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| Barbados Information |
| Barbados History |
| Barbados Culture |
| Barbados Weather |
| Barbados When to go |
| Barbados Good to know |
| Barbados Visa and Passport |
| Barbados Food |
| Barbados Nightlife |
Population: 284,589 Languages: English Religions: Protestant 63.4% (Anglican 28.3%, Pentecostal 18.7%, Methodist 5.1%, other 11.3%), Roman Catholic 4.2%, other Christian 7%, other 4.8%, none or unspecified 20.6% (2008 est.) Internet TLD: .bb Located: Caribbean, island in the North Atlantic Ocean, northeast of Venezuela Area: 431 sq km Residents with HIV: 2,200 Literacy: 99.7% Comparative Size: 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC Nationality Noun: Barbadian(s) or Bajan (colloquial) Nationality Adjective: Barbadian or Bajan (colloquial) currencyBBD |
England was recreated in the Americas when several islands were colonized by the most enterprising of all sailing nations. One of them, Barbados is the eastern-most Caribbean island off the coast of Venezuela. It is geologically unique, being actually two land masses that merged together over the years. Barbados is surrounded by Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Saint Lucia on west and Trinidad and Tobago at south.
The first indigenous people are thought to be Amerindians who arrived from Venezuela around approximately 350-400 B.C. followed by the Arawak people and by Caribs in 13th Century. The Portuguese marked their presence in between mid 1500s to the 1600s and ruled the Caribs. They left for South America by 1610. From 1627 to independence in 1966, Barbados was under British control.
People flock to Barbados to soothe their senses. Some head for the beaches like Bathsheba and Bath on the eastern coast, where they soak in the tide-pools or surf at the Soup Bowl to their heart. The rough Atlantic is also enjoyed at the long of beach called the Cattlewash. On the warmer southern side, the Crane Beach and the beautiful Butterfly beach makes one's skin glow with sun. It is a must to let one's eyes savor the colors and shapes at Harrison Cave, which houses the popular massive limestone cavern. If the sea fills you up with sun, head for the shade in any of the national parks. The Barbados Wildlife Reserve, Graeme Hall Nature Sanctuary and the Flower Forest are full of fantastic flora and fauna.
Gastronomes remember the offerings of this nation long after the food has been digested. It is compulsory to taste the icon of this island - the flying fish. It is taken with bread and a peppered yellow sauce. The native Bajan cuisine tickles the palate and peps up the fare of any culture in case it is bland. These fish dishes are tastier in a merrymaking atmosphere in the town of Oistins. There is a wide stay options which range from inexpensive guest houses, apartment hotels, luxury villas to private vacation rentals.