Barbados
 

Area: 166 sq mi (431 sq km)

Population (2004 est.): 278,289 (growth rate: 0.4%); birth rate: 13.0/1000; infant mortality rate: 12.6/1000; life expectancy: 71.6; density per sq mi: 1,672

Capital: Bridgetown

Monetary unit: Barbados dollar

Language: English

Ethnicity/race: black 90%, white 4%, Asian and mixed 6%

Religions: Protestant 67% (Anglican 40%, Pentecostal 8%, Methodist 7%, other 12%), Roman Catholic 4%, none 17%, other 12%

Literacy rate: 97% (1995 est.)

Natural resources: petroleum, fish, natural gas. Exports: $206 million (2002): sugar and molasses, rum, other foods and beverages, chemicals, electrical components. Imports: $1.039 billion (2002): consumer goods, machinery, foodstuffs, construction materials, chemicals, fuel, electrical components. Major trading partners: U.S., Trinigad and Tobago, UK, Jamaica, Saint Lucia, Japan.

Member of Commonwealth of Nations

Symbolism of Flag

The blue represents the sea and the sky. The points of the trident represent the three principles of democracy government of, for, and by the people.

Geography

An island in the Atlantic about 300 mi (483 km) north of Venezuela, Barbados is only 21 mi long (34 km) and 14 mi across (23 km) at its widest point. It is circled by fine beaches and narrow coastal plains. The highest point is Mount Hillaby (1,105 ft; 337 m) in the north-central area.

Government

Parliamentary democracy.

National Anthem

In plenty and in time of need
When this fair land was young
Our brave forefathers sowed the seed
From which our pride has sprung
A pride that makes no wanton boast
Of what it has withstood
That binds our hearts from coast to coast
The pride of nationhood

We loyal sons and daughters all
Do hereby make it known
These fields and hills beyond recall
Are now our very own
We write our names on history's page
With expectations great
Strict guardians of our heritage
Firm craftsmen of our fate