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Size |
21 miles long, 14 miles wide.
Area: 166 sq. miles
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Population |
260,000 (approx.). Barbados, and Bridgetown in particular, is one of the five most densely populated areas in the world.
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Capital |
Bridgetown
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Location |
Latitude - 13ºN  Longitude - 59ºW.
Most Easterly of the Windward Islands in the Caribbean.
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Time Zone |
Atlantic Standard Time (4 hours behind Britain, 1 hour ahead of the U.S. Eastern Seaboard).
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Rainfall |
1152 mm per annum. Average for the region. Wettest month is October, driest month is March.
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Temperature |
Mean monthly temperature: 85º F (29º C), and varies only by 10ºF (6ºC ) during the year. Sea temperature does not go below 79ºF (25ºC). Hottest months are July and August.
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Language |
English. Barbadian dialect spoken too and is utterly charming.
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Government |
Democracy. Legislature consists of the House of Assembly and the Senate. Prime Minister is leader of the Assembly's majority party. Barbados' Houses of Parliament have been in existence for over 350 years.
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Currency |
Barbados Dollar (BD$)
U.S. currency generally accepted throughout the island.
Fixed exchange rate: US$1.00 = BD$1.98
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Electricity |
110 Volts AC 50 cycles. Hotels usually have adaptors and transformers.
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Dress Code |
Casual. Dinner dining is often by the sea- it can become cool so a light jacket or a shawl is recommended. Nudity is against the law. Barbadians aren't prudish, but swimwear is not acceptable in supermarkets, shops and banks.
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Tipping |
Service charge of 10% often included in bills. Check for this - otherwise tipping left to your discretion.
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Information |
Barbados Tourism Authority
Harbour Road
Bridgetown
West Indies
Tel: (246) 427 2623
Fax: (246) 426 4080
http://www.barbados.org
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Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association
4th Avenue Belleville
St. Michael
Barbados
West Indies
Tel: (246) 426 5041
Fax: (246) 429 2845
E-mail: bhta@caribsurf.com |
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Festival
Calendar |
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January |
The Barbados Jazz Festival
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February |
Holetown Festival
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March |
Holders Season (Opera, drama & sports)
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April |
Oistins Fish Festival
Congaline Carnival
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May |
Gospelfest
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July |
Crop Over Festival
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August |
Cohobblopot
Pic-o-de-Crop
Kadooment
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