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Barbados

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description Barbados Overview

Barbados is an island nation in the Lesser Antilles and the easternmost island of the Caribbean, with Bridgetown as its capital. Historic Bridgetown and its garrison, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, reflect centuries of British colonial rule and plantation slavery; independence came in 1966. Rum has been produced on the island since the early 18th century and remains closely tied to its identity. In 2021 Barbados became a republic, replacing the British monarch with an elected president as head of state.

help Barbados FAQ

When did Barbados gain independence?

Barbados became independent from Britain on November 30, 1966. The island had been under British colonial rule for over three centuries, a period shaped heavily by plantation slavery.

When did Barbados become a republic?

On November 30, 2021, the 55th anniversary of independence, Barbados removed the British monarch as head of state and became a republic. Sandra Mason became the country's first president in the ceremony.

What is Barbados' UNESCO World Heritage Site?

Historic Bridgetown and its Garrison were inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2011. The property reflects centuries of British colonial architecture and military history in the capital.

Is Rihanna from Barbados?

Yes, Robyn Rihanna Fenty was born in Barbados in 1988. In 2021, around the time of the transition to a republic, she was honored as a National Hero of Barbados.