Barbados is the easternmost state of the Lesser Antilles. Located in the northeast of Venezuela, it consists of a single island, with an area of 431 km2. The most important city is Bridgetown, the capital, with a population of 99 100 residents (2004) in its urban area. The island is surrounded by coral reefs.
The climate is tropical, with slight variations in average temperature throughout the year and with abundant rainfall from June to November. Hurricanes are relatively frequent on the island.
Economy
The country has an economy based on tourism, finance (tax haven) and the export of sugar and its derivatives (rum). With the exception of sugar cane, the products grown are for local consumption. Oil and natural gas are produced in small quantities. The Government encouraged investment in the production of medicines, clothing, ceramics, glass and electronic compounds. The other existing products are sugar, molasses, rum, cigarettes, paper and textiles. The main trading partners are the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago.
Environmental indicator: the value of carbon dioxide emissions, per capita (metric tons, 1999), is 7.6.
Population
The population is 279 912 residents (est. 2006), which corresponds to a density of 648.03 residents/km2, one of the highest in the world. In 2006, birth and death rates are 12.71% and 8.67% respectively. Average life expectancy reaches 72.79 years. The value of the Human Development Index (HDI) is 0.888 and the value of the Gender-adjusted Development Index (HDI) is 0.885 (2001). It is estimated that in 2025 the population will be 326 000 residents. Blacks make up 90% of the population, followed by Asians and mestizos (6%), and whites (4%). The majority religion is Protestant (67%). The official language is English.
History
Discovered by the Spanish in 1519, the island of Barbados was a British colony from 1652 until 1966, when it became independent. Since that year, the island has lived under a moderate socialist orientation, always maintaining great political stability. A member of the British Commonwealth, the country is governed by a prime minister supported by the Senate and the Assembly.
Countryaah.com: Offers a full list of airports in the country of Barbados, sorted by city location and acronyms.
Abbreviationfinder.org: Provides most commonly used abbreviations and initials containing the country name of Barbados. Listed by popularity.
1UpTravel.com – Maps of Barbados
View the maps of this Caribbean island between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, northeast of Venezuela. Check out the shaded relief map of Barbados.
