 Explore Info on Barbados
 Barbados is the easternmost of the windward islands in the lesser Antilles in the West Indies. Barbados is located about 270 miles northwest of Venezuela. Barbados is an island about 166 square miles, only 21 miles long by 14 wide. Barbados is hilly, but not mountainous, and mostly coral formation. Barbados is surrounded by 80 miles of white sandy beaches. Barbados is far enough south that it is rarely affected by hurricanes, only two in the last 200 years.
Much of Barbados, especially inland, is under cultivation to sugar cane and bananas. The Barbados standard of living is the highest in the Caribbean. Often called the "Switzerland of the Caribbean", Barbados' principal industries are now tourism and off-shore financial services. Sugar cane and rum are no longer "king" but still bring substantial revenue to Barbados.
The west coast or Caribbean side of Barbados, is the most developed and populated. The wild Atlantic side on the east coast of Barbados, is home to the islands' most visited attractions, botanical gardens, unusual flora and fauna, animal reserves, potteries, and caves.
English is the official language of Barbados. Bridgetown is the capital and the principal port of Barbados. Barbados' airport, Grantley Adams International, is the only one in the Caribbean which can accommodate large airplanes. The people of Barbados are warm and hospitable and call themselves "Bajans". Barbados has a 97% literacy rate (higher than the United States) and small neighborhood churches, some built in the 1600's, dot the landscape everywhere. A former British colony, Barbados became independent, with a seat in the U.N., in 1966 and has enjoyed a parliamentary democracy for 350 years. The Barbados dollar has maintained a steady exchange rate with the U.S. dollar of 2 to 1 since its introduction at independence.
Barbados has no standing army. The country is so peaceful that the Prime Minister of Barbados is rare among his peers in the world: he goes about his official business and even shops for his own groceries without entourage or bodyguards.
CLIMATE
The mean average temperature of Barbados is 80 degrees F down to an average of 65 in winter. About 60 inches of rain fall annually on Barbados, mainly on the west coast, with the lowest rate in February and March, most in late June through November. Water temperature in Barbados averages 78 degrees F (25 degrees C) year-round and water clarity is excellent.
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