Are you heading into the tropical sunshine for a holiday of a lifetime? Prepare your local knowledge by taking a look through some fun facts about Barbados!
1. Where is Barbados, exactly?
Barbados is a beautiful island country in the Caribbean Sea… and we want to go there, now!
Its nearest neighbours are Saint Lucia and Martinique to the northwest, Guyana to the south, Trinidad and Tobago, Grenada and Venezuela to the southwest and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines to the west.
2. Remember these details!
Fancy a delightful beachside holiday full of cocktails, delicious food and plenty of sun? Head for the coordinates of 13.1667° N, 59.5500° W to experience your very own Barbadian adventure!
3. It’s nice and simple to explore Barbados.
The terrain here is relatively flat, rising to a central highland region – nice and easy to explore!
4. It’s pretty big for an island!
The total land area of Barbados is 166 square miles (430 square kilometres)…that’s around 4 times the size of Liverpool.
5. It’s also fairly spread out.
Barbados’ population was 281,635 in 2022…that’s only around 2/3 of the population of Liverpool!
6. Pick a name!
Residents here are known as Barbadians or Bajans.
7. What’s the capital of Barbados?
The capital is Bridgetown; it covers an area of 15 square miles (39 square kilometres) and had a population of 90,000 in 2014.
8. It’s hot and rainy out here.
Barbadians enjoy a tropical climate with a rainy season from June to October.
9. It’s a big hit with tourists.
In 2014 a total of 519,598 overnight visitors stayed in Barbados, almost double the number of residents!
10. Wildlife lovers enjoy it here, too!
Barbados wildlife includes monkeys, mongooses, tortoises, lizards, bats, toads and even the Whistling Frog!
11. What do people speak in Barbados?
The official language of Barbados is English.
12. Grab those dollars!
Fancy a refreshing cocktail? Make sure you exchange your holiday money into Barbadian Dollars, the official currency here.
13. Life expectancy here is impressive.
Barbadians live an average life span of 77.57 years (2021).
14. Look for the lucky mongoose!
In Barbados it is considered good luck if a Mongoose crosses your path!
15. What does Barbados actually mean?
The name ‘Barbados’ actually derives from the Portuguese ‘Los Barbados’ meaning ‘Bearded ones’. This was due to the number of Bearded Fig trees found on the island.
16. Quick cabbie thinking!
Taxi fares in Barbados are predetermined by the driver rather than relying on a metre!
17. Here are some industry facts about Barbados.
Barbados grows vegetables, molasses, sugarcane and cotton and produces rum.
Its industry consists of tourism, sugar, light manufacturing and component assembly.
Barbados exports rum, sugar, molasses, other foods and beverages and chemicals.
FAQs about Barbados
Is it safe to visit Barbados?
For the most part, yes - crime is low - but there are laws against homosexuality in place here, so take caution if they are likely to affect you.
Is Barbados part of the USA?
No, though it is linked to America via the US Caribbean Basin Initiative.
What is the main religion in Barbados?
For the most part, religion is free here, but most people practice Christianity.
Do you know any fun facts about Barbados? Share them in the comments below!
