Geography Quiz Arcade

Capital of Barbados: Bridgetown

The capital of Barbados is Bridgetown. Barbados sits in North America, has a population of 281,635, and uses the BBD. Official languages include English.

Quick facts

  • Capital: Bridgetown
  • Continent: North America
  • Population: ~281,635
  • Area: 430 km²
  • Population density: 655 people per km²
  • Official language: English
  • Currency: BBD
  • ISO code: BB

How big is Barbados?

By population, Barbados ranks 176th in the world, holding roughly well under a hundredth of a percent of all people on Earth. By land area it ranks 185th.

Those two numbers rarely match, and the gap between them is the interesting part. Barbados has 655 people per square kilometre, which is about 11 times the world average of 59.4. It is more crowded than its size alone would suggest.

Within North America, Barbados is the 17th most populous country of 23.

Countries of a similar size

The two countries closest to Barbados in population are Vanuatu (326,740) and São Tomé and Príncipe (227,380).

By land area, its closest counterparts are Antigua and Barbuda (442 km²) and Seychelles (455 km²).

Comparisons like these are worth more than raw figures when you are trying to remember them. A number on its own is hard to hold; a number next to a country you already have a feel for is much easier.

Language and currency

English is spoken officially in 58 countries in this dataset, including Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Belize and Botswana, and 52 others.

Barbados uses the BBD, and it is the only country that does, which makes the currency name a reliable one-to-one clue.

Barbados in North America

The largest countries by population sharing this continent are United States, Mexico, Canada and Guatemala.

If you are learning capitals region by region — far more effective than working alphabetically — North America is the block Barbados belongs to, and its neighbours are the ones worth learning alongside it.

Try the Country to Capital Quiz, or the harder reverse direction. There is also a full country profile for Barbados and a page on the flag of Barbados.

Frequently asked questions

What is the capital of Barbados?

The capital of Barbados is Bridgetown.

What is the population of Barbados?

About 281,635, making it the 176th most populous country in the world.

How big is Barbados?

430 square kilometres, ranking 185th by land area, at a density of 655 people per square kilometre.

What currency does Barbados use?

The BBD, which no other country uses.

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