| Also known as: |
Land of the
Flying Fish
|
| Motto: |
Pride and Industry
|
Location: |
Most easterly of the Caribbean islands,
approximately 120 km (75 mi) from Saint
Lucia and 399 km (200 mi) northeast of
Trinidad and Tobago.
|
| History: |
First sighted by the Portuguese, but settled
by the English in 1627 and remained a
British colony until independence in 1966.
The Barbados House of Assembly is the third
oldest legislature in the Americas, dating
from 1639.
|
| Elections: |
Last held 2008. Next election due in 2013
|
| Ruling
Party: |
Democratic Labour Party (DLP)
|
| Major
Political Parties: |
Democratic Labour Party (DLP), Barbados
Labour Party (BLP), National Democratic
Party (NDP)
|
| Economic
Summary: |
Tourism is the main industry of this
broad-based economy. Off-shore financing
and informatics are also important
foreign-exchange earners. There is a light
manufacturing sector which is focused mainly
at the local market although there is some
exporting to other Caribbean countries. The
products include foodstuff, beer, flour,
animal feeds and chemicals. The main
agro-industries are sugar refining and rum
distilling, each with substantial export
production.
Barbados is self-sufficient in eggs and
almost self-sufficient in chicken. Locally
produced pork, beef and lamb supply a
significant proportion of the domestic
market.
|
| Airport: |
Grantley Adams International
|
| Status: |
Independent - 30 November 1966
|
| Capital: |
Bridgetown
|
| Head of
State: |
H.E. Sir Clifford Husbands, GCMG, KA.,
Governor-General
|
|
Head of Government: |
The Honourable David John Howard
Thompson
Prime Minister, Barbados
|
| Area: |
431 km2 (166.4 miles2)
|
| Population: |
273,200 (2004)
|
| Currency: |
Barbados Dollar
|
| GDP |
EC$7,594.1 Mn (2004)
|
| GDP Per
Capita: |
EC$27,797 (2004)
|
| Total
Exports: |
EC$751.2 Mn (2004)
|
| Total Imports: |
EC$3,814.9 Mn(2004)
|
|
Intra-Regional Exports: |
EC$283.9 Mn (2004)
|
Intra-Regional Imports:
|
EC$942.9 Mn(2004)
|
| Business
Hours: |
Commercial: 08:00-16:00 hrs Monday to
Friday; 08:00-13:00 hrs Saturday
Government: 08:15-16:30 hrs Monday to
Friday
|
| National
Holidays: |
New Year's Day (01 January); Errol Barrow
Day (21 January); Good Friday, Easter
Monday, National Heroes Day (28 April),
Labour Day (01 May); Whit Monday (June);
Emancipation Day (01 August); Kadooment Day
(First Monday in August); Independence Day
(30 November); Christmas Day (25 December);
Boxing Day (26 December).
Holidays that fall on a Sunday are observed
the following Monday
|
Date of CARICOM Membership:
|
1 August, 1973
|
|
National Anthem: |
In plenty and in time of need
When this fair land was young
Our brave forefathers sowed the seed
From which your pride is sprung,
A pride that makes no wanton boast
Of what it has withstood
That binds our hearts from coast to coast
The pride of nationhood.
Chorus:
We loyal sons and daughters all
Do hereby make it known
These fields and hills beyond recall
Are now our very own.
We write our names on history's page
With expectations great,
Strict guardians of our heritage,
Firm craftsmen of our fate.
The Lord has been the people's guide
For the past three hundred years.
With Him still on the people's side
We have no doubts or fears.
Upward and onward we shall go,
Inspired, exulting, free,
And greater will our nation grow
In strength and unity
(Words by Irvine Burgie; music by Van Roland
Edwards)
|
|
Highest National Award |
Knight of St. Andrew
|
|
Favourite Dish: |
Cou-Cou and Flying Fish, Jug Jug
|
|
Government web page: |
http://www.barbados.gov.bb
|
