9781422286258

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Beauty , Beaches , and Bajans

meters). From this height climbers can look down on much of the island. Steep hills can be seen stretching in several directions, becoming smaller and gentler as they slope toward the sea. The constant sunshine and white, sandy beaches of Barbados lure thou- sands of tourists to the island each year. The southern coast’s Casuarina Beach features the biggest waves and is the favorite spot for windsurfers, while Sandy Beach on the northern coast has quieter waters and attracts families. Payne’s Bay is the place to go to on the western coast if you enjoy snorkeling and other water sports, and the best swimming can be found at Church Point on the western coast. How ’ s the Weather? People from all over the world like to vacation on Barbados, and one of the main reasons is the weather. With more than 3,000 hours of sunshine each year, it is almost always warm and sunny. No matter the month, the high temperature is usually around 85°F (29°C), while lows rarely dip below 70ºF (21°C). The rainy season is between June and November. Three-quarters of the annual rainfall—about 60 inches (152 centimeters), on average—occurs during these months. Hurricanes are the only real natural hazard on Barbados. While most of these seasonal storms tend to bypass Barbados and head off to the north, some do hit the island. When they do, incredible damage can result. Strong hurricanes pounded Barbados in 1780, 1831, 1898, and 1955. Each time they killed many people and destroyed crops, businesses, and homes. Major storms also hit the island in 1980 and 2010, damaging hundreds of homes but