1. Experience the Real Caribbean

2. Barbados is located in the Eastern Caribbean Map from https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/maps/bb_largelocator_template.html

3. A Profile: Size: 430 km 2 Population: 286 705 (projected for July 2011) Language: English Capital: Bridgetown

4. History Barbados was inhabited by indigenous groups that migrated by boat from Venezuela Most of these groups were taken as slave labour by Spanish raiders Barbados was uninhabited when the first British settlers arrived in 1627

5. History continued Britain allowed slavery until 1834, when it was abolished throughout the Empire Unofficially, an estimated 90% of the population of Barbados is of African descent It became an independent country in 1966

6. Culture The culture of Barbados is heavily influenced by Britain – teatime, cricket and pubs are all commonplace Influences of African / Caribbean culture can also be seen

7. Tourists are entertained by limbo dancing and fire- eating entertainers

8. Geography The most Eastern Caribbean Island Located northeast of Venezuela Tropical climate with a rainy season from June – October Relatively flat terrain, with a central highland region Plentiful Beaches

9. Politics and Government A Parliamentary Democracy Barbados has experienced a stable democracy since independence Administratively, divided into 11 parishes Military services include the Royal Barbados Defence Force and a Coast Guard. Military service is voluntary; no conscription

10. Must See… Snorkeling Bridgetown

15. Travel Costs www.aircanada.ca Flights from Toronto No visa Canadian Passport

16. Barbados and Canada As members of the British Commonwealth, Canada and Barbados have a special relationship 75% of International Banking interests in Barbados are Canadian

17. Sources: www.barbados.orghistorywww.barbados.org www.unhcr.org history and demographicswww.unhcr.org https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the -world-factbook/index.html images and demographicshttps://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the -world-factbook/index.html Photographs by K Sandziuk unless otherwise noted https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/index.html