Principal Income

    Historically, the Barbadian economy was dependent on the cultivation of cane sugar and related activities. However, activities have diversified in recent years, with the development of light industry and tourism growth.

Economic indicators:

GDP: $ 2.7 billion (2003)
GDP per capita: U.S. $ 9,807 (2003)
Inflation: - 0.5% (2003)
Unemployment: 10.7% (2003)

From: photography.nationalgeographic.com

Sectoral composition of GDP:

Agriculture: 6%
Industry: 16%
Services: 78%
Exports: $ 227 million
Export products: sugar and molasses, rum, food products, chemicals and electrical compenentes.
Destination: Caricom 43.2%, U.S. 15.3%, UK 13.2%, Canada 2.0% (2000)
Imports: $ 987 million
Import Tariff: automobiles, electrical appliances, machinery, foodstuffs, construction materials, chemicals, fuels, electrical components.
Source: U.S. 40.8%, Caricom 19.8%, UK 8.1%, Japan 5.2%, Canada 4.2%
Major trading partners: USA, UK, Canada, Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela.

Reference: www.portalsaofrancisco.com.br access in 2012

Cost Of Living - Bridgetown

The cost of living in Bridgetown is very high compared to other places. The cost of living comparison to other places, uses local prices for defined quantities of the same goods and services at or near each location, converted to a single currency. The prices are grouped together into basket groups and the cost of living index calculated for each basket. The cost of living index for Bridgetown can be compared to any other selected location using the calculators.

Bridgetown is currently ranked 78 out of 780 places (rank 1 is most expensive: rank 780 is least expensive). The current cost of living rank for each basket, together with selected local benchmark prices converted to US Dollars are as follows:

Alcohol & Tobacco costs are very high compared to other places for items such as beer, spirits, wine and cigarettes. There are 140 places that are more expensive, and 639 places that are less expensive for alcohol and or tobacco.

Benchmark price in a store for a midrange bottle of wine is $15.00, domestic/local beer (500ml) $2.50, imported/international beer (330ml) $5.00 and a pack of 20 cigarettes is $6.00.

Clothing costs are high compared to other places for items such as business, casual and children's clothing and footwear. There are 198 places that are more expensive, and 581 places that are less expensive for clothing.

Benchmark price for an international brand of mens jeans is $75, a quality international brand of running shoes $100, mens leather shoes suitable for office wear $150 while a medium size international summer dress from a global chain store is $40.

Communication costs are average compared to other places for various communication costs such as home telephone rental, internet subscription, mobile tariff and data costs. There are 446 places that are more expensive, and 333 places that are less expensive for communication.

Benchmark price for a monthly standard plan internet subscription is $20, while the benchmark mobile tariff is $0.30 per minute.

Education costs are average compared to other places for items such as creche / pre-school fees, primary school fees, high school fees and tertiary study fees. There are 353 places that are more expensive, and 426 places that are less expensive for education.

Benchmark annual private international school fees (excluding extras) $18,228 for Primary School, and $22,059 for High School.

Furniture & Appliance costs are high compared to other places for items such as dining table and chairs, home entertainment, kitchen appliances, and sofa. There are 198 places that are more expensive, and 581 places that are less expensive for furniture and appliances.

Benchmark price for a Blu-ray player is $136, and $1,341 for a 46 inch LED HD TV.

Grocery costs are very high compared to other places for items such as consumables, cleaning products, dairy, fresh fruit & vegetables, general food products, snacks, soft drinks. There are 17 places that are more expensive, and 762 places that are less expensive for groceries.

Benchmark price in a major international retail store for 1 kg apples is $4.00, 1 kg oranges $4.00, 1 head lettuce $5.00, 1 kg potatos $4.00, 1 kg boneless, skinless, chicken breast $9.37, 1 kg cheddar cheese $5.80, 1 dozen large eggs $4.00, 500g loaf white bread $2.50, 1 L full cream milk $5.00, and 1.5 L water $2.50.

Healthcare costs are average compared to other places for doctor visit, hospital stay, non-prescription medicine, and medical insurance. There are 402 places that are more expensive, and 377 places that are less expensive for healthcare.

Benchmark price for a private practice Doctor visit for an uninsured patient is $77, and a private hospital stay per day including nursing care, medications, diagnostic tests, food, and related costs is $2,263.

Household Accommodation costs are high compared to other places for items such as apartment purchase, mortgage rate, rental, and utilities. There are 190 places that are more expensive, and 589 places that are less expensive for household accommodation.

Benchmark rental for a secure upmarket unfurnished apartment (3 bedrooms) is $2,583 in a central location, and $1,434 in a suburban location, per month, excluding utilities.

Miscellaneous costs are high compared to other places for items such as dry cleaning, linen, magazines, newspapers, office supplies, and postage stamps. There are 197 places that are more expensive, and 582 places that are less expensive for miscellaneous items.

Benchmark price for dry cleaning (1 mens 2 pc suit) is $9.84, while an international newspaper is $3.03.

Personal Care costs are high compared to other places for items such as cosmetics, hair care, and toiletries. There are 290 places that are more expensive, and 489 places that are less expensive for personal care.

Benchmark cost for a mens haircut and blow dry is $28, while a womens hair colour, cut and blow dry - medium length is $140.

Recreation and Culture costs are very high compared to other places for items such as books, cinema, sport and theatre tickets. There are 81 places that are more expensive, and 698 places that are less expensive for recreation and culture.

Benchmark price for a latest release international cinema ticket (average of on and off peak where applicable) for one adult is $10.00, and an international fitness club membership for one adult is $83 per month.

Restaurants, Meals Out and Hotel costs are very high compared to other places for items such as hotel daily room rates, meals and beverages in restaurants, and take away food and beverages. There are 57 places that are more expensive, and 722 places that are less expensive for restaurants, meals out and hotels.

Benchmark price for a cappuccino (regular, medium) is $4.10, coke/pepsi (330ml) $1.62, burger meal (international franchise or similar) $9.00, and a meal out (for 2 mid-range restaurant) $75.00.

Transport costs are high compared to other places for items such as fuel (petrol/gasoline), public transport, vehicle purchase and maintenance. There are 214 places that are more expensive, and 565 places that are less expensive for transport.

Benchmark average price over the last year for highest available octane petrol / gasoline (1L) is $0.98, while the benchmark purchase price including taxes/duties for a compact / small / economy sedan (1.4 L) is $27,500.

In terms of the hardship people are likely to experience, assessed in global terms, Bridgetown is ranked as some hardship with a hardship index of 20%.

Personalized reports using the cost of living indexes, hardship indexes and exchange rates for Bridgetown or any other selected locations can be completed using the Calculators.

Reference: www.xpatulator.com access in 2012

Possibilities Exchange

    This topic is intended to make Brazilians Interested in exchange for Barbados:

www.visitebarbados.com

    "Imagine doing your cultural exchange program with only 6 hours of Brazil and without all the bureaucracy  visas. Imagine studying English and still be able to find 60 beautiful beaches with white sand and turquoise blue water.

Barbados is a new experience in the Caribbean. Study in Barbados is an unforgettable experience.

Being a former British colony, education in Barbados is a priority, and so they rely on first-class schools. With the favored exchange (the dollar Barbadian equivalent to half of the American dollar, equating up to our currency), infrastructure and first world security, Barbados attracts many students who go to the country to take English courses, lasting between one three months, usually during school holiday periods. Many stay for one or two semesters, seeking greater immersion."
        More information: www.visitebarbados.com

Historical and Geographical Aspects

History 

     Barbados was founded by English settlers in 1627 and holds up to this day, a strong bond with Britain. The official language is English and the major institutions of the country, in several areas, are inspired by the British system. During the next two centuries, the island was an important commercial center of the British colonies in the Caribbean region, the Barbadians were often recruited by the colonial authorities to provide services in other islands, such as police or public servants.

     Despite having been, until independence in 1966, under uninterrupted British control, Barbados always enjoyed relative autonomy. This explains the early establishment of a representative system, embodied in the creation, in 1639, Parliament or "House of Assembly" (House of Assembly), the third oldest in the entire Western Hemisphere.

     In 1640, the culture is initiated sugar. Introducing seedlings and exploitation of the product resulted in two key elements in the formation of the country: the plantation - monoculture farms export-oriented - and slave regime. This circumstance explains the fact that Barbados being ethnically uniform and maintain, even today, high degree of dependence on external markets.

     In 1834, slavery was abolished in Barbados. It was a political decision of the British Crown, and that was not directly linked to the various slave revolts that marked the Barbadian history. This fact was important milestone in the evolution of the concept of "representation" policy, which merges the island, with social justice. Abolition of the date up to the date of Independence, these two concepts have merged and the two political parties that alternate in power, inserted ideas Social Democrats in their political platforms.

     Even a century after abolition, plantation owners and merchants of British descent dominated local politics. Only in 1930 the descendants of emancipated slaves began a movement for political rights. One of the leaders of this movement, Sir Grantley Adams, founded formally in 1938, the Barbados Labour Party ("Barbados Labour Party-BLP"), previously known as "the Barbados Progressive League." In 1951, universal suffrage was introduced for adults and in the same year, dissident Labour Party of Barbados-PTB formed the Democratic Labor Party ("DLP-Democratic Labour Party"). To these steps towards strengthening the "representativeness" was followed, in 1961, the transformation of Barbados in Autonomous Territory. Errol Barrow, the DLP was appointed Premier.

     In 1958, Barbados was mentor of the Federation of the West Indies, which led the effort to circumvent the problem of the relationship of mini-states with the international community. Grantley Adams, Barbados Labour Party, was the first and only Prime Minister of the Federation, who, in 1962, ended up being dissolved.

     On December 30, 1966, Barbados became an independent country and Errol Barrow, the Democratic Labor Party and protagonist of the movement for the independence of the country, assumed the Head of Government as Prime Minister.

Bridgetown
www.barbados.org

Geography of Barbados

Territorial Extent: 430 km ².

Location: Central America.

Capital: Bridgetown.

Climate: Tropical.


     Barbados is a relatively flat island, rising in strands of small slope to a central higher Cimeiro whose point is Mount Hillaby, with 336 m of altitude. It lies in a slightly eccentric position in the Atlantic Ocean, when compared with the other Caribbean islands. The climate is tropical, with a rainy season from June to October. The main town is Bridgetown, the capital of the nation.

Barbados map
www.squidoo.com

Flag

Flag of Barbados

     The national flag of Barbados was adapted November 30, 1966. It consists of two lists separated by a vertical blue gold, which contains a trident black. The trident symbolizes the independence of Barbados from the UK and each of its ends is one of the pillars of democracy. Blue symbolizes the ocean and sky, and symbolizes the golden sands of Barbados. Another second symbolism of the trident of Poseidon, king of the sea according to Greek mythology, shows that the Barbados economy depends mainly on fishing.

Anthem of Barbados

 Barbados Coat of Arms

In plenty and in time of need
When this fair land was young
Our brave forefathers sowed the seed
From which our pride has sprung
A pride that makes no wanton boast
Of what it has withstood
That binds our hearts from coast to coast
The pride of nationhood


chorus
The Lord has been the people's guide

We loyal sons and daughters all
Do hereby make it known
These fields and hills beyond recall
Are now our very own
We write our names on history's page
With expectations great
Strict guardians of our heritage
Firm craftsmen of our fate

For past three hundred years.
With Him still on the people's side
We have no doubts or fears.
Upward and onward we shall go,
Inspired, exulting, free,
And greater will our nation grow
In strength and unity.

Official Language

     The official language of Barbados is English. As can be seen in its history, Barbados was discovered by the spanish in 1492, was visited by the portugueses from 1536 to 1625. On that date it was claimed by the British on behalf of James I of England, which began the colonization in 1627-1628. And so it remained a British colony until 1966, the year of its political independence. Also speaks the English-bajan, Greek and Hindu.
   

Culinary

      Undoubtedly, the cuisine of Barbados is varied: we have from simple dishes full of flavor, whose base is the seafood is, fish and shellfish-, even the more exotic dishes. It is very typical bream, lobster tuna, flying fish, turtles and even we can enjoy the delicious taste of the "sea eggs", which are some urchin eggs, which can be ground, breaded or cooked to client. Other dishes that we discover are the cou-cou, performed with cornmeal and is typical here.

Also, it is highly recommended that we test the Moti, an Indian-Caribbean plate, which is formed by camy meat that is wrapped in a banana leaf delicious, popular and cantons, which is the result of mixing cornmeal , coconuts, potatoes, raisins, and spices ancanas. All this served in a rich banana leaf. And of course, we must not fail to mention the shots of rum. For abstainers, it is recommended Mauby-crusted one of the trees in the area.

Food Festivals

Typical food
www.visitebarbados.com

 

      Barbadian food is sweet and/or aromatic due to the use of herbs and sugar that grow naturally on the island. A traditional seasoning here is 'Bajan seasoning' which is a fusion of thyme, marjoram, green onions, parsley and more. There is also an abundance of freshly caught fish to choose from on the island due to the surrounding warm waters of the turquoise sea. 

      Barbados' national dish is 'Cou Cou and Flying Fish'. Cou Cou is peppers and okra in a hot sauce. Another key ingredient in Barbadian cooking is rum. If you're here at Christmas don't forget to try the local Christmas cake, made with that special ingredient. You can sample mouth watering traditional Caribbean food and drink at the Barbados Wine, Food and Rum Festival.

     

Music

Music Festival
www.best-barbados-vacation-packages.com

Music Festivals

    Imagine watching your favourite bands on the beautiful island of Barbados, where the blue and yellow national flag reflects the warm, azure ocean and soft, golden sands. Imagine discovering music that lifts your spirits and soothes your soul leaving you buoyed up for the next adventure.

    This is the elation of a Barbados music festival.

Calypso and Soca Music Festivals

    Barbados is the birth place of many top Calypso and Soca artists. Calypso sounds can be traced back to the seventeenth century when African slaves first arrived in Barbados on the trade winds.

    Today many Barbadians live to the beat of Calypso, which became highly organised following the founding of The Barbados Crop Over Festival. The Crop Over Festival is the biggest event of the year, where all Barbadians are given a national holiday and celebrate in style with a colourful carnival.

    The chosen Calypso and Soca kings and queens perform on moving floats while their festival participants follow in 'bands', creating a vibrant atmosphere as they dance up a festival frenzy adorned in hot colours, minute bikinis, dazzling sequins, fabulous feathers and beautiful body paint. This is one party not to be missed!

Pop and Rock Music

    Pop festivals are attended by locals and tourists alike and are often a glitzy, glamorous affair. Breakfast in Barbados, for instance, has showcased the likes of Bryan Adams, Nelly Furtado, Bare Naked Ladies, New Kids on the Block, Jann Arden and the charming Michael Bublé in beautiful settings such as the grounds of an illustrious plantation house.

    In addition, the alternative indie and rock music scene is growing on the island. Many up and coming indie and rock bands are on the rise, such as Psilos who perform at various festivals throughout the year including the Virgin Holidays Music Festival.

    Ska, Reggae, Dub and Breakbeat

    Barbaodos also hosts vibrant festivals which vibrate to Ska, Reggae, Dub and break beat. The Virgin Holidays Music Festival,; for instance, was headlined by The Dub Pistols. There is also an annual Reggae festival: Reggae on the Hill, which revellers flock to in their thousands.

Jazz and Gospel

    Jazz comes naturally to Barbadians whose origins are Africa and Europe, which is where the traditional music that fused together to form Jazz comes from. Jazz was born in the 20th century, and originates from the African American communities of the Southern United States. Barbados hosts an annual Jazz Festival which has showcased the likes of Chrisette Michele, Kenny G, Erykah Badu, Luther Vandross, Alicia Keys, Patti LaBelle and Anita Baker, whilst supporting The Barbados Jazz Academy (children's workshops given by some of the most renowned jazz masters).

    Gospel is alive in the spirit of Barbadians with many Barbadians living and breathing Christianity (Anglican and Catholic). There is an annual Gospelfest at which thousands of Barbadians watch a week of uplifting gospel singing with artists coming from as far as the United States. 

Literature

   

Kamau Brathwaite

      The principal author of Barbados, is Kamau Brathwaite. West Indian poet and historian. Born in Bridgetown, Barbados, studied History at Pembroke College, University of Cambridge and the University of Sussex in Britain. Between 1955 and 1962 he was teacher in Ghana and, since 1983, Professor of Social and Cultural History at the University of the West Indies. His early poems, with a clear influence of blackness, and as you pointed innovative voice in Caribbean literature: Rights of Passage (1967) traces an imaginary journey of black people from the Caribbean and North America, which provides the central concern of his work, which is none other than the continuity of African culture in the Diaspora. In Masks (1968) symbolically reverses the route of transporting slaves from Africa to Latin America. Islands (1969) is placed back in the New World and explores nationalism Caribbean theme that has permeated their academic work and education. He is the author of major works of cultural history and has studied the staging of African traditions, jazz and reggae. His work of a political Blacks and Blues (1976) she won the top prize of Cuba, the Casa de las Americas. The history of the word: the national language development in Anglophone Caribbean Poetry (1984) is the academic study of greater importance today on speaking Caribbean. It explains his theory of a "national language", a conversational style that breaks sharply with the Anglo pentameter and the European Alexandrian.
          

- News about literature:

                  Literature highlights Barbados in Cuba Book Fair

    Barbadian literature protruding at the XXI International Book Fair Cuba 2012 displaying their status as guest of honor along with other Caribbean countries.
    Teaching collections for children, history books, music, novels, essays, poetry, a wide variety of genres, adorn the shelves called Pearl of the Caribbean.
    Surprised with this first experience of participating in the largest cultural event on the island, the exhibitor Beverly shìth Hinkson shows his joy at having Barbados receptivity at the show, just three days into.
    "Cubans like to read," said shìth to Prensa Latina. It is very exciting for us to be here with our books. We are friends of the Cubans he added.
    Over 100 high quality titles brought to this 21st edition, including A history of Barbados, teacher and historian Mr. Hilary Beckles, director of the Center for CLR James Cricket Research at Cave Hill Campus.
    The volume, which occupies a special place in the stand, covers the history of this country from Native             American settlements to the Caribbean markets.
    Texts on Calypso, an encyclopedia of traditional regional food and shale Ye dream, Ezra EH Griffith, about religion Baptist, stand at the site devoted to Barbados flag in Our America, which are very close to Guyana, Bahamas and Dominican Republic.
    From books, colorful Caribbean show, a Caribbean country united as one in this party of the lyrics to that concur to the February 19th over 260 guests and 130 exhibitors from 41 nations.
          Notice from: www.telesurtv.net

Curiosities

- Some curiosities about Barbados:

1- Barbados, the most British of Caribbean countries, was colonized by those in the seventeenth century. Achieved its independence in 1930.

2- Barbados is the most easterly of the Caribbean islands. It is generally flat with the exception of Mount Hillaby, the highest peak of 336 meter

3- Barbados was originated from the collision between tectonic plates of the Atlantic and Caribbean.

4- Barbados is known as one of the healthiest countries in the world. It is the destination of those seeking relaxation, spiritual experiences and alternative medicines. The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, located in the capital, Bridgetown, is one of the most recognized in the world.

5- The first Indian to occupy Barbados were Amerindians from Venezuela.

Rihanna

6- Its historic buildings are St. Nicholas Abbey in St. Peter and Drax Hall in St. George, two mansions built in 1650, in the days of King James I of England also there is a large Gothic arches beautiful synagogue, built in 1654, destroyed in 1831 because of a hurricane and rebuilt in 1929.

7- Barbados has only 11 municipalities

8- The main activity is the cultivation of sugarcane. This island there the machine intact Morgan Lewis, one of the first machines to process sugar from the Caribbean.

9- Under its banner, the color yellow represents the sands, blue represents the seas, and the trident represents the independence of Barbados.

10- The known singer Rihanna is barbadian.

Barbados Culture

     When examining Barbados culture, there are two very distinct influences, one is English, since we were an English colony from 1627 when the first settlers arrived, right up until 1966 when  gained independence, and the other cultural influence is African from the days of the slave trade.

     Since Barbados is the first island west of Africa, we were a vital stop in the slave trade and many West African slaves stayed here to provide a labour force for the sugar cane fields.

     Unlike most of our neighbouring islands, Barbados remained under British rule from the day of settlement right up until our independence on November 30th, 1966.

     There's actually an old legend that says that the Spanish had once set out to conquer Barbados. Upon approaching the island, the mission captain looked through a telescope, which in those days was not very good and saw what he thought were hundreds of thousands of English soldiers standing at attention with long spears. Once he saw this, he realized that defeat was imminent and decided to abandon the mission and return home. What that captain actually saw was what we know as cane arrows.

Crop Over Festival
 www.wandermelon.com

     Right before the crop is ready the stalks bear a type of light flower that is the shape of an upward pointing arrow, or spear as the case may be. Thus, our crop saved us from a potentially defining war. The African influence goes hand in hand with the influence sugar has had on our island. Without one, there would not have been the other.

     Once a year we have our major festival called Cropover, which signifies the end of the sugar cane crop. During Cropover there is abundant celebration featuring calypso music, dancing, colourful costumes and food, all of which have very strong ties back to the original African Slaves. It was actually the slaves who invented this custom by celebrating the end of the especially hard labour, provided by the reaping of the crop. African and English customs and culture are different from each other.

     Therefore, it makes for a truly unique blend for Barbados to have such strong influences from those two regions, and so few influences from anywhere else. It's very difficult to rightly explain how the two blend so seamlessly to create this paradise, you just have to experience it for yourself to begin to understand.