Barbados has the third oldest parliament in the world with 358 years of an uninterrupted parliamentary system of government. The island was granted independence in 1966 but retains the British monarch as its official head of state, represented by the Governor-General.  Research by The United Nations Development Index (1996) showed that visitors highlighted friendliness of Bajans as it´s greatest and most pleasing asset. This is reflected in a very high 39% return rate. The people of Barbados have a history of goodwill, a sound and free education system with an impressive literacy rate of 97%. Bajans are warm, friendly and hospitable people who are genuinely proud of their country and culture and welcome visitors as theirprivileged guests. Most of the 260,000 Bajans live in the area around the capital city of Bridgetown on the southwest coast, or along the west coast as far as Speightstown in the north and Oistins in the south. Others reside in tiny hamlets in the island's 11 parishes. This exclusive island retains a noticeable British atmosphere, with place names such as Worthing, Hastings and Brighton. St Philip is the largest parish on the island but with less than half the population of busy Christ Church.

The parish has a different feel from its more touristy neighbour with no crowds, far less development and a general sense of isolation. The coastline here is rugged with only a handful of white-sand beaches divided from each other by long cliffs and rocky outcrops. The South Coast is a curious mixture of the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean.This coast is more lively than the West Coast but calmer than the East or North, so you have a happy medium.

Tourist development has only recently taken hold in this part of the Island and the area retains an un - spoilt beauty. Once the haunt of smugglers and wreckers, the beaches of this little developed area are some of the finest on the Island. Only a handful of attractions are dotted around, with the most famous being Sam Lord's Castle. This superb mansion which has an interesting past was built in 1820

by Samuel Hall Lord, who made his fortune by luring ships onto the nearby rocks then pillaged them in true pirate fashion.  Sunbury Plantation House is situated in St Philip and offers an interesting insight into the history of Barbados. The Plantation was built between 1660 and 1670 by Matthew Chapman, an Irish/English planter who was one of the first settlers on the island. The house was destroyed by a fire in 1995 and was painstakingly restored back to it`s former glory. The interior retains its plantation-era ambience and is furnished in antiques, many made from Barbadian mahogany. In the area behind the house is a collection of horse-drawn carriages. Tours are given by guides well versed in local history. Have lunch or tea at the Courtyard restaurant, or a five course dinner served on Sunbury's 200-year-old mahogany dining table.

For a real taste of Barbados, visit The Rum Factory & Heritage Park where

Bajan past meets Bajan future. Deep in the heart of sugar cane country -

In 8 acres of landscaped park, one of the island's oldest sugar factories has been lovingly restored and transformed - bringing the past to life - and creating a centre of the best of Barbados culture and life.

Interesting Facts

Area 430 sq Km (166sq M)

Population 227,229

Capital City Bridgetown (pop 7,500)

Language English

Literacy rate 97%

Religion Anglican (50%), Methodist,

Catholic, Pentecostal and others

Government Independent state within the British Commonwealth

Governor General Sir Clifford Husbands

Prime Minister Rt Hon. Owen Arthur

Major industries Tourism, sugar,finance, information services, agriculture, fishing

Major trading (CARICOM), UK, USA partners