Time Zone |
America/Barbados |
Standard Time GMT / UTC |
UTC-4 |
Daylight Saving Time |
Daylight saving time is not observed in the current region. |
Time Zone |
America/Los_Angeles |
Standard Time GMT / UTC |
UTC-8 |
Daylight Saving Time |
UTC-7 |
Barbados is an island nation located in the eastern Caribbean Sea and is part of the Lesser Antilles. The capital is Bridgetown, which is the political, economic and cultural center of the country. The country covers an area of about 430 square kilometers and has a population of about 280,000. It has English as its official language, became independent in 1966 and is now a member of the Commonwealth.
Barbados does not have a standing army, and its defense is the responsibility of the Barbados Defence Force (BDF), with a total strength of about 600, comprising coast guard and infantry units. The country has military cooperation with the United States and the United Kingdom, among others, but there is no permanent foreign military presence on its territory. Bridgetown's deep-water harbor occasionally receives international naval visits for joint training or humanitarian operations.
The island is dominated by coral limestone terrain, a favorable climate, and tourism as the mainstay of the economy. Bridgetown, the main port city, has a colonial architectural heritage and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The country is socially stable and has one of the higher per capita incomes in the Caribbean.
The City of Sandy is located in Clackamas County, Oregon, USA, at the southern end of the Columbia River Gorge, about 37 kilometers from the Portland metropolitan area. With a total area of approximately 7.5 square kilometers and a population of approximately 12,000 (2023 data), the city is an important gateway for outdoor enthusiasts due to its proximity to the Mount Hood National Forest and the Sandy River.
The City of Sandy is located in the western foothills of the Cascade Mountains, with an average elevation of approximately 305 meters above sea level. The Sandy River runs through the city, providing recreational opportunities for fishing, rafting and hiking. The city is surrounded by several state parks and waterfall landscapes. Annual precipitation is about 1,400 millimeters, presenting a typical Pacific Northwest temperate maritime climate.
The economy is traditionally based on wood processing and agriculture, but in recent years, the city has been developing a tourism service industry. The annual Sandy Mountain Festival and Summer Street Fair attract a large number of tourists. The city is known for its preservation of its historic downtown district, with several buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
U.S. Highway 26 runs through the city, connecting Portland to the Mt. Hood Ski Resort. The city has a well-developed park system and network of hiking trails, and educational services are provided by the Sandy School District, which contains three elementary schools and one middle school. 2021 was named one of the safest cities in Oregon.