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Barbados
is the 'Little England' of the Caribbean, but not so much
so that the locals have given up rotis for kidney pies, or
rum for bitter ale. Bajans, as the islanders call themselves,
are as West Indian as any of their neighbors, and have tended
to appropriate rather than adopt English customs. You'll notice
this the first time you check out a local cricket match, since
the gentlemanly English game has a totally different rhythm
here. Nonetheless, there are old stone Anglican churches in
every parish, horse races on Saturdays and portraits of Queen
Liz hanging on plenty of walls.
Tourism
is big business on Barbados, and most visitors who come to
the island are looking for that comfortable mix of the familiar
peppered with just enough local flavor to feel 'exotic.' So
if you're looking for a Caribbean island with plenty of amenities,
watersports and nightlife, Barbados fits the bill. Travelers
wanting to explore undeveloped areas and get off the beaten
track should start looking for another island.
Area:
430 sq km (166 sq mi)
Population: 264,000
Capital city: Bridgetown (pop 7500)
People: African (90%), English, Scottish & East Indians
Language: English
Religion: Anglican (50%), Methodist, Moravian
Government: Independent state within the British Commonwealth
Governor-General: Sir Clifford Husbands
Prime Minister: Owen Arthur
GDP:
US$2.9 billion
GDP growth rate: 3%
GDP per head: US$11,200
Major industries: Tourism, sugar, light manufacturing, component
assembly for export, agriculture, fishing
Major trading partners: Caribbean Community (CARICOM), UK,
US
Barbados
Flight from UK
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