Barbados

 

Quick Facts

• Continental region – Country in the Caribbean
• Currency symbol of Barbados –Barbados Dollar(Bds$)
• Capital City – Bridgetown
• Official languages – English
• Population – 286,641 (2018) World Bank
• Country dialling code  –  (+ 246)
• Official website – Barbados
• Top 3 biggest industries  –Tourism, Agriculture, Manufacturing And Mining
• Google Maps link –Barbados
• Where is it? –Barbados is an eastern Caribbean island and an independent British Commonwealth nation. Bridgetown, the capital, is a cruise-ship port with colonial buildings and Nidhe Israel, a synagogue founded in 1654.

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Barbados In Pictures

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Barbados History

• How did the country get its first name? – The Arawak tribes called the island Ichirouganaim,  possibly meaning “Red land with white teeth”.
• How did the country get its current name? -The name “Barbados” comes from a Portuguese explorer named Pedro Campos in 1536, who originally called the island Os Barbados (“The Bearded Ones”) upon seeing the appearance of the island’s fig trees whose long hanging aerial roots, he thought, resembled beards.
• When and by whom the country was first discovered? – There is evidence that humans first arrived on the island around 1600 BC, and the Amerindians around 4th 7th centuries AD. The first English ship arrived on 14 May 1625, captained by John Powell. 
• Who were the first Inhabitants? -The earliest inhabitants of Barbados were indigenous groups who began arriving by canoe from South America (Venezuela’s Orinoco Valley) around 350 CE. Among these were the Taino (Arawak) who set up several settlements on the island after 800 CE. They were later joined by Kalinago (Carib) migrants in the 13th century.
• When it was first recognized as a country? – Following a June 1966 constitutional conference with Great Britain at which Barbados negotiated its independence, Barbados because an independent state within the British Commonwealth on November 30, 1966.
• Who was the first leader of the country? -Sir Grantley Herbert Adams was appointed Barbados’s first Premier on 1 February 1953 when Barbados attained full self-government. When Barbados negotiated full political independence from Britain on 30 November 1966, the office was renamed Prime Minister.

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Five Significant Events 

1. Emancipation: The Emancipation Act was launched in Barbados in 1834 after a booming slave trade system in Barbados from the 1700’s. On April 14, 1816, Bussa, a slave from Bayley’s Plantation  led a slave revolt, which was the first of its kind for over 120 years. (https://blog.thecrane.com/blog/2016/08/03/5-events-barbadian-history-worth-remembering)
2. Crop Over: In the 1700’s, Barbados was noted as one of the largest producers of sugar in the world. During the 1780’s, there was a yearly celebration to mark the conclusion of another successful sugar cane harvesting – Crop Over. Unfortunately, as the sugar industry began to decline in the 1940’s, the festival was brought to an end. However, it was revived in 1974 and included more elements of Barbadian history and culture. This summer festival, which is a sea of colours and infectious rhythms is now a major tourist attraction and is highly anticipated by both locals and visitors alike. (https://blog.thecrane.com/blog/2016/08/03/5-events-barbadian-history-worth-remembering)
3. Sir Garfield Sobers – World Record:

 

Sir Garfield Sobers, a Barbadian who represented the West Indies cricket team, is praised as the best cricketer of his time. His maiden test match was versus Pakistan in 1958. It was during this match that Garry Sobers, as he is affectionately known, broke the existing  world record by scoring 365 runs, not out. (https://blog.thecrane.com/blog/2016/08/03/5-events-barbadian-history-worth-remembering)

4. Independence:

Barbados was first a British colony after the settlement of the English in 1625. The island remained a British colony until they gained their independence on November 30th, 1966.  (https://blog.thecrane.com/blog/2016/08/03/5-events-barbadian-history-worth-remembering)

5. Rihanna – First Grammy Award for a Barbadian:

Robyn “Rihanna” Fenty, a Barbadian born, international pop singer, received her very first Grammy Award in 2008, for her hit song Umbrella. It was the first such award for any Barbadian and thus sparked elaborate celebrations in the country.(https://blog.thecrane.com/blog/2016/08/03/5-events-barbadian-history-worth-remembering)

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Five Places to Visit in Barbados

1. The Beaches of Carlisle Bay: One of the most Instagram-worthy destinations in Barbados is Carlisle Bay on the edge of Bridgetown. Beautiful blond beaches and long stretches of crystal-clear turquoise waters make this one of the most inviting areas to dip your toes in the sea or set up a beach chair. Pebble Beach is one of the best stretches along the bay, but Brownes Beach and Bayshore Beach are also enticing spots. You can wade or swim in the placid water, rent a stand up paddleboard, or simply relax on the beach. If you head down to Pebble Beach at dawn, you can see the racehorses getting a morning bath in the ocean and watch the sunrise. Washrooms and showers can be found at the top of the beach. If you are staying at the Hilton Barbados Resort or the Radisson Aquatica Resort, this beach is just outside your door. (https://www.planetware.com/tourist-attractions/barbados-bar.htm)
2. Downtown Bridgetown: Bridgetown, the nation’s capital, is home to a wealth of attractions, but it’s also simply a beautiful place to wander around. The landmark Parliament Buildings, easily recognizable by the neo-Gothic style architecture and clock tower, and the National Heroes Square are two of the main sites in the city center. Across the street from the Parliament Buildings is the lovely Chamberlain Bridge, with views over the Constitution River, known more commonly as The Careenage. From the bridge, you can see yachts docked along the waterway and the colorful buildings that line the waterside walkway. From here, wander inland to find the Nidhe Israel Synagogue, St. Michael’s Cathedral, and the 1,000-year-old baobab tree in Queen’s Park. Also allow some time to walk around the Garrison. (https://www.planetware.com/tourist-attractions/barbados-bar.htm)
3. Bathsheba Bay: Located along the rugged Atlantic coast, Bathsheba Bay offers a dramatic glimpse into the erosive power of the ocean. The beach here, popular with surfers but not a place for swimming, is dotted with huge rock formations created by the remains of ancient coral reefs undercut by the relentless waves. The water in the bay is shallow, and the surf creates a white lather, which led to the name Soup Bowl, a term well-known internationally in the surfing community. As you arrive at Bathsheba Bay, the road descends from a high plateau down to the ocean and runs along the waterfront. You can see the remains of a staircase and structure in the surf and a little farther on is a restaurant and vendors selling goods. This is a good place stop and walk down to the beach or have lunch. If you are looking for an alternate lunch spot, continue beyond this stretch and up the hill to The Atlantis Hotel and dine in the hotel’s restaurant. Just past the Atlantis, the De Garage restaurant is a more casual option. (https://www.planetware.com/tourist-attractions/barbados-bar.htm)
4. Animal Flower Cave: At the northern tip of Barbados, the Animal Flower Cave is one of the top places to visit, not just for the cave, but for the dramatic views from the lookout above. From February to April, you also have a chance of seeing humpback whales from the cliff-side above the cave. Cave tours are only 15 to 20 minutes and are led by a guide. A short staircase takes you down into this unique cave. Large natural openings offer windows out to the ocean, and pools formed by the spray from waves act as reflecting ponds. These openings also provide plenty of light and remove the claustrophobic feeling often found in dark caves. On the cliff-side above the cave is a restaurant and a few vendors set up in stalls selling trinkets. Views from the restaurant are incredible. Above a portion of the restaurant is an open-deck viewing area, popular when the whales are frequenting the area. A lookout area to the right of the cave entrance reveals the drama of the coastline. Huge waves crash against the eroding cliffs and blast spray high into the air. If you are looking for more of a true caving experience and something more adventurous, Harrison’s Cave is the place to go. Here, you can put on your helmet and headlamp and go exploring. (https://www.planetware.com/tourist-attractions/barbados-bar.htm)
5. St. Nicholas Abbey: The Jacobean great house at St. Nicholas Abbey was built in 1658, and the tales that have ensued over the years around the abbey are as intriguing as the plantation itself. Despite the name, the abbey was a plantation and never had any religious association. The property changed hands several times over the centuries but is today owned by Larry and Anna Warren, who purchased the property in 2006. They have restored the estate and operate it as a sugar plantation. Visitors can tour the property to see antiques, learn about the workings, and explore the grounds, which generally takes a couple of hours. (https://www.planetware.com/tourist-attractions/barbados-bar.htm)

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References: 

• https://blog.thecrane.com/blog/2016/08/03/5-events-barbadian-history-worth-remembering
• https://www.planetware.com/tourist-attractions/barbados-bar.htm