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Location: Caribbean, island in the North Atlantic Ocean, northeast of Venezuela |
Barbados is an independent island nation located in the western Atlantic Ocean, just to the east of the Caribbean Sea, found at roughly 13° north of the Equator and 59° west of the Prime Meridian. Located relatively close to South America the nation of Barbados is around 434.5 kilometres (270 miles) northeast of the South American nation of Venezuela.
His Excellency Sir Clifford Husbands is the Governor General.
The Rt. Hon Owen S. Arthur is the Prime Minister.
Tourism is the main foreign exchange earner, with agriculture, oil and the financial services sector contributing to the island’s economy.
The official currency is the Barbados (BDS) dollar and the exchange rate is fixed at BDS $1.98 to US$
The closest island neighbors to Barbados are Saint Lucia and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines both located to the westTrinidad and Tobago to the south and Grenada to the south-west. Barbados is part of Lesser Antilles.
Barbados possesses a land area of around 430 square kilometres, (166 sq. mi), and is primarily low-lying, with some higher regions in the island's interior. The organic composition of Barbados is thought to be of non-volcanic origin and is predominantly composed of limestone-coral. The island's atmosphere is sub-tropical with constant trade winds off the Atlantic Ocean and some undeveloped areas contain marshes and mangrove swamps. Other parts of the island's interior contributing the island's agricultural sector are dotted with large sugarcane estates and wide gently sloping pastures with many good views down to the sea.
Barbados has one of the highest standards of living and literacy rates in the developing world and, according to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Barbados is currently the No. 4 most developed of all developing countries in the world. Despite its small geographical size, Barbados constantly ranks in the top 30 (or 31) countries in the HDI (Human Development Index) rankings. The island is also a major tourist destination.
Other Areas of Interest:
National Anthem
National Flag
Barbados Coat of Arms
National Flower & Pledge
Barbados Honours & Decorations
Coat of Etiquette
National Emblems of Postage Stamps
National Heros
Public Holidays
