Barbados
Caribbean island nation, former British colony, now a republic.
Barbados is an island nation in the Caribbean, located in the Atlantic Ocean and part of the Lesser Antilles of the West Indies. It is the southernmost and easternmost island of the Caribbean region, lying on the boundary of the South American and Caribbean plates. Its capital and largest city is Bridgetown. Barbados operated on a plantation economy relying initially on Irish indentured servants and later African slaves, whose descendants now account for over 90% of the population.
- Capital
- Bridgetown
- Population_descendants
- Over 90% descendants of enslaved Africans
- Original_name
- Ichirouganaim
- Etymology
- From Portuguese or Spanish 'os barbados' or 'los barbados', meaning 'the bearded ones'
Lore & Background
Archaeological evidence suggests human presence as early as c. The Kalinago visited regularly but left no evidence of permanent settlement. European arrival is uncertain, possibly Spanish or Portuguese in the 15th or 16th century; Spanish slave raiding reduced the native population.
Reader's Guide
Barbados holds significance as a key site of early English colonization in the Caribbean, with its plantation economy and reliance on indentured and enslaved labour shaping its demographic and social structure. The descendants of enslaved Africans now form over 90% of the population. Barbados is ranked as one of the Caribbean's leading tourist destinations. Its name, possibly derived from 'the bearded ones', reflects either the bearded fig tree, the Kalinago people, or sea foam over reefs. The colloquial name 'Bim' may originate from an Igbo word meaning 'my home' or from a Royalist leader named Byam. The island's geological history, with its rising diapir and inland sea reefs, adds a unique natural dimension to its legacy.
Did You Know?
- The original Pre-Columbian name for Barbados was Ichirouganaim, possibly meaning 'Red land with white teeth' or 'Redstone island with teeth outside (reefs)'.
- During the Cromwellian era, thousands of Irish were forcibly transported to Barbados and sold as servants, a practice known as being 'Barbadosed'.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Barbados and where is it located?
Barbados is a Caribbean island nation in the Atlantic Ocean, forming the southernmost and easternmost point of the Caribbean region. It belongs to the Lesser Antilles chain within the West Indies and sits at the junction of the South American and Caribbean tectonic plates.
What is Barbados's capital and largest city?
Bridgetown serves as both the capital and the largest city of Barbados.
How did Barbados get its name?
The name comes from the Portuguese or Spanish phrase meaning 'the bearded ones,' likely a reference to the island's bearded fig trees. Before European contact, the island was known by its Indigenous name, Ichirouganaim.
More in Major Islands And Archipelagos 1-16
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