Barbados

I

Introduction

Barbados, an island country in the West Indies. It is the easternmost of the Caribbean islands, bordered on the east by the Atlantic Ocean. Barbados was a British colony for more than 300 years, until it gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1966. Signs of the British heritage are everywhere, from the island’s Anglican churches to the national sport of cricket. Today, most of the country’s inhabitants are descended from Africans brought to Barbados to work on sugar plantations. The capital, major city, and chief port is Bridgetown, located on the southwestern coast of Barbados.

Barbados is known for its white sand beaches and for the coral reefs that fringe the island on three sides. Sugarcane dominated the economy of Barbados for years, but tourism surpassed sugar in economic importance during the 1970s. Tourism has grown steadily in importance, and the island now ranks as one of the most popular destinations in the West Indies. The island’s government has also promoted Barbados as a site for offshore banking and information technology.

II

Land and Resources

The island of Barbados is 34 km (21 mi) long and 23 km (14 mi) wide at its widest part and has a total area of 430 sq km (166 sq mi). The nearest island, Saint Vincent, is about 160 km (100 mi) to the west.

Barbados is generally flat along the coast and hilly in the interior. Mount Hillaby, the highest point, rises to 340 m (1,115 ft). Quiet beaches lie along the western and southern coasts, while the east coast facing the Atlantic is rugged and rocky. Barbados is largely surrounded by coral reefs.

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Geologically, Barbados differs from its neighbors in the Windward Islands, which were formed by volcanoes. Coral deposits and limestone form the surface of Barbados and are underlain by sedimentary rock. Water runs through the coral and limestone, rather than collecting on the surface, and so the island has hardly any rivers and little other surface water. Deep gullies in the limestone channel most rainwater down to the coast, and there are underground reserves of fresh water. Other limestone features are the island’s caves with stalactites and stalagmites.

A

Resources

Barbados lacks mineral resources, but small quantities of petroleum and natural gas have been found. Petroleum production began in 1973. The petroleum and natural gas produced are used locally. The island has good clays and stone for making bricks and building blocks.

B

Climate

The climate of Barbados is tropical, tempered by sea breezes. The average annual temperature is about 26°C (about 79°F), and daily temperatures range from about 24°C to 30°C (about 76°F to 86°F). Rainfall is fairly evenly distributed throughout the year, but becomes somewhat heavier from June to November. The average annual rainfall ranges from 1,000 mm (about 40 in) on the coast to 2,300 mm (about 90 in) on the central ridge. Hurricanes occasionally strike the island.

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