Saint James, Barbados
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| Statistics | |
|---|---|
| Parish: | Saint James |
| Area: | 31km² (12 sq. mi.) |
| Largest City: | Holetown |
| Population (1990 est.): | 20,771 inhab. |
| Population Density: | 670,03 inhab/km² |
| Parliamentary representation | |
| - House seats | 3 |
| Map | |
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| Parishes of Barbados | |
Saint James is a parish of Barbados on the western side of the island, and is becoming increasingly known as the playground of the rich and famous, and a haven for sun-starved tourists.
Once known as the "Gold Coast", St. James is now referred to as the "Platinum Coast" in local colloquium, reflective of its glitzy beach-front mansions, pristine beaches, luxury hotels and almost ridiculous land prices.
The parish also has great historic significance, as it was here that the first British settlers landed in 1625. Under the authority of King James, the British claimed Barbados when they arrived at St. James' present-day city of Holetown (formerly Jamestown, named after the King himself), and established Barbados into what would later be known as "Little England".
As the sole parish that combines good shopping, excellent eating, and the chance to hob-nob with the who's who's of Hollywood and beyond, St. James is the gem of Barbados' bustling tourist industry, with attractions steeped in history from the St. James Parish Church, to the Portvale Sugar Factory - one of the few operational sugar factories on the island.
Though a haven for tourists and foreign expatriates, St. James is far from exclusive. As one of the bigger parishes, it is home to over 20,000 nationals strewn across its many districts, across various social strata. The parish is home to the prestigious Queen's College, one of the foremost schools not only in Barbados, but the Caribbean, founded over a century ago by a British plantation owner by the name of Col. Henry Drax. At its most rural, the parish's many villages (such as the seafront "Fitts Village") are abuzz with activity, near-familial camraderie, and an active social atmosphere.
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| Parishes of Barbados |  |
|---|---|
| Christ Church | Saint Andrew | Saint George | Saint James | Saint John | Saint Joseph | Saint Lucy | Saint Michael | Saint Peter | Saint Philip | Saint Thomas | |
