Discover Fascinating Barbados Facts

Dive into the history, culture, and unique insights about Barbados.

Barbados

Background

🌴 Barbados History 🌴

Barbados was an empty land until it was discovered by the British in 1627! πŸ‡¬πŸ‡§ Fast forward to 1720, and it was no longer leading the sugar industryβ€”Jamaica and the Leeward Islands took the crown! 🍬

A lot changed during the 1940s and 1950s, sparking social and political reforms that finally led to Barbados gaining its independence from the UK in 1966! πŸŽ‰ And guess what? In 2021, Barbados took another big step and became a republic! πŸ‡§πŸ‡§βœ¨

Year British Settled Barbados

1627

Year Barbados Lost Sugar Dominance

1720

Year of Independence from UK

1966

Year Barbados Became a Republic

2021

Exports - commodities

Barbados has a diverse range of exports! 🌍✨ In 2022, the island nation exported several important commodities: liquor, packaged medicine, ships, paper labels, and baked goods. Each of these plays a significant role in the economy and reflects the unique products that Barbados is known for. 🚒🍹🍰 Imagine enjoying a tasty baked good or sipping on delightful liquor from Barbados! Yum! πŸ˜‹

Exports by Commodity for Barbados (2022)

Exports - partners

πŸ“Š Let's dive into Barbados' export partners! In 2022, the United States led the way, taking home a whopping 23% of Barbados' exports. Right behind are Jamaica at 11% and Trinidad and Tobago with 9%. It's interesting to see how much of Barbados' trade goes to these locations! 🌎 Here’s how it all breaks down:

  • United States: 23%
  • Jamaica: 11%
  • Trinidad and Tobago: 9%
  • Guyana: 8%
  • Poland: 6%

This pie chart will help visualize the shares of each partner in exports! 🍰

Total Percentage of Exports

100%

Number of Export Partners

5

Barbados Export Partners (2022)

Capital

πŸ‡§πŸ‡§ The capital of Barbados is Bridgetown! This vibrant city is not only the political center of the country but also its cultural heartbeat, where history meets contemporary life. Explore its streets filled with colorful buildings, lively markets, and stunning coastal views!

Imports - commodities

🌍 Check out Barbados and its colorful mix of imported goods! In 2022, the country brought in exciting products that keep it running smoothly. Here’s a list of some of the key imports:

  • Refined Petroleum: Fuels our cars and powers our homes! πŸš—πŸ‘
  • Plastic Products: Essential for packaging and everyday items! πŸ›οΈ
  • Cars: For all that island driving and road trips! πŸš™
  • Railway Cargo Containers: Helps in transporting goods efficiently! πŸš‚πŸ“¦
  • Packaged Medicine: Keeping the people of Barbados healthy! πŸ’Š

It's fascinating to see how these commodities shape the economy of such a vibrant island! 🌴

Climate

Barbados has a tropical climate 🌴, which means it's warm and sunny for most of the year! The rainy season typically lasts from June to October β˜”, bringing some refreshing showers to help the plants grow. Overall, this climate is perfect for beach lovers and nature enthusiasts alike! 🌊🌻

Climate Type

Tropical

Rainy Season

June to October

Executive branch

Executive Branch of Barbados πŸ‡§πŸ‡§

Let's dive into the leaders of Barbados! The country is led by two key figures:

  • Chief of State: President Sandra MASON has been in office since 30 November 2021. πŸ—“οΈ
  • Head of Government: Prime Minister Mia MOTTLEY has been serving since 25 May 2018. πŸ›οΈ

These leaders play a crucial role in shaping the laws and policies of this beautiful Caribbean nation! 🌴

Current Chief of State

Sandra MASON

Chief of State since

30 November 2021

Current Head of Government

Mia MOTTLEY

Head of Government since

25 May 2018

Legislative branch

In Barbados, the legislative branch is fascinating! πŸ‡§πŸ‡§ It has a bicameral Parliament, which means it is made up of two parts: the Senate and the House of Assembly. Here’s the breakdown of seats:

  • Senate: 21 seats πŸ›οΈ
  • House of Assembly: 30 seats πŸ›οΈ

Together, they play a crucial role in shaping the laws and governance of Barbados!

Total Seats in Parliament

51

Seats in Barbados Parliament

Natural resources

🌊 Natural Resources of Barbados 🌊

Barbados may be small, but it has some mighty resources! The island is rich in petroleum, fish, and natural gas. πŸŸπŸ’§ Each of these resources plays a vital role in the economy and sustains the community on this beautiful island. Let's dive deeper into what makes these resources important for Barbados! 🌟

Economic overview

🌴 Welcome to Barbados, a dazzling high-income economy in the Eastern Caribbean! 🌊 This island boasts a high standard of living when compared to its regional neighbors. The economy thrives on key sectors such as tourism, construction, and finance, which have been driving steady GDP growth. πŸ—οΈπŸ’Ό

However, like many islands, Barbados faces challenges! πŸ“‰ Public debt is declining but remains very high, leading the country to seek support from the IMF. Furthermore, it is vulnerable to the whims of nature, making it reliant on import partners. 🀝 Let’s dive into the numbers and see how this beautiful country navigates its economic waters!

Income Level

High-income

Economic Sectors

Tourism, Construction, Financial

Public Debt Status

Very High

Government type

🌍 Barbados is a Parliamentary Republic! This means that the country has a system where the government is elected by the people but still recognizes a monarch as the ceremonial head of state. πŸ›οΈ Additionally, it is part of the Commonwealth Realm, which includes several other countries that acknowledge the same monarch, currently the King of the United Kingdom. This unique blend of democracy and tradition makes Barbados a fascinating place to learn about! πŸ‡§πŸ‡§

Ethnic groups

In Barbados, the population is made up of a diverse mix of ethnic groups! 🌍 Here's the breakdown: 92.4% of people are of African descent, which makes it the largest group. Following that is the mixed population at 3.1%, while 2.7% identify as White. Additionally, the East Indian community makes up 1.3%, with other ethnicities at a tiny 0.2% and unspecified groups holding 0.3%. 🏳️ Let's visualize this rich tapestry of culture with a pie chart to show how these groups come together!

Percentage of African descent

92.4%

Percentage of Mixed ethnicity

3.1%

Percentage of White ethnicity

2.7%

Percentage of East Indian ethnicity

1.3%

Percentage of Other ethnicities

0.2%

Percentage of Unspecified ethnicities

0.3%

Ethnic Groups in Barbados (2010)

Religions

🌍 Let's dive into the fascinating world of religions in Barbados! πŸ‡§πŸ‡§ According to the CIA World Factbook, here’s how the population practices their faith:

  • Protestant: 66.4% β›ͺ

    • β›ͺ Anglican: 23.9%
    • 🌟 Other Pentecostal: 19.5%
    • ✨ Adventist: 5.9%
    • πŸ•ŠοΈ Methodist: 4.2%
    • 🎢 Wesleyan: 3.4%
    • πŸ™ Nazarene: 3.2%
    • πŸ’’ Church of God: 2.4%
    • πŸ•ŠοΈ Baptist: 1.8%
    • βšͺ Moravian: 1.2%
    • 🀲 Other Protestant: 0.9%
  • Roman Catholic: 3.8% β›ͺ

  • Other Christian: 5.4% (includes Jehovah's Witness 2.0%) ✝️

  • Rastafarian: 1% 🌿

  • Other: 1.5% πŸŽ‰

  • None: 20.6% 🚫

  • Unspecified: 1.2% ❓

Based on this data, Protestants hold the majority of the religious beliefs in Barbados, making it a vibrant part of their culture.

Percentage of Protestant Christians

66.4%

Percentage of Roman Catholics

3.8%

Percentage of Other Christians

5.4%

Percentage of Rastafarians

1%

Percentage of People with no religion

20.6%

Percentage of Unspecified Religious Beliefs

1.2%

Distribution of Religions in Barbados

Languages

In Barbados, two main languages are spoken: English and Bajan! πŸ‡§πŸ‡§βœ¨

  • English is the official language used in schools, government, and formal situations.
  • Bajan, an English-based creole, is widely spoken in casual conversations. It's a unique component of the island's culture and is often used among friends and family. πŸ—£οΈπŸ’¬
    This blend of languages adds to the rich tapestry of Barbadian life!

Official Language

English

Widely Spoken Creole Language

Bajan

Imports - partners

Let's dive into the world of Barbados' imports! 🌍 In 2022, the United States was the top partner, providing a whopping 43% of all imports. China followed with a share of 8%, while Trinidad and Tobago contributed 7%. The UK and the Netherlands play smaller roles, accounting for 5% and 3%, respectively. Check out this cool breakdown of who shares the import pie! πŸ₯§

Total Import Percentage

100%

Import from US

43%

Import from China

8%

Import from Trinidad and Tobago

7%

Import from UK

5%

Import from Netherlands

3%

Imports Partners of Barbados (2022)

Population

The total population of Barbados is 304,139 people! 🌍 This number helps us understand how lively and bustling this beautiful island is. With its breathtaking beaches and rich culture, it's no wonder so many people call it home.

Total population of Barbados

304,139

Area

🌍 Barbados Area Overview

Barbados is a beautiful island nation located in the Caribbean. One interesting fact about it is its total area, which is 430 sq km. 🏝️ Let's break it down further:

  • Land Area: Entirely composed of land, Barbados has 430 sq km of land. 🌳
  • Water Area: Remarkably, it has 0 sq km of water area, making it a landlocked island in terms of water bodies. πŸš«πŸ’§

This unique geographic feature makes Barbados a serene and splendid destination for beach lovers and adventurers alike! πŸŒŠπŸ–οΈ

Total Area

430 sq km

Land Area

430 sq km

Water Area

0 sq km

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)

πŸ“Š Let's dive into Barbados' Real GDP over the past few years! This number tells us about the economic health of the island, considering the purchasing power of its currency. Here’s how it’s looking:

  • 2021: $4.148 billion πŸ’°
  • 2022: $4.708 billion πŸ“ˆ
  • 2023: $4.92 billion πŸš€

As you can see, the Real GDP has been climbing steadily! This growth is a sign that Barbados is moving in the right direction economically. Let’s keep cheering for the Barbadian economy! πŸŽ‰

Real GDP in 2021

4.148 billion

Real GDP in 2022

4.708 billion

Real GDP in 2023

4.92 billion

Barbados Real GDP Over Time

Real GDP per capita

πŸŽ‰ Let's dive into the economic world of Barbados! 🌴 The Real GDP per capita is a key measure of the average economic output per person in a country. Here's how it has changed over the last few years:

  • 2021: $14,800
  • 2022: $16,700
  • 2023: $17,400

As we can see, Barbados has seen a steady increase in its GDP per capita! πŸ“ˆπŸ’° This is a positive sign for the economy, indicating growth and improvement in the standard of living for its citizens. Keep an eye on this number as it reflects the ongoing changes in Barbados's economic health!

2021 Real GDP per capita

14,800 USD

2022 Real GDP per capita

16,700 USD

2023 Real GDP per capita

17,400 USD

Real GDP per Capita in Barbados (2021-2023)

Imports

🌍 Let's take a look at Barbados's imports over the years! In 2021, Barbados imported goods worth a whopping $2.12 billion. It was $2.213 billion in 2017, and even $2.238 billion in 2016. πŸ“ˆ Can you see the trend? The numbers have been quite close, showing how Barbados maintains its import levels over these years!

Highest Import Value (2016)

$2.238 billion

Lowest Import Value (2021)

$2.12 billion

Change in Imports from 2016 to 2021

-$0.118 billion

Barbados Imports Over Years

Exports

🌍 Let's take a look at Barbados's export data over the years! πŸ“ˆ In 2015, Barbados exported goods worth $2.358 billion, which showed some growth in 2016 to $2.41 billion. By 2017, exports reached $2.228 billion. It's interesting to see how this small island nation interacts with the global market! πŸŒŠπŸ“¦

Total exports in 2017

$2.228 billion

Total exports in 2016

$2.41 billion

Total exports in 2015

$2.358 billion

Barbados Exports Over the Years

Population growth rate

🌍 Did you know that Barbados has a population growth rate of 0.23% as estimated for 2024? This means that the number of people living in Barbados is slowly increasing! πŸ“ˆ Keep an eye on how this number changes in the future as it reflects the vitality of the country. Every little bit adds to the vibrant culture and community on the beautiful island! 🏝️

Population growth rate for 2024

0.23%