Barbados is situated just east of the caribbean sea, is an independent nation in the western Atlantic Ocean, at roughly 13 degrees North and 59 degrees west

Barbados's total land area is about 430 square kilometres,(166 square miles), and is primarily low-lying, with some higher regions in the island's interior. The organic composition of Barbados is thought to be of of non-volcanic origin and is mostly composed of limestone-coral.

Barbados has one of the highest standards of living and literacy rates worldwide. despite its small size, Barbados's Human Decelopment Index ranking is consistently among the top 50 in the world. For example, in 2006, it was ranked thirty-first in the world, and third in the Americas, behind canada and the United States.

Barbados has been an independent state in the Commonwealth since November 30, 1966. It functions as a parliamentary democracy modeled on the the British Westminster system. Its parliament cpmprises thirty seats.

Historically, the economy of barbados had been dependent on sugarcane cultivation and related activities, but in recent years it has diversified into manufacturing and tourism sectors. Offshore finance and information services have become increasingly important foreign exchange earners, and therer is a healty light manufacturing sector.

The island has a single major airport, the Sir Grantley Adams International Airport. It receives daily flights by several major airline from points around the globe, as well as well several smaller regional commercial airline and charters. The airport serves as the main air-transportation hub for the the Eastern Caribbean.

There is good transportation on the island, with 'route taxis', called"ZR's", travelling to most points on the island. There are three bus systems running seven days a week and the fare is $1.50 BDS.

Barbados has a population of about 279,000 and a population growth rate of 0.33% (mid-2005 estimates). Close to 90 percent of all barbadians are of african decent, mostly decendents of slave labourers on the sugar plantations.