30 November: Barbados Independence Day

Barbados gained Independence from the UK on 30 November 1966. Here are ten things you might not know about Barbados.

1. Bridgetown is the capital and largest city. It was originally called Indian Bridge and changed to its current name after 1654.
2. Bridgetown has a Trafalgar Square with a statue of Nelson in it which was erected on 22 Mar 1813, making it older than its counterpart in London.
3. The name comes from the Portuguese or Spanish words meaning "the bearded ones". This might refer to the the bearded fig-tree which has long, hanging roots, or indigenous Caribs living there who had beards. In ancient times it was called Ichirouganaim, meaning "Red land with white teeth". It has also been called Bim or Bimshire. According to the National Cultural Foundation of Barbados, "Bim" was a word commonly used by slaves which derives from the Igbo term bé mụ́ meaning 'my home, kindred, kind'.
4. The flag has two blue bands, representing the sea, with a yellow band in the middle representing the sand on the island. The Yellow band contains a broken trident taken from the colonial badge, which features Britannia holding a trident. This symbolises the break from being a colony. The Flag was designed by Grantley W. Prescod as part of an open competition organised by the government.
5. Early settlers imported mongooses to kill the Rats in the sugar cane fields. This backfired as the mongooses preferred to eat the Snakes which ate the rats. It is considered good luck in Barbados if a mongoose crosses your path.
6. Citizens are officially called Barbadians. Colloquially they might refer to themselves as "Bajan", which may have come from a localised pronunciation of the word Barbadian, which at times can sound more like "Bar-bajan".
7. The highest point is Mount Hillaby in the geological Scotland District 340 metres (1,120 ft) above sea level. The tallest buildings in the world are higher.
8. The Pride of Barbados is the national flower. The leaves are boiled and used as a tea which is supposed to help stop babies from crying.
9. Barbados exports $57 million worth of Rum per year.
10. Famous Barbadians include Grandmaster Flash (born Joseph Saddler in Bridgetown in 1958) and Rihanna (born in Saint Michael). In 2009 she was appointed as an Honorary Ambassador of youth and culture for Barbados.