Barbados is the most eastern island in the Caribbean archipelago with an estimated population of 284,644. Barbados is a mainly flat coral island, blessed with some of the most beautiful white sandy beaches in the world and stunning blue waters. Located to the east of St. Vincent & the Grenadines and about 250 miles (400 km) north-east of Trinidad and Tobago, the island covers an area of 166 square miles (430 sq. km.), measuring 21 miles long and 14 miles wide from east to west.
Barbados has eleven parishes and its official language is English. Bridgetown, the island’s capital city located on the southwestern coast, is also the main seaport and has been a hub of commercial activity and trade for the past four centuries. Recently listed as a UNESCO world heritage site for its beauty and historical significance, Bridgetown and its Garrison represent the rich heritage which Barbadians hold dear.
The island ranks high on the Human Development Index, well above the regional average for Latin America & the Caribbean due to its excellent infrastructure, well educated population and overall high standard of living. Barbados boasts of its stable political system, having the third oldest parliament in the world, with uninterrupted parliamentary governance since 1639. With direct flights from many international cities such as London, Manchester, New York, Miami, Sao Paulo, Toronto and Montreal, the island is easily accessible from all around.
The local currency is the Barbadian Dollar, which is fixed to the U.S. Dollar at a rate of $1.98 BDS to $1.00 U.S.
