Barbados

Barbados

Caribbean Sea
LAST UPDATED 13/07/2008
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More facts from the history of Barbados.

Level of surfing

Beginner

Quality of surf

Average

Call code

1246

Net code

bb

Area

431

Coastline

97 km

Climate

Tropical Maritime

Hazards

Cyclones, Severe Storms

Best Months

July - October

Population

279000

Currency

Barbadian Dollar (BBD) Barbadian dollars per US dollar - 2 (2006)

Time Zone

(UTC-4)

Special Requirements

introduction

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Eugene Zelenko: Location map for the Barbados; 19 December 2004

Barbados is an island in the Caribbean, North Atlantic Ocean, northeast of Venezuela. Though an independent island nation now (complete independence from the UK in 1966), the island is portrayed as the little England of the Caribbean because of its long association as a British colony.

The island of Barbados has eleven parishes and can be divided into roughly five parts: Bridgetown (includes the capital city of Barbados), Central Barbados, Eastern Barbados, (the East Coast), Western Barbados, (the West Coast), and Southern Barbados.

The island has one of the highest standards of living and literacy rates worldwide. Barbados's human development index ranking is consistently among the top 50 in the world.

history

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Hugh Manatee: The Barbadoes Mulatto Girl; 12 November 2006

The first indigenous people on the island of Barbados were the Amerindians (Arawaks) from Venezuela who were later conquered by the more warlike Caribs.

These indigenous tribes, however, proved no match for the colonising march of Europeans, firstly the Portuguese, followed by the Spanish and then the English in the 17th century.

Tobacco, cotton and later sugar were the mainstays of the economy and the cultivation of the latter, led to the introduction of slave labour from Africa in the 1640s.

Slavery was abolished in 1834 but Barbados remained an English colony until it gained full independence in 1966. Nevertheless, it still maintains ties with the UK and is a member of the Commonwealth.

Today, Barbados' fifth Prime Minister is The Rt. Hon. Owen Seymour Arthur, but believe it or not, its Chief of State is none other than Elizabeth R, a.k.a. HM Queen Elizabeth II.

surfing

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ROxBo: Miami Beach (Oistins Bay); 2007

Sitting clear to the east of the Caribbean on the windward isles lays Barbados. The location here grants the island nation the most consistent surf in the area. Any transiting hurricanes which pass well to the north will still send down a steady supply of swell that lights up the east and even the southern points of the island whilst the trade winds offer a constant supply of wind swell to the more consistent East Coast.

Soup Bowls is the islands most famous break and can be very crowded. Like all great breaks there are often similar breaks on either side with half the crowd, explore and be rewarded.

where to stay

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Ranveig: Beach near Bridgetown, Barbados, 14 September 2005

Barbados offers everything in terms of accommodation from inexpensive guest houses with bed and breakfasts to luxurious apartments and hotels. The apartments and apartment hotels usually offer cooking facilities along with a convenient location right next to the beach or on the beach if you're lucky.

There are a wide range of luxurious villas located on the beach available for rent as well if you prefer a quieter and personal stay. If you are staying for a longer time, privately owned vacation rentals are often rented at much lower costs than hotel or resort rooms. These are properties range from beach houses, to condos to apartments, so make sure you look up the privately owned vacation rentals before booking directly with the resort.

what to pack

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Flashdance: A pair of very simple Moroccan flip flops called "Cabjuks"; 25 May 2007

Definitely take along some bug repellent spray, good sunscreen and sunglasses! Bring waterproof gear, especially for your electronic valuables. Don't forget your wetsuits and a carry bag for when you want to just take a stroll along the beach.

Bring your necessities just incases you are unfamilar with brands here, but otherwise, people live here too! So you should be able to buy what other things you need.

And take a good protection for your camera from the sand.

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