Quick Facts - Barbados
Barbados was the administrative headquarters of the Windward Islands until it became a separate colony in 1885. Later it was a member of the Federation of the West Indies from 1958 to 1962. Britain granted the colony independence on Nov. 30, 1966, and it became a parliamentary democracy within the Commonwealth.
Barbados sits the furthest east in the Lesser Antilles island chain, 13 degrees north of the Equator, with a population of approximately 279,254.
| Language: |
English |
| Government: |
Independence from UK on 30 November 1966 |
| Capital: | Bridgetown |
| Size: | 21 mi long (34 km) and 14 mi across (23 km) at its widest point |
| Location: | Lesser Antilles - 13 10 N, 59 32 W |
| Sovereign: | Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952) |
| Governor: | His Excellency Clifford Husbands |
| Head of Government: | Prime Minister David Thompson (since 16 January 2008) |
| Climate: | 75 - 85°F |
| Electricity: | 110 Volts AC |
| Currency: | Barbados Dollar (US currency widely accepted); US$1.00 = BDS$1.98 (this rate is indicative) |
| Driving: | On left, license required |
| Rentals: | Car, jeeps, boats, bicycles, scooters |
| Airports/Seaports: | Grantley Adams International Airport, Port of Bridgetow |
| Entry: | Passport and return or onward ticket required. |
| Online Newspaper(s): | The Nation / The Barbados Advocate |
