Barbados

Barbados

AREA	430 sq km (166 sq miles).
POPULATION	266,100 (1997).
POPULATION DENSITY	618.8 per sq km.
CAPITAL	Bridgetown
CAPITAL POPULATION	6070 (1990).
GEOGRAPHY	Barbados is the most easterly of the Caribbean chain of islands. It lies well to the east of the West Indies, making it the most windward of the Windward Islands. To the west, beaches are made of fine white sand and there are natural coral reefs. Along the east coast there is a lively surf as the sea pounds the more rocky shoreline. Barbados is predominantly flat with only a few gently rolling hills to the north. The coral structure of the island acts as a natural filter and the waters of Barbados are amongst the purest in the world.
GOVERNMENT	Constitutional monarchy. Gained independence from the UK in 1966. Head of State: HM Queen Elizabeth II, represented locally by Governor-General Sir Clifford Husbands since 1996. Head of Government: Owen S Arthur since 1994.
LANGUAGE	The official language is English. Local Bajan dialect is also spoken.
RELIGION	Mainly Christian, with an Anglican majority, Roman Catholic minority, plus small Jewish, Hindu and Muslim communities.
STANDARD TIME	GMT - 4 (- 5 in the summer).
ELECTRICITY	110 volts AC, 50Hz. American-style 2-pin plugs are in use.

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