Time Zone |
America/Toronto |
Standard Time GMT / UTC |
UTC-5 |
Daylight Saving Time |
UTC-4 |
Time Zone |
America/Barbados |
Standard Time GMT / UTC |
UTC-4 |
Daylight Saving Time |
Daylight saving time is not observed in the current region. |
Located in southwestern Ontario, Canada, Waterloo is an important part of the Kitchener-Waterloo metropolitan area. Located approximately 100 kilometers from Toronto, the city is known for its world-class technology industry and higher education institutions.
The University of Waterloo is one of Canada's top research universities, with a particular reputation for excellence in engineering, computer science and mathematics. It has a world-leading cooperative education program that provides students with valuable hands-on experience. Its neighboring Wilfrid Laurier University contributes equally rich academic resources.
As the heart of Canada's Technology Triangle, Waterloo is home to many high-tech companies, including the R&D centers of Google and BlackBerry. Waterloo is also a hotbed for startups, with an active innovation incubator and venture capital community.
Waterloo hosts annual cultural events such as the famous Octave Festival, offering a wealth of entertainment options. The city is well-greened with numerous parks and recreational facilities, while the relatively low cost of living makes it an ideal place to live.
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.