Barbados is a tropical island surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean. The island is about 166 square miles and is relatively flat. The highest point in Barbados is Mount Hillaby which is about 1,102 feet high. Barbados has a population of about 282,623 people and its capital is Bridgetown.

Barbados is known for its beautiful beaches, amazing food, warm, friendly people and laid back atmosphere. Barbados is named after a tree. When the Portuguese first discovered the island in 1536 the Bearded Fig Tree was found all over the island. “Los Barbados” is Portuguese for “The Bearded One.”

Barbados’ flag is full of symbolism. The ultramarine blue on the flag represents the ocean and sky, and the gold-yellow panel represents the sandy beaches of the island. The broken trident represents the country breaking free from its status as a colony. The flag was designed by Grantley Prescod.

The people of Barbados are officially called Barbadian but more commonly known as Bajans. English is the official language of Barbados although most people speak a dialect called Bajan that can differ from parish to parish. The island is divided into 11 parishes. There are only two parishes that do not have a coastline – St. Thomas and St. George Barbados is also known as “the land of flying fish”. The National Dish of Barbados is Cou Cou and Flying Fish. The National Flower is called the Pride of Barbados. The leaf is supposed to help a baby to stop crying.

Arguably the world greatest cricketer, Sir. Garfield Sobers, was born in Barbados. He was Knighted by The Queen and is one of two living National Heroes of Barbados. Barbados is the birthplace of Rhianna, the other National Hero. Barbados named the street that Rhianna grew up on after her on Independence Day, November 30, 2017.

Barbados is the only place outside of the USA that President George Washington visited in his lifetime. He even had a house here which still stands today. Barbados has an average temperature of 28 degrees year-round. On 30 November 2021, Barbados transitioned from a parliamentary constitutional monarchy under the hereditary monarch of Barbados (Queen Elizabeth II) to a parliamentary republic with a ceremonial elected president as head of state.