The island was once Portuguese
The island in the easternmost Caribbean Sea has been inhabited by indigenous people since the 13th century. In the 15th century, Spanish navigators conquered the island claimed by the Crown of Castile.
The island was claimed by the Portuguese Empire between 1532 and 1536, and relinquished it in 1620.
In 1625, the first English ship reached the island. Barbados later became a British colony. Slaves trafficked from Africa worked on the island’s plantations for centuries. It was only in the nineteenth century that the slave population achieved complete emancipation.
Tourism in Barbados
Despite being located on the Atlantic Ocean, Barbados is considered a Caribbean destination.
The island combines British, Caribbean and African heritage, being a destination of stunning beaches and turquoise seas. See the list of beaches here Barbados activities.
It attracts divers, due to the transparent waters and marine life, and surf activities – kite surfing, windsurfing, windsurfing, windsurfing.
The eastern part of the island offers waves, while the western part has calm sea beaches, ideal for swimming.
It is well served by hotels and resorts to suit all budgets. The highlight is also the golf courses.
One of the advantages of Barbados is that it lies outside the main Atlantic hurricane belt, which hits many islands between July and November. However, this season is usually with the most rain, so the ideal period to visit would be from January to May, when you will always find sunshine.
Enjoy the beaches, take a boat trip, visit a rum distillery, go shopping in tax-free malls, and enjoy the nightlife at the bars Bridgetown And trying the delicious cuisines are unmissable propositions for anyone visiting this island.
Here you will find all the information On the guidelines adopted by Barbados regarding the entry of tourists during the pandemic. The island Considered One of the safest travel destinations in 2021.
The newest republic in the world
Barbados officially became a republic on Monday night, in a celebration in which Queen Elizabeth II is no longer Chief of state The island.
Barbados has been independent from the United Kingdom since 1966, and has celebrated the transition from monarchy to republican rule after nearly four centuries of submission to the British monarchy.
Famous for its paradise beaches, and for being the home of pop star Rihanna, the island will be head of state with another woman, Sandra Mason, now the country’s governor-general, following the October 21 election.
Mason was sworn in at midnight on Monday in Bridgetown, the nation’s capital, at a state ceremony in which the presidential flag was replaced with the royal standard.
Barbados is still a member of the Commonwealth of Nations.
British influence and racism
Problems of British influence and racism were major components of Barbados’ decision to move to a republic, where the legacy of centuries of slavery is still very present on the island.
For some activists, British colonialism and slavery are responsible for the inequality that exists today on the island.
Reliance on tourism
Some residents point to the island’s most pressing problems, including the economic crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has highlighted just how dependent the country is on tourism, particularly from the United Kingdom.
Before the virus appeared, more than a million people visited the island of 287,000 people annually.
Unemployment reached 16%, an increase of 9% over previous years, despite the increase in government loans to finance public sector works and create job opportunities.
* Text with AFP
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