Geography

Barbados has an area of 166 square miles (430 square kilometers). The island surface consists largely of coral that lies over rocks. The layer of coral is up to 300 feet (90 meters) thick. Rainfall penetrates the soil easily, and there are no rivers or lakes on the island. Barbados does not have many hilly areas, except in the north-central area. The highest point is Mount Hillaby, at 1,115 feet (340 meters) above sea level. The island is almost completely encircled by coral reefs.

Barbados has a moderate tropical climate. The dry season runs from December to May and the wet season from June to November. The average rainfall is 60 inches (1,625 millimeters), though there is considerable variation from one area to another. The island lies in the Caribbean hurricane zone and has suffered a number of devastating storms.

Plants and animals

Little of the original vegetation of Barbados remains. The most common plant is now sugarcane, which is grown on large plantations. There are, however, tropical trees, including mahogany and cabbage palm.

Animal life includes monkeys, hares, and mongooses, as well as egrets. Green dolphins, barracudas, and parrot fish are found in the surrounding waters.

People and culture

Barbados is a densely populated island. More than one third of the people live in Bridgetown and the surrounding areas. About 90 percent of the population is of African origin. These are the descendants of slaves. The remainder includes people of European origin and of mixed European and African ancestry.

Barbados was a colony of Great Britain for many years. The culture of Barbados therefore has many British elements. As with the other islands of the West Indies, Barbados takes pride in its lively cultural scene, with festivals and other entertainments culminating in annual carnivals. Calypso plays a vital role in Barbadian culture. It has provided both a joyful beat for dancing and a powerful means of political and social expression.

English is the official language of Barbados. A nonstandard form of English, called Bajan, is also spoken.

Economy

The economy of Barbados is based largely on tourism and on the production and export of sugar. Fruits and vegetables are grown for local consumption. Fishing has long been a major part of the island's economy. Flying fish are the most important catch. Other industries include food processing, textiles, furniture, and local handicrafts.

History

The island may have been inhabited originally by Arawak Indians. By the time the British arrived, however, the island was uninhabited. In 1624 or early 1625 John Powell led an English expedition to the island. In 1627 his younger brother, Captain Henry Powell, landed a party of English settlers. They soon established sugar plantations and began importing slaves from Africa to work on the plantations.

The island remained a British possession from the 17th century until 1966. Barbados was granted internal self-government in 1961. It became an independent state within the British Commonwealth, an organization of former British colonies, on November 30, 1966. Population (2000 estimate), 267,000.