Welcome to the lovely Island of Barbados. Barbados is located south of the Caribbean and is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. The island is populated by approximately 260,000 warm and hospitable people, who call themselves Bajans. The capital is called Bridgetown and is located in the parish of St. Michael. The island is known to be the flattest island within the Caribbean region because while the other islands are mountainous, Barbados is said to have only one main hill located in the parish of St. John. Here are some of the island’s main attractions:

TOURISM- Barbados is high in tourism, with many beautiful hotels, villas, resorts and guesthouses on its white sand beaches. In the year 2000 this island nation played host to over one million tourists. Tourism was responsible for over 70% of all foreign exchange and contributed more than ten percent to their Gross Domestic Product of US $2.6 billion. It’s a lovely island to run away to with a loved one for a little romance and excitement.

FOOD- Barbados is known mainly for their National Dish “CooCoo & Flying Fish” it is said that Bajans are not big meat eaters but love chicken and fish dishes with fresh vegetables cooked down in a flavorsome gravy made with different spices and seasoning.

MUSIC- The popular native music is called “Spooge”. Though in recent years Bajans have taken on calypso, reggae and ragga-soca, which is a mixture of soca and reggae, as part of their listening and partying selection.

FESTIVAL- Crop Over, the largest festival in Barbados, begins in early July and climaxes with the Grand Kadooment costume band road march on the first Monday in August. This colorful national celebration is also one of the western world's oldest festivals, dating back to the 1800s when plantation workers heralded the end of the sugar crop with feasting and dancing in the plantation yards.

The Island of Barbados is sophisticated and well developed, with much beauty and vibrancy. You’ll be sure to enjoy the rich culture of the island along with the food, music and friendliness of the natives anytime of year. Remember, it’s no place to be caught without a camera, because you will definitely want look back at the splendor of the extraordinary scenery, said to be simply “Breath takin’”.

Melissa Hunte