Barbados

From Wikinfo

Barbados is an island nation situated on the boundary of the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. One of the Lesser Antilles, it lies to the east of the main chain of islands.

Barbados

Image:Barbados flag medium.png	Image:Barbados coa.png
(In Detail)

National motto: Pride and Industry

Image:LocationBarbados.png

Capital

Queen

Governor General

Prime Minister

Area
- Total
- % water

Ranked 181st
[[1 E8 m�|430 km�]]
Negligible

Population

- Total (2002)

- Density

Ranked 170th

276,607

642/km�

Independence
-Date

From the UK
November 30, 1966

GDP (PPP)

- Total (2002)

- GDP/head

Ranked 170th

4,000 millions $

14,457 $

Currency

Barbadian dollar (BBD)

Time zone

UTC -4

National anthem

In Plenty and In Time of Need

Internet TLD

.BB

Calling Code

1-246

History

Main article: History of Barbados

Barbados was uninhabited when first settled by the British in 1627, though Amerindian tribes had lived on the island previously. Slaves worked the sugar plantations established on the island until 1834 when slavery was abolished. The economy remained heavily dependent on sugar, rum, and molasses production through most of the 20th century.

The gradual introduction of social and political reforms in the 1940s and 1950s led to complete independence from the United Kingdom in 1966, with the island remaining a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. In the 1990s, tourism and manufacturing surpassed the sugar industry in economic importance.

Politics

Main article: Politics of Barbados

The Queen of Barbados, Queen Elizabeth II, perhaps better known as the Queen of the United Kingdom, is the Barbadian head of state and is represented by a governor general. In Barbados the Queen is styled "By the Grace of God, Queen of Barbados and of Her other Realms and Territories, Head of the Commonwealth." Executive power however is in the hands of the prime minister and his cabinet. The prime minister is usually the leader of the winning party in the elections for the House of Assembly, the lower house of parliament, which has 28 seats. Its members are elected every 5 years. The Senate has 21 members, and its members are appointed by the governor general.

Parishes

Main article: Parishes of Barbados

Barbados is divided into parishes. There are eleven of them:

Geography

Main article: Geography of Barbados

Barbados is a relatively flat island, rising gently to central highland region, the highest point being Mount Hillaby at 336 m. It is located in a slightly eccentric position in the Atlantic Ocean compared to other Caribbean islands. The climate is tropical, with a rainy season from June to October. The chief town is Bridgetown, the nation's capital. Other towns include Holetown and Speightstown.

Economy

Main article: Economy of Barbados

Historically, the Barbadian economy had been dependent on sugarcane cultivation and related activities, but production in recent years has diversified into manufacturing and tourism. Offshore finance and information services are important foreign exchange earners, and there is also a light manufacturing sector. The government continues its efforts to reduce unemployment, encourage direct foreign investment, and privatise remaining state-owned enterprises. The economy contracted in 2001 due to slowdowns in tourism and consumer spending. Growth will remain anemic in 2002 with a recovery likely near the end of the year.

Demographics

Main article: Demographics of Barbados

About nine tenths of all Barbadians (also known colloquially as Bajan) are blacks, mostly descendants of the slaves and workers on the sugar plantations. The remainder of the population includes small groups of Europeans and Asians. The official language is English and while most Barbadians are Protestant Christians, chiefly of the Anglican Church, there are other Protestant, Roman Catholic, Hindu and Muslim minorities.

Culture

Main article: Culture of Barbados

The influence of the English on Barbados is more noticeable than on other islands in the West Indies. A good example of this is the island's national sport: cricket. Barbados has brought forth several great cricket players, including Garfield Sobers and Frank Worrell.

See also: