Filled with historic buildings, quaint villages and colonial customs, Barbados still retains those lingering remnants of British rule. Which is quite natural since the inhabitants lived under British law and customs continuously from the early 1600s until the island's independence day in 1966.
Many islands were won and lost by various countries in colonial wars over the centuries but Barbados always remained a British island outpost. (By the way, if you want to sound more like a native, pronounce the word with a softer sound: 'Bar-bay-dez')
Floating all alone outside the main chain of the Windward Islands, Barbados is the most easterly island of the Caribbean Sea, and arguably, its eastern beaches touch the waters of the Atlantic. Though the land mass of the island measures only 21 miles by 14 miles, more than one-quarter of a million people call this very proper British accented island their home.
* Nationality - Independent
* Language - English
* Currency - Barbados Dollar
* Approx exchange - approx. 2B to $1 U.S.
* Air service - major carriers/charters & BWIA, LIAT, Carib Express
