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Barbados, situated just east of the Caribbean Sea, is an independent island nation in the western Atlantic Ocean.
At roughly 13° North and 59° West, the country lies in the southern Caribbean region, where it is a part of the Lesser Antilles island-chain. Barbados is relatively close to the South American continent, around 270 miles northeast of Venezuela. Its closest neighbours are Saint Lucia and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines to the west, Grenada to the south-west, and Trinidad and Tobago to the south.
Barbados's total land area is 166 square miles, and is low-lying, with some higher regions in the interior. The organic composition of Barbados is of non-volcanic origin and is predominantly composed of limestone-coral. Parts of the interior contribute to the agriculture industry and are dotted with large sugarcane estates and wide, gently sloping pastures, with many good views down to the sea coast.
Barbados has one of the highest standards of living and literacy rates worldwide. Despite its small size, Barbados's Human Development Index ranking is consistently among the top 35 in the world. It is currently ranked third in the Americas, behind the United States and Canada. The island is also a major tourist destination.
Barbados was originally named Los Barbados, meaning 'the bearded ones'.
The many fig trees on the island had long hanging, aerial roots. To Pedro Campos, the Portuguese explorer who sighted the island in 1536, these roots made the trees look like they had beards, hence the name 'Los Barbados.'
THE FIRST INHABITANTS - 1623 BC
The first people to call Barbados home reached the island around 1623 BC, more than 36 centuries ago. Amerindians traveled here by open canoe from the Orinoco area of South America known today as Venezuela.
During the next 3000 years several tribes inhabited Barbados at varying intervals, including the Caribs and Arawaks.
The Arawaks, a peace-loving community of farmers and fishermen, lived mainly on the coast and they established major settlements in the areas of Bridgetown, Heywoods and Chancery Lane, where archaeological excavations continue to unearth evidence of their existence here in Barbados.
Our modern day lifestyle is still influenced by the Arawaks, with the hammock and the barbeque are good examples of how we retain elements of their traditional way of life. These are both Amerindian words, as is 'huracan' a less welcome feature of life in the Caribbean.
The Arawaks also had a ritual of impaling pineapples on two poles either side of the doorway into their homes, believing that this kept away evil spirits. This ritual was mimicked by the settlers, and today there are many gateposts with a pineapple design standing on the top, not only in Barbados but throughout the world.
The Barbados National flower is the Pride of Barbados. The official name is Caesalpinia pulcherrima. These flowers are generally red, yellow or orange and can be found year around across the island. You will find that they add a wonderful splash of colour wherever they grow.
The National dish of Barbados is Cou-Cou and Flying Fish.
Cou-cou is a dish made with cornmeal and okras, in much the same way that it has been made in Africa for centuries. It is accompanied by flying fish which have been prepared in an aromatic sauce of tomato, onion, chives, thyme, fresh pepper, garlic and other herbs. Together they make a delicious and wholesome combination.
There are approximately 270,000 people living in Barbados today. The correct name for people of Barbados is Barbadian or Bajan.
The Barbadian population is a diverse mix of races which has been accounted for as follows: 93% African descent, 4% Indian, Asian and mixed races and 3% are of European descent.
English is the language spoken locally. Although visitors may wonder at times! The Barbadian dialect, commonly known as Bajan, can be a bit confusing as local slang finds its way into daily communication.
HISTORY OF THE BARBADIAN PEOPLE
Amerindians, mainly being the Arawaks and Caribs, originally inhabited Barbados. In the 1500's, the Spanish and Portuguese came to the island in search of gold. As Barbados had no gold to offer, they chose not to settle here and used the island as a 'lay over' to replenish resources. The English arrived in 1625 and established a new colony in the name of the Crown. Barbados remained under British rule until 1966 at which time it gained its independence.
Over the course of the last four centuries, historical events and a potent mix of African, British and other influences have bequeathed as rich and diverse a cultural heritage as any one single nation could ever dare hope for; our people are our country's greatest asset.
POLITICS:
Barbados has been an independent state in the Commonwealth since November 30, 1966.
It functions as a parliamentary democracy modeled on the British Westminster system. Its Parliament comprises thirty seats
Barbados is a full and participating member of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), the Caribbean (CARICOM) Single Market and Economy (CSME), and the Association of Caribbean States (ACS).
PARISHES:
Barbados is currently divided into eleven parishes: 1. Christ Church 2.Saint Andrew 3. Saint George 4. Saint James 5. Saint John 6. Saint Joseph 7. Saint Lucy 8. Saint Michael 9. Saint Peter 10. Saint Philip 11. Saint Thomas
ECONOMY:
The economy of Barbados had been dependent on sugarcane cultivation and related activities, but in recent years it has diversified economic base.
Offshore finance and information services have become increasingly important foreign exchange earners, and there is a healthy light manufacturing sector. In recent years the Government has been seen as business-friendly and economically sound.
Since the late 1990s the island has seen a construction boom, with the development and redevelopment of hotels, office complexes, and homes. The government continues its efforts to reduce unemployment, encourage direct foreign investment, and privatize remaining state-owned enterprises.
CULTURE:
The influence of the English is more noticeable here than on other islands in the West Indies.
A good example of this is the national sport: cricket. Barbados has produced several great cricket players, including Garfield Sobers and Frank Worrell. Citizens are officially called Barbadians; Barbados' residents refer to themselves or the products of the country as "BAJAN". Barbados retains a strong British influence and is referred to by its neighbours as "Little England"
SPORTS IN BARBADOS:
Several sports such as cricket, golf, netball, and soccer are played in Barbados.
As in other Caribbean countries, cricket is a favourite sport. In December 2006 the WGC-World Cup took place at the country's Sandy Lane resort on the Country Club course, an eighteen-hole course designed by Tom Fazio. Barbados also has a national football team.
THE FLAG: The trident is centered within the flag, is a representation of Neptune, god of the sea.
The trident is 'broken' representing the nation of Barbados breaking away from its historical and constitutional ties as a former colony.
The three points of the trident represent in Barbados the three principles of democracy - "government of, for and by the people." The broken trident is set in a centered vertical band of gold representing the sands of Barbados' beaches. The gold band itself is surrounded on both sides by vertical bands of ultramarine (blue) representing the sea and sky of Barbados.
The design for the flag was created by Grantley W. Prescod and was chosen from an open competition arranged by the Barbados government. Over a thousand entries were received
THS GOLDEN SHIELD:
The Golden Shield in the Coat of Arms carries two "Pride of Barbados" flowers and the "bearded" fig tree which was common on the island at the time of its settlement by the British and may have contributed to Barbados being so named.
THE COAT OF ARMS: The coat of arms depicts two animals which are supporting the shield.
On the left is a "dolphin", symbolic of the fishing industry and sea-going past of Barbados. On the right is a pelican, 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 upon which Saint Andrew was crucified.
On the base of the Coat of Arms reads "Pride and Industry" in reference to the country's motto.
OUR NATIONAL HEROES:
There are ten Barbadan national heroes: Errol Barrow Sir, Grantley Adams, Bussa, Sarah Ann Gill, Samuel Jackman Prescod, Sir Frank Walcott, Charles Duncan O'Neal, Sir Garfield Sobers, Clement Payne, and Sir Hugh Springer.
OUR BAJAN PEOPLE
While sugar remains the number one agricultural product, a drive around the island will readily reveal a diminishing number of cane fields; a larger acreage devoted to diversification into other crops; and, significantly, an increase in tourism related development, including golf courses, new hotels and upmarket residential communities. Tourism is now the backbone of the economy, followed closely by international business services and technology based industries.
It is no coincidence that the future economic well-being of Barbados should today be built around the country's greatest asset - our people. Over the course of the last four centuries, historical events and a potent mix of African, British and other influences have bequeathed as rich and diverse a cultural heritage as any one single nation could ever dare hope for. Out of this 'melting pot' have evolved modern day Barbadians. A rainbow cross-section of people who live together in the confined space of a small island and who are, by both nature and necessity, productive, talented, creative, self-disciplined, intelligent, confident, proud and happy.
Barbadians have always believed wholeheartedly in the benefits of a good education for upward economic and social mobility. Boasting a long history of high educational standards, Barbados, the size of a small town in most countries, has supplied the world with a phenomenal array of scholars, professionals, artists, musicians, sportsmen and leaders.
It is the people of Barbados who have enabled the country to develop into one of the worlds most outstanding free democracies, supported by a deep and universal belief in human rights, the rule of law and the dignity of man.
When examining Barbados culture, there are two very distinct influences, one is English, since we were an English colony from 1627 when the first settlers arrived, right up until 1966 when we gained our independence, and the other cultural influence is African from the days of the slave trade.
Since Barbados is the first island west of Africa, we were a vital stop in the slave trade and many West African slaves stayed here to provide a labour force for the sugar cane fields.
Unlike most of our neighbouring islands, Barbados remained under British rule from the day of settlement right up until our independence on November 30th, 1966.
There's actually an old legend that says that the Spanish had once set out to conquer Barbados. Upon approaching the island, the mission captain looked through a telescope, which in those days was not very good and saw what he thought were hundreds of thousands of English soldiers standing at attention with long spears. Once he saw this, he realized that defeat was imminent and decided to abandon the mission and return home. What that captain actually saw was what we know as cane arrows.
Right before the crop is ready the stalks bear a type of light flower that is the shape of an upward pointing arrow, or spear as the case may be. Thus, our crop saved us from a potentially defining war. The African influence goes hand in hand with the influence sugar has had on our island. Without one, there would not have been the other.
Once a year we have our major festival called CROPOVER, which signifies the end of the sugar cane crop. During Cropover there is abundant celebration featuring calypso music, dancing, colourful costumes and food, all of which have very strong ties back to the original African Slaves. It was actually the slaves who invented this custom by celebrating the end of the especially hard labour, provided by the reaping of the crop. African and English customs and culture are different from each other.
Therefore, it makes for a truly unique blend for Barbados to have such strong influences from those two regions, and so few influences from anywhere else. It's very difficult to rightly explain how the two blend so seamlessly to create this paradise, you just have to experience it for yourself to begin to understand.
It is of enormous credit to all involved in the history of Barbados, both before and after independence in 1966, that the Barbados of today is such an admirable and respected country. From the first inhabitants who arrived around 1623 BC to the Europeans who developed parliament and industry starting in 1625 AD, Barbados' history is a story about its people, the true strength of the island.
For an independent island of such small physical dimensions, measuring only 26 miles by 14 miles, Barbados enjoys a disproportionately high status throughout the world, and is well known for its positive and significant contribution to international affairs.
In reaching its praiseworthy world standing, Barbados has journeyed along a historical path which has never been easy; which has often been tortuous; which has frequently been painful; and which has always been richly interwoven into the patchwork fabric of world history.
TODAY'S BAJAN
Quick witted, chatty and very friendly is the way in which Bajans are described. A caring community, Barbadians welcome visitors to the island and quickly make them feel at home! Barbadians are a rainbow cross-section of people who live together and are by both nature and necessity, productive, talented, creative, self-disciplined, intelligent, confident, proud and happy.
The family unit is the core of any society and in Barbados everyone is considered family through extension. The island is small and most people either know of each other or are related to one another.
It is the people of Barbados who have enabled the country to develop into one of the world's most outstanding free democracies, supported by a deep and universal belief in human rights, the rule of law and the dignity of man.
BEACHES
The beaches of Barbados have something to offer everyone, and with so many to choose from you can pick a new Barbados beach every day. Often described as a paradise of beaches, from the bookworms and sunbathers who long for solitude, to the windsurfers and the surfers who crave the action of the waves, you're sure to find the perfect beach for you. Whether you wish a social atmosphere or one reminiscent of the peace of Robinson Crusoe - Barbados has it all!
Barbados is surrounded by over 70 miles of palm-fringed, white sand beaches owing to the coral geology of the island. The sea offers just about every shade of blue; a delight to behold, even when simply driving around the island.
Barbados law stipulates that all beaches are public even though some may appear to be private due to their location.
The island is known for its contrasting landscape and the same applies for Barbados beaches due to our geographical location between the Caribbean sea on the west and the Atlantic on the east. The north of the island has dramatic cliffs with the Atlantic crashing beneath and can be excellent for experienced surfers. The east coast is the most beautiful with stunning landscapes, tidal pools and crashing waves. The south coast is comprised of a series of calm bays, which are generally safe for swimming, while the west coast is known for its tranquil waters.
IN A NUTSHELL
Life in Barbados is relaxed. A 'Bajan minute' can last longer than most as the attitude of the people is quite laid back. However, the quality of life is good and the people caring and friendly. The 'Gem of the Caribbean', Barbados is the place where solid friendships are created and vacation memories last a lifetime!