The name "Barbados" comes from a
Portuguese explorer named Pedro Campos in 1536, who originally called the
island Los Barbados ("The Bearded Ones"), after the appearance of the
island's fig trees, whose long hanging aerial roots resembled beards. Barbados is
the most eastern island in the Caribbean, and is a tiny dot on most world maps
with an area of 430 square kilometres (166 sq miles). Barbados has a population
of about 260,000 - which is quite high considering its size. With
97 kilometers (60 miles) of coastline, Barbados has much to offer its
visitors in terms of water sports and beach activities.
Barbados is a coral island, pushed out of
sea by volcanic activity in a far away time. On the West Coast of Barbados,
coral shore beaches of fine white sand stretch along a blue-green sea. Coral reefs fringe the Barbados shoreline to
provide excellent snorkeling and Scuba Diving. Along the East Coast, a lively surf is blown
briskly by the strong and constant trade winds and the waves pound against a
rocky shore. The constant breeze of the trade winds gives Barbados a mild and
pleasant tropical climate.
When you visit Barbados, you will see it is mostly a flat coral island with
excellent beaches, but there are
rolling hills and many deep ridges and gullies, with an interesting
distribution of flora and fauna. Within the Barbados coral core there is a vast
array of caves and underground lakes, which provide an excellent supply of
drinking water that is amongst the purest in the world. Geologically Barbados
is unique, being actually two landmasses that merged together over the years.
This and other anomalies make this Caribbean Island quite phenomenal, and there
are geological structures that you will find only in Barbados.
Barbados is a very beautiful island, with lots
of a art, activities, night life, music, history and some of the best
restaurants to be found anywhere. But what makes Barbados even more special,
and the reason why so many visitors keep returning to the island year after
year, is the people. Barbadians, called Bajans, are warm and friendly souls,
always ready to greet you with a sincere smile. Barbadians make you feel welcome and special, in this
lovely Caribbean Island. You will feel its your home and will want to come back
again and again to Barbados: A unique Caribbean paradise, surprisingly
sophisticated, friendly, fun and always Naturally Charming!
