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Barbados Location : Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, northeast of Venezuela
Capital City : Bridgetown
Curreny : Barbadian dollar (BBD)
Languages Spoken : English
Climate : tropical; rainy season (June to October)
National Holiday : Independence Day, 30 November (1966)
Background Information
The island was uninhabited when first settled by the British in 1627. Its economy remained heavily dependent on sugar, rum, and molasses production through most of the 20th century. In the 1990s, tourism and manufacturing surpassed the sugar industry in economic importance.
Geographical Note
easternmost Caribbean island
Economy
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 privatize 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.
Religions
Protestant 67% (Anglican 40%, Pentecostal 8%, Methodist 7%, other 12%), Roman Catholic 4%, none 17%, other 12%
Ports : Bridgetown, Speightstown (Port Charles Marina)
International Disputes - Risks to travellers
: none
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