Barbados
Bridgetown · Caribbean
Barbados is a country in North America. Its capital city is Bridgetown, the official currency is the Barbadian Dollar, and the main language is English.
With a population of roughly 280,000 people spread over 430 km², Barbados is the 174th most populous country in the world and the 183rd largest by area. That works out at about 651 people per square kilometre.
Barbados has no land borders with any other country. Its largest urban centres are Bridgetown, Speightstown and Oistins. The highest point in the country is Mount Hillaby, at 336 metres.
For scale, it covers almost exactly the same area as Antigua and Barbuda, while its population is closest to that of Sao Tome and Principe.
- Capital
- Bridgetown
- Region
- Caribbean
- Population
- 280,000
- Area
- 430 km²
- Currency
- Barbadian Dollar
- Main language
- English
- Highest point
- Mount Hillaby
336 m - Land borders
- 0
Barbados: things worth knowing
- Barbados is made largely of coral limestone rather than volcanic rock, unlike most of its neighbours.
- It became a republic in 2021, replacing the British monarch with a president.
- Rum distilling began here in the 17th century, and Mount Gay claims to be the oldest surviving brand.
Barbados in context
North America has 23 sovereign countries in total. Barbados ranks 17th among them by population.
See the full list of North America countries, or browse all 195 countries.