A Brief Overview Of Barbados

Barbados is a tiny little island in the outer reaches of the Caribbean region

, and is in fact situated the farthest into the Atlantic Ocean than any other Caribbean nation. The island is just 166 square miles in size but home to 285,000 people, making it the most densely populated country in the Caribbean. A group of Amerindians first populated Barbados during the 4th century CE, and in the 13th century CE the Caribs made their way from South America. Unfortunately, the latter part of the 16th century brought violence and conflict to the island paradise.

Barbados makes it's first appearance on a Spanish map in 1511, and it seems the explorers simply plundered the island of all human inhabitants and anything edible. Some managed to escape and fled to nearby islands while others that were taken hostage were sold as slaves. After everything of value was either killed or taken, the Spanish moved on without laying claim to the island. They may have considered the island too tiny to be worth invading. The Portuguese happened upon Barbados in 1536, while trying to navigate to Brazil. They too left the island unclaimed, and only stopped to release a few wild hogs as a future meat supply.

The British finally took possession of Barbados in 1624, shortly after they arrived there. Just two years later permanent settlements were established, and a colony was born. During the tumultuous colonial years when France, England and Spain were all battling over ownership of various Caribbean islands, Barbados was the only island that did not change hands between the three European powerhouse nations. Thus, from 1627 right up until their independence in 1966, Barbados has been under British governance.

With such a long period of national stability and economic support, Barbados has grown into a nation with integrity and value. For example, the country has a very high rating on the Human Development Index (.793). The Human Development Index is a "comparative measure of life expectancy, literacy, education, and standards of living." Of course, such a statistic is not a justification of the wrongs committed in past centuries. It is one of the ways in which the locals of Barbados are self-directed in the governance of their country, and how they provide in positive ways for their families.

A tropical climate is enjoyed in Barbados, and it has the added advantage of being situated just outside of the Atlantic hurricane belt. The island has two distinct seasons: wet and dry, but both are warm. One can expect the temperatures to range between a balmy 70 to 88 degrees Fahrenheit from December to May, when rainfall also happens to be minimal. From June to November it is slightly warmer, but much wetter. The months from June to November get most of the 40 to 90 inches of rain that falls each year. In what other way would the vegetation come to be so lush?

by: Robert Nickel

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