Barbados is the most easterly of the Caribbean islands and one of the most southerly islands as well, located at roughly 13' north and 59' west. With Grenada and Trinidad & Tobago being the most southerly. The island is approximately 166 square miles and is primarily composed of coral limestone. Its name was derived by a Portuguese explorer Pedro Campos in 1536. He originally named this island as Los Barbados meaning 'The Bearded Ones' thought to be derived from the bearded fig tree which grew in abundance. Barbados is one of the most densely populated countries in the world with an estimated 1,500 people per square mile, mostly centered along the south and west coasts of the island and moving inland to approximately the center of the island.
The eastern side of the island is more sparsely populated and this is where you will find the spectacular tropical vegetation and natural gardens and popular tourist attractions such as The Wildlife Reserve, Andromeda Botanic Gardens, Harrisons Cave, and Orchid World. Although on the South coast you will find The Graeme Hall Nature Sanctuary.
While Barbados is not mountainous as many of the other Caribbean islands are, the view from Mount Hillaby, the islands highest peak reveals a landscape which undulates with a series of lush tropical vegetation draping steep hillsides sloping down to the shores of the east coast of the island. As you move southwards the steep hillsides give way to gentler slopes eventually leveling out to the almost flat plains of the south.
The contrast between the wild Atlantic windward coasts and calm Caribbean waters are dramatic in all the islands of the Lesser Antilles, but in Barbados it is even more so. The more remote East Coast borders the Atlantic side of the island. With its brown sand beaches and rough waters and lush hilly landscape could not be any more different to the west coast with its flat turquoise waters and posh hotels set on a mainly flat landscape. Temperatures on the island average a daytime high of 80 degrees Fahrenheit or 27 degrees Celsius with almost constant northeast breezes, the winter coincides with the islands dry season in which showers may still fall but these tend to be brief showers preceded and followed by brilliant sunshine. The summer months or rainy (hurricane) season tends to have more intense rain showers and overcast days, but even then the number of sunny days greatly outnumber the rainy overcast days. The rainy days are often welcomed from the days of heat experienced during the summer months. While the temperature does not change much from the winter months it is less breezy and feels a lot hotter.
Barbados is an independent nation whose government is styled after the Westminster style of government and has always been blessed with political stability and has to date not experienced the political violence and tension which have plagued some of the other islands. This political stability and for the most part sound political leadership has aided the economic growth of the island, not only in the growth of the tourist industry but in the grown of the financial services and business sectors, including a vibrant offshore business sector, making Barbados the envy of the Caribbean when it comes to the quality of life of the Barbadian people.
Barbadian people are guaranteed free education up to secondary level (High School), it is actually a crime to keep school age children out of school and parents can be taken before the courts to answer charges for truancy. Illiteracy is almost unheard of and the life expectancy is on par with Europe and North America. Another guarantee which the Barbadian people enjoy is free Health care with children and the elderly also receiving free medication.
The capital city is Bridgetown, which is in the south-western part of the island. Bridgetown is a mecca for duty free shoppers, with numerous stores which sell every thing from duty - free perfume to duty ? free liquor. It is where you will find the parliament buildings as well as the cruise terminal with its huge luxury cruise liners. The island's airport (Grantley Adams International Airport) is located in the south east of the island approximately thirty (30) minutes drive from Bridgetown, and is serviced by a number of international airlines including American Airlines, Air Canada, Air Jamaica, British Airways, and Virgin Atlantic. There are also many European charters to the island mainly in winter months.
Submitted by: Melinda Layson
The Author was born in Barbados and has worked in the tourism industry for over twenty years. For more information on Barbados visit http://www.barbadostravelholidays.com
