Part 5 – BARBADOS – some cool facts!

And here we are again, a place I have very little chance of ever visiting, so let’s have a little delve into the internet and find some facts about this wonderful island!

And as ever, if you dear reader would like to add a great fact, please do comment 🙂

• Barbados is a small island surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean – so, plenty of beaches! Surfers paradise on the east side, toe dippers paradise on the west side.
• Who doesn’t love the voice of Rihanna! she was born in Barbados
• Barbados has the third oldest parliament in the world! parliament opened it’s doors in 1639!
• Want to know where the name Barbados comes from? Well, the name is derived from The Bearded Fig Tree! The bearded fig tree is native to the island, and was growing in abundance when the island was first discovered. The tree is even symbolised on the Barbadian flag!
• Barbados became independent from Britain on 30th November 1966. I bet the party in 2016 was one not to be missed!
• Windmills, they get everywhere! In 1846 there were 506 windmills!
• When mums want to comfort their crying babes, they dip the leaves of the Barbadian national flower, the Pride of Barbados, into breast milk and let the babies suck on it!
• “Pride and Industry” is the national motto
• Rum, sugar and molasses are just three exports from Barbados – sounds like a very happy and sweet place to be!
• Be happy if a mongoose crosses your path, it’s considered good luck! mongoose were first introduced to Barbados to help against rats.
• Who knew! grapefruit is a hybrid fruit, which was invented in Barbados!
• Barbadian children must attend school until they are at least 16, and the teachers are doing great work! There is a 99.7% literacy rate, ranking Barbados 3rd globally!
• Sir Garfield Sobers – for a nation that loves cricket – this gentleman was their hero! Also known as Gary Sobers, he played for the West Indies for 20 years, from 1954 to 1974!
• Barbados loves folk and pop music, with elements of western classical and religious music. There is also a great jazz and calypso scene. Spouge is an indigenous style of music dating back to the 1930s and is a mixture of calypso with other forms, most preferred – ska!

So there we are, just a small handful of interesting snippets! Remember, if you would like to add your snippets, please do comment 🙂 Below are links to the websites I’ve used.

So for now dear Barbados – Cheerio!

https://www.barbadospocketguide.com/our-island-barbados/plants/trees/bearded-fig-tree.html

39 Interesting Facts About Barbados

https://theculturetrip.com/caribbean/barbados/articles/the-most-beautiful-beaches-in-barbados/

https://www.ranker.com/list/famous-athletes-from-barbados/reference

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_of_Barbados