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Motto: |
Pride and Industry |
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Location: |
Most easterly of the Caribbean islands, immediately east of the Windward
Islands and 460 km [285.7 miles] northwest of Venezuela.
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Geographic
coordinates: |
13 10 N, 59 32 W |
|
|
History: |
Barbados, first sighted by
the Portuguese, was settled by the English in 1627 and remained under
British Control until independence in 1966. Barbados' House of Assembly
is the third oldest legislature in the Americas, dating from 1639. |
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Elections: |
|
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Ruling Party: |
Barbados Labor Party |
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Major Political Parties: |
Barbados Labor Party
(BLP),
Democratic Labor Party (DLP), National Democratic Party (NDP) |
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Economic Summary: |
Traditionally dependent on
agriculture, mainly sugar, Barbados' main foreign exchange earner is now
tourism. There is light manufacturing and a small oil industry.
Agriculture is being diversified and the offshore financial sector is
growing. |
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Airport: |
Grantley Adams International |
|
Status: |
Independent - 30
November 1966 |
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Capital: |
Bridgetown |
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Head of Government: |
The
Rt. Hon. Owen S. Arthur, Prime Minister.
Barbados is a parliamentary democracy. Executive authority is vested in
the Prime Minister and Cabinet, which is collectively responsible to the
Parliament. The Prime Minister is appointed by the Governor General as the
member of the House of Assembly best able to command the support of the
majority of the members. The Prime Minister usually selects a cabinet from
his party members in the legislature.
|
|
Head of State: |
Hon. Sir Clifford Husbands,
GCMG, KA., Governor-General |
|
Area: |
431 square kilometers
(166.4
square miles) |
|
Population: |
265,350 (1997) |
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Currency: |
Barbados Dollar |
|
GDP Per Capita (at current
market prices): |
EC$22,236m (1997) |
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Total Exports: |
EC$677m (1999) |
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Total Imports: |
EC$2,883.3m (1999) |
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Intra-Regional Exports: |
EC$375.9 (1999) |
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Intra-Regional Imports: |
EC$439.5 (1999) |
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Business Hours: |
Commercial: 08:00-16:00 hrs
Monday to Friday; 08:00-13:00 hrs Saturday
Government: 08:15-16:30 hrs Monday
to Friday
|
|
National Holidays: |
New Year's Day (01 January);
Errol Barrow Day (21 January); Good Friday, Easter Monday, National
Heroes Day (28 April), Labor Day (01 May); Whit Monday (01 June);
Emancipation Day (01 August); Kadooment Day (First Monday in August);
Independence Day (30 November); Christmas Day (25 December); Boxing Day
(26 December). Holidays that fall on a Sunday are observed the
following Monday |
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Date of CARICOM
Membership: |
4 July, 1973 |
|
National Anthem: |
In plenty and in time of need
When this fair land was young
Our brave forefathers sowed the seed
From which your pride is sprung,
A pride that makes no wanton boast
Of what it has withstood
That binds our hearts from coast to coast
The pride of nationhood.
Chorus:
We loyal sons and daughters all
Do hereby make it known
These fields and hills beyond recall
Are now our very own.
We write our names on history's page
With expectations great,
Strict guardians of our heritage,
Firm craftsmen of our fate.
The Lord has been the people's guide
For the past three hundred years.
With Him still on the people's side
We have no doubts or fears.
Upwards and onward we shall go,
Inspired, exulting, free,
And greater will our nation grow
In strength and unity
(Words by Irvine Burgie; music by Van
Roland Edwards)
|
|
Highest National Award: |
Knight of St. Andrew |
|
Favourite Dish: |
Cou-Cou and Flying Fish, Jug
Jug |
