About Barbados: Key Facts About Barbados

• The United Nations Development Index (1996) ranked Barbados third in terms of quality of life among 160 developing countries worldwide (Hong Kong and Cyprus ranked first and second respectively). Barbados ranked ahead of countries such as Spain, Italy and Ireland.
• Our research and surveys show that visitors highlight the friendliness of Barbadians as its greatest and most pleasing asset. This is reflected in the highest repeat visitor factor in the region of 39%
• The people of Barbados have a history of long ingrained Christian principles, a sound and free educational system with a literacy rate of 97%
• Barbados has the third oldest parliament in the world with 358 years of an uninterrupted parliamentary system of government.
• Barbados was the only vacation destination in this Hemisphere with a scheduled Concorde service. One of the retired British Airways concordes now resides at our international airport.
• On this "mustard seed" of an island (21 miles) long and a smile (14 miles) wide!

  - We are the only coral island in the region with all white sand beaches.
  - Barbados has pure drinking water and was the first Caribbean island to have piped water.
  - Excellent telecommunications.
  - Utilities available 100% island-wide.
  - Accessible to everywhere.
  - Consistent cooling North-East tradewinds.
  - Maximum daily temperature 75-85 F year round.

FAST FACTS AND FIGURES

CAPITAL: Bridgetown

POPULATION: Approximately 254,000

CLIMATE: Eight to nine hours of sunshine most days. Temperature between 75 F and 90 F year round.

GEOGRAPHY: A 21 mile x 14 mile Caribbean island. West and South Coast have calm Caribbean sea and endless beaches. Rugged cliffs and Atlantic Ocean on East Coast.

OFFICIAL LANGUAGE: English with a broad dialect. See a Street Vendor Talks

CURRENCY: Barbados Dollar - US $1 = BDS $2 approx.

DRIVING: A temporary yearly Barbados licence costs BDS$10 and is obtainable from car rental agencies and Police Stations. Full licence must be shown. Drive on left. Go to Barbados Tourism Encyclopedia "Documents"

TIME: GMT-4 hrs. There is no daylight saving time in Barbados

ACCOMMODATION: Caters for all tastes and budgets from luxury hotels and all-inclusive resorts to rooms in small hotels and self-catering apartments.

SPORTS: Snorkeling, diving, fishing, sailing, waterskiing, tennis, squash. Three 18-hole and three nine-hole golf courses. See Barbados Golf

GETTING THERE: (Flying Times and Airlines)

ELECTRICITY: Electricity in Barbados is 110 volts/50 cycles

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: See Travel Documents

HEALTH REQUIREMENTS: See Health in Barbados

WEDDINGS: It is now possible for ceremonies to take place on day of arrival, providing documents are in order.

OTHER FACTS

• Fun Facts About Barbados
• Flags and Emblems
• British Tradition
• USA - Barbados Ties