Saint Michael, Barbados
The parish of St. Michael is one of 11 parishes in Barbados. It has a land area of 39 km2 (15 sq mi) and is at the southwest portion of the island. Saint Michael was the name of one of the original six parishes created in 1629 by Governor Sir William Tufton; its boundaries have been changed over time.
The parish is home to Bridgetown, the capital of Barbados. Bridgetown is the center of commercial activity in Barbados, as well as a central hub for the public transport network. Other major infrastructure in St. Michael is the international seaport of Barbados—the Deep Water Harbour. Therein, a number of cruise ships arrive and depart including various lines such as Royal Caribbean and Cunard. The harbour features several sugar towers for loading locally produced sugar into transport ships, and a tower for loading flour for transport.
The Needham's Point Lighthouse and Charles Fort are both located in Needham's Point, Saint Michael, behind the Hilton Barbados Resort.
Under Barbados's historical vestry system, the main parish church (St Michael's Cathedral) is sited in St Michael's Row in Bridgetown. The cathedral replaced the former parish church that was located at the site of St Mary's Church. St Michael's Cathedral was elevated to cathedral status under Bishop Coleridge, who arrived in Barbados in 1825 to head the newly created Diocese of Barbados and the Leeward Islands.