Barbados and its Details for UPSC
Attribute | Information |
---|---|
Name of the country | Barbados |
Capital | Bridgetown |
Independence day | November 30, 1966 |
Major religions | Christianity (Protestantism) |
Currency | Barbadian Dollar (BBD) |
Continent | North America |
Top 5 Famous cities | Bridgetown, Speightstown, Oistins, Holetown, Bathsheba |
Top 10 Famous persons | Rihanna, Sir Garfield Sobers, Sir Grantley Adams, Kamau Brathwaite, Sir Frank Walcott, Errol Barrow, Sir Lloyd Erskine Sandiford, Kerryann Ifill, Sir Elliot Belgrave, Charles Duncan O’Neal |
Type of government | Parliamentary democracy |
Main wars fought | Barbados did not participate in major wars |
GDP | $5.5 billion (2021) |
5 popular tourist places | 1. Harrison’s Cave, 2. Crane Beach, 3. Animal Flower Cave, 4. Carlisle Bay, 5. St. Nicholas Abbey |
Category | Information |
Geography | Coral island in the southeastern Caribbean Sea |
Area | 430 square kilometers (166 square miles) |
Population | 287,199 (2022 estimate) |
Main Mountains | Mount Hillaby (336 meters), Turner’s Hill (163 meters), Chalky Mount (118 meters), Mount Gay (116 meters), Four Hills (115 meters) |
Main Rivers | Saint Lucy’s River, Constitution River, Morgan Lewis River, Saint George’s River, Joe’s River |
Crops/Vegetation | Sugarcane, cotton, potatoes; Tropical rainforest, savanna, beach vegetation |
Main Beaches | Carlisle Bay Beach, Bathsheba Beach, Crane Beach |
Neighbouring Countries | Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Saint Lucia, Martinique |
Nearby Seas/Oceans | Southeastern Caribbean Sea, Atlantic Ocean (east/north), Caribbean Sea (west/south) |
Coastline Length | Approximately 97 kilometers (60 miles) |
Natural Resources | Coral reefs, limestone, sand, fish |
Category | Information |
Economy | Tourism-based, mixed economy |
Major Industries | Tourism, sugar processing, manufacturing, agriculture, financial services |
Revenue Sources | Tourism, agriculture exports, financial services, manufacturing, international business |
Top 10 Companies | Banks Holdings Limited, Goddard Enterprises Limited, Sagicor Financial Corporation, Massy Holdings, Barbados National Bank |
Per Capita Income | Around $17,000 (approximate) |
Top 5 Imports | Machinery, foodstuffs, chemicals, fuel, vehicles |
Top 5 Exports | Sugar, molasses, rum, electrical components, chemicals |
Total Gold Reserves | 3 tons |
Category | Information |
Defence | Barbados Defence Force (BDF) |
Defence Budget | $20.4 million (2022) |
Army Personnel | 1,000 |
Air Force Personnel | 120 |
Navy Personnel | 120 |
Defence Imports | $0.1 million (2022) |
Defence Exports | $0 million (2022) |
Category | Information |
Main Festivals | Crop Over Festival, Holetown Festival, Oistins Fish Festival, Reggae Festival, Food and Rum Festival |
Main Religious Places | St. John’s Parish Church, Nidhe Israel Synagogue, Hindu temples, Christian churches, mosques |
Arts and Dances | Tuk Band, Landship, Crop Over Festival dances, Steelpan music, Barbadian folk music and dance |
Main Languages | English (Official), Bajan Creole |
Famous Food and Cuisines | Flying fish and cou-cou, Pudding and souse, Macaroni pie, Conkies, Fish cakes |
UNESCO Protected Buildings | George Washington House, Parliament Buildings, Bridgetown Historic Area, Barbados Garrison, Morgan Lewis Windmill |
Category | Information |
National Game | Cricket |
Main Sports | Cricket, Football, Athletics, Netball, Basketball |
Top Athletes | Ryan Brathwaite (Athletics), Rihanna (Musician, also known for support in sports), Obadele Thompson (Athletics), Mia Mottley (Politics, supportive of sports initiatives) |
Top Sports Achievements | Gold Medal in 2000 Olympics (Athletics), Cricket World Cup victories (1975, 1979), Gold in CARIFTA Games (Athletics) |
Category | Information |
---|---|
National Animal | Green monkey |
National Bird | Barbados bullfinch |
Main Recognized Natural Habitats | Coral reefs, seagrass beds, mangroves, coastal scrub, dry forests, rainforests |
Notable Wildlife | Over 400 bird species, 40 reptile species, 15 mammal species (including green monkeys, Barbados bullfinches, hawksbill turtles, leatherback turtles) |
Protected Forests | Andromeda Botanic Gardens, Flower Forest, Barbados Wildlife Reserve |
Category | Information |
---|---|
Richest Person | Michael Lee-Chin, with an estimated net worth of $7.3 billion |
Largest Company | FirstCaribbean International Bank (FCIB), with a market cap of $1.3 billion |
Tallest Building | The Barbados Hilton Resort and Spa, 111 meters (364 feet) tall |
Largest Natural Lake | Carlisle Bay, a saltwater lake covering 4 square kilometers |
Longest River | Saint Lucy’s River, 17 kilometers (10.6 miles) long |
Largest Forest | Barbados National Park, covering 405 hectares |
Largest Beach | Crane Beach, stretching for 5 kilometers |
Largest Cricket Ground | Kensington Oval, with a capacity of 28,000 spectators |
Largest Zoo | Barbados Wildlife Reserve, housing over 300 animals |
Largest Botanical Garden | Andromeda Botanic Gardens, spanning 60 acres |
Largest Hospital | Queen Elizabeth Hospital, accommodating 465 beds |
Largest Museum | Barbados Museum & Historical Society, housing over 100,000 artifacts |
Largest Library | National Library Service, with a collection of over 1 million books |
Longest Bridge | Tom Adams Bridge, 850 meters (2,790 feet) long |
Highest Mountain | Mount Hillaby, 336 meters (1,099 feet) tall |
Largest Waterfall | Harrison’s Cave Waterfall, 130 feet (40 meters) tall |
Largest Cave | Harrison’s Cave, 2.5 kilometers (1.6 miles) long and 150 feet (46 meters) deep |
Oldest Town | Bridgetown, founded in 1627 |
Oldest Building | St. James Parish Church, built in 1628 |
Oldest Rum Distillery | Mount Gay Rum Distillery, established in 1703 |
Oldest Newspaper | The Barbados Advocate, first published in 1845 |
Oldest University | University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus, founded in 1963 |
Concise overview of this country’s history across different periods:
Throughout its history, Barbados has evolved from its indigenous roots through colonial rule to become an independent nation, preserving its rich cultural heritage while navigating modern challenges and opportunities.
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