Barbados

Barbados is an island nation in the Caribbean located in the Atlantic Ocean. It is part of the Lesser Antilles of the West Indies and is the easternmost island of the Caribbean region. Its capital and largest city is Bridgetown.

The island was originally home to the Kalinago people and other Indigenous peoples. It was later claimed by Spanish navigators and then by the Portuguese Empire, before becoming a colony of England and later Britain.

In 1967, Barbados became a sovereign state, and in 2021, it transitioned to a republic within the Commonwealth. Today, Barbados is known for its beautiful beaches and is one of the leading tourist destinations in the Caribbean. Its population is mostly of African ancestry.

Etymology

The name "Barbados" likely comes from the Portuguese term os barbados or the Spanish los barbados, both meaning "the bearded ones". There are different ideas about what "bearded" refers to. It could be the long, hanging roots of the bearded fig tree, a type of banyan tree native to the island. Or it might refer to the Kalinago people who once lived there. Another idea is that it describes how the sea foam looks when it sprays over the coral reefs.

Before Europeans arrived, the island’s name was Ichirouganaim, which might have meant "Red land with white teeth" or "Redstone island with teeth outside (reefs)" or simply "Teeth".

Locally, people from Barbados often call their island "Bim" or "Bimshire". The exact origin of these names is not known, but there are a few theories. One idea is that "Bim" comes from the Igbo language, meaning "my home". Another theory suggests it was made up by an old planter who thought of it as a county in England. Yet another idea is that it comes from the name "Byam", a Royalist leader, whose followers were called "Bims".

History

Main article: History of Barbados

Geological history

About 700,000 years ago, the island rose up from the ocean. This happened because soft rock pushed up from deep below the surface. This process is still happening today, and Barbados is rising by about 30 centimetres every thousand years. Old sea reefs can still be seen along the coast.

Pre-colonial period

People may have first arrived on the island around 1600 BC, but we are not sure. By around 800 AD, groups from South America called the Arawaks began to settle there. Later, the Kalinago, also known as Caribs, visited the island but did not stay permanently.

European arrival

We do not know for sure which European group reached Barbados first, probably sometime in the 1400s or 1500s. Some think it might have been the Spanish, while others believe it was the Portuguese. The island was not very important to Europeans at first, but Spanish raids may have caused many people to leave.

English settlement in the 17th century

The first English ship arrived on May 14, 1625. The first settlement began on February 17, 1627, near what is now Holetown. About 80 settlers and 10 workers started the colony. The island was ruled by a leader named Sir William Courten, and later by James Hay, the Earl of Carlisle.

During the 1640s to 1660s, many people from England came to the West Indies. Most were workers who had to serve for several years before they were free. After some time, it became hard to get more workers from England.

Effects of the English Civil War

Around this time, fights between different groups in England also affected Barbados. The island’s leaders supported the king, but England tried to control them. In 1651, an English force arrived and took control. By 1652, the leaders agreed to follow England’s rules.

Irish people in Barbados

Many people from Ireland were sent to Barbados as workers during this time. They were often treated badly. Over time, more and more Irish people were brought to work on sugar plantations.

The sugar revolution

In 1640, sugar cane was brought to Barbados from Dutch Brazil. This changed everything. Sugar became a big part of the island’s economy. At first, small farmers grew sugar, but later, big plantations with many workers took over. By the late 1600s, most of the workers were enslaved people from Africa.

18th and 19th centuries

Life was very hard for enslaved people, and there were several attempts to fight back. One big attempt in 1816 was stopped quickly. In 1833, slavery was ended in the British Empire. After that, many people worked hard but still faced poor conditions.

In 1780, a big storm killed many people. In 1854, a disease called cholera also caused many deaths.

20th century before independence

In the 1930s, people in Barbados wanted better lives and better jobs. This led to changes in how the island was governed. In 1953, Grantley Herbert Adams became the first Premier of Barbados. In 1966, Barbados became fully independent, with Errol Barrow as its first prime minister.

Post-independence era

After independence, Barbados worked to grow its economy in new ways, such as tourism. Leaders changed over time, with different parties taking control. In 2018, Mia Mottley became the first woman to serve as prime minister.

Transition to republic

In 2020, Barbados decided to become a republic, meaning it would no longer have a king or queen from another country. Instead, it would have its own president. This change happened on November 30, 2021, with Sandra Mason becoming the first president. The country remained part of the Commonwealth of Nations, a group of countries that used to be ruled by Britain.

In February 2026, Mia Mottley won another election, continuing to lead Barbados.

Geography and climate

Main article: Geography of Barbados

Barbados is an island in the Atlantic Ocean, east of the other West Indies Islands. It is the easternmost island in the Lesser Antilles. The island is 21 miles long and up to 23 kilometres wide, covering an area of 439 kilometres squared. It is flat compared to its island neighbours, with its highest point being Mount Hillaby at 340 metres above sea level.

Barbados lies on the boundary of the South American and Caribbean Plates. The land is made mostly of coral and slopes gently. The island has many caves and coral reefs. Barbados has two main seasons: a wet season from June to December and a dry season from December to May. The weather is usually warm, ranging from about 21 to 31 degrees Celsius. Natural hazards such as hurricanes can sometimes affect the island, although they are not very frequent. The island has worked hard to protect its environment, especially its coral reefs and underground water supplies. Barbados is also home to several species of sea turtles and the green monkey, which was brought to the island long ago.

Demographics

Main articles: Demographics of Barbados and Barbadians

In 2010, Barbados had a population of 277,821 people. By 2020, people in Barbados could expect to live about 80 years. Women lived a little longer on average than men.

Barbados has many different kinds of people. About 90% of people there have Afro-Caribbean roots. Others come from places like Europe, Asia, and North America. Some families have been in Barbados for many generations, while others are more recent.

English is the main language used in schools and government. Many people also speak Bajan Creole in their daily lives.

Barbados is mostly Christian, with many people belonging to different church groups. Some people do not follow any particular religion.

Main article: Religion in Barbados

Government and politics

Main articles: Government of Barbados and Politics of Barbados

Barbados became its own country on November 30, 1966. It runs like a parliamentary republic based on the British Westminster system. The President of Barbados, currently Jeffrey Bostic, is the head of state and is chosen by the Parliament of Barbados for four years. The Prime Minister of Barbados is the head of government. Parliament has two parts: the House of Assembly with 30 members and the Senate with 21 members.

The Constitution of Barbados is the most important law. Laws passed by Parliament need the President's approval to become official. Barbados works closely with nearby countries like Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana.

Main article: Elections in Barbados

Barbados has a two-party system with the main groups being the Democratic Labour Party and the Barbados Labour Party. These parties have taken turns leading the country since 1966.

Main article: Foreign relations of Barbados

Barbados tries to be friends with all countries and belongs to many groups like the Caribbean Community and the Commonwealth of Nations. In 2005, Barbados started using the Caribbean Court of Justice instead of a British court for important decisions.

The Barbados Defence Force has about 800 members, and the Barbados Police Service keeps the island safe.

Main article: Parishes of Barbados

Barbados is divided into 11 areas called parishes:

Economy

Main article: Economy of Barbados

Barbados is a fairly wealthy country, ranking 52nd in the world for how much money each person makes each year. It has a good mix of different jobs and businesses, and most people live well. However, some people still struggle to meet their basic needs.

In the past, Barbados depended mostly on growing sugarcane. But over time, the country has added other important jobs like making things, tourism, and helping with international money matters. Building new hotels and homes helped the economy grow, especially around 2007. But times got tough during world economic problems in later years.

Barbados trades a lot with countries like Canada, the United Kingdom, the United States, and nearby islands. The government works to create more jobs and attract businesses from other countries. The country also has its own stock market, which is one of the biggest in the Caribbean.

Health

The main hospital on the island is the Queen Elizabeth Hospital. Barbados also has eight smaller health centers spread across five areas. Other well-known medical care places include Bayview Hospital, Sandy Crest Medical Centre, FMH Emergency Medical Clinic, and Urgent Care.

Education

Main article: Education in Barbados

Barbados has a very high ability to read and write, close to 100%. Its school system is based on the way schools work in Britain. The government spends a good amount of money on education.

All children must go to school until they are 16 years old. There are many primary schools and secondary schools across the island. Some families choose private schools, which include special learning methods, but these schools have fewer students than public schools.

For students who want to study more after high school, there are colleges and universities, including the Barbados Community College and the University of the West Indies. Barbados also has medical schools where students from other countries come to study.

Culture

Main article: Culture of Barbados

Barbados is a mix of West African, Portuguese, Creole, Indian, and British cultures. People from Barbados are called Barbadians, but they are often nicknamed "Bajans." This fun name started in the 1800s from a shorter way to say "Barbadian."

One of the biggest events on the island is the Crop Over festival. It began long ago in 1687 and came back in 1974. Many people, including visitors, enjoy this celebration. The festival has music, dancing, and contests. It starts in July and ends in early August with a colorful parade. During the festival, new calypso and soca music is performed.

Art

Barbadian art has grown over time, shaped by the island's history and different cultures. Artists today use many ways to create, mixing old traditions with new ideas. They also share their work with the world, learning from and adding to art from other places.

Media

Main article: Mass media in Barbados

• Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation (CBC)

Cuisine

Main article: Barbadian cuisine

Barbadian food comes from African, Indian, Irish, Creole, and British tastes. A normal meal might have meat or fish seasoned with spices, along with tasty side dishes and salads. A popular dish is cou-cou and flying fish with a spicy sauce. Another favorite is pudding and souse, made from pickled pork and spiced sweet potatoes. You can also find many kinds of seafood and meat.

Barbados is famous for its drinks too. The Mount Gay Rum visitor center says it is the oldest rum company in the world. Other drinks from Barbados include Cockspur Rum and Malibu. The island also has its own brewery, Banks Barbados Brewery, which makes Banks Beer and other drinks.

Music

Further information: Music of Barbados

In 2021, singer Rihanna was named a National Hero of Barbados when the country became a republic.

Sports

Main article: Sport in Barbados

In Barbados, many people enjoy playing sports. Cricket is very popular, and players from Barbados often join the West Indies cricket team. The country hosted big cricket matches, including the finals of the 2007 Cricket World Cup and the 2024 ICC Men's T20 World Cup.

Other popular sports include track and field, where Obadele Thompson won a bronze medal in the 100m race at the 2000 Summer Olympic Games. Rugby, basketball, and polo are also enjoyed by many. Basketball is becoming more popular in schools and colleges, and the Barbados men's national team has done well in international competitions.

Golf, volleyball, tennis, and motorsports are also played on the island. The Barbados Open golf tournament was held every year from 2000 to 2009. Tennis player Darian King has represented Barbados in the Olympics and major tournaments. Each March, Barbados hosts the Barbados Surf Pro surfing contest.

Barbados has players in the National Football League (NFL) in the United States. The Barbados national football team, called the Bajan Tridents, competes in regional tournaments but has not yet qualified for a major international event.

Transport

Main article: Transport in Barbados

Barbados is a small island, but traveling across it can take time because of traffic. Drivers in Barbados drive on the left side of the road. The island has many roundabouts, and one famous one near the capital, Bridgetown, has a statue to remember a person named Bussa.

There are different ways to get around the island. Small buses called "ZRs" travel to most places, and they often take scenic routes. There are also yellow minibuses and blue government buses. All bus rides cost the same, and schoolchildren in uniforms ride for free or at a lower price on some buses.

Barbados has one main airport, Grantley Adams International Airport, which gets flights from all over the world. The island also has a busy seaport in Bridgetown for ships and boats.