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Barbados is geographically located as the westernmost island of the Lesser Antilles, bordering the Caribbean and North American tectonic plates.
Answer: False
Explanation: Barbados is the easternmost island of the Lesser Antilles and lies on the boundary between the South American and Caribbean tectonic plates, not the North American plate.
Barbados emerged from the ocean approximately 70,000 years ago and is currently sinking at a rate of 30 centimeters per thousand years.
Answer: False
Explanation: Barbados emerged from the ocean approximately 700,000 years ago and is currently rising at an average rate of 30 centimeters per thousand years, not sinking.
Barbados was severely affected by the Great Hurricane of 1780 and a cholera epidemic in 1854, which together caused over 24,000 deaths.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Great Hurricane of 1780 killed over 4,000 people, and the 1854 cholera epidemic claimed more than 20,000 inhabitants, totaling over 24,000 deaths.
Mount Hillaby, the highest point in Barbados, is located in the northern parish of Saint Lucy.
Answer: False
Explanation: Mount Hillaby, the highest point in Barbados, is located in the central highland region known as Scotland District, not the northern parish of Saint Lucy.
In 2020, Barbados's forest cover was approximately 15% of its total land area, a figure that has remained stable since 1990.
Answer: True
Explanation: In 2020, Barbados's forest cover was approximately 15% of its total land area, equivalent to 6,300 hectares, which remained unchanged from 1990.
Barbados is primarily composed of volcanic rock, with a thin layer of coral reefs on its surface.
Answer: False
Explanation: Geologically, Barbados is composed of approximately 90 meters (300 feet) of coral, with reefs formed above scraped sediment from the subducting South American Plate, not primarily volcanic rock.
Barbados experiences two main seasons: a wet season from June to December and a dry season from December to May, with consistent average temperatures.
Answer: True
Explanation: Barbados experiences a wet season from June to December and a dry season from December to May, with average temperatures remaining consistent, ranging from 21 to 31 °C (70 to 88 °F).
Barbados is frequently hit by major hurricanes, experiencing one every 5-10 years due to its location in the Main Development Region for tropical cyclones.
Answer: False
Explanation: Barbados lies outside the Main Development Region for tropical cyclone activity and is often spared the worst effects of storms, with a major hurricane making landfall only about once every 26 years on average.
The green monkey, a unique wildlife species in Barbados, is native to the island and has been present for centuries.
Answer: False
Explanation: The green monkey was introduced to Barbados from West Africa in the late 17th century during the slave trade, meaning it is not native to the island.
Which of the following best describes the geographical location of Barbados?
Answer: It is the easternmost island of the Lesser Antilles in the Atlantic Ocean.
Explanation: Barbados is an island country situated in the Atlantic Ocean, making it the easternmost island of the Lesser Antilles in the West Indies.
What is the highest point in Barbados?
Answer: Mount Hillaby
Explanation: The highest point in Barbados is Mount Hillaby, located in the central highland region known as Scotland District.
What is the approximate forest cover in Barbados as of 2020?
Answer: 15%
Explanation: In 2020, the forest cover in Barbados was approximately 15% of the total land area.
How frequently does Barbados typically experience a major hurricane landfall?
Answer: About once every 26 years
Explanation: On average, a major hurricane makes landfall in Barbados about once every 26 years.
Which unique wildlife species was introduced to Barbados from West Africa during the slave trade?
Answer: Green monkey
Explanation: The green monkey was introduced to Barbados from West Africa in the late 17th century during the slave trade.
The earliest known inhabitants of Barbados were the Arawaks, who established permanent settlements around 1600 BC.
Answer: False
Explanation: While Arawaks were present, archaeological evidence suggests earlier human presence by other Indigenous peoples around 1600 BC, with permanent settlements by the Saladoid-Barrancoid group dating to the 4th to 7th centuries AD, before Arawaks appeared around 800 AD.
The English first claimed possession of Barbados in 1625 when the ship *Olive Blossom* arrived and its crew took the island in the name of King James I.
Answer: True
Explanation: The *Olive Blossom* arrived on 14 May 1625, and its crew formally claimed possession of Barbados for King James I, marking the beginning of English influence.
The plantation economy in Barbados initially relied on African slaves before transitioning to Irish indentured servants.
Answer: False
Explanation: The plantation economy initially relied on Irish indentured servants before transitioning to enslaved Africans.
Before the mid-17th century, tobacco was the primary economic crop in Barbados, but its prices declined due to competition from the Chesapeake region.
Answer: True
Explanation: Tobacco was indeed the mainstay of Barbados's early economy, but its prices fell in the 1630s due to expanding production in the Chesapeake region.
The English Civil War had no significant impact on Barbados, as the island remained neutral throughout the conflict.
Answer: False
Explanation: The English Civil War led to conflict spilling over into Barbados, resulting in trade prohibitions and Navigation Acts, and ultimately an invasion force that led to the Royalists' surrender.
The 'sugar revolution' in Barbados led to a decrease in the enslaved African population as English smallholders expanded their landholdings.
Answer: False
Explanation: The 'sugar revolution' dramatically increased the enslaved African population, replacing English smallholders, and transforming the island's ethnic composition.
Bussa's rebellion in 1816 was a minor slave uprising that had little effect on the abolitionist movement in England.
Answer: False
Explanation: Bussa's rebellion was the largest slave rebellion in Barbadian history, and its brutal suppression strengthened the abolitionist movement in England.
The Emancipation Statue of Bussa, who led the largest slave rebellion, is located at a famous roundabout east of Bridgetown.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Emancipation Statue of Bussa, commemorating the leader of the largest slave rebellion, is indeed located at a famous roundabout east of Bridgetown.
Sephardic Jews played a crucial role in the early success of Barbados's sugar industry after its introduction in 1640.
Answer: True
Explanation: Sephardic Jews, having arrived from Dutch Brazil, were instrumental in the early success of Barbados's sugar industry after sugar cane was introduced in 1640.
The Barbados slave code was a unique law that had no influence on the development of similar laws in other colonies.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Barbados slave code was influential in the development of similar laws in other colonies, not unique and without influence.
Who were the earliest known inhabitants of Barbados before the Kalinago people arrived in the 13th century?
Answer: Saladoid-Barrancoid group
Explanation: Archaeological evidence indicates that permanent Amerindian settlements by the Saladoid-Barrancoid group existed in Barbados from about the 4th to 7th centuries AD, preceding the Kalinago.
What was the initial labor force for the plantation economy in Barbados?
Answer: Irish indentured servants
Explanation: The plantation economy in Barbados initially relied on the labor of Irish indentured servants before transitioning to enslaved Africans.
What was the primary economic crop in Barbados before the introduction of sugar cane in the mid-17th century?
Answer: Tobacco
Explanation: Before the mid-17th century, tobacco was the mainstay of Barbados's infant colony's economy.
How did the English Civil War affect Barbados?
Answer: It caused conflict to spill over, leading to trade prohibitions and Navigation Acts.
Explanation: The English Civil War led to conflict spilling over into Barbados, resulting in trade prohibitions and Navigation Acts, and contributing to the First Anglo-Dutch War.
What was the main consequence of the 'sugar revolution' on Barbadian society?
Answer: A dramatic change in ethnic composition with a large enslaved African population.
Explanation: The 'sugar revolution' dramatically changed the island's ethnic composition, as English smallholders were replaced by a large enslaved African population to work the sugar plantations.
When did Bussa's rebellion, the largest slave rebellion in Barbadian history, occur?
Answer: 1816
Explanation: Bussa's rebellion, the largest slave rebellion in Barbadian history, occurred in 1816.
What is the significance of the roundabout east of Bridgetown?
Answer: It holds the Emancipation Statue of Bussa.
Explanation: A famous roundabout located east of Bridgetown holds the Emancipation Statue of Bussa, commemorating the leader of the largest slave rebellion in Barbadian history.
Barbados achieved full political independence from the United Kingdom in 1966, becoming a republic immediately.
Answer: False
Explanation: Barbados achieved independence in 1966 as a Commonwealth realm, retaining Elizabeth II as Queen. It transitioned to a republic much later, in 2021.
Upon transitioning to a republic in 2021, Barbados replaced its monarchy with a ceremonial president, and the UK government ceased having sovereignty over the island.
Answer: True
Explanation: On 30 November 2021, Barbados transitioned to a parliamentary republic, replacing the monarch with a ceremonial president and ending UK government sovereignty.
During the Great Depression, Barbadians primarily demanded increased tourism and foreign investment, not changes to labor laws or voting rights.
Answer: False
Explanation: During the Great Depression, Barbadians demanded better working conditions, the legalization of trade unions, and an expansion of the franchise, which led to the Moyne Commission's recommendations.
Grantley Herbert Adams co-founded the Barbados Labour Party (BLP) in 1938 and became the first Premier of Barbados.
Answer: True
Explanation: Grantley Herbert Adams was a key figure who co-founded the BLP in 1938 and became the first Premier in 1953.
The President of Barbados is elected by popular vote for a five-year term and has the absolute right to withhold assent on legislation.
Answer: False
Explanation: The President of Barbados is elected by the Parliament for a four-year term, not by popular vote for a five-year term, but does have the absolute right to withhold assent on legislation.
The Barbados Defence Force has approximately 800 members and maintains defense ties with the UK, US, China, and other eastern Caribbean countries.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Barbados Defence Force has approximately 800 members and maintains defense ties with the UK, US, China, and other eastern Caribbean countries, as stated in the source.
When did Barbados achieve political independence?
Answer: 30 November 1966
Explanation: Barbados achieved full political independence on 30 November 1966, becoming a Commonwealth realm.
What was the outcome of Barbados's transition to a republic on 30 November 2021?
Answer: It replaced its monarchy with a ceremonial president.
Explanation: On 30 November 2021, Barbados transitioned to a parliamentary republic within the Commonwealth, replacing its monarchy with a ceremonial president.
What were some of the demands made by Barbadians during the Great Depression in the 1930s?
Answer: Better working conditions, legalized trade unions, and expanded franchise.
Explanation: During the Great Depression, Barbadians demanded better working conditions, the legalization of trade unions, and an expansion of the franchise.
Who co-founded the Barbados Labour Party (BLP) in 1938 and became the first Premier?
Answer: Grantley Herbert Adams
Explanation: Grantley Herbert Adams co-founded the Barbados Labour Party (BLP) in 1938 and became the first Premier in 1953.
How is the President of Barbados elected?
Answer: By the Parliament for a four-year term.
Explanation: The President of Barbados, who serves as the head of state, is elected by the Parliament for a four-year term.
Which two political parties dominate the two-party system in Barbados?
Answer: Democratic Labour Party (DLP) and Barbados Labour Party (BLP)
Explanation: Barbados operates as a two-party system, dominated by the Democratic Labour Party (DLP) and the Barbados Labour Party (BLP).
What is Barbados's stance on foreign relations?
Answer: It follows a policy of nonalignment and seeks cooperative relations with all friendly states.
Explanation: Barbados follows a policy of nonalignment and seeks cooperative relations with all friendly states.
What was the purpose of the Moyne Commission in the British West Indies in 1938?
Answer: To investigate unrest and recommend reforms for worker conditions and voting rights.
Explanation: The Moyne Commission was sent to the West Indies in 1938 to investigate increasing unrest and demands, recommending reforms for worker conditions and expanded voting rights.
Who became Barbados's first female Prime Minister?
Answer: Mia Mottley
Explanation: Mia Mottley became Barbados's first female Prime Minister after the Barbados Labour Party (BLP) returned to power in 2018.
What is the role of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) for Barbados?
Answer: It is the final court of appeal, replacing the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council.
Explanation: In 2005, Barbados replaced the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council with the Caribbean Court of Justice as its final court of appeal.
Bridgetown, the capital of Barbados, is home to approximately one-third of the country's total population.
Answer: True
Explanation: Bridgetown, located in the parish of Saint Michael, is indeed the capital and largest city, housing one-third of Barbados's population.
After independence, the Barrow government focused solely on agricultural development, neglecting industry and tourism.
Answer: False
Explanation: After independence, the Barrow government aimed to diversify the economy beyond agriculture by boosting the industry and tourism sectors.
Barbados's trade policy prioritizes protecting domestic food production from foreign competition.
Answer: True
Explanation: Barbados's trade policy aims to protect a small number of domestic activities, primarily food production, from foreign competition.
Barbados is divided into 11 parishes, with Saint Michael being the largest in terms of population.
Answer: True
Explanation: Barbados is divided into 11 parishes, and Saint Michael, where the capital Bridgetown is located, is indeed the largest in terms of population, housing one-third of the country's population.
Barbados is ranked as the 52nd richest country globally by GDP per capita and is recognized as a high-income economy by the World Bank.
Answer: True
Explanation: Barbados is ranked as the 52nd richest country globally by GDP per capita and is recognized by the World Bank as a high-income economy.
A 2012 study indicated that 20% of Barbadians live in poverty, but less than 5% are unable to meet their basic daily food needs.
Answer: False
Explanation: A 2012 study revealed that 20% of Barbadians live in poverty, and nearly 10% (not less than 5%) are unable to meet their basic daily food needs.
Barbados experienced economic recessions in the early 21st century primarily due to a decline in agricultural exports.
Answer: False
Explanation: Economic recessions in the early 21st century were primarily caused by decreases in tourism and consumer spending, exacerbated by global events, not a decline in agricultural exports.
In 2018, Barbados defaulted on Eurobonds due to its outstanding debt reaching over 1.7 times its GDP.
Answer: True
Explanation: By May 2018, Barbados's outstanding debt had reached US$7.5 billion, more than 1.7 times its GDP, leading to a default on Eurobonds in June 2018.
The Queen Elizabeth Hospital is the only healthcare facility available in Barbados, with no polyclinics or private medical centers.
Answer: False
Explanation: While the Queen Elizabeth Hospital is the main hospital, Barbados also has eight polyclinics and several private medical centers.
Barbados has a literacy rate close to 100%, and in 2008, the government allocated 6.7% of its GDP to education.
Answer: True
Explanation: Barbados indeed boasts a literacy rate close to 100%, and in 2008, the government allocated 6.7% of its GDP to education.
In Barbados, drivers drive on the right side of the road, and public transportation is limited to government-operated buses.
Answer: False
Explanation: In Barbados, drivers drive on the left side of the road, and public transportation includes 'ZRs' (route taxis) and yellow minibuses in addition to government-operated buses.
Grantley Adams International Airport is Barbados's sole airport and serves as a northern air-transportation hub for the Caribbean.
Answer: False
Explanation: Grantley Adams International Airport is Barbados's sole airport, but it serves as a *southern* air-transportation hub for the Caribbean, not a northern one.
The Bridgetown seaport is managed by the Barbados Port Authority, which was recently renamed Barbados Port Inc.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Bridgetown seaport is managed by Barbados Port Inc., which was formerly known as the Barbados Port Authority.
What is the capital and largest city of Barbados?
Answer: Bridgetown
Explanation: Bridgetown is the capital and largest city of Barbados, located in the parish of Saint Michael.
What was a key economic diversification effort undertaken by the Barrow government after Barbados gained independence?
Answer: Boosting industry and tourism sectors.
Explanation: After independence, the Barrow government aimed to diversify the economy beyond agriculture by boosting the industry and tourism sectors.
How many parishes is Barbados divided into?
Answer: 11
Explanation: Barbados is divided into 11 parishes.
According to a 2012 self-study, what percentage of Barbadians were unable to meet their basic daily food needs?
Answer: Nearly 10%
Explanation: A 2012 self-study revealed that nearly 10% of Barbadians were unable to meet their basic daily food needs.
What was a primary cause of economic recessions in Barbados in the early 21st century?
Answer: Decreases in tourism and consumer spending.
Explanation: Economic recessions in Barbados in the early 21st century were primarily caused by decreases in tourism and consumer spending, exacerbated by global events.
What is the literacy rate in Barbados?
Answer: Close to 100%
Explanation: Barbados boasts a literacy rate close to 100%.
Which of the following is a higher education institution in Barbados?
Answer: Cave Hill campus of the University of the West Indies
Explanation: The Cave Hill campus of the University of the West Indies is one of the higher education institutions available in Barbados.
What is the driving convention in Barbados?
Answer: Drivers drive on the left side of the road.
Explanation: In Barbados, drivers drive on the left side of the road, consistent with many former British colonies.
What is the primary airport in Barbados?
Answer: Grantley Adams International Airport
Explanation: The island's sole airport is Grantley Adams International Airport, serving as a southern air-transportation hub for the Caribbean.
What is the currency of Barbados?
Answer: Barbadian dollar
Explanation: The currency of Barbados is the Barbadian dollar, symbolized as '$' and with the ISO 4217 code BBD.
The majority of Barbados's population is of European ancestry, primarily from England and Ireland.
Answer: False
Explanation: The population of Barbados is predominantly of African ancestry, with close to 90% identifying as Afro-Caribbean or mixed ancestry.
The name 'Barbados' is thought to originate from a Portuguese or Spanish term meaning 'the bearded ones,' possibly referring to the indigenous bearded fig tree.
Answer: True
Explanation: The name 'Barbados' is believed to derive from 'os barbados' or 'los barbados,' meaning 'the bearded ones,' potentially referencing the bearded fig tree, Kalinago people, or sea foam.
The Pre-Columbian name for Barbados, 'Ichirouganaim,' translates to 'Island of the Sun' in Arawakan-speaking tribes.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Pre-Columbian name 'Ichirouganaim' has possible translations such as 'Red land with white teeth,' 'Redstone island with teeth outside (reefs),' or simply 'Teeth,' not 'Island of the Sun'.
Barbados is colloquially known as 'Bim' or 'Bimshire,' with 'Bim' possibly stemming from an Igbo term related to 'my home.'
Answer: True
Explanation: Barbadians colloquially refer to their island as 'Bim' or 'Bimshire,' and 'Bim' may indeed originate from the Igbo term 'bém' or 'bé mú,' meaning 'my home, kindred, kind.'
Barbados and Japan are notable for having the highest per capita occurrences of centenarians in the world.
Answer: True
Explanation: Barbados and Japan share the distinction of having the highest per capita occurrences of centenarians globally.
Bajan Creole is the official language of Barbados, used for all administrative and public services.
Answer: False
Explanation: English is the official language of Barbados, used for administration and public services, while Bajan Creole serves as the vernacular language.
The Church of England remains the official state religion of Barbados, despite the country's independence.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Church of England was the official state religion until its legal disestablishment by the Parliament of Barbados after independence.
The Crop Over festival is a modern event established in the 20th century, focusing solely on musical competitions.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Crop Over festival was established in 1687 and reintroduced in 1974, making it an older tradition, and it includes traditional activities and the crowning of a King and Queen of the crop, not solely musical competitions.
Mount Gay Rum from Barbados claims to be the world's oldest remaining rum company with a confirmed deed from 1703.
Answer: True
Explanation: Mount Gay Rum from Barbados indeed claims to be the world's oldest remaining rum company, with a confirmed deed dating back to 1703.
The Landship movement in Barbados is a serious military organization based on the Royal Navy.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Landship movement is a satirical organization based on the Royal Navy, part of Barbadian folk traditions, not a serious military organization.
Rihanna, a Barbadian pop star, was appointed a National Hero in 2021 during the country's transition to a republic.
Answer: True
Explanation: International pop star Rihanna was appointed as a National Hero of Barbados by Prime Minister Mia Mottley in 2021, coinciding with the country's transition to a republic.
Obadele Thompson is Barbados's only Olympic medalist, having won a gold medal in the 100m at the 2000 Summer Olympic Games.
Answer: False
Explanation: Obadele Thompson is Barbados's first and only Olympic medalist in Track and Field, but he won a bronze medal in the 100m at the 2000 Summer Olympic Games, not a gold medal.
What is the primary ethnic ancestry of the majority of Barbados's population?
Answer: Afro-Caribbean and mixed ancestry
Explanation: The population of Barbados is predominantly of African ancestry, with nearly 90% identifying as Afro-Caribbean and mixed ancestry.
Which of the following is a proposed origin for the name 'Barbados'?
Answer: A Portuguese term meaning 'the bearded ones'.
Explanation: The name 'Barbados' is believed to derive from either the Portuguese term 'os barbados' or the Spanish equivalent 'los barbados', both meaning 'the bearded ones'.
What was the original Pre-Columbian name for Barbados, according to Indigenous Arawakan-speaking tribes?
Answer: Ichirouganaim
Explanation: The original Pre-Columbian name for Barbados, according to descendants of Indigenous Arawakan-speaking tribes, was 'Ichirouganaim'.
What notable demographic characteristic does Barbados share with Japan?
Answer: The highest per capita occurrences of centenarians.
Explanation: Barbados and Japan share the distinction of having the highest per capita occurrences of centenarians in the world.
What is the official language of Barbados?
Answer: English
Explanation: English is the official language of Barbados, used for communication, administration, and public services.
What is the largest religious denomination in Barbados?
Answer: Anglicanism
Explanation: Christianity is the largest religion in Barbados, with Anglicanism being the largest denomination, accounting for 23.9% of the population in 2019.
What is the national dish of Barbados?
Answer: Cou-cou and flying fish served with spicy gravy
Explanation: The national dish of Barbados is cou-cou and flying fish served with spicy gravy.
Which Barbadian rum brand claims to be the world's oldest remaining rum company?
Answer: Mount Gay Rum
Explanation: Mount Gay Rum from Barbados claims to be the world's oldest remaining rum company with a confirmed deed from 1703.
Who is Barbados's first and only Olympic medalist in Track and Field?
Answer: Obadele Thompson
Explanation: Obadele Thompson is Barbados's first and only Olympic medalist in Track and Field, having won a bronze medal in the 100m at the 2000 Summer Olympic Games.