POSTCARD N.209 -  BARBADOS

Postcard sent on the 15th December 2025; received on the 20thJanuary 2026.

Postcard image: Barbados beach views

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The last of my friends Caribbean venture. And another box ticked on the list. Wonderful

Muito obrigado, Diana, Nuno e Xavi, sois os maiores!

A former British Colony, Barbados, The Easternmost  state of the Caribbean, comprises but the Island that bears its name.

Having become independent from the UK in 1966, although maintaining the status of realm of the Commonwealth, with Elizabeth II as the Head of State, the country would become a Republic in 2021, although maintaining its association with the Commonwealth, now with the status of Republic within the Commonwealth, its Head of State now being elected by an electoral college.

Barbados is probably one of the most sought tourist destinations in the Caribbean and the fact that it is located out of the Hurricane area of influence is without doubt a contributing factor for this.

Other than tourism, the economy also benefits from offshore finance operations and  the sugarcane industry, this having been cultivated locally since the 17th century. 

The stamp used is part of a definitive issue of 14 stamps, dated of 18JAN2016, dedicated to the "Builders of Barbados".

It is illustrated with a very nice portrait of Sarah Ann Gill (1795 - 1866), a  social and religious leader  during the era of slavery upon whom the parliament bestowed the title of National Hero of Barbados.

The Postmark was applied at the town of Christ Church, located in the Southern end of the Island.