39 Interesting Facts About Barbados

Last updated on March 10th, 2020

Barbados is an island country in the Lesser Antilles of the West Indies, in the Caribbean region of North America. It has an area of 430 square km. Bridgetown is its capital and largest city. English is the official language of Barbados. Barbadian dollar ($) (BBD) is its official currency. Barbadians are crazy for afternoon tea, cricket (which is also their national sport), golfing and scuba diving. The country is a famous tourist destination, and it sees millions of visitors every year. Here are another 39 interesting facts about Barbados that you will enjoy reading!

1. The people of Barbados are called Barbadians.

2. The British established a colony in Barbados in 1627, and started the cultivation of tobacco and cotton. However, during the 1640s, they started sugar plantations, which brought them handsome profits.

3. Barbados is an island nation surrounded completely by the Atlantic Ocean. It belongs to the Lesser Antilles (a group of islands in North America).

4. Bussa’s Rebellion (14–16 April 1816) was the largest slave revolt in Barbadian history. The rebellion takes its name from the African-born slave, Bussa, who led the rebellion.

Facts about associated famous people

5. Rihanna, a popular singer and songwriter, was born in Barbados on February 20, 1988.

6. Tiger Woods married his Swedish girlfriend Elin Nordegren at a ceremony on the Caribbean island of Barbados.

Aerial View to the Bridgetown with the Blue Water.
Aerial View to the Bridgetown with the Blue Water.

7. Sir Garfield Sobers was born in Bridgetown, Barbados. He is also one of the ten Barbadian National Heroes.

How Barbados got its name, independence, and some history

8. The name of the country, “Barbados,” is derived from “the Bearded Fig Trees.”

9. Barbados became independent from Britain on November 30th, 1966. This year (2016), the country will celebrate 50 years of independence.

10. Barbados has the world’s third-oldest parliament. It has been in operation since 1639.

Flag of Barbados

Flag of Barbados
Flag of Barbados. Image credit – CIA

11. There were 491 active sugar plantations and 506 windmills in Barbados in 1846.

12. The oldest church in Barbados is the St. James Parish Church.

 barbados pride
Red royal poinciana or barbados pride or flam boyant or peacocks crest.

13. The national flower of the country is called the “Pride of Barbados.” The leaves of this flower, dipped in breast milk, are given to crying babies to stop them from crying.

14. The fertility centre in Barbados–The Barbados Fertility Centre–has success rates that are higher than that of the centers in the UK and the US. Also, the treatment costs in this center are a third of what you would have to pay in the UK or the US.

15. Barbados is one of the most popular and preferred tourist destinations in the Caribbean.

Barbados on the map

16. The capital city of Barbados, Bridgetown, and its Garrison is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is a well-preserved old town built in the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries.

17. “Pride and Industry” is the Barbadian national motto.

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