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{{Short description|none}} <!-- This short description is INTENTIONALLY "none" - please see WP:SDNONE before you consider changing it! -->
{{Short description|Geography of Barbados}}
{{Infobox islands
{{Infobox islands
| name = Barbados
| name = Barbados
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| native_name_link =
| native_name_link =
| nickname = ''Bimshire or<br />Little England''
| nickname = ''Bimshire or<br />Little England''
| location = [[Caribbean Sea]]
| location = [[Atlantic Ocean]]
| pushpin_map = Barbados#Lesser Antilles#Caribbean
| pushpin_map = Barbados#Lesser Antilles#Caribbean
| pushpin_label =
| pushpin_label =
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| total_islands =
| total_islands =
| major_islands =
| major_islands =
| area_km2 = 430
| area_km2 = 439
| length_km = 34
| length_km = 34
| width_km = 24
| width_km = 24
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[[File:VenezuelaJS.png|thumb|The coast of Venezuela, South America and Barbados|240px|right]]
[[File:VenezuelaJS.png|thumb|The coast of Venezuela, South America and Barbados|240px|right]]


Barbados' total land area is {{convert|430|km²|sqmi|1|abbr=on}}, and it has a coastline of {{convert|97|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} length.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.un.org/esa/dsd/dsd_aofw_sids/sids_membcarr.shtml|title=DSD :: Areas of Work :: SIDS - SIDS Members - the Caribbean}}</ref> Sometimes compared to a [[pear]]<ref>{{cite book |last1=Pariser |first1=Harry S. |title=Explore Barbados |url=http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Explore-Barbados/Harry-S-Pariser/e/9781893643512 |access-date=2009-12-29 |volume=3 |date=October 2000 |publisher=Manatee Press |isbn=1-893643-51-4 |quote=Forewords & Introductions: "Just 21 mi. long by a "smile" wide, Barbados is an island of dramatic contrasts and offers many picture-postcard terrains. The island's shape has been compared to that of a ham, a leg of mutton, a pear-shaped emerald, or a lopsided pear with the stem end pointing north. }}</ref> or leg of [[mutton]] for its physical shape. Along the north–south axis Barbados has a maximum length of {{convert|34|km}}, and east–west maximum breadth of {{convert|23|km}}.
Barbados' total land area is {{convert|439|km2|sqmi|1|abbr=on}},<ref>{{Cite news |date=2012-08-02 |title=Barbados country profile |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-18723928 |access-date=2023-10-02}}</ref> and it has a coastline of {{convert|97|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} length.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.un.org/esa/dsd/dsd_aofw_sids/sids_membcarr.shtml|title=DSD :: Areas of Work :: SIDS - SIDS Members - the Caribbean}}</ref> The island is sometimes compared to a [[pear]]<ref>{{cite book |last1=Pariser |first1=Harry S. |title=Explore Barbados |url=http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Explore-Barbados/Harry-S-Pariser/e/9781893643512 |access-date=2009-12-29 |volume=3 |date=October 2000 |publisher=Manatee Press |isbn=1-893643-51-4 |quote=Forewords & Introductions: "Just 21 mi. long by a "smile" wide, Barbados is an island of dramatic contrasts and offers many picture-postcard terrains. The island's shape has been compared to that of a ham, a leg of mutton, a pear-shaped emerald, or a lopsided pear with the stem end pointing north.}}</ref> or leg of [[mutton]] for its physical shape. Barbados has a maximum north–south length of {{convert|34|km}} and a maximum east–west breadth of {{convert|23|km}}.


==Physical characteristics==
==Physical characteristics==
The physical characteristics of Barbados are its lowlands or gently sloping, terraced plains, separated by rolling hills that generally parallel the coasts.<ref name=":0">{{Cite encyclopedia|title=Islands of the Commonwealth Caribbean: a regional study|publisher=[[Federal Research Division]], [[Library of Congress]]|location=Washington, D.C.|url=https://www.loc.gov/item/88600483/|last1=Meyerson|first1=Beatrice Berle|date=1987|editor1-last=Meditz|editor1-first=Sandra W.|pages=390–391|language=English|oclc=49361510|postscript=. {{PD-notice}}|last2=Hornbeck|first2=John F.|last3=Haggerty|first3=Richard A.|entry=Barbados: Geography|editor2-first=Dennis M.|editor2-last=Hanratty}}</ref> Elevations in the interior range from 180 to 240 meters above sea level. [[Mount Hillaby]] is the highest point at 340 meters above sea level.<ref name=":0" /> Farther south, at [[Christ Church Ridge]], elevations range from sixty to ninety meters.<ref name=":0" /> Eighty-five percent of the island's surface consists of coralline limestone twenty-four to thirty meters thick; [[Scotland District]] contains outcroppings of oceanic formations at the surface, however.<ref name=":0" /> Sugarcane is planted on almost 80 percent of the island's limestone surface.<ref name=":0" /> The soils vary in fertility; erosion is a problem, with crop loss resulting from landslides, washouts, and falling rocks.<ref name=":0" /> Most of the small streams are in Scotland District.<ref name=":0" /> The rest of the island has few surface streams; nevertheless, rainwater saturates the soil to produce underground channels such as the famous [[Coles Cave]].<ref name=":0" /> Also notable in the island is the rocky cape known as [[Pico Teneriffe (Barbados)|Pico Teneriffe]]<ref>[http://www.barbadospocketguide.com/barbados-attractions/beaches-and-bays/north-coast-beaches/pico-teneriffe.html Pico Teneriffe]</ref> or Pico de Tenerife, which is named after the fact that the island of [[Tenerife]] in [[Spain]] is the first land east of Barbados according to the belief of the locals.
The physical characteristics of Barbados are its lowlands or gently sloping, terraced plains, separated by rolling hills that generally parallel the coasts.<ref name=":0">{{Cite encyclopedia|title=Islands of the Commonwealth Caribbean: a regional study|publisher=[[Federal Research Division]], [[Library of Congress]]|location=Washington, D.C.|url=https://www.loc.gov/item/88600483/|last1=Meyerson|first1=Beatrice Berle|date=1987|editor1-last=Meditz|editor1-first=Sandra W.|pages=390–391|language=English|lccn=88600483|last2=Hornbeck|first2=John F.|last3=Haggerty|first3=Richard A.|entry=Barbados: Geography|editor2-first=Dennis M.|editor2-last=Hanratty}}</ref> Elevations in the interior range from 180 to 240 meters above sea level. [[Mount Hillaby]] is the highest point at 340 meters above sea level.<ref name=":0" /> Farther south, at [[Christ Church Ridge]], elevations range from sixty to ninety meters.<ref name=":0" /> Eighty-five percent of the island's surface consists of coralline limestone twenty-four to thirty meters thick; [[Scotland District]] contains outcroppings of oceanic formations at the surface, however.<ref name=":0" /> Sugarcane is planted on almost 80 percent of the island's limestone surface.<ref name=":0" /> The soils vary in fertility; erosion is a problem, with crop loss resulting from landslides, washouts, and falling rocks.<ref name=":0" /> Most of the small streams are in Scotland District.<ref name=":0" /> The rest of the island has few surface streams; nevertheless, rainwater saturates the soil to produce underground channels such as the famous [[Coles Cave]].<ref name=":0" /> Also notable in the island is the rocky cape known as [[Pico Teneriffe (Barbados)|Pico Teneriffe]]<ref>[http://www.barbadospocketguide.com/barbados-attractions/beaches-and-bays/north-coast-beaches/pico-teneriffe.html Pico Teneriffe]</ref> or Pico de Tenerife, which is named after the fact that the island of [[Tenerife]] in [[Spain]] is the first land east of Barbados according to the belief of the locals.


== Populated places ==
== Populated places ==
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In 2009<ref>{{cite news|title=An island north of the harbour |first=Peter |last=Thorne |url=http://www.cbc.bb/index.pl/article?id=3392924 |agency=[[Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation|Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation (CBC)]] |date=25 February 2009 |access-date=10 March 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303192629/http://www.cbc.bb/index.pl/article?id=3392924 |archive-date=March 3, 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and 2010, members of the upscale real estate industry in Barbados proposed the creation of [[artificial island]]s to be placed off the west coast. According to Paul Altman of Altman Realty the envisioned plan, would consist of two islands, one measuring {{convert|250|acre|km2}} in size, and would house new tourism based developments and upscale boutique shops; while the second island would be {{convert|50|acre|m2}} in size, and would serve as an open national park. Both proposed islands would be a short distance from the [[Deep Water Harbour]] in Bridgetown.<ref>{{cite news|title=Artificial islands a viable option? |first=Janelle |last=Riley-Thornhill |url=http://www.barbadosadvocate.com/newsitem.asp?more=columnists&NewsID=9376 |newspaper=[[Barbados Advocate]] |date=10 March 2010 |access-date=10 March 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120226124807/http://www.barbadosadvocate.com/newsitem.asp?more=columnists&NewsID=9376 |archive-date=February 26, 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=2 man-made islands to add value to tourism product |first=G. |last=E. |url=http://www.nationnews.com/story/LEAD-Paul-Altman-on-islands-copy-for-web |newspaper=[[The Daily Nation (Barbados)|Nation Newspaper]] |date=2 March 2010 |access-date=10 March 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100308225331/http://www.nationnews.com/story/LEAD-Paul-Altman-on-islands-copy-for-web |archive-date=March 8, 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
In 2009<ref>{{cite news|title=An island north of the harbour |first=Peter |last=Thorne |url=http://www.cbc.bb/index.pl/article?id=3392924 |agency=[[Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation|Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation (CBC)]] |date=25 February 2009 |access-date=10 March 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303192629/http://www.cbc.bb/index.pl/article?id=3392924 |archive-date=March 3, 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and 2010, members of the upscale real estate industry in Barbados proposed the creation of [[artificial island]]s to be placed off the west coast. According to Paul Altman of Altman Realty the envisioned plan, would consist of two islands, one measuring {{convert|250|acre|km2}} in size, and would house new tourism based developments and upscale boutique shops; while the second island would be {{convert|50|acre|m2}} in size, and would serve as an open national park. Both proposed islands would be a short distance from the [[Deep Water Harbour]] in Bridgetown.<ref>{{cite news|title=Artificial islands a viable option? |first=Janelle |last=Riley-Thornhill |url=http://www.barbadosadvocate.com/newsitem.asp?more=columnists&NewsID=9376 |newspaper=[[Barbados Advocate]] |date=10 March 2010 |access-date=10 March 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120226124807/http://www.barbadosadvocate.com/newsitem.asp?more=columnists&NewsID=9376 |archive-date=February 26, 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=2 man-made islands to add value to tourism product |first=G. |last=E. |url=http://www.nationnews.com/story/LEAD-Paul-Altman-on-islands-copy-for-web |newspaper=[[The Daily Nation (Barbados)|Nation Newspaper]] |date=2 March 2010 |access-date=10 March 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100308225331/http://www.nationnews.com/story/LEAD-Paul-Altman-on-islands-copy-for-web |archive-date=March 8, 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref>


The south-eastern part of the island has undergone small scale oil and gas capturing from possibly as early as 1919 when the [[British Union Oil Company]] acquired over 75% of the drilling rights in Barbados.<ref>[http://hansard.millbanksystems.com/lords/1951/apr/18/british-commercial-interests-in-barbados BRITISH COMMERCIAL INTERESTS IN BARBADOS], HL Deb 18 April 1951 vol 171 cc376-404</ref> Similar to Trinidad and Tobago to the southwest, the territorial Atlantic Ocean surrounding Barbados has been found to contain [[fossil fuels]], however ongoing research is being conducted to give estimates of actual quantities.<ref>{{cite news|title=Business Monday: Boyce speaks on Barbados' search for oil |first=J. |last=B. |url=http://www.barbadosadvocate.com/newsitem.asp?more=business&NewsID=11778 |newspaper=[[Barbados Advocate]] |date=2 August 2010 |access-date=2 August 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120311120615/http://www.barbadosadvocate.com/newsitem.asp?more=business&NewsID=11778 |archive-date=March 11, 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.energy.gov.bb/2010/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_download&gid=9&Itemid= |title=2D Long Offset Seismic |access-date=2010-12-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706132003/http://www.energy.gov.bb/2010/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_download&gid=9&Itemid= |archive-date=2011-07-06 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
The south-eastern part of the island has undergone small scale oil and gas capturing from possibly as early as 1919 when the [[British Union Oil Company]] acquired over 75% of the drilling rights in Barbados.<ref>[https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/lords/1951/apr/18/british-commercial-interests-in-barbados BRITISH COMMERCIAL INTERESTS IN BARBADOS], HL Deb 18 April 1951 vol 171 cc376-404</ref> Similar to Trinidad and Tobago to the southwest, the territorial Atlantic Ocean surrounding Barbados has been found to contain [[fossil fuels]], however ongoing research is being conducted to give estimates of actual quantities.<ref>{{cite news|title=Business Monday: Boyce speaks on Barbados' search for oil |first=J. |last=B. |url=http://www.barbadosadvocate.com/newsitem.asp?more=business&NewsID=11778 |newspaper=[[Barbados Advocate]] |date=2 August 2010 |access-date=2 August 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120311120615/http://www.barbadosadvocate.com/newsitem.asp?more=business&NewsID=11778 |archive-date=March 11, 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.energy.gov.bb/2010/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_download&gid=9&Itemid= |title=2D Long Offset Seismic |access-date=2010-12-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706132003/http://www.energy.gov.bb/2010/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_download&gid=9&Itemid= |archive-date=2011-07-06 |url-status=dead }}</ref>


==Time zone==
==Time zone==
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[[File:Barbados2021OSM.png|thumb|300px|Barbados's cities, towns, villages and road network]]
[[File:Barbados2021OSM.png|thumb|300px|Barbados's cities, towns, villages and road network]]


: [[Barbados]] is Caribbean: an island between the [[Caribbean Sea]] and the North [[Atlantic Ocean]], northeast of [[Venezuela]]
: [[Barbados]] is located {{convert|100|mi|km}} east of the [[Caribbean Sea]] and the [[Windward Islands]] in the North [[Atlantic Ocean]], most directly east of [[Saint Vincent and the Grenadines]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Windward-Islands|title=Windward Islands {{!}} islands, West Indies|website=Encyclopedia Britannica|language=en|access-date=December 29, 2022}}</ref>


; Map references:
; Map references:
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=== Natural hazards ===
=== Natural hazards ===
: Infrequent hurricanes; periodic landslides; periodic flooding, from storm surge and intense rainfall events; and occasional droughts
: Infrequent hurricanes; periodic landslides; periodic flooding, from storm surge and intense rainfall events; and occasional droughts, causing fires.


===Environment - current issues===
===Environment - current issues===
: Pollution of coastal waters from waste disposal by ships; soil erosion; illegal solid waste disposal threatens contamination of aquifers
: Pollution of coastal waters from waste disposal by ships; soil erosion; illegal solid waste disposal threatens contamination of aquifers
; Environment - international agreements:
; Environment - international agreements:
:* Party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
:* Party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, [[Desertification]], Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
:* Signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
:* Signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
; Geography - note:
; Geography - note:
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== Climate ==
== Climate ==
[[File:Water_Stress,_Top_Countries_(2020).svg|thumb|Barbados is the twentieth most water stressed country in the world.]]
Barbados lies within the tropics.<ref name=":0" /> Its generally pleasant maritime climate is influenced by northeast trade winds, which moderate the tropical temperature.<ref name=":0" /> Cool, northeasterly trade winds are prevalent during the December to June dry season.<ref name=":0" /> The overall annual temperature ranges from {{convert|24|to|28|°C|°F|1}}; slightly lower temperatures prevail at higher elevations.<ref name=":0" /> Humidity levels are between 71 percent and 76 percent year round. Rainfall occurs primarily between July and December and varies considerably with elevation.<ref name=":0" /> Rainfall may average {{convert|1875|mm|in|1|sp=us}} per year in the higher central area as compared with {{convert|1275|mm|in|1|sp=us}} in the coastal zone.<ref name=":0" />
Barbados lies within the tropics.<ref name=":0" /> Its generally pleasant maritime climate is influenced by northeast trade winds, which moderate the tropical temperature.<ref name=":0" /> Cool, northeasterly trade winds are prevalent during the December to June dry season.<ref name=":0" /> The overall annual temperature ranges from {{convert|24|to|28|°C|°F|1}}; slightly lower temperatures prevail at higher elevations.<ref name=":0" /> Humidity levels are between 71 percent and 76 percent year round. Rainfall occurs primarily between July and December and varies considerably with elevation.<ref name=":0" /> Rainfall may average {{convert|1875|mm|in|1|sp=us}} per year in the higher central area as compared with {{convert|1275|mm|in|1|sp=us}} in the coastal zone.<ref name=":0" />

{{Weather box
|width = auto
|location = Bridgetown ([[Grantley Adams International Airport]]) 1991–2020, extremes 1944–present
|metric first = yes
|single line = yes
|Jan record high C = 32.0
|Feb record high C = 31.2
|Mar record high C = 31.9
|Apr record high C = 32.6
|May record high C = 33.1
|Jun record high C = 32.7
|Jul record high C = 32.4
|Aug record high C = 35.0
|Sep record high C = 33.3
|Oct record high C = 33.3
|Nov record high C = 33.3
|Dec record high C = 31.3
|year record high C = 35.0
|Jan high C = 29.1
|Feb high C = 29.2
|Mar high C = 29.7
|Apr high C = 30.2
|May high C = 30.6
|Jun high C = 30.7
|Jul high C = 30.7
|Aug high C = 30.9
|Sep high C = 31.0
|Oct high C = 30.8
|Nov high C = 30.3
|Dec high C = 29.6
|Jan mean C = 26.0
|Feb mean C = 25.9
|Mar mean C = 26.3
|Apr mean C = 27.0
|May mean C = 27.7
|Jun mean C = 27.8
|Jul mean C = 27.8
|Aug mean C = 27.9
|Sep mean C = 27.9
|Oct mean C = 27.7
|Nov mean C = 27.2
|Dec mean C = 26.6
|Jan low C = 23.3
|Feb low C = 23.0
|Mar low C = 23.4
|Apr low C = 24.2
|May low C = 25.0
|Jun low C = 25.2
|Jul low C = 25.1
|Aug low C = 24.8
|Sep low C = 24.8
|Oct low C = 24.7
|Nov low C = 24.5
|Dec low C = 23.9
|Jan record low C = 16.0
|Feb record low C = 16.0
|Mar record low C = 16.0
|Apr record low C = 19.0
|May record low C = 19.4
|Jun record low C = 20.0
|Jul record low C = 19.3
|Aug record low C = 19.1
|Sep record low C = 20.6
|Oct record low C = 20.6
|Nov record low C = 18.0
|Dec record low C = 17.4
|year record low C = 16.0
|rain colour = green
|Jan rain mm = 68.1
|Feb rain mm = 41.7
|Mar rain mm = 38.9
|Apr rain mm = 58.1
|May rain mm = 74.1
|Jun rain mm = 101.2
|Jul rain mm = 121.5
|Aug rain mm = 150.6
|Sep rain mm = 162.6
|Oct rain mm = 179.6
|Nov rain mm = 172.6
|Dec rain mm = 91.0
|year rain mm =
|Jan rain days = 11
|Feb rain days = 9
|Mar rain days = 8
|Apr rain days = 8
|May rain days = 8
|Jun rain days = 11
|Jul rain days = 15
|Aug rain days = 16
|Sep rain days = 13
|Oct rain days = 15
|Nov rain days = 14
|Dec rain days = 11
|year rain days =
|Jan humidity = 77
|Feb humidity = 76
|Mar humidity = 75
|Apr humidity = 76
|May humidity = 77
|Jun humidity = 79
|Jul humidity = 80
|Aug humidity = 81
|Sep humidity = 81
|Oct humidity = 82
|Nov humidity = 82
|Dec humidity = 78
|year humidity =
|Jan sun = 263.5
|Feb sun = 248.6
|Mar sun = 272.8
|Apr sun = 261.0
|May sun = 263.5
|Jun sun = 225.0
|Jul sun = 251.1
|Aug sun = 260.4
|Sep sun = 234.0
|Oct sun = 238.7
|Nov sun = 228.0
|Dec sun = 254.2
|year sun =
|Jand sun = 8.5
|Febd sun = 8.8
|Mard sun = 8.8
|Aprd sun = 8.7
|Mayd sun = 8.5
|Jund sun = 7.5
|Juld sun = 8.1
|Augd sun = 8.4
|Sepd sun = 7.8
|Octd sun = 7.7
|Novd sun = 7.6
|Decd sun = 8.2
|yeard sun =
|source 1 = Barbados Meteorological Services<ref name=BMS>{{cite web
| url = http://www.barbadosweather.org/barbados-weather-climate-data.php
| title = Barbados Weather Climate Data
| publisher = Barbados Meteorological Services
| access-date = 6 January 2022
| archive-date = 26 December 2012
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121226031058/http://www.barbadosweather.org/barbados-weather-climate-data.php
| url-status = dead
}}</ref>
|source 2 = Meteo Climat (record highs and lows)<ref name = meteoclimat>
{{cite web
| url = http://meteo-climat-bzh.dyndns.org/index.php?page=stati&id=1505
| title = Station Grantley
| publisher = Meteo Climat
| language = fr
| access-date = 6 November 2016}}</ref>
|date=August 2010
}}


==Disputes==
==Disputes==
[[Guyana]]'s and Barbados's offshore territorial claims overlap, and are also disputed with Venezuela,<ref>[https://notesfromthemargin.wordpress.com/2007/07/27/how-trinidad-recognised-venezuelas-claim-to-most-of-guyanas-land/ How Trinidad Recognised Venezuela’s Claim to Most Of Guyana’s Land] 18 June 2007, Notes From The Margin</ref> which itself claims ownership of the waters overlapping the first two.<ref>[https://notesfromthemargin.wordpress.com/2008/06/16/marginal-picks-up-his-pen-venezuelas-claim-of-barbados-waters/ Marginal Picks Up His Pen – Venezuelas Claim of Barbados’ Waters] 16 June 2008, Notes From The Margin</ref> In 2008 Barbados sought to place the oil blocks on open market for oil exploration tender but faced a challenge by Venezuela's government in [[Caracas]].<ref>[http://www.eluniversal.com/2008/07/28/en_eco_art_ngo-reports-barbados_28A1843999.shtml NGO reports Barbados is bidding oil blocks in Venezuelan waters] 28 July 2008, El Universal</ref>
[[Guyana]]'s and Barbados's offshore territorial claims overlap, and are also disputed with Venezuela,<ref>[https://notesfromthemargin.wordpress.com/2007/07/27/how-trinidad-recognised-venezuelas-claim-to-most-of-guyanas-land/ How Trinidad Recognised Venezuela’s Claim to Most Of Guyana’s Land] 18 June 2007, Notes From The Margin</ref> which itself claims ownership of the waters overlapping the first two.<ref>[https://notesfromthemargin.wordpress.com/2008/06/16/marginal-picks-up-his-pen-venezuelas-claim-of-barbados-waters/ Marginal Picks Up His Pen – Venezuelas Claim of Barbados’ Waters] 16 June 2008, Notes From The Margin</ref> In 2008 Barbados sought to place the oil blocks on open market for oil exploration tender but faced a challenge by Venezuela's government in [[Caracas]].<ref>[http://www.eluniversal.com/2008/07/28/en_eco_art_ngo-reports-barbados_28A1843999.shtml NGO reports Barbados is bidding oil blocks in Venezuelan waters] 28 July 2008, El Universal</ref>


In 2006 a local Barbadian group purporting to represent descendants of indigenous Caribbean peoples announced its claim to [[Culpepper Island]], a small rocky outcrop on the eastern shore of Barbados.<ref>[http://www.pantribalconfederacy.com/confederacy/reclamation/ "The Reclamation of Culpepper Island by the Lokono-Arawak and Karifuna-Carib Nations"]</ref>
In 2006 a local Barbadian group purporting to represent descendants of indigenous Caribbean peoples announced its claim to [[Culpepper Island]], a small rocky outcrop on the eastern shore of Barbados.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.pantribalconfederacy.com/confederacy/reclamation/ |title="The Reclamation of Culpepper Island by the Lokono-Arawak and Karifuna-Carib Nations" |access-date=2011-05-27 |archive-date=2008-05-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080509061842/http://www.pantribalconfederacy.com/confederacy/reclamation/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Oceanography==
Due to the location of Barbados far east of Windward Islands chain it possesses an expansive [[Exclusive Economic Zone]] of about {{convert|185,000|km2|mi2|abbr=on}}<ref>(PDF) {{cite web |url=https://www.unfccc.int/sites/default/files/NDC/2022-06/2021%20Barbados%20NDC%20update%20-%2021%20July%202021.pdf |url-access= |title=Barbados 2021 Update of the First Nationally Determined Contribution |author=Staff writer |department= |website=www.unfccc.int |agency=United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) |page=5 |arxiv= |asin= |bibcode= |doi= |doi-broken-date= |isbn= |issn= |jfm= |jstor= |lccn= |mr= |oclc= |ol= |osti= |pmc= |pmid= |rfc= |ssrn= |zbl= |id= |access-date=20 January 2023 |quote=The Barbados landmass has an area of 432 square kilometers, with 92 kilometers of coastline. The Barbados’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) is some 430 times larger, at 185,000 square kilometers, and represents a significant potential resource.}}</ref> extending predominantly to the east.


== Notes ==
== Notes ==
Line 162: Line 318:
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20091113144521/http://www.barbados.gov.bb/geography.htm Geography & Climate of Barbados] - Barbados Government
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20091113144521/http://www.barbados.gov.bb/geography.htm Geography & Climate of Barbados] - Barbados Government
*[http://www.bgs.ac.uk/downloads/start.cfm?id=154 Earthwise Issue 14, Landslides and tourist development - The slow slide of eastern Barbados into the sea], British Geological Survey
*[http://www.bgs.ac.uk/downloads/start.cfm?id=154 Earthwise Issue 14, Landslides and tourist development - The slow slide of eastern Barbados into the sea], British Geological Survey
* [http://digitool.library.mcgill.ca/webclient/StreamGate?folder_id=0&dvs=1544341546799~696 Plantation and Peasant Farm A Vertical Theme in the Historical Geography of Barbados 1627 - 1960] by Frank Cecil Innes, M.A., B.Sc, September, 1967, Doctor of Philosophy, Dept. of Geography, McGil1 Univ.
* [http://digitool.library.mcgill.ca/webclient/StreamGate?folder_id=0&dvs=1544341546799~696 Plantation and Peasant Farm A Vertical Theme in the Historical Geography of Barbados 1627 - 1960] by Frank Cecil Innes, M.A., B.Sc., September, 1967, Doctor of Philosophy, Dept. of Geography, McGil1 Univ.


==See also==
==See also==
Line 168: Line 324:


== External links ==
== External links ==
* [http://www.caribbean-on-line.com/islands/br/brm.shtml Caribbean-On-Line.com] provides detailed maps of Barbados.
* [http://www.statoids.com/ubb.html Districts of Barbados], Statoids.com
* [http://www.statoids.com/ubb.html Districts of Barbados], Statoids.com
* [http://earth-info.nga.mil/ GEOnet Names Server]
* [http://earth-info.nga.mil/ GEOnet Names Server]
* [http://www.bajannav.com/ BajanNAV] - Free satellite navigation software for Barbados
* [https://www.totallybarbados.com/articles/about-barbados/geography/ Barbados Geography] geographic profile of Barbados.
* [https://www.totallybarbados.com/articles/about-barbados/geography/ Barbados Geography] geographic profile of Barbados.
* [http://www.encyclopedia.com/places/latin-america-and-caribbean/caribbean-political-geography/barbados Encyclopedia.com] Worldmark Encyclopedia of Nations.
* [http://www.encyclopedia.com/places/latin-america-and-caribbean/caribbean-political-geography/barbados Encyclopedia.com] Worldmark Encyclopedia of Nations.

Latest revision as of 06:44, 8 June 2024

Barbados
Nickname: Bimshire or
Little England
Map of Barbados
Barbados is located in Barbados
Barbados
Barbados
Barbados is located in Lesser Antilles
Barbados
Barbados
Barbados is located in Caribbean
Barbados
Barbados
Geography
LocationAtlantic Ocean
Coordinates13°10′N 59°33′W / 13.167°N 59.550°W / 13.167; -59.550
Area439 km2 (169 sq mi)
Length34 km (21.1 mi)
Width24 km (14.9 mi)
Coastline97 km (60.3 mi)
Highest elevation336 m (1102 ft)
Highest pointMount Hillaby
Administration
Largest settlementBridgetown (pop. 96,578)
Demographics
Population279,000 (2006)
Pop. density648.84/km2 (1680.49/sq mi)
Ethnic groups90% Afro-Caribbean,
4% European,
6% Asian and Multiracial

Barbados is a continental island in the North Atlantic Ocean and is located at 13°10' north of the equator, and 59°32' west of the Prime Meridian. As the easternmost isle of the Lesser Antilles in the West Indies, Barbados lies 160 kilometres (100 mi) east of the Windward Islands and Caribbean Sea.[1] The maritime claim for Barbados is a territorial sea of 12 nmi (22.2 km; 13.8 mi), with an exclusive economic zone of 200 nmi (370.4 km; 230.2 mi) which gives Barbados a total maritime area of 186,898 km2 (72,162 sq mi).[2] Of the total EEZ area, 70,000 km2 is set aside for offshore oil exploration.[3] A pending application to UNCLOS has placed for consideration a continental shelf 200 nmi (370.4 km; 230.2 mi) to the east and south (or to the edge of the continental margin). To the west, most of Barbados' maritime boundaries consist of median lines with neighbours. These neighbours include: Martinique, and Saint Lucia to the northwest, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines to the west, Trinidad and Tobago and Venezuela to the southwest, and Guyana to the southeast.

The coast of Venezuela, South America and Barbados

Barbados' total land area is 439 km2 (169.5 sq mi),[4] and it has a coastline of 97 km (60 mi) length.[5] The island is sometimes compared to a pear[6] or leg of mutton for its physical shape. Barbados has a maximum north–south length of 34 kilometres (21 mi) and a maximum east–west breadth of 23 kilometres (14 mi).

Physical characteristics

[edit]

The physical characteristics of Barbados are its lowlands or gently sloping, terraced plains, separated by rolling hills that generally parallel the coasts.[7] Elevations in the interior range from 180 to 240 meters above sea level. Mount Hillaby is the highest point at 340 meters above sea level.[7] Farther south, at Christ Church Ridge, elevations range from sixty to ninety meters.[7] Eighty-five percent of the island's surface consists of coralline limestone twenty-four to thirty meters thick; Scotland District contains outcroppings of oceanic formations at the surface, however.[7] Sugarcane is planted on almost 80 percent of the island's limestone surface.[7] The soils vary in fertility; erosion is a problem, with crop loss resulting from landslides, washouts, and falling rocks.[7] Most of the small streams are in Scotland District.[7] The rest of the island has few surface streams; nevertheless, rainwater saturates the soil to produce underground channels such as the famous Coles Cave.[7] Also notable in the island is the rocky cape known as Pico Teneriffe[8] or Pico de Tenerife, which is named after the fact that the island of Tenerife in Spain is the first land east of Barbados according to the belief of the locals.

Populated places

[edit]

List of: Cities, towns and villages in Barbados.

Proposed developments

[edit]

In 2009[9] and 2010, members of the upscale real estate industry in Barbados proposed the creation of artificial islands to be placed off the west coast. According to Paul Altman of Altman Realty the envisioned plan, would consist of two islands, one measuring 250 acres (1.0 km2) in size, and would house new tourism based developments and upscale boutique shops; while the second island would be 50 acres (200,000 m2) in size, and would serve as an open national park. Both proposed islands would be a short distance from the Deep Water Harbour in Bridgetown.[10][11]

The south-eastern part of the island has undergone small scale oil and gas capturing from possibly as early as 1919 when the British Union Oil Company acquired over 75% of the drilling rights in Barbados.[12] Similar to Trinidad and Tobago to the southwest, the territorial Atlantic Ocean surrounding Barbados has been found to contain fossil fuels, however ongoing research is being conducted to give estimates of actual quantities.[13][14]

Time zone

[edit]

Barbados is in the Eastern Caribbean Time Zone. Barbados no longer observes Daylight Saving Time. It was last used between Sunday, 20 April 1980 at 2:00 AM and Thursday, 25 September 1980 at 2:00 AM. On 25 September of that year the clock was shifted from -3:00 to -4:00, where it has remained since.

Statistics

[edit]

Location

[edit]
Barbados, seen from the International Space Station
Barbados's offshore coral reefs.
Barbados's cities, towns, villages and road network
Barbados is located 100 miles (160 km) east of the Caribbean Sea and the Windward Islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, most directly east of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.[15]
Map references
Central America and the Caribbean

Area

[edit]
  • Total: 430 km²
  • Land: 430 km²
  • Water: 0 km²

Area comparative

[edit]

Land boundaries

[edit]
0 km
Coastline
97 km
Maritime claims
  • Territorial sea: 12 nmi (22.2 km; 13.8 mi)
  • Exclusive economic zone: 186,898 km2 (72,162 sq mi) and 200 nmi (370.4 km; 230.2 mi)

Climate

[edit]
Tropical; rainy season (June to October)

Terrain

[edit]
Relatively flat; rises gently to central highland region
Extreme points

Natural resources

[edit]
Fish, natural gas

Land use

[edit]
  • Arable land: 25.58%
  • Permanent crops: 2.33%
  • Other: 72.09% (2012)
Irrigated land
54.35 km² (2003)
Total renewable water sources
0.08 cu km (2011)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)
total: 0.1 cu km/yr (20%/26%/254)
per capita: 371.3 cu m/yr (200p)

Natural hazards

[edit]
Infrequent hurricanes; periodic landslides; periodic flooding, from storm surge and intense rainfall events; and occasional droughts, causing fires.

Environment - current issues

[edit]
Pollution of coastal waters from waste disposal by ships; soil erosion; illegal solid waste disposal threatens contamination of aquifers
Environment - international agreements
  • Party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
  • Signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note
Easternmost Caribbean island

Climate

[edit]
Barbados is the twentieth most water stressed country in the world.

Barbados lies within the tropics.[7] Its generally pleasant maritime climate is influenced by northeast trade winds, which moderate the tropical temperature.[7] Cool, northeasterly trade winds are prevalent during the December to June dry season.[7] The overall annual temperature ranges from 24 to 28 °C (75.2 to 82.4 °F); slightly lower temperatures prevail at higher elevations.[7] Humidity levels are between 71 percent and 76 percent year round. Rainfall occurs primarily between July and December and varies considerably with elevation.[7] Rainfall may average 1,875 millimeters (73.8 in) per year in the higher central area as compared with 1,275 millimeters (50.2 in) in the coastal zone.[7]

Climate data for Bridgetown (Grantley Adams International Airport) 1991–2020, extremes 1944–present
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 32.0
(89.6)
31.2
(88.2)
31.9
(89.4)
32.6
(90.7)
33.1
(91.6)
32.7
(90.9)
32.4
(90.3)
35.0
(95.0)
33.3
(91.9)
33.3
(91.9)
33.3
(91.9)
31.3
(88.3)
35.0
(95.0)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 29.1
(84.4)
29.2
(84.6)
29.7
(85.5)
30.2
(86.4)
30.6
(87.1)
30.7
(87.3)
30.7
(87.3)
30.9
(87.6)
31.0
(87.8)
30.8
(87.4)
30.3
(86.5)
29.6
(85.3)
30.2
(86.4)
Daily mean °C (°F) 26.0
(78.8)
25.9
(78.6)
26.3
(79.3)
27.0
(80.6)
27.7
(81.9)
27.8
(82.0)
27.8
(82.0)
27.9
(82.2)
27.9
(82.2)
27.7
(81.9)
27.2
(81.0)
26.6
(79.9)
27.2
(80.9)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 23.3
(73.9)
23.0
(73.4)
23.4
(74.1)
24.2
(75.6)
25.0
(77.0)
25.2
(77.4)
25.1
(77.2)
24.8
(76.6)
24.8
(76.6)
24.7
(76.5)
24.5
(76.1)
23.9
(75.0)
24.3
(75.8)
Record low °C (°F) 16.0
(60.8)
16.0
(60.8)
16.0
(60.8)
19.0
(66.2)
19.4
(66.9)
20.0
(68.0)
19.3
(66.7)
19.1
(66.4)
20.6
(69.1)
20.6
(69.1)
18.0
(64.4)
17.4
(63.3)
16.0
(60.8)
Average rainfall mm (inches) 68.1
(2.68)
41.7
(1.64)
38.9
(1.53)
58.1
(2.29)
74.1
(2.92)
101.2
(3.98)
121.5
(4.78)
150.6
(5.93)
162.6
(6.40)
179.6
(7.07)
172.6
(6.80)
91.0
(3.58)
1,260
(49.6)
Average rainy days 11 9 8 8 8 11 15 16 13 15 14 11 139
Average relative humidity (%) 77 76 75 76 77 79 80 81 81 82 82 78 79
Mean monthly sunshine hours 263.5 248.6 272.8 261.0 263.5 225.0 251.1 260.4 234.0 238.7 228.0 254.2 3,000.8
Mean daily sunshine hours 8.5 8.8 8.8 8.7 8.5 7.5 8.1 8.4 7.8 7.7 7.6 8.2 8.2
Source 1: Barbados Meteorological Services[16]
Source 2: Meteo Climat (record highs and lows)[17]

Disputes

[edit]

Guyana's and Barbados's offshore territorial claims overlap, and are also disputed with Venezuela,[18] which itself claims ownership of the waters overlapping the first two.[19] In 2008 Barbados sought to place the oil blocks on open market for oil exploration tender but faced a challenge by Venezuela's government in Caracas.[20]

In 2006 a local Barbadian group purporting to represent descendants of indigenous Caribbean peoples announced its claim to Culpepper Island, a small rocky outcrop on the eastern shore of Barbados.[21]

Oceanography

[edit]

Due to the location of Barbados far east of Windward Islands chain it possesses an expansive Exclusive Economic Zone of about 185,000 km2 (71,000 sq mi)[22] extending predominantly to the east.

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ "Windward Islands". Encyclopædia Britannica. a line of West Indian islands constituting the southern arc of the Lesser Antilles, at the eastern end of the Caribbean Sea, between latitudes 12° and 16° N and longitudes 60° and 62° W. They include, from north to south, the English-speaking island of Dominica; the French département of Martinique; the English-speaking islands of Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent, and Grenada; and, between Saint Vincent and Grenada, the chain of small islands known as the Grenadines. Though near the general area, Trinidad and Tobago (at the south end of the group) and Barbados (just east) are usually not considered part of the Windward Islands.
  2. ^ Joseph, Cedric. "Border Controversies and their Implications for Stability and Security of the Caribbean Community". UWI-CARICOM Project. Archived from the original on 2014-10-22. The Bahamas, one of six CARICOM States to claim archipelago status, with a total coastline of 11,238 km, is reported to have the largest claim to EEZ of 369,149 sq km. Barbados, with a total coastline of some 97 km and a relatively small continental shelf of 213 sq km, reportedly has a claim to some 183,436 sq km of exclusive economic zone.
  3. ^ Staff writer (8 August 2007). "BID Blocks carrying local names". Government of Barbados. Archived from the original on October 3, 2011. Retrieved 20 December 2010. Barbados is 341(TYPO?) square kilometres in size and 70,000 sq km of its marine territorial space has been made available for the offshore hydrocarbon exploration. This means that the acreage on the market is about 162 times the size of the island's land space.
  4. ^ "Barbados country profile". BBC News. 2012-08-02. Retrieved 2023-10-02.
  5. ^ "DSD :: Areas of Work :: SIDS - SIDS Members - the Caribbean".
  6. ^ Pariser, Harry S. (October 2000). Explore Barbados. Vol. 3. Manatee Press. ISBN 1-893643-51-4. Retrieved 2009-12-29. Forewords & Introductions: "Just 21 mi. long by a "smile" wide, Barbados is an island of dramatic contrasts and offers many picture-postcard terrains. The island's shape has been compared to that of a ham, a leg of mutton, a pear-shaped emerald, or a lopsided pear with the stem end pointing north.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Meyerson, Beatrice Berle; Hornbeck, John F.; Haggerty, Richard A. (1987). "Barbados: Geography". In Meditz, Sandra W.; Hanratty, Dennis M. (eds.). Islands of the Commonwealth Caribbean: a regional study. Washington, D.C.: Federal Research Division, Library of Congress. pp. 390–391. LCCN 88600483.
  8. ^ Pico Teneriffe
  9. ^ Thorne, Peter (25 February 2009). "An island north of the harbour". Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation (CBC). Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved 10 March 2010.
  10. ^ Riley-Thornhill, Janelle (10 March 2010). "Artificial islands a viable option?". Barbados Advocate. Archived from the original on February 26, 2012. Retrieved 10 March 2010.
  11. ^ E., G. (2 March 2010). "2 man-made islands to add value to tourism product". Nation Newspaper. Archived from the original on March 8, 2010. Retrieved 10 March 2010.
  12. ^ BRITISH COMMERCIAL INTERESTS IN BARBADOS, HL Deb 18 April 1951 vol 171 cc376-404
  13. ^ B., J. (2 August 2010). "Business Monday: Boyce speaks on Barbados' search for oil". Barbados Advocate. Archived from the original on March 11, 2012. Retrieved 2 August 2010.
  14. ^ "2D Long Offset Seismic". Archived from the original on 2011-07-06. Retrieved 2010-12-20.
  15. ^ "Windward Islands | islands, West Indies". Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved December 29, 2022.
  16. ^ "Barbados Weather Climate Data". Barbados Meteorological Services. Archived from the original on 26 December 2012. Retrieved 6 January 2022.
  17. ^ "Station Grantley" (in French). Meteo Climat. Retrieved 6 November 2016.
  18. ^ How Trinidad Recognised Venezuela’s Claim to Most Of Guyana’s Land 18 June 2007, Notes From The Margin
  19. ^ Marginal Picks Up His Pen – Venezuelas Claim of Barbados’ Waters 16 June 2008, Notes From The Margin
  20. ^ NGO reports Barbados is bidding oil blocks in Venezuelan waters 28 July 2008, El Universal
  21. ^ ""The Reclamation of Culpepper Island by the Lokono-Arawak and Karifuna-Carib Nations"". Archived from the original on 2008-05-09. Retrieved 2011-05-27.
  22. ^ (PDF) Staff writer. "Barbados 2021 Update of the First Nationally Determined Contribution" (PDF). www.unfccc.int. United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). p. 5. Retrieved 20 January 2023. The Barbados landmass has an area of 432 square kilometers, with 92 kilometers of coastline. The Barbados' Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) is some 430 times larger, at 185,000 square kilometers, and represents a significant potential resource.

References

[edit]

See also

[edit]
[edit]