For other uses see Barbados (disambiguation).

Coordinates: 130N 5932W / 13N 59.533W / 13; -59.533 Barbados Flag Coat of arms Motto: "Pride and Industry" Anthem:  "In Plenty and in Time of Need" Capital (and largest city) Bridgetown 130N 5932W / 13N 59.533W / 13; -59.533 Official language(s) English Recognised regional languages Bajan Ethnic groups  80% Afro-Bajan (Igbo Yoruba Akan others) 16% Asian and Multiracial Arawak Mulatto 4% European (English Irish other) Demonym Barbadian Bajan (colloquial) Government Parliamentary democracy and Constitutional monarchy  -  Queen Elizabeth II  -  Governor-General Clifford Husbands  -  Prime Minister Freundel Stuart Legislature Parliament  -  Upper House Senate  -  Lower House House of Assembly Independence From the United Kingdom   -  Date 30 November 1966  Area  -  Total 431 km2 (197th) 166 sq mi   -  Water (%) negligible Population  -  2009 estimate 2845891 (180th)  -  2001 census 250012   -  Density 660/km2 (15th) 1704/sq mi GDP (PPP) 2010 estimate  -  Total $6.227 billion2   -  Per capita $225122  GDP (nominal) 2010 estimate  -  Total $3.963 billion2   -  Per capita $143262  HDI (2010) 0.7883 (Very High) (42nd) Currency Barbadian dollar ($) (BBD) Time zone Eastern Caribbean (UTC-4) Drives on the left ISO 3166 code BB Internet TLD .bb Calling code +1 (spec. +1-246)

Barbados (i /brbeds/ or / brbedos/) is an island country in the Lesser Antilles. It is 34 kilometres (21 mi) in length and as much as 23 kilometres (14 mi) in width amounting to 431 square kilometres (166 sq mi). It is situated in the western area of the North Atlantic and 100 kilometres (62 mi) east of the Windward Islands and the Caribbean Sea;4 therein it is about 168 kilometres (104 mi) east of the islands of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and 400 kilometres (250 mi) north-east of Trinidad and Tobago. Barbados is outside of the principal Atlantic hurricane belt.

Once a Spanish and Portuguese territorial possession known as Los Barbados or Os Barbados in 1625 it became an English and later a British colony.5 The island has an estimated population of 284589 people6 with around 80000 living in or around Bridgetown the largest city and the country's capital.7 In 1966 Barbados became an independent state and Commonwealth realm retaining Queen Elizabeth II as Head of State.8 Barbados is one of the Caribbean's leading tourist destinations and is the most developed island in the region with an HDI number of 0.788. Contents 1 History 1.1 Etymology 1.2 Early history 1.3 British colonial rule 2 Government and politics 2.1 Law 2.2 Courts 2.3 Foreign relations 3 Geography and climate 4 Parishes 5 Economy 6 Transport 7 Tourism 7.1 Attractions landmarks and points of interest 8 Demographics 8.1 Languages 8.2 Religion 9 Healthcare 10 Education 11 Culture 12 Sports 13 National symbols 13.1 Flower 13.2 Flag 13.3 Golden Shield 13.4 Coat of arms 14 National heroes 15 See also 16 Notes 17 References 17.1 Videography 18 External links History Main articles: History of Barbados and Timeline of Barbadian history Etymology

According to accounts by descendants of the indigenous Arawakan-speaking tribes in other regional areas the original name for Barbados was Ichirouganaim with possible translations including "Red Land with White Teeth"9 "Redstone island with teeth outside (reefs)"10 or simply "Teeth".111213

The reason for the later name Barbados is controversial. The Portuguese en route to Brazil1415 were the first Europeans to come upon the island and they named it Barbados. The word Barbados means "bearded ones" but it is a matter of conjecture whether "bearded" refers to the long hanging roots of the bearded fig-tree (Ficus citrifolia) indigenous to the island; to allegedly bearded Caribs once inhabiting the island; or to the foam spraying over the outlying reefs giving the impression of a beard. In 1519 a map produced by the Genoese mapmaker Visconte Maggiolo showed and named Barbados in its correct position.

Other names or nicknames associated with Barbados include "Bim" "Bimshire" and "da Rock". The origin is uncertain but several theories exist. The National Cultural Foundation of Barbados says that "Bim" was a word commonly used by slaves and that it derives from the phrase "bi mu"16 or either ("bem" "Ndi bem" "Nwanyi ibem" or "Nwoke ibem")17 from an Igbo phrase meaning "my people". In colloquial or literary contexts "Bim" can also take a more deific tone referring to the "goddess" Barbados.citation needed

The word Bim and Bimshire are recorded in the Oxford English Dictionary and the Chamber's Twentieth Century Dictionaries. Another possible source for "Bim" is reported to be in the Agricultural Reporter of 25 April 1868 The Rev. N Greenidge (father of one of the island's most famous scholars Abel Hendy Jones Greenidge) suggested the listing of Bimshire as a county of England. Expressly named were "Wiltshire Hampshire Berkshire and Bimshire".17 Lastly in the Daily Argosy (of Demerara i.e. Guyana) of 1652 it referred to Bim as a possible corruption of the word "Byam" who was a Royalist leader against the Parliamentarians. That source suggested the followers of Byam became known as Bims and became a word for all Barbadians.17 Early history

Amerindian settlement of Barbados dates to about the 4th to 7th century AD by a group known as the Saladoid-Barrancoid.18 In the 13th century the Caribs arrived from South America.19

The Portuguese briefly claimed Barbados from the mid-16th to the 17th centuries and may have seized the Arawaks on Barbados and used them as slave labour. Other Arawaks are believed to have fled to neighbouring islands. Apart from possibly displacing the Caribs the Portuguese left little impact and by the 1610s left for South America leaving the island uninhabited. Some Arawaks arrived from Guyana in the 1800s and continue to live in Barbados.192021 British colonial rule From about 1600 the English French and Dutch began to found colonies in North America and the smaller Caribbean islands. Barbados was the third major English settlement in the Americas (1607: Jamestown 1620:Plymouth Colony 1627: Barbados. The British Leeward Islands were occupied at about the same time as Barbados: 1623:St Kitts 1628:Nevis1632:Montserrat 1632:Antigua.) In the period 1640-60 the West Indies attracted over two thirds of English emigrants to the New World. By 1650 there were 44000 English in the Caribbean 12000 on the Chesapeake and 23000 in New England The population of Barbados was estimated at 30000. Most emigrants arrived as indentured servants. After five years of labor they were given 'freedom dues' of about 10 usually in goods. Before the mid-1630s they also received 5 to 10 acres of land but after that time the island filled up and there was no more free land. Around the time of Cromwell a number of rebels and criminals were also transported. The death rate was very high (Parish registers from the 1650s show for the white population four times as many deaths as marriages.) The main export was tobacco but tobacco prices fell in the 1630s as Chesapeake production expanded. From the 1640s the introduction of sugar from Dutch Brazil completely transformed society and the economy. A workable sugar plantation required a large investment and a great deal of heavy labor. White smallholders were bought out and the island was filled up with large slave-worked sugar plantations. At first Dutch traders supplied the equipment finance and slaves and carried most of the sugar to Europe. In 1644 there were about 800 slaves on the island. By 1660 there were 27000 blacks and 26000 whites. By 1666 at least 12000 white smallholders had been bought out died or left the island. Many of the remaining whites were increasingly poor. By 1680 there were seventeen slaves for every indentured servant. By 1700 there were 15000 free whites and 50000 enslaved blacks. In 1680 over half the arable land was held by 175 large planters who held at least 60 slaves. The great planters had connections with the English aristocracy and great influence on Parliament. (In 1668 the West Indian sugar crop sold for 180000 after customs of 18000. Chesapeake tobacco earned 50000 after customs of 75000). So much land was devoted to sugar that most food had to be imported from New England. The poorer whites that were squeezed off the island went to the British Leeward Islands or especially Jamaica. In 1670 South Carolina was founded from Barbados. By 1660 Barbados generated more trade than all the other English colonies combined. It was surpassed by Jamaica in 1713. Bridgetown the capital was one of the three largest cities in British America (the other two were Boston Massachusetts and Port Royal Jamaica.) By 1700 the English West Indies produced 25000 tons of sugar compared to 20000 for Brazil 10000 for the French islands and 4000 for the Dutch islands.22 English sailors who landed on Barbados in 1625 arrived at the site of present-day Holetown. The English then took possession of Barbados in the name of James I. From the arrival of the first English settlers in 16271628 until independence in 1966 Barbados was under uninterrupted British governance (and was the only Caribbean island that did not change hands during the colonial period). Nevertheless Barbados always enjoyed a large measure of local autonomy. Its House of Assembly began meeting in 1639. Among the initial important figures was Anglo-Dutchman Sir William Courten. Fighting during the War of the Three Kingdoms and the Interregnum spilled over into Barbados and Barbadian territorial waters. The island was not involved in the war until after the execution of Charles I when the island's government fell under the control of Royalists (ironically the Governor Philip Bell remained loyal to Parliament while the Barbadian House of Assembly under the influence of Humphrey Walrond supported Charles II). To try to bring the recalcitrant colony to heel the Commonwealth Parliament passed an act on 3 October 1650 which prohibited trade between England and the island and because the island also traded with the Netherlands further navigation acts were passed prohibiting any but English vessels trading with Dutch colonies. These acts were a precursor to the First Anglo-Dutch War. The Commonwealth of England sent an invasion force under the command of Sir George Ayscue which arrived in October 1651. After some skirmishing the Royalists supporters in the Barbados House of Assembly led by Lord Willoughby surrendered. The conditions of surrender were incorporated into the Charter of Barbados (Treaty of Oistins) which was signed in the Mermaid's Inn Oistins on 17 January 1652.23 With the increased implementation of slave codes which created differential treatment between Africans and the white workers and planters the island became increasingly unattractive to poor whites. Black or slave codes were implemented in 1661 1676 1682 and 1688. In response to these codes several slave rebellions were attempted or planned during this time but none succeeded. Nevertheless poor whites who had or acquired the means to emigrate often did so. Planters expanded their importation of African slaves to cultivate sugar cane. Barbados eventually had one of the world's biggest sugar industries after starting sugar cane cultivation in 1640.24 One group which was instrumental for ensuring the early success of the sugar cane industry were the Sephardic Jews who originally been expelled from the Iberian peninsula to end up in Dutch Brazil.24 This quickly replaced tobacco plantations on the islands which were previously the main export. As the sugar industry developed into its main commercial enterprise Barbados was divided into large plantation estates that replaced the smallholdings of the early English settlers. Some of the displaced farmers moved to other English colonies in the Americas most notably North and South Carolina and British Guiana as well as Panama. To work the plantations planters imported enslaved West Africans to Barbados and other Caribbean islands. The British abolished the slave trade in 1807 but not the institution itself. In 1816 slaves rose up in the largest major slave rebellion in the island's history. Twenty thousand slaves from over 70 plantations rebelled. They drove whites off the plantations but widespread killings did not take place. This was later termed Bussa's Rebellion after the slave ranger Bussa who with his assistants hated slavery found the treatment of slaves on Barbados to be intolerable and believed the political climate in the UK made the time ripe to peacefully negotiate with planters for freedom (Davis p. 211; Northrup p. 191). Bussa's Rebellion failed. One hundred and twenty slaves died in combat or were immediately executed; another 144 were brought to trial and executed; remaining rebels were shipped off the island (Davis pp. 212213). Slavery was finally abolished in the British Empire 18 years later in 1834. In Barbados and the rest of the British West Indian colonies full emancipation from slavery was preceded by an apprenticeship period that lasted four years. Statue of Lord Nelson in National Heroes Square which predates the more famous Nelson's Column by some 27 years. In 1884 the Barbados Agricultural Society sent a letter to Sir Francis Hincks requesting his private and public views on whether the Dominion of Canada would favourably entertain having the then colony of Barbados admitted as a member of the Canadian Confederation. Asked of Canada were the terms of the Canadian side to initiate discussions and whether or not the island of Barbados could depend on the full influence of Canada in getting the change agreed to by the United Kingdom. Then in 1952 the Barbados Advocate newspaper polled several prominent Barbadian politicians lawyers businessmen the Speaker of the Barbados House of Assembly and later as first President of the Senate Sir Theodore Branker Q.C. and found them to be in favour of immediate federation of Barbados along with the rest of the British Caribbean with complete Dominion Status within five years from the date of inauguration of the West Indies Federation with Canada. However plantation owners and merchants of British descent still dominated local politics owing to the high-income qualification required for voting. More than 70% of the population many of them disenfranchised women were excluded from the democratic process. It was not until the 1930s that the descendants of emancipated slaves began a movement for political rights. One of the leaders of this movement Sir Grantley Adams founded the Barbados Labour Party in 1938 then known as the Barbados Progressive League. Adams and his party demanded more rights for the poor and for the people and staunchly supported the monarchy. Progress toward a more democratic government in Barbados was made in 1942 when the exclusive income qualification was lowered and women were given the right to vote. By 1949 governmental control was wrested from the planters and in 1958 Adams became Premier of Barbados. From 1958 to 1962 Barbados was one of the ten members of the West Indies Federation an organisation doomed by nationalistic attitudes and by the fact that its members as British colonies held limited legislative power. Adams served as its first and only "Premier" but his leadership failed in attempts to form similar unions and his continued defence of the monarchy was used by his opponents as evidence that he was no longer in touch with the needs of his country. Errol Walton Barrow a fervent reformer became the new people's advocate. Barrow had left the BLP and formed the Democratic Labour Party as a liberal alternative to Adams' conservative government. Barrow instituted many progressive social programmes such as free education for all Barbadians and the school meals system. By 1961 Barrow had replaced Adams as Premier and the DLP controlled the government. With the Federation dissolved Barbados reverted to its former status that of a self-governing colony. The island negotiated its own independence at a constitutional conference with Britain in June 1966. After years of peaceful and democratic progress Barbados finally became an independent state on 30 November 1966 with Errol Barrow its first Prime Minister although Queen Elizabeth II remained the monarch. Upon independence Barbados maintained historical linkages with Britain by establishing membership to the Commonwealth of Nations grouping. A year later Barbados' international linkages were expanded by obtaining membership to the United Nations and the Organization of American States. Government and politics Parliament Building. Main articles: Government of Barbados and Politics of Barbados Barbados has been an independent country since 30 November 1966. It functions as a constitutional monarchy and parliamentary democracy modelled on the British Westminster system with Elizabeth II Queen of Barbados as head of state represented locally by the Governor-General Clifford Husbands and the Prime Minister as the head of the government. The number of representatives within the House of Assembly has gradually increased from 24 at independence to its present composition of thirty seats. Barbados functions as a two-party system the two dominant parties being the ruling Democratic Labour Party and the opposition Barbados Labour Party. The Barbados Labour Party (BLP) had been in government for 15 years since 1993 until the 2008 general election. Under this administration the former Prime Minister The Right Honourable Owen S. Arthur acted as the Regional Leader of the CSM (Caribbean Single Market). The Honourable David Thompson who was elected Prime Minister of Barbados in 2008 died of pancreatic cancer on 23 October 2010. He was succeeded by Deputy Prime Minister Freundel Stewart who was sworn in the same day.2526 Barbados has had several third parties over a period of time since independence: The People's Pressure Movement formed in the early 1970s and contested the 1976 elections; The National Democratic Party which contested the 1994 elections; and the People's Democratic Congress which contested the 2008 elections. Apart from these there were several independents who contested the elections but independents are yet to win a seat in Parliament. Currently the leading party of the country is the DLP Democratic Labour Party. The DLP defeated the BLP Barbados Labour Party in the last election in 2008. This was a surprise since the BLP had political power for over 14 years. Law The Constitution of Barbados is the supreme law of the nation.27 The Attorney General heads the independent judiciary. Historically Barbadian law was based entirely on English common law with a few local adaptations. At the time of independence the British Parliament ceased having the ability to change local legislation at its own discretion. British law and various legal statutes within British law at this time and other prior measures adopted by the Barbadian parliament became the basis of the modern-day law system. More recently however local Barbadian legislation may be shaped or influenced by such organisations as the United Nations the Organization of American States or other international fora to which Barbados has obligatory commitments by treaty. Additionally through international cooperation other institutions may supply the Barbados Parliament with key sample legislation to be adapted to meet local circumstances before crafting it as local law. Laws are passed by the Barbadian Parliament whereby upon their passage are given official vice-regal assent by the Governor-General to become law. In Barbados camouflage clothing is reserved for military use and forbidden for civilians to wear. As of October 2010 it is illegal for persons to smoke in public areas. Courts Main article: Judiciary of Barbados The local court system of Barbados is made-up of: Magistrates' Courts: Covering Criminal Civil Domestic Domestic Violence and Juvenile matters. But can also take up matters dealing with Corornor's Inquests Liquor Licences and civil marriages. Further the Magistrates' Courts deal with Contract and Tort law where claims do not exceed $10000.00.28 The Supreme Court: is made up of High Court and Court of Appeals.28 High Court: Consisting of Civil Criminal and Family law divisions. Court of Appeal: Handles appeals from the High Court and Magistrates' Court. It hears appeals in both the civil and criminal law jurisdictions. It may consist of a single Justice of Appeal sitting in Chambers; or may sit as a Full Court of three Justices of Appeals. The Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) (based in Port Of Spain Trinidad and Tobago) is the court of last resort (final jurisdiction) over Barbadian law. It replaced the London-based Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (JCPC). The CCJ may resolve other disputed matters dealing with the Caribbean (CARICOM) Single Market and Economy (CSME). Foreign relations Main article: Foreign relations of Barbados Barbados is a full and participating member of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME) and the Association of Caribbean States (ACS).29 Organization of American States (OAS) Commonwealth of Nations and the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) which currently pertains only to Barbados and Guyana. In 2001 the Caribbean Community heads of government voted on a measure declaring that the region should work towards replacing the UK's Judicial Committee of the Privy Council with the Caribbean Court of Justice. Barbados is an original Member (1995) of the World Trade Organisation(WTO) and participates actively in its work. It grants at least MFN treatment to all its trading partners. As of December 2007 Barbados is linked by an Economic Partnership Agreement with the European Commission. The pact involves the Caribbean Forum (CARIFORUM) subgroup of the Group of African Caribbean and Pacific states (ACP). CARIFORUM presently the only part of the wider ACP-bloc that has concluded the full regional trade-pact with the European Union. Trade policy has also sought to protect a small number of domestic activities mostly food production from foreign competition while recognizing that most domestic needs are best met by imports. This protection and limited competition in certain domestic sectors have weighed on the competitiveness of the leading service activities by restricting their access to inputs at the lowest cost.citation needed Geography and climate Main article: Geography and climate of Barbados Map of Barbados Beach near Bridgetown Barbados. Barbados is the easternmost island in the Lesser Antilles. It is flat in comparison to its island neighbours to the west the Windward Islands. The island rises gently to the central highland region with the highpoint of the nation being Mount Hillaby in the Scotland District 340 metres (1120 ft) above sea level. The island is situated in the Atlantic Ocean east of the other West Indies Islands. Geologically composed of coral (90 m/300 ft thick) the land falls in a series of "terraces" in the west and goes into an incline in the east. Much of the country is circled by coral reefs. In the parish of Saint Michael lies Barbados' capital and main city Bridgetown. Other major towns scattered across the island include Holetown in the parish of Saint James; Oistins in the parish of Christ Church; and Speightstown in the parish of Saint Peter. The climate is moderate tropical with a wet season (JuneNovember) and a more dry season (DecemberMay). The annual precipitation ranges between 40 inches (1000 mm) and 90 inches (2300 mm). Barbados is often spared the worst effects of the region's tropical storms and hurricanes during the rainy season as its far eastern location in the Atlantic Ocean puts it just outside the principal hurricane strike zone. On average a hurricane may strike about once every 26 years. The last significant hit from a hurricane to cause severe damage to Barbados was Hurricane Janet in 1955. Parishes Main article: Parishes of Barbados Map of the parishes of Barbados Barbados is divided into 11 parishes: Christ Church Saint Andrew Saint George Saint James Saint John Saint Joseph Saint Lucy Saint Michael Saint Peter Saint Philip Saint Thomas St. George and St. Thomas located in the middle of the country are the only two parishes without coastlines. Economy Main article: Economy of Barbados Barbados is the 51st richest country in the world in terms of GDP (Gross domestic product) per capita2 has a well-developed mixed economy and a moderately high standard of living. According to the World Bank Barbados is classified as being in its 66 top High income economies of the world.30 Historically the economy of Barbados had been dependent on sugarcane cultivation and related activities but in the late 1970s and early 1980s it has diversified into the manufacturing and tourism sectors. Offshore finance and information services have become important foreign exchange earners and there is a healthy light manufacturing sector. Since the 1990s the Barbados Government has been seen as business-friendly and economically sound.citation needed The island has seen a construction boom with the development and redevelopment of hotels office complexes and homes.citation needed Recent government administrations have continued efforts to reduce unemployment encourage foreign direct investment and privatise remaining state-owned enterprises. Unemployment has been reduced from around 14 percent in the past to under 10 percent.citation needed The economy contracted in 2001 and 2002 due to slowdowns in tourism consumer spending and the impact of the 11 September 2001 attacks but rebounded in 2003 and has shown growth since 2004.citation needed Traditional trading partners include Canada the Caribbean Community (especially Trinidad and Tobago) the United Kingdom and the United States. Business links and investment flows have become substantial: as of 2003 the island saw from Canada CA$ 25 billion in investment holdings placing it as one of Canada's top five destinations for Canadian Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). Businessman Eugene Melnyk of Toronto Canada is said to be Barbados' richest permanent resident.citation needed It has been reported that the year 2006 would have been one of the busiest years for building construction ever in Barbados as the building-boom on the island entered the final stages for several multi-million dollar commercial projects.31 The European Union is presently assisting Barbados with a 10 million programme of modernisation of the country's International Business and Financial Services Sector.32 Barbados maintains the third largest stock exchange in the Caribbean region. At present officials at the stock exchange are investigating the possibility of augmenting the local exchange with an International Securities Market (ISM) venture.33 Transport Main article: Transport in Barbados Typical ZR-van with markings indicating that it serves the number 11 route. Transport on the island is relatively convenient with 'route taxis' called "ZRs" (pronounced "Zed-Rs") travelling to most points on the island. These small buses can at times be crowded as passengers are generally never turned down regardless of the number. However they will usually take the more scenic routes to destinations. They generally depart from the capital Bridgetown or from Speightstown in the northern part of the island. Old Barbados Transport Board bus in Bridgetown. Including the ZRs there are three bus systems running seven days a week (though less frequently on Sundays). There's ZRs the yellow minibuses and the blue Transport Board buses. A ride on any of them costs BBD$2.00. The smaller buses from the two privately owned systems ("ZRs" and "minibuses") can give change; the larger blue buses from the government-operated Barbados Transport Board system cannot but do give receipts. Children in school uniform ride for free on the Government buses and for $1.00 on the minibuses and ZRs. Most routes require a connection in Bridgetown. Some drivers within the competitive privately owned systems are reluctant to advise persons to use competing services even if those would be more suitable. A Mini Moke at Speightstown beach Some hotels also provide visitors with shuttles to points of interest on the island from outside the hotel lobby. There are several locally owned and operated vehicle rental agencies in Barbados but there are no multi-national companies. The island's lone airport is the Grantley Adams International Airport. It 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. It is undergoing a US$100 million upgrade and expansion. There is also a helicopter shuttle service which offers air taxi services to a number of sites around the island mainly on the West Coast tourist belt. Air and maritime traffic is regulated by the Barbados Port Authority. Tourism Barbados has numerous internationally known hotels. Time-shares are available and many of the smaller local hotels and private villas which dot the island have space available if booked in advance. The southern and western coasts of Barbados are popular with the calm light blue Caribbean Sea and their white and pinkish sandy beaches. Along the island's east coast which faces the Atlantic Ocean there are tumbling waves which are perfect for light surfing. Some areas remain risky due to under-tow currents. Shopping districts are popular in Barbados with ample duty-free shopping. There is also a festive night-life in mainly tourist areas such as the Saint Lawrence Gap. Other attractions include wildlife reserves jewelry stores scuba diving helicopter rides golf festivals (the largest being the annual Crop Over festival July/Aug) sightseeing cave exploration exotic drinks and fine clothes shopping. Attractions landmarks and points of interest Tourism accounts for almost one half of the economy. Name / Parish Location: Christ Church Graeme Hall Nature Sanctuary St. Lawrence Gap Grantley Adams International Airport Chancery Lane Swamp Christ Church Foundation School (1809) Ocean ParkBarbados Crane Beach St. Andrew Chalky Mount potteries Cherry Tree Hill Morgan Lewis Windmill Barclays Park St. George Francia Great House Gun Hill Signal Station Orchid World St. James St. James Parish Church Folkestone Marine Park Lancaster Great House Gallery and Gardens Queen's College St. John Codrington College Conset Bay St. John Parish Church & church yard Massiah Street St. Joseph Andromeda Gardens Flower Forest Hackleton's Cliff Bathsheba St. Lucy Animal Flower Cave Little Bay St. Michael Barbados Historical Museum Bridgetown Synagogue and Cemetery Bussa Emancipation Statue Ilaro Court Garrison Savannah Kensington Oval Mount Gay Rum Barbados National Museum George Washington House The Salvation Army Divisional Headquarters St. Peter Barbados Wildlife Reserve Farley Hill National Park St Nicholas Abbey St. Philip Sunbury Plantation Bayley's Plantation St. Thomas Clifton Hill Moravian Church Harrison's Cave Sharon Moravian Church Welchman Hall Gully List of: Cities towns and villages in Barbados. Bridgetown Holetown Oistins Six Cross Roads Speightstown St Lawrence Warrens Black Rock Barbados Bank Hall Demographics Main articles: Demographics of Barbados and Barbadian people A bus stop in Barbados High Street Barbados has a population of about 281968 and a population growth rate of 0.33% (Mid-2005 estimates). Close to 90% of all Barbadians (also known colloquially as Bajan) are of African descent ("Afro-Bajans"). The remainder of the population includes groups of Europeans ("Anglo-Bajans" / "Euro-Bajans") mainly from the United Kingdom the Republic of Ireland Chinese Bajan Muslims from India. Other groups in Barbados include people from the United Kingdom United States and Canada. Barbadians who return after years of residence in the U.S. and children born in America to Bajan parents are called "Bajan Yankees"citation needed this term is considered derogatory by some. The biggest communities outside the Afro-Caribbean community are: The Indo-Guyanese an important part of the economy due to the increase of immigrants from partner country Guyana. There are reports of a growing Indo-Bajan diaspora originating from Guyana and India. They introduced roti and many Indian dishes to Barbados' culture. Mostly from southern India and Hindu states these 'Desi' peoples are growing in size but smaller than the equivalent communities in Trinidad & Guyana. Euro-Bajans (4% of the population)1 have settled in Barbados since the 16th century originating from England Ireland and Scotland. In 1643 there were 37200 whites in Barbados (86% of the population).34 More commonly they are known as "White Bajans". Euro-Bajans introduced folk music such as Irish music and Highland music and certain place names such as "Scotland" a mountainous region and "Trafalgar Square" in Bridgetown now renamed "Heroes Square". Among White Barbadians there exists an underclass known as Redlegs; the descendants of indentured servants and prisoners imported to the island.35 Many additionally moved on to become the earliest settlers of modern-day North and South Carolina in the United States. Chinese are a minute portion of Barbados' Asian demographics far smaller than the equivalent communities of Jamaica and Trinidad. Most if not all first arrived in the 1940s during the Second World War originating mainly from the then British territory of Hong Kong. Many Chinese-Bajans have the surnames Chin Chynn or Lee although other surnames prevail in certain areas of the island.citation needed Lebanese and Syrians form the Arab community on the island and the Muslim minority among them make up a small percentage of the Muslim population. The majority of the Lebanese and Syrians arrived in Barbados due to trade opportunities. Although in the numbers are dwindling due to emigration and immigration to other countries. Jewish people arrived in Barbados just after the first settlers in 1627. Bridgetown is the home of the oldest Jewish Synagogue in the Americas dating from 1654 though the current structure was erected in 1833 replacing one ruined by the hurricane of 1831. Tombstones in the neighboring cemetery date from the 1630s. Now under the care of the Barbados National Trust the site was deserted in 1929 but was subsequently saved and restored by the Jewish community in 1983. Indians from Gujarat in India make up majority of the Muslim population. Muslim-Indian Barbadians are often perceived to be the most successful group in business along with the Chinese Bajans.citation needed The average life expectancy is 77 years for both males and females.citation needed Barbados and Japan have the distinction of having highest number of centenarians (on a per capita basis) in the world. Languages English is the root official language of Barbados and is used for communications administration and public services all over the island. In its capacity as the official language of the country the standard of English tends to conform to the vocabulary pronunciations spellings and conventions akin to but not exactly the same as those of British English. A regional variant of English referred to locally as Bajan is spoken by most Barbadians in everyday life especially in informal settings. In its full-fledged form Bajan sounds markedly different from the Standard English heard on the island. The degree of intelligibility between Bajan and general English changes depending on the speakers' origins and the "rawness" of one's accent. In rare instances a Bajan speaker may be completely unintelligible to an outside English speaker if sufficient slang terminology is present in a sentence. Bajan is somewhat differentiated from but highly influenced by other Caribbean English dialects; it is a fusion of British English and elements borrowed from the languages of West Africa. Hindi and Bhojpuri are also spoken on the island by a small Indo-Bajan minority. Spanish is considered the most popular second language on the island followed by French.citation needed Religion Main article: Religion in Barbados Most Barbadians of African and European descent are Christians (95%) chiefly Anglicans (40%). Other Christian denominations with significant followings in Barbados are the Roman Catholic Church Jehovah's Witnesses Seventh-Day Adventist and Spiritual Baptists. The Church of England was the official state religion until its legal disenfranchisement by the Parliament of Barbados following independence.36 Religious minorities include Hindus Muslims the Baha'i Faith37 and Jews. Healthcare Similar to other nations within the Commonwealth of Nations all Barbadian citizens are covered by national healthcare. Barbados has over twenty polyclinics throughout the country in addition to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (General Hospital) located in Bridgetown. Education Main article: Education in Barbados Education in Barbados is fashioned after the British model. The government of Barbados spends roughly 20% of its annual national budget on education.citation needed All young people in the country must attend school until age 16. Barbados' literacy rate is ranked close to 100% with both UNESCO and the Minister of Education stating that Barbados was in the top 5 countries worldwide for literacy rate.38 thus placing the country alongside many of the industrialised nations of the world. Barbados has over 70 primary schools and over 20 secondary schools throughout the island. There are also a number of private schools catering to various teaching models including Montessori and International Baccalaureate. Degree level education in the country is provided by the Barbados Community College the Samuel Jackman Prescod Polytechnic and a local Cave Hill campus of the University of the West Indies Culture Rihanna is from Barbados. Main article: Culture of Barbados See also: Music 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 cricketers including Sir Garfield Sobers and Frank Worrell. Citizens are officially called Barbadians; Bajans (pronounced: "bay" "jan" ) The term "Bajan" may have come from a localised pronunciation of the word Barbadian which at times can sound more like "Bar-bajan". The largest carnival-like cultural event which takes place on the island is the Crop Over festival. 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 the island to participate in the annual events. The festival includes musical competitions and other traditional activities. The male and female Barbadian that harvested the most sugarcane are also crowned as the King and Queen of the crop.39 It gets under way from the beginning of July and ends with the costumed parade on Kadooment Day held on the first Monday of August. In the music business Rihanna is currently one of Barbados' most well known grammy winning artists. As of 2009 she was appointed as an official Honourary Ambassador of youth and culture for Barbados by the late Prime Minister David Thompson. In 2008 Barbados recognized her achievements on "Rihanna Day".40 Sports Main article: Sport in Barbados As in other Caribbean countries of British colonial heritage cricket is very popular on the island. Barbadians play on the West Indies cricket team. In addition to several warm-up matches and six "Super Eight" matches and the country hosted the final of the 2007 Cricket World Cup. They have had many great cricketers such as Sir Garfield Sobers Sir Frank Worrell Sir Clyde Walcott Sir Everton Weekes Gordon Greenidge Joel Garner and Malcolm Marshall. Obadele Thompson is a world class sprinter from Barbados; he won a bronze medal at Olympic Games over 100m in 2000. Ryan Brathwaite a hurdler reached the 2008 Olympic semi-finals in Beijing. Brathwaite also earned Barbados its first ever medal at the world championships in Berlin Germany on 20 August 2009 when he won the men's 110 meter hurdles title. The 21-year-old timed a national record of 13.14 seconds to win the Gold Medal. Polo is very popular amongst the rich 'elite' on the island and the 'High-Goal' Apes Hill team is based in the St James's Club.41 It is also played at the private Holders Festival ground. In golf the Barbados Open is an annual stop on the European Seniors Tour. In December 2006 the WGC-World Cup took place at the country's Sandy Lane resort on the Country Club course an 18-hole course designed by Tom Fazio. The Barbados Golf Club is the other main course on the island. Sanctioned by the PGA European Tour to host a PGA Seniors Tournament in 2003 and it has also hosted the Barbados Open on several occasions. Basketball is a popular sport played at school or college and is increasing in popularity as is volleyball though volleyball is mainly played indoors. Motorsports also play a role with Rally Barbados occurring each summer and currently being listed on the FIA NACAM calendar. The presence of the trade winds along with favourable swells make the southern tip of the Island an ideal location for wave sailing (an extreme form of the sport of windsurfing). Netball is also popular with women in Barbados. Barbadian team The Flyin' Fish are the 2009 Segway Polo World Champions.42 National symbols Flower A yellow and red Pride of Barbados. The national flower is the Pride of Barbados or Caesalpinia pulcherrima (L.) Sw. which grows across the island. Flag The trident centred within the flag is a representation of the mythological Neptune god of the sea. The trident in its original unbroken form was taken from the former colonial seal which itself was replaced by the current coat of arms. Used within the national flag the left and right shafts of the trident were then designed as 'broken' representing the nation of Barbados breaking away from its historical and constitutional ties as a former colony. The three points of the trident represent in Barbados the three principles of democracy"government of for and by the people." The broken trident is set in a centred vertical band of gold representing the sands of Barbados' beaches. The gold band itself is surrounded on both sides by vertical bands of ultramarine (blue) representing the sea and sky of Barbados. The design for the flag was created by Grantley W. Prescod and was chosen from an open competition arranged by the Barbados government. Over a thousand entries were received.43 Golden Shield The Golden Shield in the coat of arms carries two "Pride of Barbados" flowers and the "bearded" fig tree (Caesalpinia pulcherrima) which was common on the island at the time of its settlement by the British and may have contributed to Barbados being so named. Coat of arms The coat of arms depicts two animals which are supporting the shield. On the left is a "dolphin" which is symbolic of the fishing industry. On the right is a pelican which is 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 saltire cross upon which Saint Andrew was crucified. On the base of the Coat of Arms reads "Pride and Industy". National heroes Main article: Barbadian national heroes On April 1998 the Order of National Heroes Act was passed by the Parliament of Barbados. According to the government the act established that 28 April (the centenary of the birth of Sir Grantley Adams) would be celebrated as National Heroes' Day. The act also declared that there are ten national heroes of Barbados all of whom would be elevated to the title of "The Right Excellent".44 The ten official National Heroes of Barbados are: Bussa (1816) Sarah Ann Gill (17951866) Samuel Jackman Prescod (18061871) Dr. Charles Duncan ONeal (18791936) Clement Osbourne Payne (19041941) Sir Grantley Herbert Adams (18981971) Rt. Hon. Errol Walton Barrow (19201987) Sir Hugh Worrell Springer (19131994) Sir Garfield St. Aubyn Sobers (1936) Sir Frank Walcott (19161999) See also Caribbean portal Commonwealth realms portal Main article: Outline of Barbados Index of Barbados-related articles Notes a b Barbados: People. World Factbook of CIA a b c d e "Barbados". International Monetary Fund. http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/2011/01/weodata/weorept.aspxpr.x76&pr.y15&sy2008&ey2011&scsm1&ssd1&sortcountry&ds.&br1&c316&sNGDPD%2CNGDPDPC%2CPPPGDP%2CPPPPC%2CLP&grp0&a. Retrieved 20 April 2011.  "Human Development Report 2010". United Nations. 2010. http://hdr.undp.org/en/media/HDR2010ENTable1.pdf. Retrieved 5 November 2010.  Chapter 4 The Windward Islands and Barbados U.S. Library of Congress Secretariat "Barbados History" Commonwealth of Nations http://www.thecommonwealth.org/YearbookInternal/145147/history/  Staff (2008) "Latest Socio-Economic Indicators" Barbados Statistical Service http://www.barstats.gov.bb/  Staff (2008) "Places of interest BRIDGETOWN" Government of Barbados http://www.barbados.gov.bb/places0.htm  HRM Queen Elizabeth II (2010) "History and present government Barbados" The Royal Household http://www.royal.gov.uk/MonarchAndCommonwealth/TheQueenandBarbados/Historyandpresentgovernment.aspx. Retrieved 10 May 2010  Barbados the Red Land with White Teeth: Home of the Amerindians Barbados Museum & Historical Society 1998 http://www.barbmuse.org.bb/. Retrieved 14 May 2010 "A temporary exhibit which examined some of the preliminary excavations conducted at the dig site at Heywoods St. Peter."  Barbados Geography / History Fun 'N' Sun Publishing Inc. 2008 http://www.coucouandflyingfish.com/main/where.html. Retrieved 14 May 2010  Faria Norman (17) "Guyana Consul (Barbados) Visit to Former Amerindian Village Site in B'dos" Guyana Chronicle newspaper Pan-Tribal Confederacy of Indigenous Tribal Nations p. Pg 2. http://www.pantribalconfederacy.com/confederacy/News/pdf/guyanaconsulvisit.pdf. Retrieved 14 May 2010 "Adjacent to the park there is still a fresh water stream. This as a main reason the village was here. A hundred or so metres away is the sea and a further five hundred metres out across a lagoon was the outlying reef where the Atlantic swells broke on the coral in shallow waters. As an aside the word "Ichirouganaim" said to be an Arawak word which the Amerindians used to dsecribe Barbados is thought to refer to the imagery of "teeth" imagery of the waves breaking on the reefs off most of southern and eastern coasts."  Drewett Dr. Peter (1991) Prehistoric Barbados Barbados Museum and Historical Society ISBN 1873132158  Drewett Dr. Peter (April) Prehistoric Settlements in the Caribbean: Fieldwork on Barbados Tortola and the Cayman Islands Archetype Publications Ltd. ISBN 1873132220  "AXSES Systems Caribbean Inc. The Barbados Tourism Encyclopaedia". Barbados.org. 8 February 2007. http://www.barbados.org/history1.htm. Retrieved 4 July 2010.  "Britannica Encyclopaedia: History of Barbados". Britannica.com. http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/52655/Barbados/54603/History. Retrieved 4 July 2010.  National Cultural Foundationdead link a b c Carrington Sean (2007). AZ of Barbados Heritage. Macmillan Caribbean Publishers Limited. p. 25. ISBN 0-333-92068-6.  A History of Barbados: From Amerindian Settlement to Caribbean Single Market by Hilary McD. Beckles (Cambridge University Press 2007 edition) a b UCTP http://www.pantribalconfederacy.com/confederacy/history.php An Abbreviated Synopsys of Eagle Clan Arawak History 1692 - 1999 Origin of the Eagle Clan Pan-Tribal Confederacy of Indigenous Tribal Nations Descendants of Princess Marian Alan Taylor 'American Colonies: The Settlement of North America' 2001 discusses Barbados in the context of North American settlement Karl Watson The Civil War in Barbados British History in-depth BBC 5 November 2009 a b Barbados: Just Beyond Your Imagination. Hansib Publishing (Caribbean) Ltd. 1997. pp. 46 48. ISBN 1870518543.  "Caribbean: News in the Caribbean - Caribbean360.com". Caribbean360.com<!. http://www.caribbean360.com/News/Caribbean/Stories/2008/01/16/NEWS0000005329.html. Retrieved 30 December 2009.  "Barbados PM dies at 48". CNN. 25 October 2010. http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/americas/10/23/barbados.prime.minister.obit/index.htmlhptT2.  The official Constitution of Barbados (2006) version. a b "Law Courts of Barbados". Lawcourts.gov.bb. http://www.lawcourts.gov.bb/Aboutus.html. Retrieved 4 July 2010.  BarbadosBusiness.gov.bb The Barbados Government's Regional and International affiliations World Bank Country Groups.. Retrieved 5 October 2009. Morris Roy (2 January 2006). "Builders paradise". The Nation Newspaper. Archived from the original on 4 January 2009. http://web.archive.org/web/20060104024455/http://www.nationnews.com/story/285076846570648.php. Retrieved 29 July 2009. "Industry sources are warning however that while the boom will bring many jobs and much income ordinary Barbadians hoping to undertake home construction or improvement will be hard pressed to find materials or labour given the large number of massive commercial projects with which they will have to compete. . . . Construction magnate Sir Charles 'COW' Williams agreeing that this year will be "without doubt" the biggest ever for the island as far as construction was concerned revealed that his organisation was in the final stages of the construction of a new $6 million plant at Lears St Michael to double its capacity to produce concrete blocks as well as a new $2 million plant to supply ready-mixed concrete from its fleet of trucks. "The important thing to keep in mind is that the country will benefit tremendously from a massive injection of foreign exchange from people who want to own homes here" Sir Charles said."  Lashley Cathy (24 July 2009). "Barbados signs agreement with EU". Caribbean Net News. http://www.caribbeannetnews.com/news-17865--26-26--.html. Retrieved 29 July 2009.  H R (28 July 2009). "Treaty network an advantage in securities trading". Barbados Advocate. http://www.barbadosadvocate.com/newsitem.aspmorebusiness&NewsID5140. Retrieved 28 July 2009.  Population Slavery and Economy in Barbados BBC. The Irish in the Caribbean 16411837: An Overview By Nini Rodgers Society for Irish Latin American Studies www.redspider.biz Rajkumar Singh (20 January 2006). "Parliament: Act of Parliament concerning the Anglican church". Caricomlaw.org. http://www.caricomlaw.org/doc.phpid179Barbados. Retrieved 4 July 2010.  "Welcome to the Barbados Bahai Website". Bci.org. http://bci.org/barbados/Bahai/TheBahaisOfBarbados.html. Retrieved 4 July 2010.  B. Y. (9 September 2009). "'Our literacy rating in Top 5'". Nation Newspaper. http://www.nationnews.com/story/jones-on-literacy-copy-for-web. Retrieved 11 September 2009. "Mere days after deputy principal of the Erdiston Teachers' Training College Dr Patricia Saul suggested the touted 98 per cent literacy rate was a myth Minister of Education and Human Resources Development Ronald Jones said the country was ranked among the highest in the world. "In a world where there are still some 776 million adults who are illiterate and some 75 million children who are out of school we are proud to say that we have free education from the nursery to tertiary level and our literacy rate is still among the highest in the worldfourth in the world and that is exceptionally high" Jones said. Speaking at yesterday's Literacy Fair in Queen's Park Jones said teachers principals parents students and all those involved in the process needed to be applauded for "keeping us on that edge"." dead link "Crop Over Festival". 2camels.com. http://www.2camels.com/crop-over-festival.php. Retrieved 30 July 2009.  http://www.zimbio.com/Rihanna+Pon+de+Replay/articles/166/RIHANNA+DAY+BARBADOS+HONORS+RIHANNA+NAMES http://www.apeshillclub.com/Polo/ Harris Alan (26 July 2009). "Barbados Segway Polo team 2009 World Champions". Barbados Advocate. http://www.barbadosadvocate.com/newsitem.aspmoresports&NewsID5079. Retrieved 26 July 2009.  "Government of Barbados National Flag". Barbados.gov.bb. 12 November 2003. http://www.barbados.gov.bb/natflag.htm. Retrieved 4 July 2010.  Government of Barbados National HeroesHistory of Barbados The Parliament of Barbados References Burns Sir Alan 1965. History of the British West Indies. George Allen and Unwin Ltd London England.  This article incorporates public domain material from the CIA World Factbook document "2000 edition".  This article incorporates public domain material from the CIA World Factbook document "2003 edition". Davis David Brion. Inhuman Bondage: The Rise and Fall of Slavery in the New World. New York: Oxford University Press 2006. ISBN 0-19-514073-7 Frere Samuel A short history of Barbados: from its first discovery and settlement to the end of the year 1767 published by J. Dodsley London 1768 download pdf from archive.org Gragg Larry Dale 2003. Englishmen transplanted: the English colonization of Barbados 16271660. Oxford University Press ISBN 0-19-925389-7 Hamshere Cyril 1972. The British In the Caribbean. Harvard University Press Massachusetts USA. ISBN 0-674-08235-4 Northrup David ed. The Atlantic Slave Trade Second Edition. Boston Massachusetts: Houghton Mifflin Company 2002. ISBN 0-618-11624-9 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 Rogozinski January 1999. A Brief History of the Caribbean: From the Arawak and Carib to the Present. Revised version New York USA. ISBN 0-8160-3811-2 Scott Caroline 1999. Insight Guide Barbados. Discovery Channel and Insight Guides; fourth edition Singapore. ISBN 0-88729-033-7 Videography Overview VideoBarbados Tourism Investment Inc. (Courtesy of US Television). External links Find more about Barbados on Wikipedia's sister projects: Definitions from Wiktionary Images and media from Commons Learning resources from Wikiversity News stories from Wikinews Quotations from Wikiquote Source texts from Wikisource Textbooks from Wikibooks Wikimedia Atlas of Barbados Barbados travel guide from Wikitravel Barbados entry at The World Factbook Barbados at UCB Libraries GovPubs Barbados at the Open Directory Project Barbados Governmentofficial website Barbados Government Informations Service (BGIS) Cabinet Ministers of the Government of Barbados Barbados Investment and Development Corporation Barbados Museum & Historical Society Barbados Statistical Service (BSS) Barbados Tourism AuthorityThe Ministry of Tourism Central Bank of Barbados website Parliament of Barbados official website Barbados Maritime Ship Registry  Articles Related to Barbados v d e Barbados topics History Timeline  British Empire  West Indies Federation Government & Politics Monarchy  Governors-General  Prime Minister  Government  Parliament  Cabinet  Ministries and agencies  Political parties  Elections  Judiciary  Laws  Foreign relations  Foreign policy  Constituencies Geography Cities towns and villages  Parishes  Former districts  Plants and animals  Beaches  Parks  Rivers  Conservation Economy Central Bank of Barbados  Barbadian dollar  Barbados Stock Exchange  Companies Communications .bb  +1 246 Area code  Radio stations  Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation  Public Broadcast Service Transport Highways  Port of Bridgetown  Grantley Adams International Airport Culture Music  Barbadian English  Holidays  Education  Sports  Media  Landship   Crop Over Symbols Flag of Barbados  Coat of arms  National pledge Other topics Police  National library  Schools  Tourism  International rankings  LGBT rights Portal   Geographic locale Lat. and Long. 130N 5932W / 13N 59.533W / 13; -59.533 (Bridgetown) v d eCountries and territories of the Caribbean  Sovereign states Commonwealth Realms Antigua and Barbuda  Bahamas  Barbados  Grenada  Jamaica  St. Kitts and Nevis  St. Lucia  St. Vincent and the Grenadines Commonwealth republics Dominica  Trinidad and Tobago Other republics Cuba  Dominican Republic  Haiti  Dependencies and other areas by parent state United Kingdom Anguilla  British Virgin Islands  Cayman Islands  Montserrat  Turks and Caicos Islands Netherlands Aruba  Bonaire  Curaao  Saba  Saint Eustatius  Sint Maarten France Guadeloupe  Martinique  St. Barthlemy  St. Martin United States Bajo Nuevo Bank  Navassa Island  Puerto Rico  Serranilla Bank  U.S. Virgin Islands v d eCountries and dependencies of North America Sovereign states Antigua and Barbuda  Bahamas  Barbados  Belize  Canada  Costa Rica  Cuba  Dominica  Dominican Republic  El Salvador  France (Guadeloupe  Martinique)  Grenada  Guatemala  Haiti  Honduras  Jamaica  Mexico  Nicaragua  Netherlands (Bonaire  Saba  Saint Eustatius)  Panama  St. Kitts and Nevis  St. Lucia  St. Vincent and the Grenadines  Trinidad and Tobago  United States Dependencies Denmark Greenland France Clipperton Island  St. Barthlemy  St. Martin  St. Pierre and Miquelon Netherlands Aruba  Curaao  Sint Maarten United Kingdom Anguilla  Bermuda  British Virgin Islands  Cayman Islands  Montserrat  Turks and Caicos Islands United States Bajo Nuevo Bank  Navassa Island  Puerto Rico  Serranilla Bank  U.S. Virgin Islands  International membership and history v d eMembers of the Commonwealth of Nations Sovereign states Antigua and Barbuda  Australia  Bahamas  Bangladesh  Barbados  Belize  Botswana  Brunei  Cameroon  Canada  Cyprus  Dominica  Fiji (suspended)  The Gambia  Ghana  Grenada  Guyana  India  Jamaica  Kenya  Kiribati  Lesotho  Malawi  Malaysia  Maldives  Malta  Mauritius  Mozambique  Namibia  Nauru  New Zealand  Nigeria  Pakistan  Papua New Guinea  Rwanda  St. Kitts and Nevis  St. Lucia  St. Vincent and the Grenadines  Samoa  Seychelles  Sierra Leone  Singapore  Solomon Islands  South Africa  Sri Lanka  Swaziland  Tanzania  Tonga  Trinidad and Tobago  Tuvalu  Uganda  United Kingdom  Vanuatu  Zambia Dependencies Australia Ashmore and Cartier Islands  Australian Antarctic Territory  Christmas Island  Cocos (Keeling) Islands  Coral Sea Islands  Heard Island and McDonald Islands  Norfolk Island New Zealand Cook Islands  Niue  Ross Dependency  Tokelau United Kingdom Akrotiri and Dhekelia  Anguilla  Bermuda  British Antarctic Territory  British Indian Ocean Territory  British Virgin Islands  Cayman Islands  Falkland Islands  Gibraltar  Guernsey  Isle of Man  Jersey  Montserrat  Pitcairn Islands  St. Helena (including Ascension Island and Tristan da Cunha)  South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands  Turks and Caicos Islands v d eOrganization of American States (OAS) Antigua and Barbuda  Argentina  Barbados  Brazil  Belize  Bahamas  Bolivia  Chile  Costa Rica  Cuba  Canada  Dominica  Dominican Republic  Ecuador  El Salvador  Grenada  Guatemala  Guyana  Haiti  Honduras  Jamaica  Mexico  Nicaragua  Panama  Paraguay  Peru  St. Lucia  St. Vincent and the Grenadines  St. Kitts and Nevis  Suriname  Trinidad and Tobago  United States  Uruguay  Venezuela v d e  Commonwealth realms   Current Antigua and Barbuda  Australia  Bahamas  Barbados  Belize  Canada  Grenada  Jamaica  New Zealand  Papua New Guinea  St Kitts and Nevis  St Lucia  St Vincent and the Grenadines  Solomon Islands  Tuvalu  United Kingdom   Former Ceylon  Fiji  Gambia  Ghana  Guyana  India1  Ireland1  Kenya  Malawi  Malta  Mauritius  Newfoundland2  Nigeria  Pakistan  Rhodesia3  Sierra Leone  South Africa  Tanganyika  Trinidad and Tobago  Uganda   1 Dominion became republic before adoption of the term "realm"   2 Dominion never ratified Statute of Westminster 1931 London-based external government 19341949 annexed by Canada in 1949 3 Southern Rhodesia unilaterally declared independence as Rhodesia in 1965 claiming to be a Commonwealth realm but this was unrecognised by the United Kingdom. Rhodesia then declared itself a republic in 1970. v d eMonarchies List of current sovereign monarchs  List of current constituent monarchs By continent Africa  Americas  Asia  Europe  Oceania By country Antigua and Barbuda  Australia  Andorra  The Bahamas  Bahrain  Barbados  Belize  Belgium  Bhutan  Brunei  Cambodia  Canada  Denmark  Grenada  Jamaica  Japan  Jordan  Kuwait  Liechtenstein  Lesotho  Luxembourg  Malaysia  Monaco  Morocco  Netherlands  New Zealand  Norway  Oman  Papua New Guinea  Qatar  Spain  Saint Kitts and Nevis  Saint Lucia  Saint Vincent and the Grenadines  Saudi Arabia  Solomon Islands  Swaziland  Sweden  Thailand  Tonga  Tuvalu  United Arab Emirates  United Kingdom  Vatican City By type Absolute  Constitutional  Elective  Hereditary  Diarchy  Federal Italics indicate Commonwealth realms which each share the same person as head of state. v d eCaribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat (Secretary-General) Nations Members Antigua and Barbuda  Bahamas1  Barbados  Belize  Dominica  Grenada  Guyana  Haiti1  Jamaica  Montserrat2  St. Kitts and Nevis  St. Lucia  St. Vincent and the Grenadines  Suriname  Trinidad and Tobago Associate members Anguilla  Bermuda  Cayman Islands  British Virgin Islands  Turks and Caicos Islands Observers Aruba  Colombia  Curaao  Dominican Republic  Mexico  Puerto Rico  Sint Maarten  Venezuela Institutions CSME  CDEMA  CMO  CMO  CXC  CCJ  CFC  CEHI  CARDI  REPAHA  ACCP  CARICAD  CFNI  CCC  CRITI  Related organizations Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States 1 Member of the Community but not of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME).   2 British overseas territory awaiting entrustment to join the CSME. v d eBritish Empire and Commonwealth of Nations Legend Current territory     Former territory * now a Commonwealth Realm     now a member of the Commonwealth of Nations Europe  18th century 17081757  Minorca since 1713  Gibraltar 17631782  Minorca 17981802  Minorca 19th century 18001964  Malta 18071890  Heligoland 18091864  Ionian Islands 20th century 1921-1937  Irish Free State North America  17th century 15831907  Newfoundland 16071776  Virginia since 1619  Bermuda 16201691  Plymouth Colony 16291691  Massachusetts Bay Colony 16321776  Maryland 16361776  Connecticut 16361776  Rhode Island 16371662  New Haven Colony 16631712  Carolina 16641776  New York 16651674 and 1702-1776  New Jersey 16701870  Rupert's Land 16741702  East Jersey 16741702  West Jersey 16801776  New Hampshire 16811776  Pennsylvania 16861689  Dominion of New England 16911776  Massachusetts 18th century 17011776  Delaware 17121776  North Carolina 17121776  South Carolina 17131867  Nova Scotia 17331776  Georgia 17631873  Prince Edward Island 17631791  Quebec 17631783  East Florida 17631783  West Florida 17841867  New Brunswick 17911841  Lower Canada 17911841  Upper Canada 19th century 18181846  Columbia District / Oregon Country1 18411867  Province of Canada 18491866  Vancouver Island 18531863  Colony of the Queen Charlotte Islands 18581866  British Columbia 18591870  North-Western Territory 18621863  Stikine Territory 18661871  Vancouver Island and British Columbia 18671931  *Dominion of Canada2 20th century 19071949  Dominion of Newfoundland3 1Occupied jointly with the United States 2In 1931 Canada and other British dominions obtained self-government through the Statute of Westminster. see Canada's name. 3Gave up self-rule in 1934 but remained a de jure Dominion until it joined Canada in 1949. Latin America and the Caribbean  17th century 16051979  *Saint Lucia 16231883  Saint Kitts (*Saint Kitts & Nevis) 16241966  *Barbados 16251650  Saint Croix 16271979  *St. Vincent and the Grenadines 16281883  Nevis (*Saint Kitts & Nevis) 16291641  St. Andrew and Providence Islands4 since 1632  Montserrat 16321860  Antigua (*Antigua & Barbuda) 16431860  Bay Islands since 1650  Anguilla 16511667  Willoughbyland (Suriname) 16551850  Mosquito Coast (protectorate) 16551962  *Jamaica since 1666  British Virgin Islands since 1670  Cayman Islands 16701973  *Bahamas 16701688  St. Andrew and Providence Islands4 16711816  Leeward Islands 18th century 17621974  *Grenada 17631978  Dominica since 1799  Turks and Caicos Islands 19th century 18311966  British Guiana (Guyana) 18331960  Windward Islands 18331960  Leeward Islands 18601981  *Antigua and Barbuda 18711964  British Honduras (*Belize) 18821983  *St. Kitts and Nevis 18891962  Trinidad and Tobago 20th century 19581962  West Indies Federation 4Now the San Andrs y Providencia Department of Colombia Africa  18th century 17921961  Sierra Leone 17951803  Cape Colony 19th century 18061910  Cape Colony 18101968  Mauritius 18161965  Gambia 18561910  Natal 18681966  Basutoland (Lesotho) 18741957  Gold Coast (Ghana) 18821922  Egypt 18841966  Bechuanaland (Botswana) 18841960  British Somaliland 18871897  Zululand 18881894  Matabeleland 18901965  Southern Rhodesia (Zimbabwe) 5 18901962  Uganda 18901963  Zanzibar (Tanzania) 18911964  Nyasaland (Malawi) 18911907  British Central Africa Protectorate 18931968  Swaziland 18951920  East Africa Protectorate 18991956  Anglo-Egyptian Sudan 20th century 19001914  Northern Nigeria 19001914  Southern Nigeria 19001910  Orange River Colony 19001910  Transvaal Colony 19061954  Nigeria Colony 19101931  South Africa 19111964  Northern Rhodesia (Zambia) 19141954  Nigeria Colony and Protectorate 19151931  South West Africa (Namibia) 19191960  Cameroons (Cameroon) 6 19201963  Kenya 19221961  Tanganyika (Tanzania) 6 19541960  Nigeria 19791980  Southern Rhodesia (Zimbabwe) 5 5Southern Rhodesia issued a Unilateral Declaration of Independence in 1965 (as Rhodesia) and returned to British control in 1979. 6League of Nations mandate Asia  17th Century 1685-1824  Bencoolen (Sumatra) 18th century 17021705  Cn o 17571947  Bengal (West Bengal (India) and Bangladesh) 17621764  Philippines 17951948  Ceylon (Sri Lanka) 17961965  Maldives 19th century 18191826  British Malaya (Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore) 18261946  Straits Settlements 18391967  Colony of Aden 18391842  Afghanistan 18411997  Hong Kong 18411941  Kingdom of Sarawak (Malaysia) 18581947  British India (India Pakistan and Bangladesh Burma) 18791919  Afghanistan 18821963  British North Borneo (Malaysia) 18851946  Unfederated Malay States 18881984  Sultanate of Brunei 18881946  Sultanate of Sulu 18911971  Muscat and Oman protectorate 18921971  Trucial States protectorate 18951946  Federated Malay States 18981930  Weihai Garrison 18781960  Cyprus 20th century 19181961  Kuwait protectorate 19201932  Iraq6 19211946  Transjordan6 19231948  Palestine6 19451946  South Vietnam 19461948  Malayan Union 19461963  Sarawak (Malaysia) 19481957  Federation of Malaya (Malaysia) since 1960  Akrotiri and Dhekelia (before as part of Cyprus) since 1965  British Indian Ocean Territory 6League of Nations mandate Oceania  18th century 17881901  New South Wales 19th century 18031901  Van Diemen's Land/Tasmania 18071863  Auckland Islands7 18241980  New Hebrides (Vanuatu) 18241901  Queensland 18291901  Swan River Colony/Western Australia 18361901  South Australia since 1838  Pitcairn Islands 18411907  Colony of New Zealand 18511901  Victoria 18741970  Fiji8 18771976  British Western Pacific Territories 18841949  Territory of Papua 18881965  Cook Islands7 18891948  Union Islands (Tokelau)7 18921979  Gilbert and Ellice Islands9 18931978  British Solomon Islands10 20th century 19001970  Tonga (protected state) 19001974  Niue7 19011942  *Commonwealth of Australia 19071953  *Dominion of New Zealand 19191942  Nauru 19451968  Nauru 19191949  Territory of New Guinea 19491975  Territory of Papua and New Guinea11 7Now part of the *Realm of New Zealand 8Suspended member 9Now Kiribati and *Tuvalu 10Now the *Solomon Islands 11Now *Papua New Guinea Antarctica and South Atlantic  17th century since 1659  St. Helena12 19th century since 1815  Ascension Island12 since 1816  Tristan da Cunha12 since 1833  Falkland Islands13 20th century since 1908  British Antarctic Territory14 since 1908  South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands13 14 12Since 2009 part of Saint Helena Ascension and Tristan da Cunha; Ascension Island (1922) and Tristan da Cunha (1938) were previously dependencies of St Helena 13Occupied by Argentina during the Falklands War of AprilJune 1982 14Both claimed in 1908; territories formed in 1962 (British Antarctic Territory) and 1985 (South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands) v d eDialects and accents of Modern English by continent Africa Cameroon  Liberian  Malawian  Namibian  Nigerian   South African  Ugandan  Kenyan Asia Burmese  Chinese  Hong Kong   Indian   Malaysian   Pakistani  Philippine  Singaporean   Sri Lankan  Thai  Vietlish Europe Ireland Cork  Dublin  Ulster United Kingdom Black British  Black Country  Brummie  Cockney  Cumbrian  East Anglian  East Midlands  Estuary  Geordie  Kentish  Lancashire  Mackem  Mancunian  Multicultural London  Norfolk  Northern  Pitmatic  Potteries  Received Pronunciation  Scottish (Glaswegian  Highland)  Scouse  Southern  Sussex  Ulster   West Midlands  Welsh (Cardiff)  West Country  Yorkshire Other Czech  Dutch   Gibraltarian   Guernsey  Jersey  Maltese  Manx  Swedish North America United States African American Vernacular  Appalachian  Baltimorese  Boston  Cajun  California  Central Pennsylvania  Chicano  General American  Hawai'i English  Hudson Valley  Inland Northern American  Midland  New England  New Jersey  New York City  North Central American  Northeast Pennsylvania  Pacific Northwest  Pennsylvania Dutch English  Philadelphia  Pittsburgh  Southern American  Texan  Tidewater  Western  Yat  Yeshivish  Yooper Canada Cape Breton  Lunenburg  Maritimer  Newfoundland  Ottawa Valley Twang  Quebec  West/Central Canadian Other Belizean  Bermudian  Bahamian  Caribbean  Jamaican   Trinidadian South America Falkland Islands  Guyanese Oceania Australia General Australian  Broad Australian  Cultivated Australian  South Australian  Western Australian  Australian Aboriginal  Torres Strait  Victorian English  Queensland English Other New Zealand  Pitkern v d eEnglish-speaking world Anglosphere Dark blue: Countries and territories where English is an official language and spoken natively by a significant population. Light blue: Countries and territories where English is an official language but less widely spoken. Click on the coloured regions to view the related article.     Regions where English is an official language and spoken by a significant population Africa Mauritius  Saint Helena  Americas (Anglo-America) Anguilla  Antigua and Barbuda  The Bahamas  Barbados  Belize  Bermuda  British Virgin Islands  Canada  Cayman Islands  Dominica  Falkland Islands  Grenada  Guyana  Jamaica  Montserrat  Puerto Rico  Saba  Saint Kitts and Nevis  Saint Lucia  Saint Vincent and the Grenadines  Saint Eustatius  Sint Maarten  South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands  Trinidad and Tobago  Turks and Caicos Islands  United States  United States Virgin Islands Asia Hong Kong  Philippines  Singapore Europe Gibraltar  Guernsey  Ireland  Isle of Man  Jersey  Malta  United Kingdom Oceania American Samoa  Australia  Christmas Island  Guam  Marshall Islands  Federated States of Micronesia  Nauru  New Zealand  Norfolk Island  Northern Mariana Islands  Palau  Vanuatu   Regions where English is an official language but not as widely spoken Africa Botswana  Cameroon  Gambia  Ghana  Kenya  Lesotho  Liberia  Malawi  Namibia  Nigeria  Rwanda  Sierra Leone  Somaliland  South Africa  Sudan  Swaziland  Tanzania  Uganda  Zambia  Zimbabwe Asia India  Pakistan    Oceania Cook Islands  Fiji  Niue  Papua New Guinea  Pitcairn Islands  Solomon Islands  Tokelau  Tuvalu