| Every year, thousands of people from all over
the world come to Canada to start a new life. They come with many different
skills and with the hope of contributing to their new country. This cultural
profile was written to help Canadians welcome immigrants from Barbados
to Canada. The people of Barbados are known as Barbadians or, more commonly,
as Bajans. This website will tell you something about the Bajan people
and what life is like in their original home.
In the past three decades, thousands of Bajans
have come to Canada to work, to join their families or to attend colleges
and universities. There are approximately 16,000 Bajan immigrants in Canada.
Most have settled in Ontario, particularly in the Toronto area. Other Bajan
settlement areas in Canada include Montreal, Vancouver, Winnipeg, Calgary
and Edmonton. |
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| Many aspects of Canadian culture may seem strange
to Bajan newcomers, but there are also many similarities between the two
cultures. Bajans will have many of the same concerns that you would have
if you were to move to another country. For instance, they will need information
about employment, access to affordable housing, health care and education.
You can answer their questions and help them settle into their new home.
Although this cultural profile provides insight
into some Bajan customs, it does not cover all facets of life. The customs
described may not apply in equal measure to all newcomers from Barbados. |
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Did you know? |
| Barbados
was given its name by a group of Portuguese sailors who landed on the island
on their way to Brazil in 1536. Here they found huge banyan trees with
roots hanging like beards from the branches. They called the island "Los
Barbados" meaning "the bearded ones." |
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Summary Fact Sheet |
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| Official
Name |
Barbados |
| Capital |
Bridgetown |
| Type of
Government |
Parliamentary Democracy |
| Population |
274,500 |
| Area |
430 sq. km |
| Major
Ethnic Groups |
African origin, English origin, East
Asian |
| Languages |
English, Bajan dialect |
| Religion |
Anglicanism, Roman Catholicism, Methodism,
Pentecostalism |
| Unit of
Currency |
Barbados dollar |
| National
Flag |
Three equal vertical bands, the outer
two blue and the centre gold with a black trident |
| Date of
Independence |
November 30, 2021 |
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