My first postcard from Barbados

Tribute to the West India Regiment

17 Jun 2013 | Suzy and Harry of Barbados

POSTCROSSING SWAP

This is the second postcard Suzy and Harry (they are mother and son) sent me from their country. Unfortunately, the first one did not reach me. But I'm so happy that this one did - my first postcard from Barbados.

Barbados is a sovereign island country in the Lesser Antilles.  It is situated in the western area of the North Atlantic and 100 kilometres (62 mi) east of the Windward Islands and the Caribbean Sea; therein, it is about 168 kilometres (104 mi) east of the islands of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and 400 kilometres (250 mi) north-east of Trinidad and Tobago. Barbados is outside of the principal Atlantic hurricane belt.

The origin of the name Barbados is either the Portuguese word Barbados or the Spanish equivalent Barbudos, both meaning "the bearded ones" It is unclear whether "bearded" refers to the long, hanging roots of the bearded fig-tree , indigenous to the island; or to the allegedly bearded Caribs once inhabiting the island; or, more fancifully, to the foam spraying over the outlying reefs giving the impression of a beard

Barbados was discovered by Spanish navigators in the late 15th century and claimed for the Spanish Crown. It first appears on a Spanish map from 1511. The Portuguese visited the island in 1536, but they left it unclaimed

In 1966, Barbados became an independent state and Commonwealth realm, retaining Queen Elizabeth II as Head of State.