د "باربادوس" د بڼو تر مېنځ توپير

Barbados has one of the highest standards of living and literacy rates in the world and, according to the [[United Nations Development Programme]] (UNDP), is currently the No. 1 developing country in the world. The island is a major tourist destination.

 

{{main|History of Barbados}}

The earliest inhabitants of Barbados were [[Amerindian]] nomads. Three waves of migrants moved north toward [[North America]]. The first wave was of the [[Saladoid]]-[[Barrancoid]] group, who were farmers, fishermen, and ceramists that arrived by [[canoe]] from [[South America]] ([[Venezuela]]'s [[Orinoco River|Orinoco Valley]]) around [[350|350 CE]]. The [[Arawak]] people were the second wave of migrants, arriving from South America around [[800|800 CE]]. Arawak settlements on the island include [[Stroud Point]], [[Chandler Bay]], [[Saint Luke's Gully]], and [[Mapp's Cave]]. According to accounts by descendants of the aboriginal Arawak tribes on other local islands, the original name for Barbados was '''Ichirouganaim'''. In the 13th century, the Caribs arrived from South America in the third wave, displacing both the Arawak and the Salodoid-Barrancoid. For the next few centuries, the Caribs—like the Arawak and the Salodoid-Barrancoid—lived in isolation on the island.

From [[1958]] to [[1962]], Barbados was one of the ten members of the [[West Indies Federation]], and Sir [[Grantley Adams]] served as its first and only prime minister. When the federation was dissolved, Barbados reverted to its former status as a [[self-governing colony]]. Following several attempts to form another federation composed of Barbados and the Leeward and Windward Islands, Barbados negotiated its own independence at a constitutional conference with the United Kingdom in June [[1966]]. After years of peaceful and democratic progress, Barbados became an independent state within the [[Commonwealth of Nations]] on [[November 30]], [[1966]]

 

{{main|Politics of Barbados}}

[[Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom|Queen Elizabeth II]] is nominally recognized as Queen of Barbados, [[head of state]] as represented by a [[Governor General]]. In Barbados the Queen is styled "By the Grace of God, Queen of Barbados and of Her other Realms and Territories, Head of the Commonwealth." The present government is proposing that Barbados become a [[republic]] within the [[Commonwealth of Nations]], with a ceremonial [[president]] replacing the Queen. This issue still being hotly debated as the island has been governmentally autonomous for decades.

Barbados is a full and participating member of the [[Caribbean Community]] (CARICOM).

 

{{main|Geography of Barbados}}

[[دوتنه:Barbados map.png|right|Map of Barbados]]

The island is 23 kilometres (14 [[mile|mi]]) at its widest point, and about 34 kilometres (21 mi) long.

 

{{main|Parishes of Barbados}}

Barbados is divided into eleven [[parish]]es: [[Christ Church Parish, Barbados|Christ Church]], [[Saint Andrew Parish, Barbados|Saint Andrew]], [[Saint George Parish, Barbados|Saint George]], [[Saint James Parish, Barbados|Saint James]], [[Saint John Parish, Barbados|Saint John]], [[Saint Joseph Parish, Barbados|Saint Joseph]], [[Saint Lucy Parish, Barbados|Saint Lucy]], [[Saint Michael Parish, Barbados|Saint Michael]], [[Saint Peter Parish, Barbados|Saint Peter]], [[Saint Philip Parish, Barbados|Saint Philip]], and [[Saint Thomas Parish, Barbados|Saint Thomas]].

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{{main|Economy of Barbados}}

Historically, the economy of Barbados had been dependent on [[sugarcane]] cultivation and related activities, but production in recent years has been diversified into the [[manufacturing]] and [[tourism]] sectors. Offshore finance and information services have become increasingly important foreign exchange earners, and there is also a healthy interest into the island's light manufacturing sector. In the last ten years the Government has been seen as business-friendly and economically sound. Since the late 1990s the island has seen an increasing construction boom, the island began to see new hotels, redevelopments, new homes, office complexes, condominiums, and mansions being developed across the island.

It is thought the year 2006 will be one of the busiest years for building construction ever in Barbados, as the building-boom on the island has entered a final stage for several multi-million dollar projects across the island. [http://www.nationnews.com/story/285076846570648.php].

 

The island of Barbados has a single major [[airport]], the '' [[Grantley Adams International Airport|Sir Grantley Adams International Airport (GAIA)]] ''([[IATA]] identifier [[BGI]]). The ''Grantley Adams'' Airport receives daily flights by several major airlines, from points around the globe, as well as several smaller regional commercial airlines and charters. The airport serves as the main air-transportation hub for the Eastern Caribbean. The airport is currently under-going a US$100 million upgrade and expansion.

 

[[Shopping]] districts are another treat in Barbados, with ample duty-free shopping. There is also a festive nightlife available in mainly tourist areas like the Saint Lawrence Gap. Other attractions include wildlife reserves, jewelry stores, [[scuba]] diving, helicopter rides, [[golf]], [[festival]]s, sight seeing, cave exploration, exotic [[drink]]s and fine [[clothes]] [[shopping]].

 

Name / Parish Location:

{| valign=top

''List of'': [[List of Cities, towns and villages in Barbados|Cities, towns and villages]] in Barbados.

 

Transportation on the island is good, with 'route taxis', called "ZR's" (pronounced "Zed-Rs"), travelling to most points on the island. These small buses can at times be crowded, but will usually take the more scenic routes to destinations. These buses generally depart from the capital [[Bridgetown]] or from [[Speightstown, Barbados|Speightstown]] in the northern part of the island.

 

Some hotels also provide visitors with shuttles to points of interest on the island. Hotel shuttles generally leave right outside of the hotel's lobby. The island also has an abundance of taxis-for-hire, although visitors staying on the island may find this an expensive option. Visitors also have the option of transport by car, presuming that they have a valid driver's license (issued in their native country.) There are several locally owned and operated vehicle rental agencies in Barbados.

 

{{main|Demographics of Barbados}}

Barbados has a population of about 279,000 and a growth rate of 0.33% (Mid-2005 estimates). Close to 90 percent of all Barbadians (also known colloquially as ''Bajan'') are of [[African]] descent ("Afro-Bajans"), mostly descendants of the [[slavery|slave]] labourers on the sugar plantations. The remainder of the population includes groups of [[Europe]]ans ("Anglo-Bajans" / "Euro-Bajans"), [[Asia]]ns, Bajan Hindus and Muslims, and an influential Middle Eastern ("Arab-Bajans") group mainly of [[Syria]]n and [[Lebanon|Lebanese]] descent.

The official language of Barbados is [[English language|English]] but most Bajans speak their national language, [[Bajan]] and while most Barbadians are [[Protestant]] Christians, chiefly of the [[Anglican Church]], there are other Protestant, [[Roman Catholic Church|Roman Catholic]], [[Hinduism|Hindu]] and [[Islam|Muslim]] minorities. Barbados is currently a chief emigration location from the [[South America]]n nation of [[Guyana]].

 

{{main|Culture of Barbados}}

The influence of the English on Barbados is more noticeable than on other islands in the West Indies. A good example of this is the island's national sport: [[cricket]]. Barbados has brought forth several great cricket players, including [[Garfield Sobers]] and [[Frank Worrell]].

:''See also: [[Music of Barbados]]''

 

There are several sports played in Barbados of which cricket is arguably the favourite (like many other Caribbean countries).

Barbados will be playing host to the 2007 Cricket World Cup final,as well as six "Super Eight" matches and several warm-up matches. The final is schedule to take place on Saturday 28 April, 2007.

 

[[دوتنه:Flower4.JPG|thumb|100px|A yellow and red Poinciana]]

The national flower is the [[Poinciana]] (''Caesalpinia pulcherrima'' (L.) Sw. , Pride of Barbados), which grows across the island of Barbados.

 

 

The Golden Shield in the Coat of Arms carries two "Pride of Barbados" orchids and the "bearded" fig tree (''[[Ficus citrifolia]]'' or ''Ficus barbata'') which was common on the island at the time of its settlement by the British and contributed to Barbados being so named.

 

The [[coat of arms]] depicts two animals which are supporting the shield. On the left is a [[dolphin]] (dexter); symbolic of the fishing industry and sea-going past of Barbados. On the right is a [[pelican]] (sinister); symbolic of a small island named [[Pelican Island]] that once existed off the coast of Bridgetown. Above the shield is the helmet of Barbados with an extended arm clutching two [[sugar-cane]] stalks. The "cross" formation made by the cane stalks represents the cross which [[Saint Andrew]] was crucified. On the base of the Coat of Arms reads "Pride and Industry" in reference to the motto of the country.

 

There are '''10 Barbados national heroes'''.

* Sir [[Errol Barrow]]

{{CIA WFB 2003}}

 

* Scott, Caroline 1999. ''Insight Guide Barbados''. Discovery Channel and Insight Guides; 4th edition, Singapore. ISBN 0-88729-033-7

* O'Shaughnessy, Andrew Jackson 2000. ''An Empire Divided - The American Revolution and the British Caribbean''. University of Pennsylvania Press, Philadelphia ISBN 0-8122-1732-2

* Burns, Sir Alan 1965. ''History of the British West Indies''. George Allen and Unwin Ltd, London England.

 

* ''List of: [[List of Cities, towns and villages in Barbados|Cities, towns and villages]] in Barbados.''

* [[List of Eastern Caribbean people#Barbados|List of Barbadians]], (persons from Barbados.)

* [[Military of Barbados]]

 

{{sisterlinks|Barbados}}

 

* [http://www.barbados.gov.bb/ Barbados Government Information Network] - official website

* [http://www.barbadosparliament.com/ Parliament of Barbados official website]

* [http://www.bidc.com/ Barbados Investment and Development Corporation]

 

* [http://www.totallybarbados.com Totally Barbados - Online Island Guide]

* [http://www.accessbarbados.com Barbados Vacation Travel Guide & Business Directory]

* [http://dmoz.org/Regional/Caribbean/Barbados Open Directory Project - ''Barbados] directory category

 

* {{wikitravel}}

* [http://www.visitbarbados.org/ Official website of The Barbados Tourism Authority]

* [http://barbadostourisminvestment.com/ Barbados Tourism Investment] Inc.

 

* [http://www.hurricanecity.com/city/barbados.htm Hurricane History of Barbados]

 

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