According to 800zipcodes, the island state of Barbados is located in the far east of the Lesser Antilles. The capital is Bridgetown, which is also where the Deep Water Harbor is located. In the center of Bridgetown is National Heroes Square. There you can see the Nelson monument, which was inaugurated in 1813. From this square, visitors get to Broad Street, where boutiques await guests of Barbados.
One of the notable buildings in Bridgetown is the historic synagogue, which can be admired near Broad Street. Visitors are spoiled with culinary delicacies on the beautiful beaches. A visit there is particularly worthwhile in the evening, when the setting sun beckons with its natural spectacles.

Before the Europeans came to the island, the Arawak and Caribs lived here. The first immigrants reached Barbados as early as 350 AD. The next waves of immigration followed at the beginning of the 9th and later in the 13th century. The name Barbados means “the bearded” in German, which goes back to the Portuguese “explorer” in 1536. Pedro Campos found the free-hanging roots of the numerous fig trees there, which probably reminded him of beards. This is how the islands got their name.

Fifteen years after Pedro Campos, the Spanish arrived on the island and enslaved many of the locals. Few residents were able to flee and leave the island, the slaves shipped the Spaniards to other Caribbean islands and so Barbados was practically deserted until 1625, when the English reached the island.

The English colonial economy in Barbados focused on the production of rum, syrup and sugar. These industries lasted for a long time and only lost their importance in the late 20th century. When Barbados declared itself independent from Great Britain, a parliamentary democracy was established here, which is very careful to preserve the tradition and history of the island.

Barbados – key data

Area: 430 km²

Population: 286,705 (July 2011 estimate, CIA)

Population density: 667 residents per km²

Population growth: 0.366% per year (2010, CIA)

Capital: Bridgetown. (98,730 residents with suburbs, 2006)

Highest point: Mount Hillaby, 336 m

Lowest point: Atlantic Ocean, 0 m

Form of government: Barbados is a parliamentary monarchy that has been represented in the Commonwealth since 1966. The constitution dates from 1966. The bicameral parliament consists of a senate with 21 appointed members and the national assembly with 30 elected members. Barbados has been independent from Great Britain since November 1st, 1966.

Administrative division: 11 parishes: Christ Church, Saint Andrew, Saint George, Saint James, Saint John, Saint Joseph, Saint Lucy, Saint Michael, Saint Peter, Saint Philip, Saint Thomas and a city (Bridgetown).

Head of Government: Prime Minister Freundel Stuart, since October 23, 2010

Head of State: Queen Elizabeth II, since 1952, represented by Governor General Elliot Belgrave, since November 1, 2011

Language: the official language in Barbados is English, while the colloquial language is Bajan, a Creole dialect.

Religion: The majority of the population is Christian, here mainly Anglican; there are also Jewish, Muslim and Hindu minorities.

Local time: CET -5 h. There is no summer or winter time change in Barbados.
The time difference to Central Europe is -5 hours in winter and -6 hours in summer

Mains voltage: 110 V, 50 Hz. Adapters can be provided in most hotels.

Telephone code: +1 (246)

Internet ID:.bb

Barbados – geography

Barbados is the easternmost island of the Lesser Antilles island chain in the Atlantic Ocean. The island state is located about 320 km in the northeast of Trinidad at about 13 ° north latitude and 60 ° west longitude.

Barbados is not of volcanic origin like most of the Caribbean islands but represents the highest region of an underwater limestone ridge. This limestone plateau reaches its highest point at 336 m in the mount. Barbados is relatively flat, only the northern part is slightly hilly.

In addition to the main island, Barbados also has a tiny island just off the eastern coast: Culpepper Island.

In the southern and western parts of Barbados, the beaches consist of fine-grained white sand. The eastern, rocky, coast, on the other hand, is formed by the strong surf of the Atlantic.

Despite the high amounts of precipitation, there are no rivers in Barbados, as the rainwater seeps away immediately into the water-permeable, karstified limestone. From the original vegetation, a tropical, deciduous forest, only relics have survived due to intensive agricultural use.

The soils of the island are fertile, mainly sugar cane is grown.