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The National Anthem of Barbados
Played at all public events. It represents where Bajans have come from and where they are going.

Landship
The Barbados Landship is a unique part of the culture in Barbados, whose origin can be traced back to the 1800's. The best way to describe the landship is as a "theatrical group" which performs intricate dances that reflect the passage of ships through rough seas and the activities that take place on board. Some of the most popular dances are ribbon dances around a maypole. The performers wear costumes that are similar to those worn in the Navy. Although the organization was based on the structure of the British Navy, its dances are performed to an African rhythm, often accompanied by a tuk band, once again reflecting the merged cultures of Barbados.

National Heroes Day, April 28th
Chosen in honor of the birth of Sir Grantley Herbert Adams, one of the ten national heroes remembered every year.

Literacy
With a literacy rate of 99.7%, as measured by the UNDP Report 2007/2008, Barbados is ranked 4th worldwide.

The National Flag of Barbados
Officially adopted on November 30th, 1966 when the island became independent. It is composed of three vertical panels with gold on the inside panel and ultra marine on the two outer panels. In the middle of the gold panel is a broken Trident in black. The Trident is broken representing the break from the United Kingdom of historical and constitutional ties after the island became independent. The national flag of Barbados was designed by Mr. Grantley W. Prescod

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Jacobean Mansions
Barbados is the home of two of the three remaining Jacobean Mansions left in the Western hemisphere. These two historic buildings are St. Nicholas Abbey in the north of Barbados and Drax Hall in the center of the island. St. Nicholas Abbey is open to the public while Drax Hall is a private home.

Flying Fish

Barbados is sometimes called the "land of the flying fish" and this fish is part of the national dish - "cou cou and flying fish" - where it is usually served steamed.

Bajan
The local language of Barbados is often referred to as Bajan dialect, or quite simply Bajan. Bajan dialect is a slang version of broken standard English, or a simplified pidgin English, mixed with very distinctive Bajanism that are unique to the island. Bajans speak in their native dialect using words in a colorful, expressive, fast-paced manner.

Pirates of the Caribbean
Barbados is known for two pirates of the Caribbean - Sam Lord and Stede Bonnet. Legend has it that Sam Lord hung lanterns in the coconut trees on the beach near his castle to attract ships. Captains mistook the lanterns for the lights of the capital city and wrecked their ships on the reefs. He would then plunder the ships. Stede Bonnet, a retired British army major and well-off plantation owner in Barbados, turned to piracy in early 1717 and purchased his own pirate ship, an unheard of act among the pirates of the Caribbean. Bonnet sailed his pirate ship "Revenge" off the New England Coast, capturing and burning several ships, before returning to the Caribbean. Here he befriended perhaps the most famous of the pirates of the Caribbean - Blackbeard! He eventually captured and sentenced to death and was hung for piracy at the end of 1718.

West Indian Sea Island Cotton
Barbados' unique geographical position, climate and soil make the island the ideal location for growing West Indian Sea Island cotton. This incredible variety of cotton is rated as the highest grade, due mainly to the fiber's length, strength and silkiest. West Indian Sea Island cotton has traditionally been a favorite of the wealthy and royalty. records dating back to 1650.

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Jacobean Mansions