Barbados
From Imakoopedia
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| Quick Facts | |
| Capital | Bridgetown |
| Government | parliamentary democracy; independent sovereign state within the Commonwealth |
| Currency | Barbadian dollar (BBD) |
| Area | total: 431 sq km water: 0 sq km land: 431 sq km |
| Population | 276,607 (July 2002 est.) |
| Language | English |
| Religion | Protestant 67% (Anglican 40%, Pentecostal 8%, Methodist 7%, other 12%), Roman Catholic 4%, none 17%, other 12% |
Barbados is an island (Area: 431 sq km) in the Caribbean, or West Indies, northeast of Venezuela, in Central America, lying between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean. The island is portrayed as the little England of the Caribbean because of its long association as a British colony.
| Table of contents |
Cities
Barbados has the following towns and cities:
- Bridgetown - Capital
- Bathsheba
- Hastings
- Holetown
- Speightstown
Other destinations
- South Coast -- The south coast is made up of several very small towns strung along the coast. Most of the budget hotels, guesthouses, and apartment are located here. Towns include Hastings, Rockley, Worthing, St.Lawrence, Oistins, and Maxwell.
Understand
The island was uninhabited when first settled by the British in 1627. Slaves 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 UK in 1966. In the 1990s, tourism and manufacturing surpassed the sugar industry in economic importance.
Get in
By plane
For its size, Barbados boasts a large internation airport with dozens of flights arriving in the high season from the UK and Canada as well as the US.
Buses run from a stop across the road from the airport up the coast to Bridgetown, but a taxi is the most convient way to get to your hotel on arrival.
By boat
Many cruise ships dock in Bridgetown. Private moorings are available around the island.
Get around
The bus system is extensive, cheap, and fast -- if you're headed to somewhere on the main route, but a car (or mini-moke) is the only way to see many of the out-of-the-way sights.
Talk
Bajans speak English with plenty of local terms thrown in.
Buy
Eat
- Flying fish -- the icon of the islands is found on coins, bills, and menus. Try "fish cutters" a local sandwich.
Drink
Rum and rum drinks are featured at every bar. Beer and wine is easy to find as well.
Sleep
Learn
Work
Stay safe
Stay healthy
Respect
Despite, or maybe because of the tropical climate, Bajans tend to dress conservatively when not on the beach. Bikinis probably wont be appreciated in town and certainly not in churches.
Contact
Communications
External links
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