barbados-Makszin+Loredana

=Barbados=

= =
 * Language:** English
 * Currency:** Barbados dollar
 * Temperature:** Average 75-85°F year-round
 * Square Miles:** 166
 * Approx. Population:** 265,000 Barbados is an island nation in the western Atlantic Ocean, just to the East of the Caribbean sea. The island of Barbados is one of the chain that make up the Lesser Antilles, and the country's closest neighbors are Grenada,Saint Lucia ,Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Trinidad and Tobago.

As2005, the estimated population of Barbados was 279,254. with over a third of the population living in the capital city of Bridgetown. Apart from Bridgetown ,other important settlements on the island include Bathsheba Blackmans, Crab Hill, Greenland,Holetown, Oistins,Speightstown and The Crane.

At the time of independence, Barbados had a low income economy based around sugarcane production. In the years since that time, the economy has diversified into tourism, financial services, information technology and light manufacturing, allowing the country to achieve upper-middle income status and a high standard of living. Today Barbados is the third highest rated country in North America n the Human Development Index after the United States and Canada. ** Barbados **** ' Atlantic Coastline ** Barbados was controlled by the British government as a former British colony and reflects its British heritage. Bridgetown (Barbados' main city) is much like visiting a city in England. The island features great water sports and scenery and is well worth exploring ** Ships Docked in Barbados ** The ship docks about a mile from town at the Bridgetown Cruise Terminal. ** Shopping Right in the Cruise Terminal ** Right in the cruise terminal is a shopping complex offering lots of local crafts and souvenirs ** Cruise Terminal Shopping ** When you exit the pier area, you enter the large building that houses the shopping mall. Traveling down one side of the mall and then up the other branch of it will deposit you outside the building in the transportation area where buses are boarded for tours and taxis are readily available ** Pelican **** Craft Center ** Just outside the port gates and to the left is Pelican Village, which is made up of many quaint shops, boutiques, curios and souvenir stores and crafts ** Downtown Bridgetown Shopping ** For a more robust shopping experience head into downtown Bridgetown and the department stores, shops, boutiques and street vendors on Broad Street ** A Typical Bridgetown Street Vendor ** Broad Street is within easy walking distance from the port (about 15 minutes) and you will pass by a number of interesting markets and stores on the way. Broad Street is lined with stores for about 4 to 5 blocks and there is much to shop for. Barbados offers quite a bit of duty free shopping on jewelry, watches, perfumes, porcelain collectibles, designer wear, cosmetics, liquor (especially the local rum known as Mount Gay Rum) and other duty free products. There are also many boutiques selling local arts and crafts, spices, pottery, cigars and beach wear ** Bridgetown **** 's Open Air Market ** Of course, exploring Bridgetown is the first thing folks want to do when arriving in Barbados and it is well worth the time to get to know it. ** St. Michael's Cathedral, Bridgetown, Barbados ** Of special interest is a tour of the Mount Gay Rum Factory in Bridgetown and a look at St. Michael’s Cathedral that dates back to the 16th century (note however, that the current structure is not that old). ** The Malibu Rum Factory in Barbados ** The Malibu Rum Factory is another excellent place to visit and purchase rum. It is located quite close to Bridgetown making it easy to visit. I especially like the beach and environment in and around Holetown ( Barbados' third largest city.) Holetown offers numerous little boutiques amid a wealth of hotels. ** The "Soupbowl Cafe" Located at the Soupbowls Surf Spot ** On the eastern shore of Barbados is the famed surf break named "Soupbowls" This particular break is featured on the surfing world tour and is well respected ** The Mushroom Rock at Bathsheba Beach ** The break is located at Bathsheba Beach, which is home to an eclectic collection of restaurants and bars. The beach is wonderful and the view of mushroom rock is interesting ** St. James Parish Church ** A tour of the island will be of interest to anyone wanting to see some unusual sights. St. James Parish Church is well worth a visit, as is a stop in one of the mahogany forests you traverse on your way across the island. ** Barbados **** ' Interior Mahogany Rain Forest ** Barbados offers a diverse blend of terrain and flora ** The Entrance to Harrison's Cave ** I think on of the most impressive sights on Barbados is Harrison's Cave. This underground network of caves, lakes, streams and waterfalls complete with Stalactites and Stalagmites is like taking a Disney ride through a surreal environment. ** Stalactites and Stalagmites in Harrison's Cave ** One enters the caves in a tram that descends some 170 feet below ground to experience the incredibly beautiful caves. ** Entering the Caves on the Harrison Cave Tram ** The tram makes two complete stops so that people can get out of the tram and inspect the terrain close up. The crystal clear water is mesmerizing as it trickles down its way through the caves ** One of the Small Ponds of Dripping Water ** The tram ride, which lasts about 20 to 25 minutes culminates in a cave with a large waterfall gushing from its roof and falling about 30 feet into a small lake that is about 12 feet deep. It is spectacular, to say the least.
 * [[image:http://www.travelguide2barbados.com/i1_CaribbeanIslands_s_barbados.png caption="http://www.travelguide2barbados.com/i1_CaribbeanIslands_s_barbados.png"]] ||
 * http://www.travelguide2barbados.com/i1_CaribbeanIslands_s_barbados.png ||

** Holidays to Barbados **
The first thing that you will notice when you arrive in Barbados is the warmth of the people. You will quickly settle in to that ‘laid back’ Caribbean way of life. When you are on holiday in Barbados, make sure that you don’t spend all your time on the beach or in the hotel. It truly is an island to go out and explore. Experience the local atmosphere, and take in some of the stunning scenery that abounds on this island. The East Coast is spectacular, with rugged cliffs and deserted bays. Bridgetown is the place to go for all of your shopping. But for most, the main attraction is certainly the beaches. Barbados is a fantastic destination for a tropical beach holiday. This is hardly surprising as the beaches are quite simply superb, ranging from Surfers paradise at Bathsheba to the tranquil bays of the West Coast and the powdery white sand of Sandy Beach.

The best sandy beaches are on the West Coast facing the Caribbean. There are coral reefs which offer excellent snorkelling and diving. The east coast faces the Atlantic and is ruggedly scenic with the big Atlantic surf.

If you are looking for a scuba diving holiday to Barbados, or a watersports holiday to Barbados, please call to speak to our dedicated travel team, who will be happy to help with your enquiry.

International and Bajan cuisines are equally available. Some of the island's specialities include lobster, flying fish and sea-urchin! There are British-style pubs on the island, but to get you in the Caribbean mood, forget the pint of bitter and try the local Mount Gay Rum or Planters Punch.

The climate in Barbados is warm year round, but it is worth noting that June to November is generally the hurricane season for Barbados.

Traditional package holidays to Barbados are available with several leading tour operators, and can represent excellent value for money. Alternatively, for greater flexibility, and equally competitive prices, simply choose a hotel in Barbados from the selection of Barbados hotels available, and add this to a flight to Barbados, to create your ideal Barbados holiday. If you are visiting family or friends, you may not need to book accommodation in Barbados at all, and may wish to only search for flights to Barbados.

Please call our call centre number for the best deals on Carribean cruising and holidays on Barbados If you are unable to find the holiday to Barbados that you are looking for, or would like more information about flying to Barbados, or staying in Barbados, please call to speak to our dedicated travel team, who are on hand seven days a week to help you find your perfect stay in Barbados National Flag of Barbados. The national flag of Barbados is comprised of three equal vertical panels - the centre panel of gold and the outer panels of ultramarine. A broken trident in black is located in the centre of the flag. Blue represents the sea and sky of Barbados, while gold represents the sand of the island's beaches. The symbol at the centre of the flag represents the Trident of the mythical sea god, Neptune - the shaft of the trident is broken symbolising Barbados' break from Britain. ** History ** Barbados is a history buff’s heaven. From its grand old Jacobean style ‘great houses’ (rare in the western hemisphere) and churchyards of the 1600s to the Museum and with their vast records and research base, Barbados is truly an historical treasure. In February, 1627 a group of English settlers landed near Holetown on the west coast and claimed the uninhabited island for their country. Unlike the majority of other territories, Barbados remained safely in the hands of the British until the island’s Independence on November 30, 1966. That 350-year period forms the crux of the island’s modern history, but long long before, various other persons passed through the island, some settling along its coasts, and today Barbados is not just an historian’s paradise, but an archaeologist’s as well. Recent finds have virtually changed the course of this island’s pre-history. Barbados was once thought to be a south coast stop-over and settlement site for Amerindians (Arawaks then Caribs) from around 300 AD spanning to just beyond 1200 AD, when by the early 1500s, all signs of Amerindian life vanished. However, recent excavation work conducted on the northwest coast of the island now shows Barbados was actually a permanent settlement from as early as 1630 BC, pre-dating the Amerindians by up to 2 000 years. A major discovery was several stacks of ‘pots’ with the bottoms broken out, which turned out to be a very primitive form of a water well. This find is now considered the largest collection of ‘stacks’ ever found in the West Indies and Central America. Top archaeologists from such institutions as London University are now studying this and other sites. Returning to modern history, Barbados became a veritable gold mine for the British as the island’s sugar industry grew and prospered. The ‘landed gentry’ came in their numbers from England, all eager to make their fortunes off sugar. Lifestyle was lavish and extravagant, and the residue of this is evident in the many ‘great houses’ peppered across the island, several of which are open for public viewing. The slave trade peaked in the 1700s and continued until 1834 when the Emancipation Act launched an apprenticeship system leading to freedom. In 1838 slavery was abolished completely. It is not surprising the next events of historical significance involved mass labour, poor working conditions and the advent of labour unions. The infamous 1937 riots kicked off this period of democratic growth, and within a year the first labour union was launched. In 1954 the leader of the trade union movement, (Sir) Grantley Adams, becomes the island’s first Premier and in 1961, the man known to Barbadians as the "Father of Independence", Errol Barrow, was elected to lead the country and ultimately pave the way to the island’s Independence in 1966. Although tourism dates back to the 1700s when such visitors as George Washington came to the island for its healthful environment, it was not until the 1950s it became truly popular as a long-stay destination for the wealthy British, whose lavish lifestyle is still visible primarily along the west coast. By the 1970s Barbados was gaining wider popularity and by the early 1990s visitors not only came in their numbers during the traditional ‘high’ or winter season, but also during the summer period, July through August, for the island’s biggest national festival, Crop Over. Today, over a million visitors come to Barbados each year, half of whom are cruise ship visitors. Barbados has enjoyed more than 350 years of unbroken parliamentary rule and is a democratic society, with a Prime Minister as head of the country. Barbados' distinction of having remained under British rule from its first settlement in 1627 to its Independence on November 30, 1966, profoundly affected the culture. Because of this unbroken dominion, the stoic British influence courses through every day life and the infrastructure of the island. Yet the more flamboyant African sway pervades local life as well, and the blend of the two makes for an unmatched cultural disposition. This fusion ripples through all facets of daily living, from the foods and music to the house styles and street names. Even the language is affected, with Queen's English being the official 'language' while the colourful local dialect remains in common usage. More than 70 per cent of the island's 260 000 people are direct descendents from the forced mass Africa migration of the late 1600s and 1700s-the slave trade. The island also has a peaceful blend of European (primarily British) settler blood with the Afro descendents, as well as small but vibrant Hindu (India), Arab (Lebanese and Syrian) and Jewish communities. African influence is readily seen in the art, craft and literary works produced on the island, as well as many of the foods and figures of speech. Bajans are a quick-witted, fun-loving people and their gift for the double entendre or turn of phrase is most visible through calypso and literature. Local festivals, particularly the island's biggest national festival, Crop Over reflect specific elements of Bajan life. The primary driving force of the economy and lifestyle was the sugar crop. It was the island's largest income-earner from the late 1600s until the late 1980s, and remains a powerful influence in both the lifestyle and the economy. Crop Over is a celebration of this agricultural mainstay. The other prime economic influence is, of course, the fishing industry and festivals hailing this trade are also held. The chattel house, a unique feature of Barbados, is one such product of the cultural side of sugar. Of necessity, plantation workers needed houses that were easily assembled and taken down so they could move from plantation to plantation. The chattel house is, in fact, perhaps the world's first true mobile home. Yet other architectural elements are distinctly British, such as the Jacobean style homes built here in the late 1600s. Barbados is the site of two of the three remaining examples of the house style in the Western Hemisphere. The island's creative community is a vibrant one, with many artists producing work in all media, as well as a strong contingent of clothing designers and craftspeople. Drawing from the Africa, Caribbean and Anglo experience, much of the work here is distinctive and of high quality.
 * Island Culture **