Bridgetown

Port, capital, and leading commercial centre of Barbados; population (2000 est) 7,000 (town), 97,500 (urban area). It lies in the southwest of the island on Carlisle Bay, and to the northwest includes a deep-water harbour, through which the products of traditional sugar manufacturing are exported. Tourism is also an important industry, and to the north of Bridgetown is the resort of Paradise Beach. Bridgetown was founded in 1628; it became the capital of Barbados at independence in 1966.

A campus of the University of the West Indies in the town dates from 1963. Bridgetown was the birthplace of Edward Braithwaite, the poet and historian, and of the cricketers Clyde Walcott and Frank Worrell.

Bridgetown

Town in the southwest of Western Australia, 267 km/166 mi south of Perth; population (1996) 2,100. Current industries include fruit, sheep, cattle, pig, and dairy production, food processing, arts and crafts, timber and sawmilling, wine production, and aquaculture. It is a popular destination for retirees and weekend retreats.

It was first established in the 1860s, as a fruit growing district. When tin was discovered 15 km/9 mi north of the town in 1888 the district expanded rapidly. Located in the heart of the Karri and Jarrah forests, Bridgetown also developed an important timber industry during the 1880s.