GeoFroggy

View Large Map

Background

The island was uninhabited when first settled by the British in 1627. Its economy remained heavily dependent on sugar, rum, and molasses production through most of the 20th century. In the 1990s, tourism and manufacturing surpassed the sugar industry in economic importance.

Location

Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, northeast of Venezuela

Area Comparative

2.5 times the size of Washington, DC

Maritime Claims

Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Territorial sea: 12 nm

Climate

Tropical; rainy season (June to October)

Natural Hazards

Infrequent hurricanes; periodic landslides

Environment Current Issues

Pollution of coastal waters from waste disposal by ships; soil erosion; illegal solid waste disposal threatens contamination of aquifers

Environment International Agreements

Party to: Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution

Signed, but not ratified: Biodiversity

Geography Note

Easternmost Caribbean island

Year	2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000

Map Reference

Central America and the Caribbean

Irrigated Land

NA sq km

Area 2000

Total

430 sq km
Land

430 sq km
Water

0 sq km

Coastline

97 km

Geographical Coordinates

13 10 N, 59 32 W

Land use 2000

Arable Land
37%
Permanent Crops
0%
Permanent Pastures
5%
Forests And Woodland
12%
Other
46%

Terrain

Relatively flat; rises gently to central highland region

Elevation

Lowest Point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
Highest Point: Mount Hillaby 336 m

Land Boundaries

0 km

Natural Resources

Petroleum
Fish

Natural gas

Barbados