|
|
|
|
|
Known affectionately to Barbadians
as “Bim”, Barbados is the most easterly island of the
Caribbean region. It is located at 13.4N, 54.4W.
The island, which is less than one million years old, was created
by the collision of the Atlantic crustal and Caribbean plates, along
with a volcanic eruption. Later coral formed, accumulating to approximately
300 feet. It is geologically unique, being actually two land masses
that merged together over the years.
The first indigenous people were Amerindians who arrived here from
Venezuela. Paddling long dugout canoes they crossed oceans and currents
that challenge modern sailing vessels. On the north end of Venezuela
a narrow sea channel called the Dragon's mouth acts as a funnel
to the Caribbean sea and the nearest Island of Trinidad. It is a
formidable passage of swift flowing water and cross currents. It
is dangerous water for an open dugout canoe. But they came, families
and villages, adventurers, descendants of the first people who travelled
across the Alaska land bridge, down through Canada and the Americas
to the South.
They made their new home in Barbados along the coast, leaving behind
hardly a trace, only a hint of evidence for the archeologist to
date and dream about. Fragments of tools made of shell, utensils,
refuse and burial places convey but a mystery of their time.
Barbados has a land area of about 430 square kilometers, (166 square
miles), and is primarily low-lying, with some higher regions in
the island's interior. The organic composition of Barbados is thought
to be of non-volcanic origin and is predominantly composed of limestone-coral.
The island's atmosphere is tropical with constant trade winds off
the Atlantic Ocean and some undeveloped areas contain tropical Rainforests,
marshes and mangrove swamps. The Fauna of Barbados has been highly
degraded by humans, leading to a paucity of native species.
Other parts of the island's interior contributing to its agriculture
are dotted with large sugarcane estates and wide gently sloping
pastures with many good views down to the sea.
Barbados was a British colony for 300 years until it achieved its
independence on November 30th, 1966 under the leadership of the
third premier of the island, the Rt. Hon Errol Walton Barrow. On
the country’s attainment of independence, he became Barbados’
first Prime Minister.
Barbados has one of the highest standards of living and literacy
rates in the developing world. Despite its small geographical size,
Barbados constantly ranks in the top 30 (or 31) countries in the
Human Development Index (HDI) rankings.
The Barbadian economy, which once relied on the export of sugar,
is now based mainly on tourism, offshore banking and light manufacturing.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
