Caribbean

Infographic: What is Barbados Known For? The Island in Numbers

August 29, 2024Tom Spruce

It might be one of the leading luxury holiday destinations in the world, but what is Barbados known for when it’s not welcoming A-listers for a sneaky, sun-soaked escape?

There are sandy beaches, incredible cocktails and more than a couple of luxurious resorts. But what is Barbados known for?

We know facts about Barbados like: it’s home to awesome creatures like green monkeys and flying fish. But there’s more to the island, and its story, than beautiful wildlife and celeb stopovers.

That’s why we created a helpful infographic telling you more about what this great island has accomplished. To do so though, we focused on the numbers to tell you the whole story of Barbados from discovery to the birth of Ri-Ri. Let’s get into this!

Click here to see our Barbados collection

Table of Contents

What is Barbados Known For?

Barbados dates back to 350BC and the Venezuelan Amerindian settlers.

Portuguese discovered Barbados in 1536, naming it Los Barbados after the abundant Bearded Fig Trees. Then the British landed in 1625 and claimed the land in the name of King James I

Barbados has the 3rd oldest Westminster-style parliaments in the Western Hemisphere. And the island gained independence from the UK in 1966.

The approximate population of Barbados is 285,000

Barbados is home to more than 80 beaches on 70 miles of coastline.

There are only 2 seasons in Barbados - rainy season and dry season and the average daily temperature is 28°C

Barbados is 21 miles long and 14 miles wide. Making it the 201st largest country in the world and the 23rd smallest

32% of the land in Barbados is agricultural, while the other 2,000 hectares is rainforest

39% of visitors to Barbados return to the island. And the island sees roughly 3,000 hours of sunshine a year.

You can get a temporary Bajan driving licence for $10BDS

Mont Hillaby is the tallest peak on the island at 336m. And Barbados is home to flying fish which can glide at 43mph

Barbados is home to the oldest rum company in the world. Mount Gay Rum dates back to 1703. 1 million people visit Barbados every year

1989 was the year global pop superstar Rihanna was born on Barbados. She now has a street named after her

Vote for Blue Bay in the British Travel Awards 2024

Find Out Why 39% Of Visitors Return

One of the main reasons many people return to the island is the sheer volume of things to do in Barbados. The 23rd smallest country in the world sure packs a punch.

But with so much to do and so little time to explore during your stay, you need someone to narrow the choice for you. That’s where our guide to the best things to do in Barbados comes in.

We caught up with our island escape veteran Tom, to get his thoughts on what the must-do adventures are in Barbados. Click the button below to find out which 5 activities he picked.