Location
Barbados is situated just east of the Caribbean Sea in the western Atlantic Ocean. Lies in the southern Caribbean region, as part of the Lesser Antilles Closest island neighbours are St. Vincent & the Grenadines and St. Lucia to the west and Trinidad & Tobago to the south.

Size
Total area is 431 sq. km (167 sq. miles).

History
The first indigenous people are thought to be Amerindians who arrived from Venezuela around 350 - 400 BC. The Arawak and Caribs arrived in waves migrating from South America. The Portuguese then briefly claimed Barbados from the mid- 1500s to the 1600s but left for South America in 1610. British sailors landed on Barbados in 1625 and from then until independence in 1966, Barbados was under uninterrupted British control. Barbados eventually had one of the world's biggest sugar industries after Jewish merchants from Brazil introduced the sugarcane to the island in the mid 1600s. In Barbados and the rest of the British West Indian colonies, full emancipation from slavery was preceded by an apprenticeship period that lasted four years. When the West Indies Federation dissolved, Barbados reverted to its former status, as a self-governing colony. Barbados finally became an independent state within the Commonwealth of Nations on November 30, 1966 with Errol Barrow as its first Prime Minister.

Population
279,000

Capital
Bridgetown is located on the southwest coast of the island

Government
Barbados functions as a constitutional monarchy and parliamentary democracy, modeled on the British Westminster system, with Elizabeth II, Queen of Barbados, as head of state represented locally by the Governors-General, and the prime Minister as the head of the government. Barbados is a full and participating member of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), the Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME), the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), which pertains only to Barbados and Guyana but is expected to replace the UK Privy Council for the entire English-speaking Caribbean eventually, and the Association of Caribbean States (ACS).

Language
English is the official language but a Barbadian Dialect can be heard throughout the island.

Climate
Stable year-round climate 75 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Average relative humidity 57-74%, constant trade winds 7-8 miles per hour.

Tourism Activities & Sightseeing
The festive night-life in the St. Lawrence Gap area is popular with visitors For flower lovers there are a number of gardens to visit including Orchid World, Andromeda Gardens and the Flower Forest Many plantations open their doors for a glimpse of history, including Francia Grant House, Sunbury Plantation, and St. Nicholas Abbey Famous for its rum, there are many distilleries (both large and small) which allow visitors and give guided tours; Mount Gay, Four Square, Malibu and many, many more Take a tram ride through Harrison's Caves to view stalactites, stalagmites, waterfalls and pools. Holder's Season, held in March, is internationally renowned for its series of opera, theater and music performances, many of them in outdoor venues. Gun Hill Signal Station. Andromeda Gardens. Farley Hill National Park. Barbados Wildlife Reserve. Grenade Hall Signal Station. The Garrison Savannah. Kensington Oval. Folkstone Marine Park

Airports
Grantley Adams International Airport (BGI) is 30 minutes drive from Bridgetown, the capital.

Currency
Barbadian dollar (BBD)

Electricity
Electricity in Barbados is 115 Volts, alternating at 50 cycles per second.

Time zone
GMT-4

Driving
On the left.

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The Official Website of the Barbados Tourism Authority
www.visitbarbados.org