
- Barbados is the birthplace of Rihanna, who moved from Barbados to the United States at the age of sixteen to pursue her music career.
- Was chosen by Tiger Woods as the location for his wedding in 2004.
- Has always flown only the British Flag, until achieving its independence in 1966.
- Has never been successfully invaded by a Foreign power.
- When first settled by the British in 1625, was found to be almost totally covered in dense jungle, with a very large population of wild pigs.
- First and second Governors, Captain William Deane, and John Powell, respectively, were each arrested during their terms as Governor, and returned to England in irons.