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Barbados

Origin

Likelihood is that Portuguese explorers came to Barbados back in the 16th Century, yet the very first settlements didn’t occur until 1627. British settlers came after that and the island became a possession of the British Crown in 1663. War between the French and the British in the wake of the U.S. independence made a dent in the island’s prosperity. Slavery on the island was abolished in 1834, and this meant to be a dramatic increase in agricultural throughput.Countless riots, bloodshed and looting of properties came to happen in 1876 when the British government proposed the creation of a confederation including Barbados and the Windward Islands, some 160km apart westward.During the ongoing decades, both black and mongrel populations were slowly increasing until they garnered political power after their numbers went way over the amount of white owners.In 1937, economic hardships caused uneasiness and a British Royal Commission was hurriedly dispatched to Barbados. This situation led to gradual reforms that eventually set up general election balloting in 1950. Barbados joined the West Indies Federation (1958-1962) that also included Trinidad & Tobago.Barbados won full independence in 1961 and joined the Commonwealth on November 30, 1966.


Constitution

The current constitution is in place since after November 30. Executive power: British monarch (Chief of State represented by the governor-general), prime minister (Chief of government appointed by the governor-general)Legislative power: a 21-seat senate appointed by the governor-general) and the 28-member assembly elected by popular vote for five-year terms.Judicial power: Supreme Court, Higher Court and Court of Appeals.There are misdemeanor courts.Major parties: Barbados Labor Party, Democratic Labor Party, National Democratic Party, Workers' Party of Barbados, and others.


Government

The way of government is monarchy (British Crown), member of the Commonwealth.Rulers: Chief of State (Queen Elizabeth II represented by a governor -Nita Barrow- since May 1990)Chief of Government: Owen Arthur (replaced Erskine Sandiford since September 1994).Barbados’ traditional two-way partisanship with the Democratic Labor Party (DLP) holding a majority of seats and a smaller representation held by the Labor Party (BLP), added a third party after the DLP splitted. Thus, the Democratic National Party (DNP), founded by former Finance Minister Richie Haynes, was born in 1989.Given this new political scenario and the hardship the island nation was going through due to a recession in tourism –basis for the entire income-earning system- elections were held in January 1991.The DLP won absolute majority while the fledgling DNP came out empty-handed as far as the number of representatives was concerned. Stanford was re-elected. Erskine Stanford, who’d been Barbados’ Prime Minister since 1987, lost his bid for re-election on September 6, 1994. BLP’s Owen Arthur became the island nation’s new Prime Minister.According to the 1966 Constitution, legislative power is bestowed upon a higher chamber (Senate) and a lower chamber (House)A governor-general who presides over a closed-door council represents the British Queen, nominally entitled as Chief of State. This council, guidelines read, is formed after rounds of consultations with the Prime Minister. A cabinet made up by the Prime Minister and his ministers-in-charge, is led and overseen by the governor-general.


General History

Barbados, the small England of the Caribbean, is an island full of natural beauties and it has an autochthonous culture, where music and dance represent the African heritage. Carnivals and Festivals are celebrated during the years and lovers of calypso, reggae and jazz make competitions to gain an award for their interpretations. This island is divided in two sides, the eastern coast with its excellent white sandy beaches and the so called Silver Coast to the western side, with silvered beaches having blue waters where tourists may practice aquatic sports while tasting the Barbadian cuisine in fine restaurants. There are eleven parishes in the island: Christ Church, St Andrew, St George, St James, St John, St Joseph, St Lucy, St Michael, St Peter, St Phillip, St Thomas and Bridgetown, this last one being the capital, presenting a mixture of modern and colonial architecture, stores, restaurants and many places of interest and activities either by cruisers or helicopters. If you are thinking about spending nice nights, you can visit discotheques and bars such as Nico's Champagne & Wine Bar or the Boatyard at Night. The island has seven wonders: among them, the Baobats tree, the Drax Hall, one of the oldest sugar cane plantations and the Harrison Cave, an impressive submarine gallery of stalactites and stalagmites. Regarding sports, visitors may practice golf, polo, watch horses races and cricket, its national sport. The natives, called bajans among themselves, like spicy food and a lot of spices on it, mainly with the fish. The typical dish of the region is the Flying Fish, and the rice with coconut and beans, the chicken, the potatoes salad with mayonnaise and mustard. Come to visit Barbados, this would be a new and unique experience!