Bridgetown

capital of Barbados

The city of Bridgetown is the capital and largest city of the nation of Barbados. It was called the Town of Saint Michael. It is in the parish of Saint Michael. Bridgetown is sometimes locally called "The City", but more common is simply "Town".

Bridgetown
City
Chamberlain Bridge spanning the Careenage, Bridgetown
Chamberlain Bridge spanning the Careenage, Bridgetown
Official seal of Bridgetown
Location of Bridgetown (red star)
Location of Bridgetown (red star)
Coordinates: 13°06′21″N 59°36′47″W / 13.10583°N 59.61306°W / 13.10583; -59.61306[1]
CountryBarbados
ParishSaint Michael
Established1628
Area
 • Total15 sq mi (40 km2)
Elevation3 ft (1 m)
Population
 (2006)
 • Total96,578
 • Density6,400/sq mi (2,500/km2)
Time zoneUTC-4 (Eastern Caribbean Time Zone)
Area code246

The Bridgetown port, found along Carlisle Bay, is on the southwestern coast of the island. The Grantley Adams International Airport for Barbados, is 16 kilometres (9.9 mi) southeast of Bridgetown city centre.

The present day location of the city was set by English settlers in 1628. This was after settlement at St. James Town. Bridgetown is a major West Indies tourist destination. On 25 June 2011, Historic Bridgetown and its Garrison were added as a World Heritage Site of UNESCO.[3][4][5]

Bridgetown is the only city outside continental North America that George Washington visited.

English settlement of Bridgetown began on 5 July 1628[6] under Charles Wolverstone.

Climate change

Climate data for Bridgetown (1981–2010)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Average high °C (°F) 28.8
(83.8)
29.0
(84.2)
29.5
(85.1)
30.0
(86.0)
30.5
(86.9)
30.5
(86.9)
30.4
(86.7)
30.6
(87.1)
30.6
(87.1)
30.4
(86.7)
30.0
(86.0)
29.3
(84.7)
30.0
(86.0)
Daily mean °C (°F) 25.8
(78.4)
25.7
(78.3)
26.2
(79.2)
26.8
(80.2)
27.6
(81.7)
27.7
(81.9)
27.6
(81.7)
27.8
(82.0)
27.7
(81.9)
27.5
(81.5)
27.0
(80.6)
26.4
(79.5)
27.0
(80.6)
Average low °C (°F) 22.9
(73.2)
22.8
(73.0)
23.2
(73.8)
24.1
(75.4)
24.9
(76.8)
25.1
(77.2)
24.9
(76.8)
24.7
(76.5)
24.6
(76.3)
24.5
(76.1)
24.2
(75.6)
23.6
(74.5)
24.1
(75.4)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 70.1
(2.76)
41.3
(1.63)
37.4
(1.47)
60.8
(2.39)
79.0
(3.11)
103.0
(4.06)
132.9
(5.23)
141.9
(5.59)
157.6
(6.20)
185.1
(7.29)
171.6
(6.76)
89.6
(3.53)
1,270.3
(50.01)
Average precipitation days 11 8 8 8 8 11 15 15 14 16 14 12 140
Mean monthly sunshine hours 258.85 249.45 272.80 259.80 262.88 225.00 251.41 263.19 230.40 233.74 228.00 257.92 2,993.44
Mean daily sunshine hours 8.35 8.83 8.80 8.66 8.48 7.50 8.11 8.49 7.68 7.54 7.60 8.32 8.20
Source: Barbados Meteorological Services[7]

References change

  1. "Bridgetown, Barbados". Google Maps. Retrieved 20 August 2011.
  2. "Population of Bridgetown, Barbados". Archived from the original on 2018-12-25. Retrieved 2012-05-22.
  3. admin (25 June 2011). "Barbados enters World Heritage List with Bridgetown and its Garrison; Hiraizumi (Japan) and Germany's Beech Forests also inscribed". UNESCOPRESS. UNESCO. Retrieved 26 June 2011.
  4. Ramsay, Allison (26 June 2011). "Barbados makes the list!". The Barbados Advocate. Archived from the original on 26 March 2012. Retrieved 2010-06-26.
  5. "Historic Bridgetown now a World Heritage Site". Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation (CBC). 26 June 2011 [Sunday @15:11]. Retrieved 26 June 2011.
  6. Alleyne, Warren (1978). "chapter I "The Beginning"". Historic Bridgetown. The Barbados National Trust. pp. 7, 8.
  7. "Barbados Weather Climate Data". Barbados Meteorological Services. Archived from the original on December 26, 2012. Retrieved July 4, 2015.