Tuesday, April 10, 2007

What's the economy like in Barbados????

This question only makes sense since one will have to work, exchange money and simply live! I would need 2 know these sorts of questions answered.. It's the best that I am looking..


The thriving economy of Barbados is comprised of two main sectors
Sugar and Sun
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The economy of Barbados has traditionally relied upon the cultivation of sugar. After World War II, however, tourism quickly began to spread throughout the entire region. International tourism has now become the main source of revenue for Barbados.
Economic History
The island's first inhabitants, the Arawaks, practiced farming and agriculture, including the harvesting of cotton and corn. Plantations to grow cotton and tobacco were established not long after the arrival of English settlers in 1627. The economic history of the island changed irrevocably shortly afterwards, when the Dutch introduced sugar cane from Brazil. In addition to introducing the new crop, the Dutch taught Barbadians effective ways to produce the highest yield from the sugar cane. Used for the production of rum and as an export to Europe, sugar cane became the primary wealth generator on the island. It was also the reason that West African slaves were transported to Barbados – to work the sugar plantations. Sugar was even used as currency in bartering.
By 1720, however, other islands in the region replaced Barbados as the leaders of the sugar industry in the Caribbean. But sugar remained the most important industry in Barbados for generating economic well-being, and the industry was once again profitable in 1910. The 1920's and 1930's brought trade unions to Barbados, but the Great Depression that struck the world during this time created high levels of unemployment and poverty on the island. The English injected money into the Barbadian economy to keep it afloat, and the rise of tourism after World War II proved to be the new money maker for the entire region.
The Present
While the light industry and finance sectors contribute significantly to the GDP, tourism is the overwhelming economic force in the country. The decline in tourism after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 caused a slowdown in the economy of Barbados. Increased tourism and improved economic conditions in the United States and Europe in the last few years have helped to inject money back into the economy.
The government in Barbados actively works to improve its economy and the lives of its citizens by promoting foreign travel and investment on this beautiful island.

What is the weather like in Barbados???

Truly, it only makes for good insight to look at the weather of Barbados simply because as a child, I broke so many bones and the cold weather here in Boston can only begin to hurt those broken bones as I get older. I have a brother in Miami and from what I understand, his life has been extended simply because of the weather and proper eating habits! Hay Mike!! Please see below for my results.....


CURRENT CONDITIONS
Apr 10, 2007 at 3:24 PM
M/SUNNY
84ºF
7 DAY FORECAST
HIGH
LOW
Wed. Apr 11
Partly sunny
87ºF
76ºF
Thu. Apr 12
Pleasant with several hours of sunshine
85ºF
75ºF
Fri. Apr 13
Beautiful with several hours of sun
85ºF
75ºF
Sat. Apr 14
Pleasant with some sun
85ºF
75ºF
Sun. Apr 15
Partly sunny and pleasant
85ºF
76ºF
Mon. Apr 16
Partly sunny
85ºF
76ºF
Tue. Apr 17
Partly sunny and pleasant
86ºF
76ºF
AVERAGE TEMPERATURES (ºF)
MONTH
HIGH
LOW
Jan
84.4
68.0
Feb
85.1
67.2
Mar
86.9
68.0
Apr
88.1
69.1
May
89.8
71.0
Jun
89.9
72.6
MONTH
HIGH
LOW
Jul
89.1
72.2
Aug
89.1
72.9
Sep
89.8
72.9
Oct
88.9
72.0
Nov
87.1
70.9
Dec
85.9
69.1
Get More Weather Details From AccuWeather
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Thursday, April 5, 2007

Hello Everyone. This is my very first BLOG, so please, bear with me! I am setting this up inorder for research into the island of Barbados. This wonderful place sparks both a personal and an ancestrial interest in me. The plan is to return to the place of the birth of my mother and live out the rest of my life there.
It is my hope that we all can undertake this project and view it as both fun to do and a great learning experience.