What countries border Barbados?
What is the current weather in Barbados?
What is Barbados famous for?
What is the capital of Barbados?
Capital | Bridgetown |
Government Type | parliamentary republic; a Commonwealth realm |
Currency | Barbadian dollars (BBD) |
Total Area |
166 Square Miles 430 Square Kilometers |
Location | The Caribbean, an island in the North Atlantic Ocean, northeast of Venezuela |
Language | English |
GDP - real growth rate | 1.7% |
GDP - per capita (PPP) | $17,200.00 (USD) |
What is the population of Barbados?
Ethnic Groups | Black 90%, white 4%, Asian and mixed 6% |
Nationality Noun | Barbadian(s) or Bajan (colloquial) |
Population | 294,560 |
Population Growth Rate | 0.34% |
Population in Major Urban Areas | BRIDGETOWN (capital) 122,000 |
Urban Population | 44.400000 |
What type of government does Barbados have?
Executive Branch |
chief of state: President Sandra MASON (since 30 November 2021) previous Queen ELIZABETH II (6 February 1952 - 8 September 2022) head of government: Prime Minister Mia MOTTLEY (since 25 May 2018) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister elections/appointments: president elected by an electoral college of both Houses of Parliament for a 4-year renewable term; election last held on 20 October 2021; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or leader of the majority coalition usually appointed prime minister by the president; the prime minister recommends the deputy prime minister election results: Sandra MASON elected as first president on 20 October 2021 |
Suffrage | 18 years of age; universal |
Citizenship |
citizenship by birth: yes citizenship by descent only: yes dual citizenship recognized: yes residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years |
National Holiday | Independence Day, 30 November (1966) |
Constitution |
history: adopted 22 November 1966, effective 30 November 1966; Constitution (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill, 2021 establishes Barbados as a republic and revokes the earlier Order in Council amendments: proposed by Parliament; passage of amendments to constitutional sections such as citizenship, fundamental rights and freedoms, and the organization and authorities of the branches of government requires two-thirds majority vote by the membership of both houses of Parliament; passage of other amendments only requires a majority vote of both houses; amended several times, last in 2021 note: following the transition to a republic in November 2021, the Government of Barbados in February 2022 began the process of establishing a constitution commission to review a new draft constitution |
Independence | 30 November 1966 (from the UK) |
What environmental issues does Barbados have?
Overview |
Barbados lies about 270 miles northeast of Venezuela and 1,612 miles southeast of Miami. The island is 21 miles long and 14 miles wide with an area of 166 square miles. Constant westward tradewinds temper the tropical climate throughout the year. Situated 100 miles to the east of the Caribbean Windward Island chain, Barbados is distinct from those islands by the fact that it is a coral island, rather than volcanic, and relatively flat. Mt. Hillaby, the highest point, is only 1,104 feet above sea level. Bridgetown, the capital, is located on the southwest corner of the island. The west and south coast areas are densely populated, with hotels, residential, and commercial areas intermingling. The rugged, windswept East Coast boasts the scenic Scotland District. The currents on the East Coast are very dangerous, and swimming is forbidden on many of its beaches. The interior of the island rises gently and sugarcane fields are interspersed with villages, farms, and the occasional plantation Great House. |
Climate | The temperature in Barbados varies little during the year, averaging about 77°F (25°C) and rarely rising above 89°F (32°C) or falling below 65°F (18°C). However, the intensity of the sun this near to the Equator often makes it seem much hotter, especially when combined with high humidity. During July through October, the rainy season as well as the hurricane season, high humidity levels make the weather quite uncomfortable. During the dry winter months from November through May, which is the tourist season, it is more comfortable and can even become cool in the evenings. However, even in these months a significant amount of rain can fall. |
Environment - Current Issues | Pollution of coastal waters from waste disposal by ships; soil erosion; illegal solid waste disposal threatens contamination of aquifers |
Environment - International Agreements |
Party To: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements |
Terrain | Relatively flat; rises gently to a central highland region |
How big is the Barbados economy?
Economic Overview | Barbados is the wealthiest and one of the most developed countries in the Eastern Caribbean and enjoys one of the highest per capita incomes in the region. Historically, the Barbadian economy was dependent on sugarcane cultivation and related activities. However, in recent years the economy has diversified into light industry and tourism. Offshore finance and information services are important foreign exchange earners, boosted by being in the same time zone as eastern US financial centers and by a relatively highly educated workforce. Following the 2008-09 recession, external vulnerabilities such as fluctuations in international oil prices have hurt economic growth, raised Barbados' already high public debt to GDP ratio - which stood at 105% of GDP in 2016 - and cut into its international reserves. |
Industries | Tourism, sugar, light manufacturing, component assembly for export |
Currency Name and Code | Barbadian dollars (BBD) |
Export Partners | Trinidad and Tobago 22.5%, United States 11.8%, St. Lucia 9.2%, St. Vincent and the Grenadines 5.7%, Antigua and Barbuda 4.7%, St. Kitts and Nevis 4.4%, Guyana 4.2% |
Import Partners | Trinidad and Tobago 39%, United States 31.1% |
What current events are happening in Barbados?
Source: Google News
What makes Barbados a unique country to travel to?