Barbados Guide

Barbados, the easternmost island of the Caribbean’s Lesser Antilles, is a coral island formed in pre-historic times by erupting volcanoes. All that activity has left modern-day visitors a 21-mile-long playground for beachgoers, scuba divers, snorkelers, golfers, fishing enthusiasts and just about anyone seeking fun. You can even go to the horse races if you so desire.

The island is mostly flat. Its rolling hills, deep rifts and gullies provide a scenic home to colorful and interesting plants and wildlife. Its west coast boasts beaches of fine white sand bordering a blue-green Caribbean sea, while the Atlantic Ocean supplies the east coast with waves that inspire surfers and other water sports enthusiasts. The constant breeze of the trade winds gives Barbados a mild and pleasant tropical climate, with average temperatures between 75 and 85 degrees.

Touring here can be done aboard historic ships, submarines, private sailboats or chartered yachts. Or, you may want to spend more time seeing the island’s treasures through a dive mask. Coral reefs fringe the shoreline to provide excellent snorkeling and scuba diving amid colorful, undulating sea gardens and bright tropical fish.

Touring on land can be done by rental car, taxi, motorscooter or even on horseback. Although the island’s stunning beaches are captivating, you can find many attractions inland as well. Andromeda Gardens in St. Joseph Parish, for example, with its winding paths, ponds and abundance of orchid varieties, trees and other plants is a perfect way to spend an afternoon.

In the evening, you may find visiting troupes performing opera and theater, and an annual jazz festival returns every January. Accommodations range from luxurious hotels and villas, to pirates’ castles, to apartments with kitchenettes, to modest seaside cottages.

Barbados is a small island nation located in the eastern Caribbean Sea, known for its beautiful beaches, friendly people, and vibrant culture. Its history is a blend of European colonization, African influence, and indigenous traditions that have shaped the island into what it is today.

The earliest inhabitants of Barbados were the indigenous Amerindian people, who arrived on the island around 1600 BC. They lived a simple life, relying on fishing and agriculture to sustain themselves. However, their peaceful existence was disrupted when the island was discovered by the Portuguese explorer Pedro a Campos in 1536.

In 1625, the British arrived and claimed Barbados as a colony, naming it after the Bearded Fig Trees that were abundant on the island. The first settlers quickly established large sugar plantations, bringing in enslaved Africans to work the land. This marked the beginning of a dark period in Barbados’ history, as the island became a major hub for the transatlantic slave trade.

By the mid-17th century, Barbados had become the world’s largest producer of sugar, generating immense wealth for the British colonizers. However, this wealth came at a great cost to the enslaved Africans who were forced to work in harsh conditions. This led to several uprisings and rebellions, most notably the Bussa Rebellion in 1816, which was the largest slave rebellion in the island’s history.

In 1834, slavery was abolished in Barbados, and the island began to shift from a sugar-based economy to one driven by tourism. This change brought about a cultural shift as well, as the descendants of enslaved Africans began to reclaim their African heritage and traditions.

In the 20th century, Barbados became an independent nation in 1966, breaking away from British rule. The country has since flourished, with a stable economy and a strong emphasis on education and healthcare. It has also become a popular tourist destination, attracting visitors from all over the world with its stunning beaches, warm climate, and rich cultural heritage.

Today, Barbados continues to celebrate its African roots through traditions such as the annual Crop Over festival, which originated from the harvest celebrations of enslaved Africans. The island also boasts a diverse population, with a blend of African, European, and indigenous influences that can be seen in its music, cuisine, and art.

In conclusion, Barbados’ history is a complex and fascinating one, shaped by the forces of colonization, slavery, and resilience. Despite its troubled past, the island has emerged as a thriving nation, proud of its heritage and welcoming to visitors from all corners of the globe.