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Caribbean · North America

Barbados

Barbados
Capital
Bridgetown
Population
281K
Area
430 km²
Language
English

Barbados is a country in Caribbean, North America. Its capital is Bridgetown, with a population of approximately 281K and a total area of 430 km². The official language is English and the currency is the Barbadian Dollar (BBD).

📊 Quick Facts about Barbados

👥
Population
281K
total residents
📐
Total Area
430 km²
land coverage
🏙️
Pop. Density
654/km²
people per km²
💰
GDP (nominal)
$5.6B
total output
💵
GDP per Capita
$19,929
per person
💱
Currency
Barbadian Dollar (BBD)
legal tender
🗣️
Language(s)
English
official
🌊
Coastline
97 km
total shore
🕐
Timezone
UTC-4
UTC offset
🎂
Independence
1966
established
🕐
Local Time in Bridgetown

Barbados covers an area of 430 km² with a population density of 654/km² people per km². The country has a GDP of $5.6B ($19,929 per capita) and gained independence in 1966. It has a coastline of 97 km.

Did You Know?

Barbados is the birthplace of rum, the world's oldest rum distillery, Mount Gay, has been operating since 1703. The island became a republic in 2021 and simultaneously named Rihanna a national hero.

See all 14+ facts about Barbados

✈️ Travel Information for Barbados

📅
Best Time to Visit
December–May
Tropical, dry season December–May
💸
Cost of Travel
Mid–Expensive
vs global average
🛂
Visa
Visa-free for most Western nationalities
entry requirements

⚠️ Visa requirements change frequently. Always verify with the official embassy or consulate before travel.

Full Barbados travel guide: visa, costs, plug, safety →

📍 Barbados on the Map

Street-level photo from Bridgetown
📍 Bridgetown · 1/2
via Mapillary

Google Street View not available here. Showing community photos via Mapillary (CC BY-SA).

🏆 Barbados World Rankings

1st
Rum
Birthplace of rum, oldest rum distillery in the world (1703)
1st
Cricket
Produced more Test cricket players per capita than any nation
1st
Literacy
One of the highest literacy rates in the Western Hemisphere
1st
Rihanna
Birthplace of Rihanna, made national hero in 2021

🏛 Must-See Places in Barbados

⚖️ Compare Barbados with another country

See how Barbados stacks up against its neighbours and peers. Each comparison shows population, area, GDP, language, currency and more, side by side.

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Barbados vs Cuba
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Barbados vs Jamaica
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Barbados vs Antigua and Barbuda
BarbadosvsBahamas
Barbados vs Bahamas
Or compare any two countries →

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Barbados

What is the capital of Barbados?

The capital of Barbados is Bridgetown.

What continent is Barbados in?

Barbados is located in North America, in the Caribbean region.

What currency does Barbados use?

Barbados uses the Barbadian Dollar (BBD). The international calling code is +1-246.

What is the GDP of Barbados?

Barbados has a GDP of $5.6B, with a GDP per capita of $19,929.

🌍 Explore More Countries in Caribbean

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Cuba
Havana
Jamaica
Jamaica
Kingston
Antigua and Barbuda
Antigua and Barbuda
Saint John's
Bahamas
Bahamas
Nassau

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