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Barbados is the eastern-most Caribbean island. It is located at 13.4N, 54.4W. The island, which is less that one million years old, was created by the collision of the Atlantic crustal and Caribbean plates, along with a volcanic eruption. Later coral formed, accumulating to approximately 300 feet. It is geologically unique, being actually two land masses that merged together over the years.

There's so much to discover about this island - from the historic homes and buildings that tell the story of our past, to the underground wonder of our natural caves.

Bridgetown
Bridgetown is the capital and commercial centre and has a population of about 80 000. Bridgetown was originally named "Indian Bridge" for the rude bridge which had been constructed over the river (now known as the Careenage) by the Indians. It was later called the "town of St. Michael" in official documents, before finally being named Bridgetown when a new bridge was built in place of the Indian Bridge, sometime after 1654. In previous times, the careenage was an important hub of activity for inter-island trading vessels. Nowadays the careenage is mainly utilized by pleasure craft (catamarans, yachts, fishing boats, etc).

Broad Street is the main street of Bridgetown and consists mainly of banks, department stores and duty free shops. Other streets in Bridgetown such as Swan Street, Roebuck Street and Tudor Street consist mainly of smaller shops and businesses, together with wayside vendors.

Just outside of Bridgetown is the Bayshore Complex, worth a stop for its shopping, and historic value.

The Parliament Buildings of Barbados are located at the top of Broad Street. The Barbados Parliament was established in 1639 and is the third oldest Parliament in the entire Commonwealth.

Opposite the Parliament Buildings, you will find Trafalgar Square and a statue of Lord Nelson. The Lord Nelson statue, erected on 22 Mar 1813, is older than the statue and square of the same name and fame in London. Trafalgar Square was officially renamed National Heroes Square in April 1999, in honour of the national heroes of Barbados.

Speightstown
Speightstown was the first major port and commercial centre of Barbados. Falling into disrepair and neglected over the years it has now been revived and is the home of a brand new luxury marina development - Port St.Charles - and a number of exciting initiatives. There are excellent hotels and restaurants in the area as well as an art gallery, and some fine examples of original Barbados architecture.

This little village was the port that Ayscue could not take, when dispatched by Cromwell to quell the insurrection in Barbados in 1649. The Barbadians were loyal to Charles 1, and would not accept Cromwell as their protector. For 6 months Ayscue was unable to land in Barbados, and concentrated attacks on Speightstown were repelled by the small forts along the shore. The tiny Island was landed only with the help of a defector who led Ayscue and his men to land at Oistins Town where they met with representatives of the island and signed what has become known as the "Charter of Barbados". Signed in 1652, the agreement gave Barbados rights and privileges unheard of in any other Island. In particular it guaranteed that Barbados could not be taxed without the consent of a Barbados General Assembly.

Holetown
The first settlement in Barbados, Holetown, was originally named Jamestown, after its benefactor, King James I of England. The Holetown Monument (in picture) commemorates the first English landing in Barbados in 1625.

It acquired the name "Holetown" because of the off loading and cleaning of ships in the very small channel located within the immediate vicinity of the town. Holetown is the site of the annual Holetown Festival, a colourful local festival of crafts, music, and historical parades!

Oistins
Oistins, in the parish of Christ Church, is a major fishing community in Barbados with a modern fishing market.

At Oistins, the visitor can see Barbadian fishing boats (at right) and the weaving of fishing nets by local fishermen. Oistins is the site of the annual Fish Festival which honours those who contribute to the local fishing industry. Just around the corner from Oistins is Miami Beach, a great place to take a swim!

This was the site of the clash between Royalists and Roundhead supporters in 1639. This clash centered around the bid for independence of Barbados from Cromwell's England. As a result of this confrontation, the Articles of Agreement were drawn up to form Barbados' own parliament - the third oldest parliament in the entire Commonwealth.

Oistins is also one of the hottest attractions in Barbados! Each Friday and Saturday night hundreds of locals and visitors flock to Oistins for the Fish-Fry, an opportunity to enjoy the very best local food - fried and grilled fish, fish cakes, sweet potato, macaroni pie, and coleslaw and so much more.

There are numerous vendors to choose from and seating is readily available. The sounds of island music fill the air, making for a memorable evening out in a very casual setting!

The Oistins Fish Fry has now become so popular, it is the second highest-rated attraction in Barbados, after Harrisons Cave.

St.Lawrence Gap
St.Lawrence Gap, a 1.3 km stretch of road in the parish of Christ Church, is famous for it's fine restaurants, diverse accommodation, lively nightlife and good shopping.

'The Gap', as it is commonly known, is a place where various cultures meet and merge ... it is an experience that should not be missed!

Fitts Village
Fitts Village is located along the west coast of Barbados in the parish of St.James.

The area contains several reefs and so is good for snorkeling and ocassionally you may even spot a turtle surfacing for a breath of air. There are also areas along this coast that are excellent for swimming. This is typically a quiet beach, and is the ideal spot to relax with a good book under the shade, or enjoying the sea and sun.

Picnic benches are scattered among the Casuarina trees lining the shore, and to the north is a small, open esplanade complete with benches.

Bathsheba
Legend has it that Bathsheba, wife of King David, bathed in milk to keep her skin beautiful and soft. Legend has it that the surf covered white waters of Bathsheba, rich in minerals and life is said to resemble Bathsheba's bath in both appearance health giving value. This is the rugged east coast of Barbados, where visitors come to breath the air, soak in the invigorating Bathsheba Pools and feel alive. It is breathtakingly beautiful; wide white sand beaches stretch along a dramatic coastline of striking rock formations against which the Atlantic rollers break in cascades of foam. What at first glance are huge boulders washed up on the beach, are actually rock formations broken away from ancient coral reef!

The fishing village of Bathsheba in the cool light of the early day. The village is home to a small community of fishing folk and their families. Along the coast are guest houses, a local rum shop and restaurants. It is hideaway for discerning tourist and for Bajans who frequently weekend here in their seaside cottages along the shore.

Activities:

''Eco and Nature Tourism:''
Barbados has many natural phenomena that are really quite unique. There are underground caves of waterfalls and lakes, tropical gullies, ocean tide pools, flower forests, mangrove swamps and many indigenous species such as the Barbados green monkey.

''Heritage Tourism:''
Barbados was born from sugar and rum, in the days when pirates roamed the sea; a history rich in wealth and folklore.

There are stately plantations of Jacobean and Georgian architecture set amid the chattel houses of the farmer's helpers.

''Sea and Submarine Tourism:''
Barbados offers a wide variety of sailing facilities - from simple catamarans that are suitable for a short trip for a few people, to larger catamarans offering lunch and sunset cruises down the lovely west coast of the island.

Cruising and fishing rentals and charters are available with your choice of half-day and whole days charters.

And don't forget the undersea world! Barbados is one of the few islands in the Caribbean offering submarine rides, so don't miss this special opportunity to explore the beauty of our marine life!

Arts and Crafts Tourism:
Barbados has a tradition of great art - from fashion and cloth painting to fine art, pottery and basket weaving. Let a tour guide introduce you to the Barbados artists and their art...

You are sure to have a great time meeting the local artists and hearing stories about their life and work.... from the potters at Chalky Mount in St.Andrew, to the craftsmen at Medford Mahogany Craft Village, to the basket weavers based at the Pelican Craft Village in Bridgetown.

Culture:

Aside from its Portuguese name, very little Latin influence remains on Barbados. Its position in the Windwards made the island relatively safe from invasion, leaving British culture to incubate here for nearly 400 years. The chief example of this is the Bajan national sport, if not the national obsession: cricket. On a per capita basis, Bajans boast more world-class cricket players than any other nation. One of the game's best ever all-rounders was Barbados native Garfield Sobers, who was knighted in 1975. Another local cricket hero, Sir Frank Worrell, appears on the face of Barbados' five-dollar bill.

Despite the British influence, West Indian culture is strong in family life, food and music. Calypso artist the Mighty Gabby, whose songs on cultural identity and political protest speak for emerging black pride throughout the Caribbean, is from Barbados. It's not really surprising that Barbados is fertile ground for such voices since it still suffers from a history of racial segregation and discrimination by the white minority against the black majority.

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