Barbados is an island country located in the Lesser Antilles of the Caribbean Sea. It is situated east of the Windward Islands and south of Saint Lucia. The capital and largest city is Bridgetown, and the official language is English. With a population of around 287,000 people, Barbados is one of the most densely populated countries in the world.

Barbados has a mixed economy, with a strong focus on tourism and financial services. The country is known for its beautiful beaches and warm climate, which attract millions of tourists each year. Other important sectors include manufacturing, agriculture, and offshore banking.

Barbados is a parliamentary democracy, with a Prime Minister serving as the head of government and a ceremonial President serving as the head of state. The country is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations, the United Nations, and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), among other international organizations.

Barbados has a rich cultural heritage, influenced by its history as a British colony and its African and Caribbean roots. The country has a variety of festivals and celebrations throughout the year, including Crop Over, a summer festival that celebrates the end of the sugar cane harvest.

Barbados is also known for its sports, particularly cricket, which is the national sport. The country has produced several world-class cricketers, including Sir Garfield Sobers, one of the greatest players of all time.

Despite its many strengths, Barbados faces challenges such as high levels of public debt and limited economic diversification. The country has taken steps to address these issues, including implementing policies to encourage foreign investment and reduce public spending. Barbados is also working to address environmental concerns, such as coral reef degradation and deforestation, through the implementation of sustainable development policies.

National holiday
Independence Day, 30 November (1966)

Telephone Code
246

Local Emergency Phone
Ambulance: 115, 119; Fire: 113, 119; Police: 112, 119

Vaccinations
An International Certificate of Vaccination for yellow fever is required for travelers arriving from countries with a risk of yellow fever transmission and for travelers having transited through the airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. See WHO recommendations.

Climate
Tropical; rainy season (June to October)

Currency (Code)
Barbadian dollars (BBD)

Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s)
115 V / 50 Hz / plug types(s): A, B (2 flat blades)

Major Languages
English, Bajan Creole

Major Religions
Protestant 66.4%, Roman Catholic 3.8%, other Christians 5.4%, Rastafarian 1%

Potable Water
Yes

International Driving Permit
Suggested; additionally, traveler will need to present their US driver's license & IDP to local police to pay a special registration fee

Road Driving Side
Left

Tourist Destinations
St. Nicholas Abbey; Barbados Wildlife Reserve; Farley Hill National Park; Hunte's Gardens; dozens of excellent white sand beaches; Andromeda Botanic Gardens

Major Sports
Soccer, cricket

Cultural Practices
Wearing military style clothing is considered rude or strange.

Tipping Guidelines
A service charge of 10-15% is typically added to your bill at hotels and restaurants. Additional tipping is at your discretion and should reflect the quality of service you received. The standard tipping is approximately 10%. Always agree on the fare with the taxi driver before starting the trip. Tip bellhops $1 (USD) per bag and housekeeping $2 (USD) per room per day.

Souvenirs
Straw bags and other handicrafts, batiks, paintings/wood works; duty-free luxury items, rum

Traditional Cuisine
Cou-cou (or fungie) — lightly seasoned cooked cornmeal mixed with okra and water; often served with flying fish steamed with lime juice, spices, and vegetables or fried and served with a spicy sauce

Geography
Area
total: 430 sq km
land: 430 sq km
water: 0 sq km

Climate
tropical; rainy season (June to October)

Natural resources
petroleum, fish, natural gas

People and Society
Population
303,431 (2023 est.)

Ethnic groups
African descent 92.4%, mixed 3.1%, White 2.7%, East Indian 1.3%, other 0.2%, unspecified 0.3% (2010 est.)

Languages
English (official), Bajan (English-based creole language, widely spoken in informal settings)

Religions
Protestant 66.4% (includes Anglican 23.9%, other Pentecostal 19.5%, Adventist 5.9%, Methodist 4.2%, Wesleyan 3.4%, Nazarene 3.2%, Church of God 2.4%, Baptist 1.8%, Moravian 1.2%, other Protestant 0.9%), Roman Catholic 3.8%, other Christian 5.4% (includes Jehovah's Witness 2.0%, other 3.4%), Rastafarian 1%, other 1.5%, none 20.6%, unspecified 1.2% (2010 est.)

Population growth rate
0.24% (2023 est.)

Government
Government type
parliamentary republic; a Commonwealth realm

Capital
name: Bridgetown

Economy
Economic overview
import-driven economy; dependent on US trade; maintains a pegged exchange rate to the US dollar; high Human Development Index; heavy tourism; reducing government debt to improve fiscal health; launched major agricultural subsidy program to improve food security

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$3.868 billion (2021 est.)

Real GDP per capita
$13,800 (2021 est.)

Agricultural products
sugar cane, poultry, vegetables, milk, eggs, pork, coconuts, pulses, sweet potatoes, tropical fruit

Industries
tourism, sugar, light manufacturing, component assembly for export

Exports
$2.228 billion (2017 est.)

Exports - partners
US 21%, Poland 14%, Jamaica 8%, Guyana 6%,Trinidad and Tobago 6% (2019)

Exports - commodities
rums and other hard liquor, ships, orthopedic appliances, cement, packaged medicines (2019)

Imports
$2.213 billion (2017 est.)

Imports - partners
United States 35%, Trinidad and Tobago 14%, China 9%, Netherlands 5% (2019)

Imports - commodities
refined petroleum, ships, cars, shipping containers, packaged medicines (2019)