Barbados (pronounced /bɑrˈbeɪdoʊz, bɑrˈbeɪdɒs/), situated just 
east of the Caribbean Sea, is an independent West Indian Continental Island-nation in the western Atlantic Ocean. For over three centuries Barbados was under British rule and maintains Queen Elizabeth II as head of state. Located at roughly 13° North of the equator and 59° West of the prime meridian, it is considered a part of the Lesser Antilles. Its closest island neighbours are Saint Vincent & the Grenadines and Saint Lucia to the west. To the south lies Trinidad and Tobago—with which Barbados now shares a fixed official maritime boundary—and also the South American mainland. Barbados's total land area is about 430 square kilometres (166 square miles), and is primarily low-lying, with some higher in the country's interior. The highest point in Barbados is Mount Hillaby in the parish of Saint Andrew.
The geological composition of Barbados is of non-volcanic origin, predominantly limestone-coral. After the break of South America from Africa in the Mesozoic, a reef formed; and during the Cenozoic, as the Caribbean plate kept pushing the South American plate westward, the two plates pushed up the reef.[2]
The island's climate is tropical, with constant trade winds off the Atlantic Ocean serving to keep temperatures mild. Some less developed areas of the country contain tropical woodland and mangroves. Other parts of the interior which contribute to the agriculture industry are dotted with large sugarcane estates and wide, gently sloping pastures, with panoramic views down to the coast also.
Barbados's Human Development Index ranking is consistently among the top 75 countries in the world. For example, in 2006, it was ranked 31st in the world, and third in the Americas, behind Canada and the United States.
east of the Caribbean Sea, is an independent West Indian Continental Island-nation in the western Atlantic Ocean. For over three centuries Barbados was under British rule and maintains Queen Elizabeth II as head of state. Located at roughly 13° North of the equator and 59° West of the prime meridian, it is considered a part of the Lesser Antilles. Its closest island neighbours are Saint Vincent & the Grenadines and Saint Lucia to the west. To the south lies Trinidad and Tobago—with which Barbados now shares a fixed official maritime boundary—and also the South American mainland. Barbados's total land area is about 430 square kilometres (166 square miles), and is primarily low-lying, with some higher in the country's interior. The highest point in Barbados is Mount Hillaby in the parish of Saint Andrew.The geological composition of Barbados is of non-volcanic origin, predominantly limestone-coral. After the break of South America from Africa in the Mesozoic, a reef formed; and during the Cenozoic, as the Caribbean plate kept pushing the South American plate westward, the two plates pushed up the reef.[2]
The island's climate is tropical, with constant trade winds off the Atlantic Ocean serving to keep temperatures mild. Some less developed areas of the country contain tropical woodland and mangroves. Other parts of the interior which contribute to the agriculture industry are dotted with large sugarcane estates and wide, gently sloping pastures, with panoramic views down to the coast also.
Barbados's Human Development Index ranking is consistently among the top 75 countries in the world. For example, in 2006, it was ranked 31st in the world, and third in the Americas, behind Canada and the United States.
Capital(and largest city)
Bridgetown13°0′N 59°32′W / 13°N 59.533°W / 13; -59.533
Official languages
English
Recognised regional languages
BajanHindi/Bhojpuri
Ethnic groups
90% Afro-Bajan (Igbo, Yoruba, Akan, others), 6% Asian and Multiracial (Mulatto), 4% European (English, Irish, other)
Demonym
Barbadian, Bajan (colloquial)
Government
Parliamentary democracy and Constitutional monarchy
-
Monarch
Elizabeth II
-
Governor-General
Clifford Husbands
-
Prime Minister
David Thompson
Independence
From the United Kingdom
-
Date
30 November 1966
Area
-
Total
431 km2 (199th)167 sq mi
-
Water (%)
negligible
Population
-
July 2006 estimate
279,000 (175th)
GDP (PPP)
2008 estimate
-
Total
$5.244 billion[1] (149th)
-
Per capita
$19,026[1] (39th)
GDP (nominal)
2008 estimate
-
Total
$3.682 billion[1]
-
Per capita
$13,356[1]
HDI (2008)
▼ 0.889 (high) (37th)
Currency
Barbadian dollar ($) (BBD)
Time zone
Eastern Caribbean (UTC-4)
Drives on the
left
Internet TLD
.bb
Calling code
+1 (246)
1 History
1.1 Etymology
1.2 Early history
1.3 British colonial rule
2 Government and politics
3 Geography and climate
4 Parishes
5 Economy
6 Transport
7 Tourist information
7.1 Attractions, landmarks and points of interest
8 Demographics
9 Culture
10 Sports in Barbados
11 National symbols
11.1 Flower
11.2 Flag
11.3 Golden Shield
11.4 Coat of arms
12 National heroes
13 International rankings
14 See also
15 References
16 Bibliography
17 External links
1.1 Etymology
1.2 Early history
1.3 British colonial rule
2 Government and politics
3 Geography and climate
4 Parishes
5 Economy
6 Transport
7 Tourist information
7.1 Attractions, landmarks and points of interest
8 Demographics
9 Culture
10 Sports in Barbados
11 National symbols
11.1 Flower
11.2 Flag
11.3 Golden Shield
11.4 Coat of arms
12 National heroes
13 International rankings
14 See also
15 References
16 Bibliography
17 External links
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