the Travel Enthusiast
- 22 May
Adam in Amazing Places | NO COMMENTSBarbados, The Little England
Bottom Bay, a famous beach that is a very popular beach ©Michael Lakey/flickr
Barbados is a sovereign island on the Caribbean. It lies South of St Lucia, east of St Vincent and the Grenadines and north of Trinidad and Tobago.
The capital is Bridgetown. The currency of the country is the Barbados dollar but US Dollar is also accepted. The total area of the country is 431 sq km and the coastline is 97 km.
The political status of the country is monarchy, the head of state being Queen Elizabeth II.
The official language of the country is English.
The Infrastructure and transportation of Barbados is excellent. Good, modern roads and highways fill the entire island and all of them are paved. Bridgetown has a large and contemporary port(14 terminals) with a cruise ship terminal and a yacht harbor.
The only international airport is Grantley Adams International (13 km of Bridgetown). Cars can be also hired both from the airport and from the rest of the country. A former British colony, the traffic is on the left side. There are modern taxis and buses available throughout Barbados.
Barbados is one of the wealthiest countries in the world. It has a prosperous and stable economy. The quality of life goes well in the country and people enjoy good human rights. The island is also praised for its low corruption. Tourism and services are the most important sectors for Barbados. Other sectors are light industry and sugar.
The parliament building of Barbados in Bridgetown, an example of a British colonial structure ©Roslyn Russell/flickr
The main attractions of the country are:
- Bridgetown is not only the capital of the country of the country but also an important historical site. A heritage site recognized by UNESCO, it is well known for its numerous and colorful British colonial buildings from the 17th, 18th and 19th century. The garrison is also an important site that needs to be visited in the capital.
- Bottom Bay is considered the best beach in Barbados. Well known for its outstanding beach, palm trees and crystal clear water, it is a very popular destination for tourists and locals alike
- St Nicholas Abbey is the only Jacobean mansion on the Caribbean and is famous for being a sugar plantation house.
- Silver Sands Beach is a popular beach suitable for windsurfing and other sports because of the suitable winds that the beach usually faces.
- Flower Forest Situated near the village of Bloomsbury, it is an impressive natural filled with tropical trees and flowers. The entire property was formerly a sugar plantation
The topography of the country is mostly flat and most of it is made of coral limestone .Natural coral reefs surrounds the island also with beautiful white sands and turquoise colored sea.
The climate of the country is mild subtropical. The temperature generally is pleasant all year round. Trade winds blow usually between December and June, Because it lies on the West Indian hurricane zone, it faces hurricanes quite often.
The vegetation of the country is rich and diverse. Many tropical trees, flowers and flowering trees are widespread. Sugar cane and other food plantations are typical in rural areas. The 20% of the area is covered by forests.
Air pollution, contamination of nature and soil erosion are the most common environmental issues that the country faces.
An exemplary beach in Barbados ©Berit Watkin/flickr
The green monkey and the red footed Barbados turtles are the best examples of unique fauna of the country.
The religion in Barbados is secular and freedom of religion is granted and respected. The predominant religion is mainly Christianity and the minorities are Muslims, Hindus,and Jewish.
The population of the country is 283.000 and 45% of them live in urban areas. 93% of them are African descent and the rest 7% is European and Asian.
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travel search by Travelgrove (get this widget)Barbados has developed and modern health care system. Infant mortality is 17 per 1.000 birth and HIV positives are below 1%.
The immigration and customs are safe and strict. Visas are required from most foreign visitors. Prohibited imports are some food products.
The Brief History of the Country.
It is believed that the Arawak people were living on the island, arriving from South America. They were exceptionally skilled agriculturists as well as potters and weavers. In the early 16th century both the Spanish and Portuguese fleet discovered the island. Despite being invaded, they didn’t settled yet they named it Barbados that means “bearded” because of its dense fig trees.
Rocky beaches on the shores of Barbados which is widely popular ©Tommy Lundberg/flickr
In 1625 the island was claimed by the English for King James I. Between 1627 and 1640 the island was settled by them and brought slaves from Africa and they produces tobacco, indigo and cotton. In the year of 1685 the population doubled and sugar plantation was the most common on the island.
Throughout the centuries, sugar plantations flourished by more than 100.000 of African slaves yet Barbados also faced many revolts during that time but still made Barbados affluent.
Between 1639 to 1944 there was a house of assembly that was dominated by plantation owners. As time passed, Barbados also started slowly gaining more and more freedom from the United Kingdom. A full ministerial system was established in 1954 and later on a cabinet government in 1958. By 1952 it already had self government with a democratic system that was only recognized in 1961. It was part of the Federation of the West Indies.
It was that time that the government openly admitted that they wanted total independence and a constitutional conference was held in London between the United Kingdom and Barbados, and the sovereign island finally gained independence in 1966 and also joined the Commonwealth of Nations.
From that moment on, Barbados maintains a good relationship with the United Kingdom and generally the whole world. It is one of the most prosperous nations in the world and a destination that you must not miss. Barbados offers you many and will make your holiday one of a kind
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