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.
Historically, the Barbadian economy had been dependent on sugarcane cultivation and related activities. However, since the 1950s there has been an increasing dependence on tourism. Long stay visitors to the island have increased from 17,829 in 1956 to 507,086 in 2001. The island has also benefited from the development of the international cruise industry with an increase in cruise passengers from 12,391 in 1956 to 527,597 in 2001. Visitor expenditure in 2001 was estimated at Bds$1.4 billion, which represents 14 percent of Gross Domestic Product.
Barbados is a relatively flat island rising west to east in a series of terraces to its highest point Mount Hillaby, which is 1100ft. 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. Barbados with 1,475 kilometres of paved roads is considered to have one of the best systems of roads in the Caribbean. The island's population has easy access to a comprehensive health care system which offers preventative and curative services. It also has access to free education to tertiary level.
Barbados is serviced by a number of international airlines including Air Canada, American Airlines, British Airways, Air Jamaica, Caribbean Airlines (formerly BWIA), bmi, Delta Airlines, US Airways and Virgin Atlantic. All visitors to Barbados must have valid passports. 
are not required for nationals of CARICOM, USA, UK nor Canada. All visitors must have onward or return tickets to their country of residence/origin. Departure tax is included in the cost of the air ticket at the point of purchase.
The currency of Barbados is the Barbados dollar which has an exchange rate of BDS$1.98=US $1.00. International banks with branches in Barbados, include FirstCaribbean International, Republic Bank of Trinidad and Tobago (RBTT), Bank of Butterfield, Bank of Nova Scotia, and the Royal Bank of Canada. All major credit cards are accepted in Barbados.
