67% of the population are adherents of Protestantism (mostly Anglicans), 4% of the population profess Catholicism, 12% are adherents of Islam, Judaism and Hinduism. Atheists account for 17% of the population.
Transport in in Barbados
Direct flights to Barbados are carried out from Great Britain, USA or Canada, that is, from Russia to the island you can only get with transfers in these countries. The country has only one international airport, Grantley Adams Airport. In addition, many tourists arrive in the country on cruise ships. There are two seaports in Barbados – in Bridgetown and Speightstown. In the port of Bridgetown, the cruise ship terminal has everything you need for tourists: duty-free shops, souvenir shops, restaurants, bars, currency exchange offices, medical centers and more.
Local airlines in Barbados no, and the island is small enough for flights. The best way to travel around the island is by bus, taxi or rental car. Local buses and taxis offer tourists both short trips and travel all over the island. Official and private taxis and buses can be distinguished by the initial letters on the car number. The number of municipal taxis begins with the letter “Z”, the number of municipal taxi mini-buses begins with the letters “ZM”, the number of private mini-buses begins with the letters “ZR”, and the number of private yellow minivan taxis begins with the letter “B”. Private mini-buses will get you to your destination faster than municipal ones, and their route network is more diverse. It is worth noting that the fare for a taxi is somewhat more expensive than for mini-buses, and it is necessary to agree with taxi drivers in advance about the currency (US dollar or Barbados dollar) in which the fare is set. There are a lot of bus routes on the island, so it is better to consult with several drivers, to find the best route for you. In practice, there is a real “fight” for passengers at bus stops, drivers actively agitate tourists to get on their bus.
You can rent a car if you have an international driver’s license. The company where you rented the car will give you a temporary license. Issuance of local temporary rights for up to 2 months will cost 10 Barbados dollars. Such rights can be issued at the police station. Scooter rentals are also common.
Plant and Animal World in in Barbados
Sugar cane is cultivated on 80% of the island’s territory, the rest of the land is pastures and mangrove swamps. In the northern part of the island, a small area of 18.6 hectares of tropical forest has been preserved. In resort areas, casuarina and coconut palms are found everywhere.
The most numerous animal species on the island is the once introduced mongoose. Green monkeys, bats, hares, lizards and frogs are also found here. About a hundred species of birds live on the island, 20 of which live permanently in Barbados, and the rest are migratory. The coastal beaches of Barbados were chosen by turtles: the coal turtle, the leatherback turtle and the hawksbill turtle. Every year many turtles come here to lay their eggs. In addition, the waters washing the island are teeming with a variety of marine life.
Minerals in Barbados
The island has reserves of limestone, sand, clay and minor deposits of oil and natural gas.
Banks in Barbados
Banks are open from Monday to Thursday from 8:00 to 15:00, on Fridays they are open from 9:00 to 17:00 with a lunch break from 13:00 to 15:00.
Money in Barbados
The official currency of the country is the Barbados dollar. 1 Barbadian dollar is equal to 100 cents. The local dollar is pegged to the US dollar, for 1 US dollar you get 1.98 Barbados dollars. In circulation there are banknotes in denominations of 100, 50, 20, 10, 5 and 2 dollars, as well as coins in denominations of 1 dollar and 25, 10, 5 and 1 cent.
Foreign currency can be exchanged at banks, exchange offices and hotels. You can pay with US dollars everywhere on the island. Most restaurants, hotels and shops in resort areas accept credit cards and traveler’s checks. Outside tourist centers, the use of credit cards and traveler’s checks is difficult. In order to avoid additional exchange fees, it is recommended to take traveler’s checks in US dollars or pounds sterling with you on your trip.
Well: 10 Barbadian Dollar (BBD) = 4.51 USD
Political State in in Barbados
According to politicsezine, Barbados is an independent state that is part of the Commonwealth of Nations. According to the constitution, the head of state is nominally the British monarch. He is represented on the island by the Governor-General. Executive power is exercised by the government headed by the prime minister. Members of the government are appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister. Legislative power is vested in the Parliament, which consists of the House of Assembly and the Senate. The Parliament of Barbados is the third oldest in the Commonwealth of Nations and has been functioning for over 350 years. The members of the House of Assembly are elected by popular vote, and the members of the Senate are appointed by the Governor General.
Administratively, the country is divided into 11 districts.
Population in Barbados
The majority of the population (about 85%) are Barbadians or, as they call themselves, “bajans”. “Bajans” are descendants of mixed marriages of Africans, Europeans and Indians. Of these, the most numerous are Afro-Beijans (black-skinned Barbadians). White-skinned Barbadians are referred to as Anglo-Bayjans. Also, immigrants from Asia Minor, Southeast Asian countries, the USA, Canada and Great Britain live on the island.
Language:
The official language of Barbados is English, however, in everyday life, Barbadians speak the local variant of English – “Beijang” (a mixture of English, Spanish and Creole words).
Cuisine in in Barbados
The cuisine of Barbados is the result of a mixture of African, Indian and British culinary traditions. It is characterized by an abundance of seafood and spices. Very often dishes are served with “pepper sauce”, which is a mixture of onion, parsley, marjoram, thyme, garlic, cloves, black and white pepper, mustard, lime juice, vinegar and salt. From seafood, be sure to try shark meat, king fish, flying fish, dorado, snapper, mackerel, tuna, barracuda, sea urchin, lobster, shrimp, and a variety of shellfish. Meat dishes are mainly prepared from pork, but poultry dishes are no less popular. Rice, vegetables and root vegetables (yams, eggplant, sweet potatoes, cassava) are usually served as a side dish. From vegetable dishes, one can distinguish porridge “ku-ku” from vegetable okra, “konkis” (a specially processed mixture of cereals, coconut, sweet potatoes, raisins, pumpkin, sugar and spices, served on a banana leaf) and “jag-jag” of grains and green peas. Desserts include a variety of fruit muffins and pies, rum-soaked puddings, sherbets, jellies, marmalade and fresh tropical fruits.
It is customary to finish the meal with strong tea. Of the local alcoholic drinks, rum stands out. Barbadian varieties of rum “Coxspars Five Star” and “Mount Gay” are known throughout the world. All kinds of alcoholic cocktails are prepared on the basis of rum. In addition, alcoholic products are represented by beer, the best brand of which is Banks.
