Discover Fascinating Barbados Facts
Dive into the history, culture, and unique insights about Barbados.
Barbados
Background
π΄ Barbados History π΄
Barbados was an empty land until it was discovered by the British in 1627! π¬π§ Fast forward to 1720, and it was no longer leading the sugar industryβJamaica and the Leeward Islands took the crown! π¬
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! π And guess what? In 2021, Barbados took another big step and became a republic! π§π§β¨
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! πβ¨ 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. π’πΉπ° Imagine enjoying a tasty baked good or sipping on delightful liquor from Barbados! Yum! π
Exports by Commodity for Barbados (2022)
Exports - partners
π 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! π Hereβs 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! π°
Total Percentage of Exports
100%
Number of Export Partners
5
Barbados Export Partners (2022)
Capital
π§π§ 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
π Check out Barbados and its colorful mix of imported goods! In 2022, the country brought in exciting products that keep it running smoothly. Hereβs a list of some of the key imports:
- Refined Petroleum: Fuels our cars and powers our homes! ππ‘
- Plastic Products: Essential for packaging and everyday items! ποΈ
- Cars: For all that island driving and road trips! π
- Railway Cargo Containers: Helps in transporting goods efficiently! ππ¦
- Packaged Medicine: Keeping the people of Barbados healthy! π
It's fascinating to see how these commodities shape the economy of such a vibrant island! π΄
Climate
Barbados has a tropical climate π΄, 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! ππ»
Climate Type
Tropical
Rainy Season
June to October
Executive branch
Executive Branch of Barbados π§π§
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. ποΈ
- Head of Government: Prime Minister Mia MOTTLEY has been serving since 25 May 2018. ποΈ
These leaders play a crucial role in shaping the laws and policies of this beautiful Caribbean nation! π΄
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! π§π§ It has a bicameral Parliament, which means it is made up of two parts: the Senate and the House of Assembly. Hereβs the breakdown of seats:
- Senate: 21 seats ποΈ
- House of Assembly: 30 seats ποΈ
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
π Natural Resources of Barbados π
Barbados may be small, but it has some mighty resources! The island is rich in petroleum, fish, and natural gas. ππ§ 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! π
Economic overview
π΄ Welcome to Barbados, a dazzling high-income economy in the Eastern Caribbean! π 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. ποΈπΌ
However, like many islands, Barbados faces challenges! π 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. π€ Letβs 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
π 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. ποΈ 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! π§π§
Ethnic groups
In Barbados, the population is made up of a diverse mix of ethnic groups! π 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%. π³οΈ 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
π Let's dive into the fascinating world of religions in Barbados! π§π§ According to the CIA World Factbook, hereβs how the population practices their faith:
-
Protestant: 66.4% βͺ
- βͺ Anglican: 23.9%
- π Other Pentecostal: 19.5%
- β¨ Adventist: 5.9%
- ποΈ Methodist: 4.2%
- πΆ Wesleyan: 3.4%
- π Nazarene: 3.2%
- π Church of God: 2.4%
- ποΈ Baptist: 1.8%
- βͺ Moravian: 1.2%
- π€² Other Protestant: 0.9%
-
Roman Catholic: 3.8% βͺ
-
Other Christian: 5.4% (includes Jehovah's Witness 2.0%) βοΈ
-
Rastafarian: 1% πΏ
-
Other: 1.5% π
-
None: 20.6% π«
-
Unspecified: 1.2% β
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! π§π§β¨
- 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. π£οΈπ¬
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! π 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! π₯§
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! π 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
π 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. ποΈ Let's break it down further:
- Land Area: Entirely composed of land, Barbados has 430 sq km of land. π³
- Water Area: Remarkably, it has 0 sq km of water area, making it a landlocked island in terms of water bodies. π«π§
This unique geographic feature makes Barbados a serene and splendid destination for beach lovers and adventurers alike! πποΈ
Total Area
430 sq km
Land Area
430 sq km
Water Area
0 sq km
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
π 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. Hereβs how itβs looking:
- 2021: $4.148 billion π°
- 2022: $4.708 billion π
- 2023: $4.92 billion π
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. Letβs keep cheering for the Barbadian economy! π
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
π Let's dive into the economic world of Barbados! π΄ 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! ππ° 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
π 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. π 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
π Let's take a look at Barbados's export data over the years! π 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! ππ¦
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
π 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! π 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! ποΈ
Population growth rate for 2024
0.23%