Barbados
Barbados was uninhabited when first settled by the British in 1627. Its economy remained heavily dependent on sugar, rum, and molasses production through most of the 20th century. In the 1990s, tourism and manufacturing surpassed the sugar industry in economic importance.
Barbados gained internal self-government in 1961 and became an independent nation on 30 November 1966. Since independence, Barbados has been a stable parliamentary democracy. The head of state is Queen Elizabeth II, represented by Governor-General Sir Clifford Husbands. Executive authority is vested in the Prime Minister and his Cabinet, which is collectively responsible to the Parliament. There is a tradition of stable policies pursued from one administration to the next. Each administration normally averages two consecutive terms in office.
Prime Minister Owen Arthur, an economist, won a third term in 2003 after his Barbados Labour Party (BLP) gained 23 of 30 seats in parliament. He first took office in 1994 after running on a platform to build "a modern, technologically-dynamic economy,” create jobs and boost investment. In 1999 he again led the BLP to a landslide victory, promising economic growth and international competitiveness, and to make Barbados a republic. The premier aims to hold a referendum on the issue and proposes that Barbados should have a ceremonial president as head of state.
Barbados is the most easterly of the Caribbean islands. Most of the island is relatively flat, with low, gentle hills in the interior, except for the northeast, which rises up to 340 metres. The west coast has white sandy beaches and calm turquoise waters. The east side of the island faces the more turbulent Atlantic. Coral reefs surround most of the island.
Public protests and demonstrations are quite rare.
The hurricane season in Barbados normally runs from June to November.
There are occasional periods of tension between the affluent white community, which owns and controls the economy, funds political parties and exercises an indirect influence on government policy, and the majority black Barbadians, known as Bajans. However, the tension is usually played out in public forums and not in violence.
The ICC Cricket World Cup runs from March 11 to April 28, 2007, with warm-up games in the region beginning on March 5, 2007. Barbados expects an influx of travelers during the games.
There are severe penalties for all drug offenses. Pack all luggage yourself and do not carry anything through customs for anyone else.
It is an offense for anyone, including children, to dress in camouflage clothing.
Although not illegal, topless bathing is frowned upon.
