Barbados Facts for Kids

  • Barbados is an island nation in Central America.
  • The Atlantic Ocean surrounds Barbados.
  • It is in the eastern Caribbean Sea and is part of the British Commonwealth.
  • Native Americans were the first people to live in Barbados.

  • The first people to visit Barbados were the Spanish in the late 15th century. Then the Portuguese visited the island but did not claim it. The first permanent settlers arrived from England in 1627. Then, Barbados became a British colony.
  • The capital city of Barbados is Bridgetown and about 80,000 people live there.
  • Bridgetown is also the largest city in Barbados and main seaport.
  • The total population of Barbados is 286,426.


  • Most of the people in Barbados are of African descent.
  • There are also Asian and White populations on the island.
  • English is the official language of Barbados.
  • The people of Barbados are Barbadians or Bajans.
  • The currency in Barbados is the Barbadian Dollar.
  • Barbados has a free educational system.
  • The country’s literacy rate is 97%.
  • The government in Barbados is a Parliamentary Democracy.
  • The main religion in Barbados is Christianity.
  • The most common Christian church is Anglicans followed by the Catholic Church.
  • Barbados is 21 miles long and 14 miles wide.
  • Barbados has a triangle shape.
  • The area of Barbados is about 430 kilometers squared.
  • Barbados is about two and half times the size of Washington D.C.
  • Barbados has a tropical climate.
  • The ‘dry season’ takes place from December to May and the ‘wet season’ takes place from June to November.
  • Barbados sometimes has hurricanes and landslides because of the climate. Yet, Barbados falls outside of the main Atlantic hurricane belt.
  • Most of the land in Barbados is flat.
  • The highest point of the country is Mount Hillaby.
  • The island has a layer of coral about 300 feet thick.
  • Barbados has clay-like soils that are rich in lime and phosphates.
  • Barbados is the only coral island in the region with all white sand beaches.
  • There are no significant rivers or lakes in Barbados, and there are only a few ponds, springs, and streams.
  • Rainwater drains into streams. It is the main source of domestic water.
  • A water plant supplies extra fresh water.
  • Barbados has pure drinking water.
  • It was the first Caribbean island to have piped water. Utilities are available on 100% of the island.
  • The country has 11 sections called parishes. The 11 parishes in Barbados are:
  • Christ Church, Saint Andrew, Saint George, Saint James, Saint John, Saint Joseph, Saint Lucy, Saint Michael, Saint Peter, Saint Philip, Saint Thomas
  • Saint George and Saint Thomas do not have coastlines because they are in the middle of Barbados.
  • Barbados is well-known for its production of cotton, sugar, and tobacco.
  • Barbados has the natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, and different types of fish.
  • Barbados is currently facing a collection of environmental issues. There is soil erosion. Ships pollute the coastal waters. Illegal solid waste contaminates the water.
  • Barbados has the world’s third-oldest parliament and it has been in operation since 1639. There have been no interruptions in governance.
  • The name of the country, ‘Barbados,’ comes from the Bearded Fig Trees that were once found on the island.
  • The national flower is the ‘Pride of Barbados.’ The leaves of the flowers help babies stop crying.
  • The national motto of Barbados is ‘Pride and Industry.’
  • The first slaves in Barbados were white. They were Indentured Servants. These servants were enemies of the British Crown.
  • John Powell was the man who claimed Barbados for England.
  • There is a special dialect of English spoken in Barbados called Bajan.
  • Barbados has a major hurricane about every 26 years. More than 4,000 Barbadians died during a hurricane in 1780.
  • An epidemic of cholera caused more than 20,000 Barbadians to die in 1854.
  • The capital city of Barbados is now called Bridgetown. It was once called The ‘Town of Saint Michael.’
  • The national dish of Barbados is coucou and flying fish. Coucou is a cornmeal product that with okra.
  • There are four species of nesting turtles that breed in Barbados. The species are green turtles, leatherbacks, loggerheads, and hawksbill turtles.
  • Barbados is a country with a long history. It has now become a very popular vacation location.
  • Over 700,000 cruise ship passengers pass through the port each year.
  • People visit Barbados to enjoy the tropical weather, beaches, and famous landmarks.
  • Visitors say Barbadians are very friendly people. Many visitors return to Barbados more than once.

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