<p>Barbados' name, meaning "the bearded ones," was derived from the bearded fig trees that were in abundance on the Island when it was discovered.</p>

<p>Barbados is the most easterly island in the Caribbean island chain, situated above South America, northeast of Venezuela and north of Guyana and east of St. Lucia and St. Vincent and The Grenadines. It is 21 mile x14 miles. The capital city “Bridgetown” &nbsp;was originally named ‘Indian Bridge” for the bridge that was constructed over the river or Carenage by the Indians.</p>

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<p>Capital: Bridgetown</p>

<p>Language: English</p>

<p>Population: 286,368</p>

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<p>The Portuguese were the first to rediscover Barbados in the footsteps of the Arawaks and Caribs. &nbsp;In fact, Portuguese navigator Pedro a Campos is credited for naming the Island then, &nbsp;"Los Barbados."&nbsp;</p>

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<p>The Island was colonized by the English early in the 16th century and remains the oldest continuing parliamentary democracy outside England. &nbsp;Britain fought over 200 years to retain their governance and protect it from France during which time many forts were built, some of which still exist. &nbsp;Historical &nbsp;sites such as &nbsp;Gun Hill Station and The Garrison can still be visited today. The latter is an underground network of tunnels that were used by soldiers for easy access to the forts, as well as the gateway to the sea to dump slaves killed by their owners. &nbsp;The introduction of sugar cane by the Dutch in 1640 propelled Barbados into having one of the largest sugar industries in the world which became the country's main source of commercial income and was divided into large plantation estates worked by the slave brought in from Africa. Sugar cane growth for export was prolific &nbsp;so much so that there was scarcely any land allocated to agriculture resulting in most of their food being imported from New England. Many plantation grounds still remain throughout the Island, although Barbados' economy mostly relies on tourism today.</p>

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<p>One year after the British took control the Jews who came then to Barbados built what is now the oldest Jewish synagogue in the western Hemisphere in 1628, still open to the public to visit.</p>

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<p>The Barbadian cultural roots come out of the plantation slavery economy, coupled with the rich heritage of the West African slaves which is still evident today; &nbsp;and noted as well &nbsp;in the arts and social structure throughout the Island. A heavy accent is also heard &nbsp;in their spoken English spiced with actual snippets of words from West Africa referred to as 'pidgin English' or simply 'bajan'.&nbsp;</p>

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<p>And then there is the history of the Mount Gay Distillery which is home to one of the &nbsp;oldest rum distilleries in the world, open for you to visit and taste. &nbsp;</p>

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