Barbados
Vogue Estates is pleased to offer property for sale in Barbados. This independent southern Caribbean island offers an excellent quality of living, friendly English-speaking Barbadians, a great climate and wonderful sandy beaches, making it the perfect place for a holiday home or property investment.
Geography
Situated in the Southern Caribbean, Barbados’s closest neighbours are St. Vincent and St. Lucia. This is a low-lying and relatively flat island, with some higher land in the interior – the highest point is Mount Hillaby at 1,100 feet (336 metres).
The capital and largest city of Barbados is Bridgetown, on the south western coast and is commonly referred to locally as just “Town”. This is a great place to visit for shopping, especially duty-free and wondering around the city’s landmarks, such as the Parliament Buildings, the Barbados Museum and the Pierhead Development Complex.
The southern and western coasts are the most popular spots with holidaymakers for their soft, sandy beaches and calm blue waters. Scuba diving is a common pastime, especially as Barbados is circled by coral reefs, and golf is a favourite too.
The climate here is tropical, and being further east than most of the Caribbean, Barbados is usually outside of the zone affected by hurricanes and tropical storms. Only about once every 26 years will the island be affected. There are basically two seasons here: wet and dry! Wet is between June and November whilst the dry season is between December and May, although you’re pretty much guaranteed temperatures in the high 20’s C (82F) to low 30’s C (87F) all year round.
History
Before Barbados was discovered by the Portuguese it had been habituated by Amerindians, followed by Arawak people and then Caribs. The Portuguese displaced the Carib people and used many of them for slave labour within their period of occupation from the mid 1500’s to the 1620’s. When the British arrived in 1625 the island was once again deserted so it was claimed for Great Britain.
The British began to settle on the island from 1627 and Barbados remained a British colony right up until its independence in 1966. Even so, the island has always had a large level of self-government. Now as a fully independent state it has a parliamentary democracy modeled on the British system and is an extremely stable country.
Cuisine
Due to Barbados being a British colony for so long, British cuisine has obviously had quite an influence on the Barbadian cuisine so you will see some foods which would more traditionally be served in the UK. Despite this, ingredients available in Barbados are so different to what would have been available in the UK several hundred years ago, that variations on traditional recipes have been formed, and so you find a fusion of British and Caribbean cuisine. Today, Caribbean cuisine has the greater influence on the majority of food served here.
The most popular fish in Barbados is Flying Fish and the national dish is centred around it: Cou Cou and Flying Fish. Cou-Cou is basically corn meal and is served with the flying fish which is either steamed or fried. Cou-Cou is also commonly served with beef stew.
Currency
The currency of Barbados is the Barbadian Dollar and has been since 1882. 100 cents make up one dollar.
Language
As Barbados was a British colony for so long, English has long been the common and official language spoken here although there is a recognised regional language, Bajan (or Barbadian Creole). This is a combination of West African and English.
Featured Property
Panorama Village
- Price : 34,220 EUR
- Location : Famagusta
- Description:
This development is nicely laid out with ample communal areas and beautifully landscaped gardens. Each apartment has been designed to offer the maximum in comfort. There are large open-plan kitchen and dining areas, and expansive living rooms with large patio doors leading to generous balconies....
Roman Park
- Price : 55,100 EUR
- Location : Tombs of the kings
- Description:
Close to shopping centres, restaurants, banks and the picturesque harbour of Paphos, Roman Park is right on the beach offering the best of life in this exciting resort. Just a little way inland are some of the most popular golf courses in the area....