bärbāˈdōz, island state (1995 est. pop. 256,000), 166 sq mi (430 sq km), in the West Indies. The capital and largest city is Bridgetown.

Land, People, and Economy

The island, E of St. Vincent, in the Windward Islands, is the easternmost of the Caribbean islands. It is low and rises gradually toward its highest point at Mt. Hillaby (1,104 ft/336 m). Although there is ample rainfall from June to December, there are no rivers, and water must be pumped from subterranean caverns. More than three quarters of the population is of African descent, and about 15% are of mixed African and European descent. English-speaking, most Barbadians are Protestant.

The porous soil and moderate warmth are excellent for the cultivation of sugarcane, which was historically the island's main occupation. Today, sugar and molasses remain important products and are the country's largest exports. The healthful and equable climate makes it a very popular tourist resort and tourism is the country's largest industry. Manufacturing (largely chemicals, electrical components, clothing, rum, and machinery) and banking are growing sectors of the economy.

History

Although it was probably originally inhabited by Arawaks, it was uninhabited when the English expeditionaries first settled there in 1627 (1605, according to local tradition). Barbados remained a British colony until independence was granted in 1966. During the 19th cent. it was the administrative headquarters of the Windward Islands, but in 1885 it became a separate colony. It was a member of the short-lived Federation of the West Indies (1958–62). The island became an independent associated state of the Commonwealth in 1966, with a parliamentary form of government. The Democratic Labor party held power from 1986 until 1994, when the Barbados Labor party won a legislative majority; Owen Arthur became prime minister. Barbados is a member of the Organization of American States, the Caribbean Community, and the United Nations.

Bibliography

See K. R. Hope, Economic Development in the Caribbean (1986); H. Beckles, A History of Barbados (1990).

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