"London in the Caribbean" a Barbados Travel Page by seagoingJLW

History

Barbados is the easternmost Caribbean Island. It was discovered in 1536 by Portuguese explorer Pedro a campos. He named it Los Barbudos (the bearded ones) after the banyan trees whose hanging roots resemble beards.

The English claimed Barbados in 1625. englishmen from the ship William and John founded the first settlement, Jamestown, in 1627 The capital, Bridgetown, was founded in 1628. Tobacco, cotton and sugar plantations were set up and thousands of slaves were brought in.

Great Birtain ended the slave trade in 1806 and abolished slavery in 1833.

During the twentieth century the island began to diversify its economy, adding light industry and tourism.

Barbados achieved full independent status within the British Comminwealth and joined the United Nations in 1966.

The Bajans are a friendly people and the island is very British. Where else can you visit Trafalgar Square without crossing the Atlantic?

Barbados was originally inhabited 2400 years ago by Amerindians from South America. The Portuguese came in 1536 and named the island Los Barbados for the bearded fig trees that grew along the coast.

The island was not colonized until the early 1600s when British Captain John Powell claimed it in the name of King James I of England. From that time, unlike most other Caribbean islands, it never changed hands, remaining British until gaining independence November 30, 1966.

The Seven Wonders of Barbados

1. Harrison's Cave
2. The Baobab Tree
3. Historic Jacobean Mansions
4. Morgan Lewis Mill
5. Famous Jewish Synagogue
6. National Ordnance Collection (Cannons)
7. Grapefruit Tree

Miscellaneaous Information

Barbados is off the beaten pathsince it is 100 miles east of the Caribbean chain. Very densely populated, Barbados has one of the highest per capita incomes in the Caribbean and a literacy rate of 95 per cent. It is between the North Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean sea, northeast of the Venezuelan coast. It is 1600 miles southeast of Miami.

The area of Barbados is 430 sq km which is about two and a half times the size of Washington, DC. The terrain is relatively flat with a slightly higher inland region.

The weather in Barbados is warm and sunny all year round with the temperature running from 75 degrees F to 85 degrees F. There is a rainy season from June to October. There are infrequent hurricanes and periodic landslides.

The population as of July, 2001 is 275,330, of which 80% are black, 4% are white and 16% others. Protestant religions predominate with 40% Anglican, 8% Pentecostal, 7% Methodist and 12% other. You will also find 4% Roman Catholic, 17% none and 12% other. In actuality, more than 100 religious dominations and sects are here, including Christian Science, Jewish, Moravian, and Muslim.

Barbados is in the Atlantic Time Zone, one hour ahead of US Standard Time. there is no daylight saving time in Barbados. It is GMT minus five hours.

The electricity in Barbados is 110 volts/50 cycles.

Barbados was ranked third in quality of life among developing countries in the United Nations Development Index.

Barbados is the only coral island in the region with white sand beaches. It has pure drinking water.

The official language is English, but a slang jargon is also spoken here. Here is a small vocabulary list:

Bajan - what people from Barbados call themselves.
Cafuffled - confused, bewildered.
Gap - the street.
Gully-boar - person with no class.
Kadooment - good times, the name of the biggest carnival.
Mini moke - name of a small open car.
Pompasettin' - showing off
Rumbustuous - in very good spirits and full of life.
Skettle - a not so nice girl.
Stepney - a spare tire.
Wukkin' up - a high energy, gyrating dance.