The island was uninhabited when first settled by the British in 1627. Slaves worked the sugar plantations established on the island until 1834 when slavery was abolished. The economy remained heavily dependent on sugar, rum, and molasses production through most of the 20th century. The gradual introduction of social and political reforms in the 1940s and 1950s led to complete independence from the UK in 1966. In the 1990s, tourism and manufacturing surpassed the sugar industry in economic importance.
Country profile: Barbados
Best known for its sunshine, beaches and cricket, Barbados has seen tourism overtake the production and export of sugar as the island's main revenue earner.This has given the island a higher living standard than many of its Caribbean neighbours, but also means that it is vulnerable to world downturns in tourism.
A former British colony and a Commonwealth member, Barbados has a dual heritage: English - evident in its stone-built Anglican churches and Saturday race meetings - and African, as manifested in its music and dance.
The Barbadian government has tried to boost offshore banking and to encourage investment in information technology. The country has offshore reserves of oil and natural gas.
Beaches, limestone caverns and a warm climate tempered by trade winds are among the island's natural assets.
- Full name: Barbados
- Population: 272,000 (UN, 2005)
- Capital: Bridgetown
- Area: 430 sq km (166 sq miles)
- Major language: English
- Major religion: Christianity
- Life expectancy: 71 years (men), 78 years (women) (UN)
- Monetary unit: 1 Barbadian dollar = 100 cents
- Main exports: Sugar and molasses, rum, other foods and beverages, chemicals, electrical components, clothing
- GNI per capita: US$9,260 (World Bank, 2005)
- Internet domain: .bb
- International dialling code: +1246
Head of state: Queen Elizabeth II, represented by Governor-General Sir Clifford Husbands
Prime minister: Owen Arthur
Owen Arthur, an economist, won a third term in 2003 after his Barbados Labour Party (BLP) gained 23 of 30 seats in parliament.
The BLP and the opposition had promised in their campaigns to cut taxes and to invigorate the economy.
Mr Arthur first took office in 1994 after running on a platform to build "a modern, technologically-dynamic economy", create jobs and boost investment.
In 1999 he again led the BLP to a landslide victory, promising economic growth and international competitiveness, and to make Barbados a republic. The prime minister aims to hold a referendum on the issue and proposes that Barbados should have a ceremonial president as head of state.
Barbadians enjoy full freedom of expression. This is reflected in the media, which is free of censorship and state control and often criticises the government.
All newspapers are privately-owned, and there is a mix of private and public radio stations.
Although the country's sole television station is run by the government-owned Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation, it presents a wide range of political views. The CBC also operates MCTV, a multi-channel and pay-TV service.
The press
Television
Radio
News agency
Historically, the Barbadian economy had been dependent on sugarcane cultivation and related activities, but production in recent years has diversified into light industry and tourism. Offshore finance and information services are important foreign exchange earners. The government continues its efforts to reduce unemployment, to encourage direct foreign investment, and to privatize remaining state-owned enterprises. The economy contracted in 2002-03 mainly due to a decline in tourism. Growth was positive in 2005, as economic conditions in the US and Europe moderately improved.
Barbadian or Bajan (colloquial) natural resources include petroleum, fish, natural gas
easternmost Caribbean island
Barbadian or Bajan (colloquial) religion is Protestant 67% (Anglican 40%, Pentecostal 8%, Methodist 7%, other 12%), Roman Catholic 4%, none 17%, other 12%.
Natural hazards in Barbados include infrequent hurricanes; periodic landslides.
Travel Advice on Barbados
SUMMARY
- Security and personal safety are generally not a problem, but do not be complacent. Cases of robbery, personal attacks on tourists and other crimes do occur. You are advised to be vigilant at all times.
- Most visits to Barbados are trouble-free. The main type of incident for which British nationals require consular assistance is for lost and stolen passports.
- The threat from terrorism is low. But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks which could be against civilian targets, including places frequented by foreigners.
- The hurricane season in Barbados normally runs from June to November. Please see the Natural Disasters section of this Travel Advice and Hurricanes on the FCO website for more information.
- If you are travelling to Barbados for the ICC Cricket World Cup, which runs from 11 March to 28 April 2007, with warm-up games in the region beginning on 5 March 2007, you should see the FCO's ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 on the FCO website for general advice you may need before you travel.
- We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake. Please see: Travel Insurance.
SAFETY AND SECURITY
Political Situation
Barbados Country Profile.
Crime
Over one million tourists visited Barbados last year and most visits were trouble-free. However, petty theft and street crime does take place. Personal attacks and rapes of foreigners do occur. You are advised to remain vigilant at all times. Maintain at least the same level of personal security awareness as in the UK. This should include ensuring that your living accommodation is totally secure. Avoid isolated areas, including beaches, after dark. Do not carry large amounts of cash or jewellery. Valuables and travel documents should be left, where possible, in safety deposit boxes and hotel safes.
Road Safety
Motorists drive on the left in Barbados. There is a high incidence of road accidents, including fatalities, for the size of the island. Most roads are paved but, with the exception of the main highways, many have potholes. In rural areas they are narrow, usually unlit and often have obscured side roads and blind corners. Road surfaces lack grip and become very slippery when wet. Speed limits are posted in kilometres per hour (40, 60 and 80 kph maximum) and are lower than the UK. Road signs are poor. Vehicle directional indicators are used intermittently; exercise caution, particularly on roundabouts. Pedestrians walk on the roads because of a lack of pavements. In the event of an accident, leave your vehicle where it comes to rest and call the police.
Standard taxi fares exist for some destinations but not all. It is sensible to clarify the fare in Barbados dollars with the driver before beginning the journey. You can often pay in US Dollars (fixed exchange rate $2 Barbados Dollars = $1 US Dollar) as well as Barbados Dollars.
LOCAL LAWS AND CUSTOMS
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
HEALTH
You should be aware of the high prevalence of the HIV/AIDS virus and take precautions to avoid exposure to it.
You should seek medical advice before travelling and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up to date. For further information on health, check the Department of Health’s website at: www.dh.gov.uk.
The hurricane season in Barbados normally runs from June to November. You should monitor local and international weather updates from the World Meteorological Organisation at: World Meteorological Organisation. You can also access the National Hurricane Centre at: for updates. Please also see Hurricanes on the FCO website for more detailed information about what to do if you are caught up in a hurricane.
GENERAL
Keep a copy of the photopage of your passport and relevant entry stamp in case your documents are stolen.
We strongly recommend that all travellers abroad take out adequate comprehensive insurance covering theft and unexpected losses or expenses (eg stolen bank/credit cards and cash, lost luggage, cancelled/missed flights).
If you are on a package holiday, you must travel on the specified return date. If you fail to do so, you will have to pay the additional costs of accommodation and a replacement air ticket.
You will have to pay a departure tax when leaving Barbados. In February 2006, this departure tax amounted to 25 Barbados Dollars (for each traveller aged 12 years or older).