BARBADOS
What to Do in
Barbados
Barbados is the easternmost of the windward islands in the lesser
Antilles in the West Indies and is located about 270 miles northwest
of Venezuela. The island is 166 square miles, only 21 miles long by
14 wide. Barbados is hilly, but not mountainous, mostly coral
formation, and surrounded by white sandy beaches. Barbados is far
enough south that it is rarely affected by hurricanes.
Much of the island, especially inland, is under cultivation to
sugar cane and bananas. The Barbadian standard of living is the
highest in the Caribbean. Often called the "Switzerland of the
Caribbean", its principal industries are now tourism and off-shore
financial services. Sugar cane and rum are no longer "king" but still
bring substantial revenue to the island.
The west coast or Caribbean side, is the most developed and
populated. The wild Atlantic side on the east coast, is home to the
islands' most visited attractions, botanical gardens, unusual flora
and fauna, animal reserves, potteries, and caves.
English is the official language. Bridgetown is the capitol and
the principle port. The airport is the only one in the Caribbean
which can accommodate two Concordes per week. The people are warm and
hospitable and call themselves "Ba'jans". There is a 97% literacy
rate and small neighborhood churches, some built in the 1600's, dot
the landscape everywhere. A former British colony, Barbados became
independent, with a seat in the U.N., in 1966 and has enjoyed a
parliamentary democracy for 350 years. The Barbadian dollar has
maintained a steady exchange rate with the U.S. dollar of 2 to 1
since its introduction at independence.
There is no standing army. The country is so peaceful that the
Prime Minister is rare among his peers in the world: he goes about
his official business and even shops for his own groceries without
entourage or bodyguards.
CLIMATE
The mean average temperature is 80 degrees F down to an average
of 65 in winter. About 60 inches of rain fall annually with the
lowest rate in February and March, most in late June through
November. Water temperature averages 78 degrees F (25 degrees C)
year-round and water clarity is excellent. The tidal range is only 2
- 3 feet. The wind is almost always out of the east and northeast, 10
- 15 miles per hour on the average. It is stronger from January
through May and lighter during the rainy season. The wind will be out
of the west only during the summer when a tropical disturbance is
passing.
What to Do in
Barbados |
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