Saint Michael, Barbados

Saint Michael
Parish
Map of Barbados showing Saint Michael
Coordinates: 13°07′05″N 59°36′11″W / 13.11806°N 59.60306°W / 13.11806; -59.60306
Country	Barbados
Largest city	Bridgetown
Government
• Type	Parliamentary democracy
• Parliamentary seats	11
Area
• Total	39 km2 (15 sq mi)
Population  (2010 census)
• Total	88,529
• Density	2,300/km2 (5,900/sq mi)
ISO 3166 code	BB-08[1]

The parish of St. Michael is one of eleven parishes of Barbados. It has a land area of 39 km² (15 sq mi) and is found at the southwest portion of the island. Saint Michael has survived by name as one of the original six parishes created in 1629 by Governor Sir William Tufton.

The parish is home to Bridgetown, the capital of Barbados. Bridgetown is the centre of commercial activity in Barbados, as well as a central hub for the public transport network. Other major infrastructure in St. Michael is the international seaport of Barbados—the Deep Water Harbour. Therein, a number of cruise ships arrive and depart including various lines such as Royal Caribbean and Cunard. The harbour features several sugar towers for loading locally produced sugar into transport ships, and a tower for loading flour for transport.

The Needham's Point Lighthouse and Charles Fort are both located in Needham's Point, Saint Michael, behind the Hilton Barbados Resort.

Under Barbados's historical vestry system, the main parish church (St Michael's Cathedral) is sited in St Michael's Row in Bridgetown. The cathedral replaced the former parish church that was located at the site of St Mary's Church. St Michael's Cathedral was elevated to cathedral status under Bishop Coleridge, who arrived in Barbados in 1825 to head the newly created Diocese of Barbados and the Leeward Islands.