Barbados Essay -- Geography History Island Barbados Essays

Barbados GEOGRAPHY Barbados is the eastern most island of the Caribbean, located in the North Atlantic Ocean, northeast of Venezuela (13 10 N, 59 32 W). It is considered a â€Å"Coral Island† due to its vast coral shore beaches that surround the perimeter of the island. Overall, Barbados is 430 square kilometers, with 97 kilometers being coastline area. The circumference is approximately 55 miles around, and has a pear-like shape to it. Length and width wise, Barbados is 21 miles and 13 miles respectively. In Comparatively speaking, Barbados is 2.5 times the size of Washington D.C. Geologically, Barbados is actually 2 large masses of build up of coral on sedimentary rocks, that have formed the island over thousands of years. The terrain is relatively flat, but rises gently to the central highland region of the island. Along the coastline, the elevation is at it’s lowest (zero meters). Mount Hillaby is the highest peak on Barbados at 336 meters above sea level (1,147 feet). The climate in Barbados is tropical. It is often sunny, and there is about 3,000 sun hours annually. Trade winds constantly sweep across the island, keeping the temperature rather comfortable. Temperatures are very stable throughout the entire year. In January, the average high temperature is 83 °F, and the average low is 70 °. In July, the average high temperature is 86 °F, while the average low is 74 °F. Despite the constant winds, hurricanes infrequently hit Barbados. Occasional landslides are the only natural disasters that plaque the island. The west coast of Barbados is often referred to as the â€Å"Platinum Coast†. It is renowned for the clear warm waters that lap gently on the beach’s gold and white sands and massive coral reefs. The... ...p Over a Centerpiece of Barbados Culture. The Toronto Sun. p. T6 King, John. (2003, August 8). Melody: A festival to fight for, guys. Retrieved on April 13, 2004. from [www.barbadian.com]. Norton, Graham, (February 2002). Barbados: British empire in the miniature. History Today. 52 (2), 52. Retrieved March 2, 2004, from Expanded Academic Database. Parliament of Barbados. (April 30, 2004). Retrieved March, 30, 2004, from www.parliamentbarbados.gov.bb The Abbreviated History of Barbados. Retrieved March 2, 2004, from http://www.barbados.org/history1.htm U.S. Department of State. (August 2002). Background Notes: Barbados. Retrieved March 2, 2004, from http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/26507.htm World Fact Book, (December 18, 2003). Barbados. Retrieved on April 13, 2004, from [http://www.odci.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/bb.html].