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{{distinguish|Barbuda|Barbatos}}
}}
{{pp|small=yes}}
{{pp-move}}
{{EngvarB|date=December 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2020}}
{{Infobox country
| conventional_long_name =
| common_name = Barbados
| image_flag = File:Flag of Barbados.svg
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| image_map = BRB orthographic.svg
| national_motto = "Pride and Industry"
| national_anthem = "[[In Plenty and In Time of Need]]" <div style="
| official_languages = [[English in Barbados|English]]
| languages_type = [[Vernacular language]]
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|75.6% [[Christianity]]
|20.6% [[Irreligion in Latin America|no religion]]
|2.0% [[
|1.1% [[Hinduism]]
|0.7% [[Religion in Barbados|others]]<ref name="cia"/>
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| population_estimate_rank = 174th
| population_estimate_year = 2023
| population_census = 269,090
| population_census_rank = 174th
| population_census_year = 2021
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}}
'''Barbados''' ({{IPAc-en|UK|b|ɑːr|ˈ|b|eɪ|d|ɒ|s}} {{respell|bar|BAY|doss}}; {{IPAc-en|US|b|ɑːr|ˈ|b|eɪ|d|oʊ|s}} {{respell|bar|BAY|dohss}}; {{IPAc-en|local|b|ɑːr|ˈ|b|eɪ|d|ə|s}} {{respell|bar|BAY|dəss}}) is an [[island country]] in the [[Lesser Antilles]] of the [[West Indies]], in the [[Caribbean]] region
[[South America]], and is the most easterly of the Caribbean islands. It lies on the boundary of the [[South American Inhabited by [[Island Caribs|Kalinago]] people since the 13th century, and prior to that by other [[Indigenous peoples of the Americas|Indigenous people]]s, Spanish navigators took possession of Barbados in the late 15th century, claiming it for the [[Crown of Castile]]. It first appeared on a Spanish map in 1511.<ref name="Spanish Main">{{cite book |last1=Sauer |first1=Carl Ortwin |title=Early Spanish Main, The |url={{GBurl|ayCi1EAaIWQC |pg=PA193}} |year=1969 |orig-year=1966 |publisher=University of California Press |isbn=0-520-01415-4 |pages=192–197}}</ref> The [[Portuguese Empire]] claimed the island between 1532 and 1536, but abandoned it in 1620 with their only remnants being an introduction of wild boars for a good supply of meat whenever the island was visited. An [[Kingdom of England|English]] ship, the ''Olive Blossom'', arrived in Barbados on 14 May 1625; its men took possession of the island in the name of [[James VI and I|King James I]]. In 1627, the first permanent settlers arrived from England, and Barbados became an [[English overseas possessions|English]] and later [[British colonisation of the Americas#British Caribbean colonies|British colony]].<ref name="Commonwealth History">{{cite web |url=http://thecommonwealth.org/our-member-countries/barbados/history |title=Barbados – History |author=Secretariat |work=[[Commonwealth of Nations]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140820080026/http://thecommonwealth.org/our-member-countries/barbados/history |archive-date=20 August 2014}}</ref> During this period, the colony operated on a [[plantation economy]], relying on the labour of [[Atlantic slave trade|African slaves]] who worked on the island's plantations. Slavery continued until it was phased out through most of the [[British Empire]] by the [[Slavery Abolition Act 1833]].
On 30 November 1966, Barbados moved towards political independence and assumed the status of a [[Commonwealth realm]], becoming a separate jurisdiction with [[Elizabeth II]] as the [[Queen of Barbados]]. On 30 November 2021, Barbados
|date=2021-11-30 |work=CNN |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2021/11/29/americas/barbados-bids-farewell-to-queen-intl-cmd/index.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211130080358/https://edition.cnn.com/2021/11/29/americas/barbados-bids-farewell-to-queen-intl-cmd/index.html |archive-date=2021-11-30 |access-date=2022-01-29 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/nov/30/at-the-stroke-of-midnight-barbados-becomes-the-worlds-newest-republic|last=Safi|first=Michael|title=Barbados parts way with Queen and becomes world's newest republic|work=The Guardian|date=30 November 2021|access-date=30 November 2021|archive-date=30 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211130054632/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/nov/30/at-the-stroke-of-midnight-barbados-becomes-the-worlds-newest-republic|url-status=live}}</ref>
Barbados's population is predominantly of African ancestry. While it is technically an Atlantic island, Barbados is closely associated with the Caribbean and is ranked as one of its leading tourist destinations.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Belle|first1=Nicole|last2=Bramwell|first2=Bill|date=1 August 2005|title=Climate Change and Small Island Tourism: Policy Maker and Industry Perspectives in Barbados|journal=Journal of Travel Research|volume=44|pages=34–38|doi=10.1177/0047287505276589|s2cid=154912745| issn = 0047-2875 }}</ref>
== Etymology ==
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The name "Barbados" is from either the [[Portuguese language|Portuguese]] term {{lang|pt|os barbados}} or the Spanish equivalent, {{lang|es|los barbados}}, both meaning "the bearded ones".<ref>{{Cite journal |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GekeS6uMj38C&dq=%22Barbados%22++Portuguese+spanish+bearded&pg=PA104 |title=To the Editor of the Colonial Journal |author=Dr Ainslie |editor=Dr Ainslie |journal=The Colonial Journal |publisher=G. Davidson |issue=1 |year=1816 |location=London |pages=104 |access-date=4 April 2023 |archive-date=18 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230418063559/https://books.google.com/books?id=GekeS6uMj38C&dq=%22Barbados%22++Portuguese+spanish+bearded&pg=PA104 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Fiske |first=Amos Kidder |author-link=Amos Kidder Fiske |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XUhsofUyHq4C&dq=%22Barbados%22++Portuguese+spanish+bearded&pg=PA357 |title=The West Indies: A History of the Islands of the West Indian Archipelago, Together with an Account of Their Physical Characteristics, Natural Resources, and Present Condition |date=1899 |publisher=G. P. Putnam's Sons |pages=357 |access-date=4 April 2023 |archive-date=18 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230418063558/https://books.google.com/books?id=XUhsofUyHq4C&dq=%22Barbados%22++Portuguese+spanish+bearded&pg=PA357 |url-status=live }}</ref> It is unclear whether "bearded" refers to the long, hanging roots of the bearded [[fig-tree]] (''[[Ficus citrifolia]]''), a species of [[banyan]] indigenous to the island, or to the allegedly bearded [[Kalinago]] (Island Caribs) who once inhabited the island, or, more fancifully, to a visual impression of a beard formed by the sea foam that sprays over the outlying coral reefs. In 1519, a map produced by the [[Genoa|Genoese]] mapmaker [[Visconte Maggiolo]] showed and named Barbados in its correct position.{{Citation needed|date=April 2023}} Furthermore, the island of [[Barbuda]] in the [[Leeward Islands|Leewards]] is very similar in name and was once named "{{lang|es|Las Barbudas|italic=unset}}" by the Spanish.{{Citation needed|date=October 2023}}
The original name for Barbados in the [[Pre-Columbian era]] was {{lang|awd|Ichirouganaim}}, according to accounts by descendants of the
Colloquially, Barbadians refer to their home island as "Bim" or other nicknames associated with Barbados, including "Bimshire". The origin is uncertain, but several theories exist. The [[National Cultural Foundation]] of Barbados says that "Bim" was a word commonly used by [[slave]]s, and that it derives from the [[Igbo language|Igbo]] term {{lang|ig|bém}} from {{lang|ig|bé mụ́}} meaning "my home, kindred, kind";<ref name="Carrington, Sean 2007 25">{{Cite book |author=Carrington, Sean |title=A~Z of Barbados Heritage |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aSccAQAAIAAJ&q=%22Bimshire%22|year=2007 |publisher=Macmillan Caribbean Publishers Limited |page=25 |isbn=978-0-333-92068-8}}</ref> the Igbo phoneme {{IPA|ig|e|}} in the Igbo orthography is very close to {{IPAc-en|ɪ}}.<ref name=Allsopp2003>{{cite book |title=Dictionary of Caribbean English Usage |first=Richard |last=Allsopp |author2=Allsopp, Jeannette |page=[https://archive.org/details/dictionaryofcari0000unse/page/101 101] |publisher=University of the West Indies Press |year=2003 |isbn=9766401454 |url=https://archive.org/details/dictionaryofcari0000unse/page/101}}</ref> The name could have arisen due to the relatively large percentage of [[Igbo people|Igbo]] slaves from modern-day southeastern [[Nigeria]] arriving in Barbados in the 18th century.<ref name=EltisRichardson1997>{{cite book |title=Routes to Slavery: Direction, Ethnicity, and Mortality in the Transatlantic Slave Trade |first=David |last=Eltis |author2=Richardson, David |page=87 |publisher=Routledge |year=1997 |access-date=24 November 2008 |url={{GBurl|kuXEzQZQmawC |pg=PA87}} |isbn=978-0-7146-4820-0}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=Black Experience and the Empire |first=Philip D. |last=Morgan |author-link=Philip D. Morgan |author2=Hawkins, Sean |isbn=0-19-926029-X |publisher=Oxford University Press |year=2004 |page=82 |url={{GBurl|kG824iVy1BsC |pg=PA82}} }}</ref> The words "Bim" and "Bimshire" are recorded in the ''[[Oxford English Dictionary]]'' and ''[[Chambers Dictionary|Chambers Twentieth Century Dictionaries]]''. Another possible source for "Bim" is reported to be in the ''Agricultural Reporter'' of 25 April 1868, where the Rev. N. Greenidge (father of one of the island's most famous scholars, [[Abel Hendy Jones Greenidge]]) suggested that Bimshire was "introduced by an old planter listing it as a county of England". Expressly named were "Wiltshire, Hampshire, Berkshire and Bimshire".<ref name="Carrington, Sean 2007 25"/> Lastly, in the ''Daily Argosy'' (of Demerara, i.e. Guyana) of 1652, there is a reference to Bim as a possible corruption of "Byam", the name of a Royalist leader against the Parliamentarians. That source suggested the followers of Byam became known as "Bims" and that this became a word for all Barbadians.<ref name="Carrington, Sean 2007 25"/>
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=== Geological history ===
=== Pre-colonial period ===
Archeological evidence suggests humans may have first settled or visited the island {{circa|1600 BC}}.<ref name="Encylopedia Britannica- Barbados">{{cite web |url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Barbados |title= Barbados |website=Encyclopedia Britannica
=== European arrival ===
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==== The sugar revolution ====
The introduction of [[sugar cane]] from [[Dutch Brazil]] in 1640 completely transformed society, the economy and the physical landscape. Barbados eventually had one of the world's biggest sugar industries.<ref name=beyond>{{Cite book |author-link=Arif Ali |author=Ali, Arif |title=Barbados: Just Beyond Your Imagination |pages=46, 48 |year=1997 |publisher=Hansib Publishing (Caribbean) Ltd |isbn=1-870518-54-3}}</ref> One group instrumental in ensuring the early success of the industry was the [[Sephardi Jews|Sephardic Jews]], who had originally been expelled from the [[Iberian peninsula]], to end up in [[Dutch Brazil]].<ref name="beyond"/> As the effects of the new crop increased, so did the shift in the ethnic composition of Barbados and surrounding islands.<ref name="Slavery and Economy in Barbados"/> The workable sugar plantation required a large investment and a great deal of heavy labour. At first, Dutch traders supplied the equipment, financing, and African slaves, in addition to transporting most of the sugar to Europe.<ref name="Slavery and Economy in Barbados"/><ref name="Encylopedia Britannica- Barbados"/> In 1644 the population of Barbados was estimated at 30,000, of which about 800 were of African ancestry, with the remainder mainly of English ancestry. These English smallholders were eventually bought out and the island filled up with large sugar plantations worked by African slaves.<ref name="Encylopedia Britannica- Barbados"/> By 1660 there was near parity with 27,000
By 1680 there were 20,000 free whites and 46,000 enslaved Africans;<ref name="Encylopedia Britannica- Barbados"/> by 1724, there were 18,000 free whites and 55,000 enslaved Africans.<ref name="Slavery and Economy in Barbados"/>
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The Government of Barbados announced on 15 September 2020 that it intended to become a republic by 30 November 2021, the 55th anniversary of its independence, resulting in the replacement of the [[Barbadian monarchy]] with a president elected through [[electoral college]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Yasharoff |first=Hannah |title=Barbados announces plan to remove Queen Elizabeth as head of state next year|date=16 September 2020|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/celebrities/2020/09/16/queen-elizabeth-removed-barbados-head-state-barbados-says/5814409002/ |access-date=16 September 2020 |website=USA TODAY|archive-date=7 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211007081350/https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/celebrities/2020/09/16/queen-elizabeth-removed-barbados-head-state-barbados-says/5814409002/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2021/10/22/americas/barbados-elects-first-president-intl-hnk/index.html |title=Barbados elects first president, replacing UK Queen as head of state |website=CNN|date=22 October 2021 |access-date=23 October 2021 |archive-date=26 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211026044014/https://edition.cnn.com/2021/10/22/americas/barbados-elects-first-president-intl-hnk/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Barbados would then cease to be a [[Commonwealth realm]], but could maintain membership in the [[Commonwealth of Nations]], like [[Guyana]] and [[Trinidad and Tobago]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Team |first=Caribbean Lifestyle Editorial |date=15 September 2020 |title=Barbados to become an Independent Republic in 2021 |url=https://caribbeanlifestyle.com/barbados-to-become-republic-by-2021/ |access-date=2020-09-15 |website=Caribbean Culture and Lifestyle|archive-date=23 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210923111016/https://caribbeanlifestyle.com/barbados-to-become-republic-by-2021/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Speare-Cole |first=Rebecca |date=2020-09-16 |title=Barbados to remove Queen as head of state by November 2021 |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/world/barbados-queen-head-of-state-removal-a4548381.html |access-date=16 September 2020 |website=Evening Standard|archive-date=13 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210813201215/https://www.standard.co.uk/news/world/barbados-queen-head-of-state-removal-a4548381.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=17 September 2020 |title=Wickham predicts Barbados' republic model to mirror Trinidad's |url=https://barbadostoday.bb/2020/09/17/wickham-predicts-barbados-republic-model-to-mirror-trinidads/ |url-status=live |editor1-last=Madden |editor1-first=Marlon |department=Top Featured Article |publisher=Barbados Today |publication-date=17 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210813162631/https://barbadostoday.bb/2020/09/17/wickham-predicts-barbados-republic-model-to-mirror-trinidads/ |archive-date=13 August 2021 |access-date=4 June 2021 |url-access= |quote=As Barbados prepares to ditch the Queen as its Head of State and become a republic, a prominent political scientist is predicting that Prime Minister Mia Mottley will follow the Trinidad and Tobago model. What's more, Peter Wickham has shot down any idea of the Barbados Labour Party administration holding a referendum on the matter, saying that to do so would be a 'mistake'. 'There is no need to and I don't think it makes a lot of sense. We had a situation where since 1999 this [political party] indicated its desire to go in the direction of a republic. The Opposition has always supported it ... So, I think there is enough cohesion in that regard to go with it,' he said. }}</ref><ref name="auto1">{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-54174794 |title=Barbados to remove Queen Elizabeth as head of state |work=BBC News |date=16 September 2020 |access-date=18 March 2021 |archive-date=11 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210311160055/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-54174794 |url-status=live}}</ref>
On 20 September 2021, just over a full year after the announcement for the transition was made, the [[Constitution (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill, 2021]] was introduced to the Parliament of Barbados. Passed on 6 October, the Bill made amendments to the Constitution of Barbados, introducing the office of the [[president of Barbados]] to replace the role of [[Elizabeth II]] as Queen of Barbados.<ref name="billdetail">{{cite web |title=Barbados Parliament Bills Archive |url=https://www.barbadosparliament.com/bills/details/581 |website=barbadosparliament.com|access-date=8 October 2021 |archive-date=8 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211008030047/https://www.barbadosparliament.com/bills/details/581 |url-status=live}}</ref> The following week, on 12 October 2021, incumbent [[Governor-General of Barbados]] [[Sandra Mason]] was jointly nominated by the Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition as candidate to be the first [[president of Barbados]],<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.barbadosparliament.com/uploads/sittings/attachments/11c0bb650b1c768dbdbee5a0208f6256.pdf |publisher=[[Parliament of Barbados]] |access-date=16 October 2021 |date=12 October 2021 |title=Letter to the Speaker RE Nomination of Her Excellency Dame Sandra Mason as 1st President of Barbados |archive-date=15 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211015205955/https://www.barbadosparliament.com/uploads/sittings/attachments/11c0bb650b1c768dbdbee5a0208f6256.pdf |url-status=live}}</ref> and was subsequently [[2021 Barbadian presidential election|elected]] on 20 October.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.thenational.scot/news/19661398.barbados-just-appointed-first-president-becomes-republic/ |title=Barbados just appointed its first president as it becomes a republic |first=Kirsteen |last=Paterson|work=[[The National (Scotland)|The National]] |location=Scotland|date=20 October 2021|access-date=21 October 2021 |archive-date=21 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211021191804/https://www.thenational.scot/news/19661398.barbados-just-appointed-first-president-becomes-republic/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Mason took office on 30 November 2021.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://constitutionnet.org/news/barbados-parliament-votes-amend-constitution-paving-way-republican-status#:~:text=republican%20status%20%7C%20ConstitutionNet-,In%20Barbados%2C%20parliament%20votes%20to%20amend%20constitution%2C%20paving,the%20way%20to%20republican%20status&text=Parliament%20voted%20by%20a%2025,into%20force%20by%20November%2030 |title=In Barbados, parliament votes to amend constitution, paving the way to republican status |date=30 September 2021 |publisher=ConstitutionNet |access-date=9 October 2021 |archive-date=8 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211008170938/http://constitutionnet.org/news/barbados-parliament-votes-amend-constitution-paving-way-republican-status#:~:text=republican%20status%20%7C%20ConstitutionNet-,In%20Barbados%2C%20parliament%20votes%20to%20amend%20constitution%2C%20paving,the%20way%20to%20republican%20status&text=Parliament%20voted%20by%20a%2025,into%20force%20by%20November%2030 |url-status=live}}</ref> [[Prince Charles]], the heir apparent to the Barbadian Crown at the time, attended the swearing-in ceremony in Bridgetown at the invitation of the Government of Barbados.<ref>{{cite news |title=Barbados becomes a republic and parts ways with the Queen |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-59470843 |access-date=10 May 2023 |work=BBC News |date=30 November 2021 |archive-date=30 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211130120934/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-59470843 |url-status=live }}</ref>
Queen Elizabeth sent a message of congratulations to President Mason and the people of Barbados, saying: "As you celebrate this momentous day, I send you and all Barbadians my warmest good wishes for your happiness, peace and prosperity in the future."<ref>{{cite web |title=A message from The Queen to the President and people of Barbados |url=https://www.royal.uk/message-queen-president-and-people-barbados |website=The Royal Family |access-date=30 November 2021 |date=30 November 2021 |archive-date=1 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211201020537/https://www.royal.uk/message-queen-president-and-people-barbados |url-status=live }}</ref>
A survey that was conducted between 23 October 2021
On 20 June 2022, a Constitutional Review Commission was formed and sworn in by Jeffrey Gibson (who
The commission was given a 15-month timeline to complete its work, which included consulting the public about the new republic and drafting a constitution.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Constitutional Reform Commission of Barbados: Much Expectation, Great Skepticism|last1=Barrow-Giles |first1=Cynthia |last2=Yearwood|first2=Rico|url=https://constitutionnet.org/news/constitutional-reform-commission-barbados-much-expectation-great-skepticism|date=12 August 2022|work=ConstitutionNet}}</ref> Thus, the CRC engaged the public in a number of public meetings, lectures, and [[Twitter Spaces]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Public Meetings|url=https://www.crcbarbados.com/public-meetings|work=Constitutional Reform Commission|date=15 January 2024 }}</ref> The report was announced delayed by August 2023,<ref>{{cite web|title=Report of Constitutional Reform Commission delayed until 2024|last=Joseph |first=Emmanuel|work=Barbados Today |url=https://barbadostoday.bb/2023/08/23/not-ready/amp/|date=23 August 2023}}</ref> with the final report submitted 30 June 2024.<ref>{{cite web|title=Constitutional Reform Commission gets another extension|work=Barbados Today|url=https://barbadostoday.bb/2024/04/26/constitutional-reform-commission-gets-another-extension/
|date=26 April 2024}}</ref>
== Geography and climate ==
{{Main|Geography of Barbados}}
[[Image:Barbados-2022 englisch.png|thumb|upright=1.1|Map of Barbados
Barbados is situated in the Atlantic Ocean, east of the other [[West Indies]] Islands. Barbados is the easternmost island in the [[Lesser Antilles]]. It is {{convert|34|km|mi|abbr=off}} long and up to {{cvt|23|km|mi}} wide, covering an area of {{cvt|439|km2}}.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2012-08-02 |title=Barbados country profile |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-18723928 |access-date=2023-10-02 |archive-date=2 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231002085534/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-18723928 |url-status=live }}</ref> It lies about {{cvt|168|km}} east of both the countries of [[Saint Lucia]] and [[Saint Vincent and the Grenadines]]; {{cvt|180|km}} south-east of [[Martinique]] and {{cvt|400|km}} north-east of [[Trinidad and Tobago]]. It is flat in comparison to its island neighbours to the west, the [[Windward Islands]]. The island rises gently to the central highland region known as Scotland District, with the highest point being [[Mount Hillaby]] {{cvt|340|m|ft}} above sea level.<ref name="Encylopedia Britannica- Barbados"/>
In Barbados [[forest cover]] is around 15% of the total land area, equivalent to 6,300 hectares (ha) of forest in 2020, which was unchanged from 1990. In 2020, naturally regenerating forest covered 6,300 hectares (ha) and planted forest covered 0 hectares (ha). Of the naturally regenerating forest 0% was reported to be [[primary forest]] (consisting of native tree species with no clearly visible indications of human activity) and around 5% of the forest area was found within protected areas. For the year 2015, 1% of the forest area was reported to be under [[State ownership|public ownership]], 0% [[Private property|private ownership]] and 99% with ownership listed as other or unknown.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://openknowledge.fao.org/server/api/core/bitstreams/a6e225da-4a31-4e06-818d-ca3aeadfd635/content |title=Terms and Definitions FRA 2025 Forest Resources Assessment, Working Paper 194 |publisher=Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations |year=2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Global Forest Resources Assessment 2020, Barbados |url=https://fra-data.fao.org/assessments/fra/2020/BRB/home/overview |website=Food Agriculture Organization of the United Nations}}</ref>
In the parish of [[Saint Michael, Barbados|Saint Michael]] lies Barbados's capital and main city, [[Bridgetown]], containing one third of the country's population.<ref name="Encylopedia Britannica- Barbados"/> Other major towns scattered across the island include [[Holetown]], in the parish of [[Saint James, Barbados|Saint James]]; [[Oistins]], in the parish of [[Christ Church, Barbados|Christ Church]]; and [[Speightstown]], in the parish of [[Saint Peter, Barbados|Saint Peter]].{{Citation needed|date=October 2023}}
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=== Geology ===
Barbados lies on the boundary of the [[South American
The erosion of [[limestone]] in the northeast of the island, in the Scotland District, has resulted in the formation of various [[cave]]s and [[Gully|gullies]]. On the [[Atlantic Ocean|Atlantic]] east coast of the island [[coastal landforms]], including [[Stack (geology)|stacks]], have been created due to the limestone composition of the area. Also notable in the island is the rocky cape known as [[Pico Teneriffe (Barbados)|Pico Teneriffe]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.barbadospocketguide.com/barbados-attractions/beaches-and-bays/north-coast-beaches/pico-teneriffe.html |title=Pico Teneriffe – Barbados Pocket Guide |last=Gloria |website=barbadospocketguide.com |access-date=3 April 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161127022828/http://www.barbadospocketguide.com/barbados-attractions/beaches-and-bays/north-coast-beaches/pico-teneriffe.html |archive-date=27 November 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> or Pico de Tenerife, which is named after the fact that the island of [[Tenerife]] in Spain is the first land east of Barbados according to the belief of the locals.{{Citation needed|date=October 2023}}
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# Chinese-Barbadians are a small portion of Barbados's wider Asian population.<ref name="Encylopedia Britannica- Barbados"/> Chinese food and culture is becoming part of everyday Bajan culture.{{Citation needed|date=October 2023}}
# Lebanese and Syrians form the island's [[Arab]] Barbadian community.<ref name="Encylopedia Britannica- Barbados"/>
# [[Jews]] arrived in Barbados just after the first settlers in 1627. Bridgetown is the home of [[Nidhe Israel Synagogue]], one of the oldest Jewish synagogues in the Americas, dating from 1654, though the current structure was erected in 1833, replacing one ruined by the hurricane of 1831.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.jewish-history.com/occident/volume2/sep1844/barbadoes.html |title=Jews in Barbadoes |website=jewish-history.com |access-date=26 July 2017 |archive-date=25 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171025185350/http://www.jewish-history.com/occident/volume2/sep1844/barbadoes.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Tombstones in the neighbouring cemetery date from the 1630s. Now under the care of the Barbados National Trust,<ref>{{Cite web |title=About |url=https://barbadosnationaltrust.com/about/ |access-date=2024-06-28 |website=Barbados National Trust |language=en-US}}</ref> the site was deserted in 1929 but was saved and restored by the Jewish community beginning in 1986.{{Citation needed|date=October 2023}}
# In the 17th century, [[Romani people]] were sent from the United Kingdom to work as slaves in the plantations in Barbados.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.travellerstimes.org.uk/features/feature-roma-and-gypsy-slavery |title=Feature – Roma and Gypsy Slavery |website=Travellers Times|date=24 February 2017 |access-date=1 September 2020 |archive-date=27 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027211246/https://www.travellerstimes.org.uk/features/feature-roma-and-gypsy-slavery |url-status=live }}</ref>
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{{Main|Culture of Barbados}}
Barbados is a blend of West African, [[Portuguese culture|Portuguese]], Creole, [[Indian culture|Indian]] and [[British culture]]s. Citizens are officially called Barbadians, but are colloquially known as "Bajans" (pronounced ˈbājənz). This term evolved from "Badian" (a shortening of "Barbadian") during the 19th-century.<ref name="u035">{{cite web |
The largest [[carnival]]-like cultural event that takes place on the island is the [[Crop Over]] festival, which was established in 1974. As in many other Caribbean and Latin American countries, Crop Over is an important event for many people on the island, as well as the thousands of tourists that flock to there to participate in the annual events.<ref name="Encylopedia Britannica- Barbados"/> The festival includes musical competitions and other traditional activities, and features the majority of the island's homegrown [[calypso music|calypso]] and [[soca music]] for the year. The male and female Barbadians who harvested the most sugarcane are crowned as the King and Queen of the crop.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.2camels.com/crop-over-festival.php |title=Crop Over Festival |publisher=2camels.com |access-date=30 July 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100305104727/http://www.2camels.com/crop-over-festival.php |archive-date=5 March 2010}}</ref> Crop Over gets under way at the beginning of July and ends with the costumed parade on Kadooment Day, held on the first Monday of August. New calypso/soca music is usually released and played more frequently from the beginning of May to coincide with the start of the festival.{{Citation needed|date=July 2019}}
=== Art ===
Barbadian art has evolved over the centuries, influenced by the island's complex history, which includes
The latter part of the 20th century and into the 21st century witnessed a cultural renaissance in Barbadian art now documented by [https://www.raskalmag.com/ '''Raskal Magazine'''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231204040650/https://www.raskalmag.com/ |date=4 December 2023 }}. Artists began to explore diverse mediums and techniques, blending traditional practices with contemporary expressions. This period of experimentation contributed to the dynamic and multifaceted nature of Barbadian art, reflecting the island's openness to cultural exchange and adaptation.
Barbadian artists, mindful of their place within the global art community, began to engage with international artistic trends. This global perspective led to a cross-pollination of ideas, as artists drew inspiration from diverse sources while simultaneously contributing to the broader discourse on Caribbean and diasporic art.
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{{Excerpt|Music of Barbados|hat=no|file=none|template=none|references=yes}}
In 2009, [[Rihanna]] was appointed as an Honorary Ambassador of Youth and Culture for Barbados by the late Prime Minister
== Sports ==
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[[File:Horesandjockey.jpg|thumb|right|A horse and rider at Garrison Savannah]]
As in other Caribbean countries of British colonial heritage, [[cricket]] is very popular on the island. The [[West Indies cricket team]] usually includes several Barbadian players. In addition to several warm-up,
In [[Track and Field]], sprinter [[Obadele Thompson]] won a bronze medal in the [[100m]] at the [[2000 Summer Olympic Games]]. As of August 2022, he was the first [[Barbados at the Olympics|Olympics medalist in the Barbados]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Salmon |first=Santana |date=2022-11-30 |title=Obadele Thompson,
[[Ryan Brathwaite]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.iaaf.org/athletes/biographies/country=BAR/athcode=208833/index.html |title=iaaf.org – Athletes – Brathwaite Ryan Biography |access-date=30 January 2022 |archive-date=1 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110501135055/http://www.iaaf.org/athletes/biographies/country=BAR/athcode=208833/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref> won a [[gold medal]] in the [[110 metres hurdles]] at the [[2009 World Championships in Athletics]] in Berlin.<ref>[https://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2009/08/20/sports-ath-worlds-men-apos-s-110-hurdles_6800205.html Associated Press, "Brathwaite wins men's 110-meter hurdles at worlds", Aug. 20, 2009]{{dead link|date=January 2022|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>
[[Rugby union|Rugby]] is also popular in Barbados.<ref>{{Cite web |title=BARBADOS RUGBY CLUB {{!}} Sporting Barbados |url=https://www.sportingbarbados.com/sporting-contacts/barbados-rugby-club |access-date=2024-03-29 |website=sportingbarbados.com |date=5 September 2011 |archive-date=29 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240329030838/https://www.sportingbarbados.com/sporting-contacts/barbados-rugby-club |url-status=live }}</ref>
[[Horse racing]] takes place at the [[Garrison Savannah Racetrack|Historic Garrison Savannah]] close to Bridgetown. Spectators can pay for admission to the stands. Admission to the Grand Stand costs between US$2.50 and US$5.00.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Barbados Turf Club {{!}} horseracing in Barbados |url=https://www.barbadosbarbados.com/activity/barbados-turf-club-garrison-savannah/ |access-date=2024-03-29 |website=Barbados Barbados |archive-date=29 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240329032833/https://www.barbadosbarbados.com/activity/barbados-turf-club-garrison-savannah/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
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Barbados also hosts several international surfing competitions.<ref>{{citation|url=https://www.visitbarbados.org/world-surfing-league-barbados-surf-pro|title=World Surfing League|publisher=Visit Barbados|access-date=4 February 2021|archive-date=17 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210117025710/https://www.visitbarbados.org/world-surfing-league-barbados-surf-pro|url-status=live}}</ref>
[[Netball]] is also popular with women in Barbados.<ref>{{Cite
Several players in the [[National Football League]] (NFL) are from Barbados, including [[Robert Bailey (American football)|Robert Bailey]], [[Roger Farmer]], [[Elvis Joseph]], [[Ramon Harewood]] and [[Sam Seale]].<ref>Grasso, John (2013). ''Historical Dictionary of Football''. Scarecrow Press. Page 484. {{ISBN|9780810878570}}.</ref>
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=== General information ===
* {{Wikiatlas|Barbados}}
* {{osmrelation-inline|}}
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