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KEY FACTS
* The United Nations Development Index (1996) ranked Barbados third in terms of
quality of life among 160 developing countries worldwide (Hong Kong and Cyprus ranked
first and second respectively). Barbados ranked ahead of countries such as Spain, Italy and
Ireland.
* Our research and surveys show that visitors highlight the friendliness of Barbadians as its
greatest and most pleasing asset. This is reflected in the highest repeat visitor factor in the
region of 39%
* The people of Barbados have a history of long ingrained Christian principles, a sound and
free educational system with a literacy rate of 97%
* Barbados has the third oldest parliament in the world with 358 years of an uninterrupted
parliamentary system of government.
* Barbados was the only vacation destination in this Hemisphere with a scheduled
Concorde service. One of the retired British Airways concordes now resides at our
international airport.
* On this "mustard seed" of an island (21 miles) long and a smile (14 miles) wide!
- We are the only coral island in the region with all white sand beaches.
- Barbados has pure drinking water and was the first Caribbean island to have piped water.
- Excellent telecommunications.
- Utilities available 100% island-wide.
- Accessible to everywhere.
- Consistent cooling North-East tradewinds.
- Maximum daily temperature 75-85 F year round.
FAST FACTS AND FIGURES
CAPITAL: Bridgetown
POPULATION: Approximately 254,000
CLIMATE: Eight to nine hours of sunshine most days. Temperature between 75 F and 90 F
year round.
GEOGRAPHY: A 21 mile x 14 mile Caribbean island. West and South Coast have calm
Caribbean sea and endless beaches. Rugged cliffs and Atlantic Ocean on East Coast.
OFFICIAL LANGUAGE: English with a broad dialect. See a Street Vendor Talks
CURRENCY: Barbados Dollar - US $1 = BDS $2 approx.
DRIVING: A temporary yearly Barbados licence costs BDS$10 and is obtainable from car
rental agencies and Police Stations. Full licence must be shown. Drive on left. Go to
Barbados Tourism Encyclopedia "Documents"
TIME: GMT-4 hrs. There is no daylight saving time in Barbados
ACCOMMODATION: Caters for all tastes and budgets from luxury hotels and all-inclusive
resorts to rooms in small hotels and self-catering apartments.
SPORTS: Snorkeling, diving, fishing, sailing, waterskiing, tennis, squash. Three 18-hole and
three nine-hole golf courses. See Barbados Golf
GETTING THERE: (Flying Times and Airlines)
ELECTRICITY: Electricity in Barbados is 110 volts/50 cycles
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: See Travel Documents
HEALTH REQUIREMENTS: See Health in Barbados
WEDDINGS: It is now possible for ceremonies to take place on day of arrival, providing
documents are in order.
OTHER FACTS
* The United Nations Development Index (1996) ranked Barbados third in terms of
quality of life among 160 developing countries worldwide (Hong Kong and Cyprus ranked
first and second respectively). Barbados ranked ahead of countries such as Spain, Italy and
Ireland.
* Our research and surveys show that visitors highlight the friendliness of Barbadians as its
greatest and most pleasing asset. This is reflected in the highest repeat visitor factor in the
region of 39%
* The people of Barbados have a history of long ingrained Christian principles, a sound and
free educational system with a literacy rate of 97%
* Barbados has the third oldest parliament in the world with 358 years of an uninterrupted
parliamentary system of government.
* Barbados was the only vacation destination in this Hemisphere with a scheduled
Concorde service. One of the retired British Airways concordes now resides at our
international airport.
* On this "mustard seed" of an island (21 miles) long and a smile (14 miles) wide!
- We are the only coral island in the region with all white sand beaches.
- Barbados has pure drinking water and was the first Caribbean island to have piped water.
- Excellent telecommunications.
- Utilities available 100% island-wide.
- Accessible to everywhere.
- Consistent cooling North-East tradewinds.
- Maximum daily temperature 75-85 F year round.
FAST FACTS AND FIGURES
CAPITAL: Bridgetown
POPULATION: Approximately 254,000
CLIMATE: Eight to nine hours of sunshine most days. Temperature between 75 F and 90 F
year round.
GEOGRAPHY: A 21 mile x 14 mile Caribbean island. West and South Coast have calm
Caribbean sea and endless beaches. Rugged cliffs and Atlantic Ocean on East Coast.
OFFICIAL LANGUAGE: English with a broad dialect. See a Street Vendor Talks
CURRENCY: Barbados Dollar - US $1 = BDS $2 approx.
DRIVING: A temporary yearly Barbados licence costs BDS$10 and is obtainable from car
rental agencies and Police Stations. Full licence must be shown. Drive on left. Go to
Barbados Tourism Encyclopedia "Documents"
TIME: GMT-4 hrs. There is no daylight saving time in Barbados
ACCOMMODATION: Caters for all tastes and budgets from luxury hotels and all-inclusive
resorts to rooms in small hotels and self-catering apartments.
SPORTS: Snorkeling, diving, fishing, sailing, waterskiing, tennis, squash. Three 18-hole and
three nine-hole golf courses. See Barbados Golf
GETTING THERE: (Flying Times and Airlines)
ELECTRICITY: Electricity in Barbados is 110 volts/50 cycles
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: See Travel Documents
HEALTH REQUIREMENTS: See Health in Barbados
WEDDINGS: It is now possible for ceremonies to take place on day of arrival, providing
documents are in order.
OTHER FACTS
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