Barbados

Barbados is the most easterly Caribbean island and is located at 13o 10ʹ north latitude and 59o 32ʹ west [Page 130]longitude. Visited by Portuguese explorers in 1605, the island was claimed by the British crown in 1625 and settled by them in 1627. Unlike many of its Caribbean neighbors, Barbados remained a British colony until independence in 1966 and is a member of the British Commonwealth.

Geologically, the island is composed of 85% coral limestone and 15% oceanic clays and chalks, resulting in white sand beaches. There is an abundance of coral reef, ideal for snorkeling and scuba diving. According to The World Factbook, the population of 290,604 (as of July 2015) is predominantly of African descent (92.4%).

The introduction of sugar cane in the 1640s was ...