24 Facts About Barbados

Barbados is an island country in the Lesser Antilles of the Caribbean and lies in the Atlantic Ocean, east of the main Caribbean island chain. It covers an area of about 430 square kilometers.

The capital and largest city is Bridgetown, which serves as the political, cultural, and economic center of the country. English is the official language, and the national currency is the Barbadian dollar (BBD).

Barbadians, often called Bajans, are known for their strong traditions of afternoon tea, love of cricket, and interest in activities such as golf and scuba diving.

Barbados is a major tourist destination, attracting visitors with its beaches, coral reefs, and historic towns. Tourism plays a key role in the national economy.

The British established a permanent colony in Barbados in 1627. Early farming focused on tobacco and cotton, but by the mid-seventeenth century sugar plantations dominated the economy, shaping the island’s society and history for centuries.

Bussa’s Rebellion in 1816 was the largest slave uprising in Barbados. It was led by an enslaved African named Bussa and is remembered as a major event in the struggle against slavery.

Internationally famous singer Rihanna was born in Barbados, and legendary cricketer Sir Garfield Sobers, one of the island’s national heroes, was born in Bridgetown.

The name Barbados is believed to come from the Portuguese phrase meaning “bearded ones,” referring to the island’s bearded fig trees.

Barbados became independent from the United Kingdom on 30 November 1966 and later became a republic in 2021.

The country has one of the oldest parliamentary systems in the world, dating back to 1639.

St. James Parish Church is considered the oldest surviving church on the island.

The national flower is the Pride of Barbados, a red and yellow flower that appears on the country’s coat of arms and is widely used as a national symbol.

Historic Bridgetown and its Garrison are recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for their well-preserved colonial architecture and military history.

Barbados is well known for its rum industry, which has existed for more than three centuries and remains an important export.

It is one of the most densely populated countries in the world, with most people living along the coast.

Oistins is a historic fishing town famous today for its fish markets and cultural festivals.

Pork and seafood, especially flying fish, are popular in Bajan cuisine. The island is often called the “Land of the Flying Fish,” and the fish is a national symbol.

Barbados measures about 34 kilometers long and 23 kilometers wide, making it relatively small but densely settled.

No foreign power has ever successfully invaded Barbados since it became a British colony in the seventeenth century.

The island has long-standing air links with North America and Europe, making it one of the Caribbean’s most accessible destinations.

Mount Hillaby, at about 1,115 feet (340 meters), is the highest point on the island.

Barbados has one of the highest standards of living in the Caribbean and ranks highly in regional development and education indicators.

The grapefruit is believed to have first developed in Barbados as a natural hybrid between the pomelo and the orange.

Barbados has a very high literacy rate, and education is compulsory until the age of sixteen.