PROFILE OF BARBADOS

Barbados is an exquisite island, located in the Atlantic Ocean 59º 37' West and 13º 04' North of the Equator. It is the most easterly in the Caribbean island chain, lying approximately 160.9 kilometres to the west of it's nearest neighbour, St. Vincent, and approximately 463 kilometres north-east of the South American mainland.

It is mostly a flat coral island with many beaches, a few rolling hills, deep ridges and gullies. The island is 34 kilometres long and 23 kilometres wide with an area of approximately 430 square kilometres. The highest point is located at Mt. Hillaby, St. Andrew, one of the island's eleven (11) parishes.

Archaeological evidence indicates that Arawak Indians inhabited Barbados prior to the settlement of the English at Holetown in 1625. Until 1966, when Barbados became an independent nation, it was a British colony. The Parliament in Barbados, which dates from 1639, is the third oldest in the world.

His Excellency Sir Clifford Husbands is the Governor General. The Right Honourable David J. H. Thompson is the Prime Minister and the Honourable Mia Mottley is the Leader of the opposition. Barbados has a long tradition of political and social stability, which enables a stable and democratic system of Government making it one of the most stable locations in the world for business.

Bridgetown, the capital, is situated in the south-west in the parish of St. Michael. It is the centre of sophisticated international telecommunication services, and superior infrastructure. This city plays host to the Securities Exchange of Barbados (SEB), offshore companies and a modern deep-water harbour. Other major towns are Speightstown and Holetown in the North and Oistins in the South of the island.

The climate is sunny all year round with an average daytime high of 75^o – 85^o F. The coolest months are usually from January to April, while the hottest are July to September. The atmosphere is cooled by prevailing gentle northeast tradewinds. Its climatic conditions and geographical make-up help to boost Barbados as a dream vacation.

Tourism plays a vital role in the Barbadian economy, since it is a major contributor to foreign exchange earnings. There are many places of interest especially the Harrison's Cave, one of the finest cave systems in the world. The principal crop like other Caribbean islands is sugar cane.

At the end of the last census in 2000, Barbados' resident population was 270,700 persons, 92% of whom are of African descent and the other 8% are white, or mixed.

The language spoken is English, and education is compulsory from ages 5–16. Barbados boasts of a 97% literacy rate. A highly religious community, 70% of the population is Anglican, Catholic, Methodist and Moravian. The other 30% are affiliated with other denominations.

CLIMATE

POPULATION AND VITAL STATISTICS

* Figures For The Period Ending January - March 2002

EMPLOYMENT BY INDUSTRY (`000 persons)

* Figures For The Period Ending January - March 2002

EMPLOYMENT BY OCCUPATION*(`000 persons)

* Figures For The Period Ending January - March 2002

HEALTH WORKERS¹

¹Information collected at Registration Department.

EDUCATION Enrolments (`000 persons)

* Primary contains under 5 years and 5- 7 years public and private.
**Contains Certificates, Diplomas, BSc., Higher Degrees, MSc. and PhD.

BARBADOS VOCATIONAL TRAINING BOARD

*** Tourism Figures for August 2002

Visitor Arrivals (`000 persons)

SEAPORT TRAFFIC * No of Calls /Arrivals:-

^* Figures for the period January - March 2002.
²Includes Cement Vessels

SUGAR

LOCAL FOOD PRODUCTION (`000 Kgs)

LIVESTOCK AND DAIRY PRODUCTION (`000 Kgs)

^* Fish Landings January - Junly 2002

**IMPORTS, EXPORTS AND VISIBLE TRADE BALANCE (Bds. $M)

** Imports and Exports for Period January - May 2002

FINANCE

*Government Finances for the quarter January - March 2002

ENERGY SUPPLY

ENERGY CONSUMPTION

TELEPHONE SUBSCRIBERS

TRANSPORT (`000 )

NOTES AND SYMBOLS

R   =  Revised                        Kwh   = Kilowatt hour 

P   =  Provisional                    $M    = Millions of dollars 

N.A =  Not Available                 `000   = Thousands 

E   =  Estimated 	

This Digest is compiled by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security. It shows in summary some indicators of social and economic trends in Barbados.

The data presented in this publication have been drawn from published reports of Government Departments and other Public Authorities. The assistance of these agencies is gratefully acknowledged.

Researchers and other users of this information are referred to more detailed publications, some of which are listed below:-

 
              - Monthly Digest of Statistics,
                Barbados Statistical Service.

              - Barbados Economic Report.

              - Annual Report - Labour Department.

              - Annual Report - National Training Board.

              - Annual Report - Barbados Development Bank.

              - Annual Statistical Digest - Central Bank.

Mailing Address:
Ministry Labour and Social Security.
"Clarence Greenidge House",
Keith Bourne Complex,
Belmont Road,
St. Michael,
Barbados
TEL. NO.: (246) 427-7550 
FAX.NO.:  (246) 426-8959                         November, 2002