Barbados, the most easterly of the Caribbean chain of islands, was first settled by the British in 1627 and remained a British colony until internal autonomy was granted in 1961.The island gained full independence in 1966 but maintains ties to the British monarchy as a member of the Commonwealth.

Tourism is the main foreign exchange earner, with agriculture, oil and the financial services sector contributing to the island’s economy.

Barbados is a relatively flat island rising west to east in a series of terraces to its highest point Mount Hillaby, which is 1100ft above sea level. On the western side of the island, the sea is relatively calm. However, on the eastern side where the waves roll in from the Atlantic the coast is much more rugged. The Barbados climate is tropical with temperatures ranging from 21 to 31 degrees celsius and a rainy season from June to October.

The island has one airport, Grantley Adams International which is thirty (30) minutes drive from the capital, Bridgetown. The major seaport is located in Bridgetown and serves both cargo and cruise ships.

The official currency is the Barbados (BDS) dollar and the exchange rate is fixed at BDS $1.98 to US$1.