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Barbados
DestinationsBarbados can honestly claim to be the island that has everything under the sun. The most easterly of the Caribbean islands, its 166 square miles of forests, cliffs, fishing villages, wildlife, nightlife, and beaches are pounded by the relentless power of the Atlantic on the east, brushed by the Caribbean on the west and caressed everywhere by the sun.
Located 270 miles (434 km) northeast of Venezuela, and part of the Lesser Antilles, Barbados’ closest island neighbors are Trinidad and Tobago to the south, Grenada to the southwest, and St. Lucia to the west. It is the easternmost of the Caribbean islands, with a total land area of 166 sq miles (430 sq km) and 60 miles (97 km) of coastline. Some 21 miles (34 km) long and 14 miles (23 km) at its widest point, it is a mostly flat, tropical island, rising to a maximum height of 1,100 ft (336 m) at Mount Hillaby, in the Scotland District.
Because of its location, tropical storms and hurricanes common to other Caribbean islands generally miss Barbados. With a rainy season running from June to October, the average time between direct hurricane hits is 26.6 years.
Barbados is divided into 11 parishes – Christ Church, St. Andrew, St. George, St. James, St. John, St. Joseph, St. Lucy, St. Michael, St. Peter, St. Philip, and St. Thomas. Bridgetown, in St. Michael, is the capital city. Other major towns include Holetown in the parish of St. James, Oistins in Christ Church, and Speightstown in St. Peter.
Barbados has a population of close to 270,000. Approximately 90% are of African descent, many directly descended from slaves brought to the island to work the plantations. The other 10% includes Europeans, Chinese, and Indians. The official name for residents of Barbados is Barbadians, but residents generally refer to themselves as Bajan. Most Bajans are Anglican (67%), but over 100 religions are practiced on the island.
The country’s official language is English, but many locals speak a dialect known as Bajan. Essentially, Bajan is a combination of English and West African. This mixture produces a unique vocabulary and speech pattern.
Barbados is a parliamentary democracy operating under English common law. The bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (a 21-member body appointed by the Governor General) and the House of Assembly (30 seats, elected by direct popular vote to serve five-year terms). Represented by the Governor General, the chief of state is Queen Elizabeth II. Executive authority is vested in the Prime Minister and Cabinet, which is collectively responsible to the Parliament. The Prime Minister is appointed by the Governor General as the member of the House of Assembly best able to command the support of the majority of the members. The Prime Minister selects the cabinet from his party members in the legislature. There are three national parties: The Barbados Labour Party or BLP; The Democratic Labour Party or DLP; and The People’s Empowerment Party or PEP. Suffrage is universal for any citizen 18 years of age or older.
Barbados
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