Barbados | |
---|---|
Motto: "Pride and Industry" | |
Anthem: "In Plenty and In Time of Need" | |
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Capital and largest city | Bridgetown 13°05′52″N 59°37′06″W / 13.09778°N 59.61833°W |
Official languages | English |
Vernacular language | Bajan Creole |
Ethnic groups (2020[1]) | |
Religion (2020) |
|
Demonym(s) |
|
Government | Unitary parliamentary republic |
Dame Sandra Mason | |
Mia Mottley | |
Legislature | Parliament |
Senate | |
House of Assembly | |
Independence from the United Kingdom | |
• Part of the West Indies Federation | 3 January 1958 – 31 May 1962 |
30 November 1966 | |
7 December 1966 | |
• Joined CARICOM at the Treaty of Chaguaramas | 1 August 1973 |
30 November 2021 | |
Area | |
• Total | 439 km2 (169 sq mi) (183rd) |
• Water (%) | Negligible |
Population | |
• 2023 estimate | 281,998[2] (174th) |
• 2021 census | 269,090[3] (174th) |
• Density | 660/km2 (1,709.4/sq mi) (17th) |
GDP (PPP) | 2023 estimate |
• Total | ![]() |
• Per capita | ![]() |
GDP (nominal) | 2023 estimate |
• Total | ![]() |
• Per capita | ![]() |
HDI (2022) | ![]() very high (62nd) |
Currency | Barbadian dollar ($) (BBD) |
Time zone | UTC−04:00 (AST) |
Calling code | +1 -246 |
ISO 3166 code | BB |
Internet TLD | .bb |
Barbados[a] is an island country in the Atlantic Ocean. It is part of the Lesser Antilles region of the West Indies. Despite not bordering the Caribbean Sea, it is considered to be part of the Caribbean region and is therefore the easternmost island in the Caribbean region. It lies on the boundary of the South American and Caribbean plates. Its capital and largest city is Bridgetown.
Inhabited by Kalinago people since the 13th century, and prior to that by other Indigenous peoples, Barbados was claimed for the Crown of Castile by Spanish navigators in the late 15th century. It first appeared on a Spanish map in 1511.[7] The Portuguese Empire claimed the island between 1532 and 1536, but abandoned it in 1620 with their only remnants being the introduction of wild boars to supply of meat whenever the island was visited. An English ship, the Olive Blossom, arrived in Barbados on 14 May 1625; its men took possession of the island in the name of King James I. In 1627, the first permanent settlers arrived from England, and Barbados became an English and later British colony.[8] During this period, the colony operated on a plantation economy, relying on the labour of African slaves who worked on the island's plantations. Slavery continued until it was phased out through most of the British Empire by the Slavery Abolition Act 1833.
On 30 November 1966, Barbados moved toward political independence and assumed the status of a Commonwealth realm, becoming a separate jurisdiction with Elizabeth II as the Queen of Barbados. On 30 November 2021, Barbados transitioned to a republic within the Commonwealth, replacing its monarchy with a ceremonial president.[9][10]
Barbados's population is predominantly of African ancestry. While it is technically an Atlantic island, Barbados is closely associated with the Caribbean and is ranked as one of its leading tourist destinations.[11]
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