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Barbados is an independent island nation in the western Atlantic Ocean, situated in the East of Caribbean Sea. It is a flat island, although centrally rising to the central highland region and the highest point is Mount Hillaby in the Scotland district. Barbados is considered as a part of the Lesser Antilles island-chain, as it lies in the central Caribbean region.
Barbados is surrounded by various other islands, the closest are Saint Vincent and Saint Lucia in the west, Trinidad and Tobago in the south. Barbados is geologically composed of the limestone- coral, formed by subduction of the South American plate colliding with the Caribbean plate. The coastline stretches upto 97 km.
Barbados predominantly has tropical climate. From June to October the country enjoys the rainy season. It witness constant trade winds off the Atlantic Ocean keeping the temperatures mild.
Major natural resources are petroleum, natural gas and fish. |
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| People |
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The population in Barbados is about 280,946 according to the 2007 estimates. About 90% of the Barbarians are of African descent, who worked as slave labors in the sugar plantation until 1834, when slavery was abolished.
The rest of 10% are Europeans (British), Ireland, Chinese, india, Bangladesh, Pakistan. These are the major ethnic groups. The religious group in Barbados can be classified as 67% as Protestants under which 40% are Anglican, 8% are Pentecostal, 7% are Methodist and others 12%, apart from the Protestants other religious groups are Roman Catholic with 4% followers, 17% none and 12% others. The official language used is English, and the local dialect is Bajan.
The national flower is the Pride of Barbados or Caesalpinia Pulcherrima which is found across the island. It has one of the highest literacy rates and high standard of living worldwide. |
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| Economy |
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The Economy of Barbados is highly dependent on Sugarcane cultivation, although tourism has also emerged as an important sector boosting the economy. The major occupation sectors are service industry with 78% of the total labor force; the industrial sector has 15% of the force and agriculture only 10%. There are invariable efforts from the government to curb unemployment, it has reduced considerably to 10%.
Chief agricultural products are sugarcane, vegetables, cotton. Tourism, sugar, light manufacturing, component assembly for exports are the predominant avenues in the industrial sector. |
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| Government |
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The government in Barbados operates are a Parliamentary Democracy, The parliament consists of 30 seats. Barbados follows a two party system, the two dominant parties are Democratic Labour Party, which is the ruling party and the Barbados Labour party. The head of the Government is the Prime Minister David Thompson, who has been appointed on 16 Jan 2008. Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister. Since 6th February 1952 the chief of the State is Queen Elizabeth II by Governor General Sir Clifford Straughn Husbands.
The island of Barbados is administratively divided into 11 parishes and 1 city, Bridgetown (Capital), Christ Church, Saint Andrew, Saint George, Saint James, Saint John, Saint Joseph, Saint Lucy, Saint Michael, Saint Peter, Saint Philip, Saint Thomas.
Independence day: 30 November 1966
Capital of Barbados : Bridgetown
Currency : Barbadian Dollar
Barbados is very well developed island, known worldwide for its internationally standard hotels and high class accommodations. Major attraction of the island is the night- life especially in Saint Lawrence Gap and duty free shopping. Other attraction are wildlife reserves, jewellery stores, helicopter rides, golf, cave exploration, exotic drinks, , festivals, sightseeing, fine clothes shopping and scuba diving. |
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