Barbados
Barbados

Barbados / is an island country in the Lesser Antilles. The country stretches over 34 kilometers and a width of 23 kilometers, thus its area is 431 square kilometers. The island is located in the western region of the North Atlantic Ocean, 100 km east of Windward Islands and the Caribbean Sea

The island was the beginning of a Spanish and Portuguese colony known as Los Barbados or Os Barbados, but it became an English colony in 1625 and later British. It has an estimated population of 284,589 people, of whom about 80,000 live in or around Bridge Town, the country's largest city and capital. In 1966 Barbados became an independent country within the Commonwealth world, and Queen Elizabeth II remained the leader of the state. Barbados is one of the leading tourist destinations in the Caribbean and the most developed islands in the region, with a human development index of 0.788

Barbados is the easternmost island of the Lesser Antilles. The island is flat compared to the neighboring Windward Islands to the west. A simple plateau rises in the central plateau area, where the highest point on the island is 340 m high in Mount Hillaby in the county of Scotland. The island is located in the Atlantic Ocean to the east of the other West Indies

Geologically, the island consists of coral (with a thickness of 90 m), where the western side of the island is formulated as "terraces" while it is sloping in the east. Coral reefs surround most of the island
The capital of Barbados and the main city of Bridge Town is located in the parish of St. Michael. Other major cities spread across the island, including Holtown in the parish of St. James, and Ostens in the parish of Christ Church and Speightstown in the parish of St. Peter
The climate is temperate tropical, with the rainy season extending between June to November and a drier season between December to May. The average annual rainfall ranges from 1,000-2,300 mm
Barbados is often spared the worst effects of tropical storms and hurricanes during the rainy season, as its location in the far eastern Atlantic Ocean puts it outside the main hurricane strike area. On average, a hurricane may hit the island once every about 26 years. Hurricane Janet was the last severe typhoon to devastate the island in 1955
Barbados ranks 51st among the richest countries in the world in terms of GDP per capita, it also has a developed mixed economy and a relatively high standard of living. According to the World Bank, Barbados ranks 66th among the world's highest-income economies
The island's economy historically relied on sugar cane cultivation and related activities, but in the late 1970s and early 1980s the trend began to diversify the economy and develop the manufacturing and tourism sectors. Foreign information and money services have become an important source of foreign exchange, and there is also a light manufacturing sector. Since the 1990s, the Barbados government has been viewed as business friendly and economically sound. The island has witnessed a boom in the construction sector with the development and redevelopment of hotels, office complexes and homes
Recently, government departments are continuing their efforts to reduce unemployment, encourage foreign direct investment, and privatize the remaining state-owned companies. The unemployment rate has been reduced from about 14% in the past to less than 10%
The economy contracted in 2001 and 2002 due to the slowdown in tourism and consumer spending and the impact of the September 11, 2001 attacks, but it recovered in 2003 and has shown growth since 2004. The island's traditional trading partners are Canada, the Caribbean Group (Trinidad and Tobago in particular), the United Kingdom and the United States
Trade relations and investment flows have become large: As of 2003, the island experienced a $ 25 billion Canadian investment in Canada, making Barbados one of the 5 most preferred foreign destinations for Canadians to invest. Businessman Eugene Melnik of Toronto is said to be the wealthiest resident of Barbados
He mentioned that 2006 was one of the most active years in building real estate, as the construction boom on the island entered the final stages of several mega projects. The European Union is currently assisting the island through a € 10 million program aimed at developing the financial services and international business sector
Barbados owns the third largest stock exchange in the Caribbean. Stock market officials are currently studying the possibility of increasing local investment exchange with the international stock exchange
Barbados has a population of approximately 281,968 people and a population growth rate of about 0.33% (mid-2005 estimates). Almost 90% of the population of Barbados (also known colloquially Paganian) is of African descent (“Afro Paganion”). The remainder of the population are groups of Europeans (Anglo-Paganians / Euros Paganians) who are mainly from the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland, Chinese and Muslim Indians. Other groups in Barbados include individuals from the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada. Barbadian people who return after years of residence in the United States or children born in America to Barbadian parents are called Paganion Yankees, and some may consider this term insulting
Barbados has many internationally known hotels. There are also many local small hotels and private villas that spread across the island and can be booked in advance. The southern and western coasts of Barbados are popular, with its calm blue Caribbean waters and pink white sandy beaches. Along the east coast of the island, facing the Atlantic Ocean, are the ideal surf for light skiing. Some areas remain risky due to marine currents
Popular shopping districts in Barbados, where shopping is duty-free. There is also an active nightlife mainly in tourist areas such as St. Lawrence Gap. Other tourist attractions include wildlife sanctuaries, jewelry stores, diving, volleyball, golf, festivals (the biggest being the annual harvest festival during July / August), sightseeing, cave exploration, exotic drinks and shopping
20 Resorts in Barbados Each resort has beautiful beauty and wonderful views for relaxing holidays in Barbados
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