7 interesting facts about George Washington

2. Only traveled outside of North America once

From his early occupation as a land surveyor to his military career and eventually two terms as president, Washington did a lot of traveling throughout North America and the East Coast.

However, Washington only left the continent once in his life. In 1751, a 19-year-old Washington traveled to the Caribbean island of Barbados with his older half-brother, Lawrence Washington.

According to the Bridgetown, Barbados-based historic site, Lawrence Washington was traveling to the island to help treat a worsening case of tuberculosis.

The younger Washington accompanied his half-brother to help him get situated, taking the six-week voyage while Lawrence’s wife and newborn remained in colonial Virginia.

Unfortunately, the move to the tropical climate did not improve his condition, and Lawrence Washington died from the disease the following year at age 34.