Basic Information About Barbados:

Population: The population of Barbados is 285,355.

GDP: $4.5 billion (2016)

Barbados gained its independence from the British on 30 November 1966 and is now one of the leading tourist destination in the world. Barbados is the 53^rd richest country regarding GDP per capita and has a high standard of living.

The country has grown from sugarcane production to manufacturing and tourism; however, the unemployment rate is at 11.9% (2016).   Barbadians refer themselves as “Bajan” and are of a mixed decent.  Cricket is very popular in Barbados, and the country has produced some of the world’s best cricketers such as Sir Garfield Sobers and Sir Frank Worrell.

Climate: Barbados has two seasons: The wet season runs between June and November and the dry season runs between December and May. The weather is usually warm and sunny at an average of approximately 30°C / 86°F.

People: Close to 90% of all Barbadians (also known colloquially as “Bajan”) are of Afro-Caribbean descent (“Afro-Bajans“) and mixed-descent. The remainder of the population includes groups of Europeans (“Anglo-Bajans” / “Euro-Bajans”) mainly from the United Kingdom and Ireland, along with Asians, predominantly Chinese and Indians (both Hindu and Muslim). Other groups in Barbados include people from the United Kingdom, United States and Canada. Barbadians who return after years of residence in the United States and children born in America to Bajan parents are called “Bajan Yankees”, a term considered derogatory by some.  Generally, Bajans recognize and accept all “children of the island” as Bajans, and refer to each other as such.

Religion: Ninety-five percent of the population are Christians, although persons may not be active in any particular denomination.  Anglicanism constitutes the largest religious group, with 70,000 members; an estimated 67 percent are active.

Capital: Bridgetown is the capital of Barbados.

Language: English is the official language in Barbados.

Currency: The Barbadian or Bajan Dollar is the currency of Barbados

Time Zone: UTC-04:00

Country Phone Code: 246

Electricity: 115 V 50 Hz; Plug Styles: Flat blade plug; Flat blades with round grounding pin.

Security Concerns: While Barbados has one of the higher standards of living in the Caribbean, the unemployment rate is high, and drug trafficking is a concern. For the most part, Barbados has a relatively low level of crime, with the primary security concern being pretty theft and street crime.