Bridgetown, Barbados

Geography:  Bridgetown is the capital and largest city of the small island nation of Barbados, which is located in the North Atlantic Ocean, northeast of Venezuela.

Currency:  Bardabian Dollar (BBD)

National Symbol:  Neptunes Trident

National Anthem:  "The National Anthem of Barbados"

Language:  English

Area Comparison:  2.5 times the size of Washington, DC

Distance from Pittsburgh: 3635 km or 2259 miles

Terrain:  Relatively flat, but rises gently to central highland region

Highest Point: Mount Hillaby 336m

Weather You Should Expect:  A tropical climate, with wet and dry seasons

Average Temperature in January: Low of 70 and High of 82

What You Must See: Barbados Parliament Buildings, Caribbean Cigar Co., National Heroes Square, War Memorial, Fountain Gardens, Mount Gay Rum Refinery (the oldest in the world), St. Mary's Anglican Church and Pelican Village for craft shopping  

Historical Fact: Bridgetown was originally named "Indian Bridge" for the rude bridge which had been constructed over the river by the Indians. It was later called the "Town of Saint Michael" in official documents, before finally being named Bridgetown.  On 6/25/11, Historic Bridgetown became a UNESCO World Heritage Site (a place listed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization as of special cultural or physical significance)

Science Trivia: Bridgetown's centre was originally composed of a swamp, which was quickly drained and filled-in to make way for the city's early development

Interesting Fact: Barbados is the easternmost Caribbean Island

Fun Fact: The furry little creatures that run out in front of your tire as you travel the country roads of Barbados are mongooses. Originally they were brought to the island from India to control the rat population in the cane fields. Being nocturnal, the rats never came into contact with the mongooses  – instead they demolished the snake population who actually did eat the rats.

Everything You Need to Know About the Flag:

There are three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), gold, and blue with the head of a black trident centered on the gold band. The band colors represent the blue of the sea and sky and the gold of the beaches. The trident head represents independence and a break with the past.