Barbados is the most easterly island in the Caribbean archipelagos famed for its sunshine, beaches and cricket. It enjoys year round sunshine and high temperatures tempered by the trade winds. Features of its landscape include limestone caverns, coral reefs and of course, the perfect sandy beaches stretching around the island’s 97km of coastline. The island is 21 miles long x 14 miles wide and its West and South Coasts lay parallel to the Caribbean Sea exposing endless beaches. Rugged cliffs and Atlantic Ocean are on East Coast of the island.
The United Nations Development Index (1996) ranked Barbados third in terms of quality of life among 160 developing countries worldwide (Hong Kong and Cyprus ranked first and second respectively). Barbados ranked ahead of countries such as Spain, Italy and Ireland. The people of Barbados have a history of long ingrained Christian principles, a sound and free educational system with a literacy rate of 97%. English is the main language in Barbados and British influence is apparent from the right hand drive cars to the monuments in the capital, Bridgetown. However the more flamboyant African culture is also apparent on the island from food to crafts to local dialect.
The Time Zone on Barbados is on Atlantic Standard Time and four hours behind Greenwich Mean Time. The weather is an average 75 degrees to 85 degrees Fahrenheit year round.
