Barbados is an island country in the Lesser Antilles of the West Indies, in the Caribbean region of the Americas, and the most easterly of the Caribbean Islands.
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The slave trade to the island continued until it was outlawed throughout the British Empire by the Slave Trade Act 1807, with final emancipation of enslaved persons in Barbados occurring over a period of five years following the Slavery Abolition Act 1833.
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On 30 November 1966, Barbados became an independent state and Commonwealth realm with Elizabeth II as Queen of Barbados.
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On 30 November 2021, Barbados transitioned to a republic within the Commonwealth.
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Irish servants in Barbados were often treated poorly, and Barbadian planters gained a reputation for cruelty.
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Barbados eventually had one of the world's biggest sugar industries.
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In 1644 the population of Barbados was estimated at 30, 000, of which about 800 were of African descent, with the remainder mainly of English descent.
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Barbados became the first Premier of Barbados in 1953, followed by fellow BLP-founder Hugh Gordon Cummins from 1958 to 1961.
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Barbados joined the short-lived West Indies Federation from 1958 to 1962, later gaining full independence on 30 November 1966.
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The broken trident on its national flag recalls its legacy when Barbados was a British colony and symbolises that it has broken away from three centuries of colonial rule.
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Barbados was at the forefront of regional integration efforts, spearheading the creation of CARIFTA and CARICOM.
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Government of Barbados announced on 15 September 2020 that it intended to become a republic by 30 November 2021, the 55th anniversary of its independence resulting in the replacement of the Barbadian monarchy with an elected president.
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Queen Elizabeth II sent a message of congratulations to President Mason and the people of Barbados, saying: "As you celebrate this momentous day, I send you and all Barbadians my warmest good wishes for your happiness, peace and prosperity in the future.
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Barbados is situated in the Atlantic Ocean, east of the other West Indies Islands.
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The last significant hit from a hurricane to cause severe damage to Barbados was Hurricane Janet in 1955; in 2010 the island was struck by Hurricane Tomas, but this caused only minor damage across the country as it was only at Tropical Storm level of formation.
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Barbados has nearly 90 kilometres of coral reefs just offshore and two protected marine parks have been established off the west coast.
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Barbados is host to four species of nesting turtles and has the second-largest hawksbill turtle-breeding population in the Caribbean.
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English is the official language of Barbados, and is used for communications, administration, and public services all over the island.
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Smaller religions in Barbados include Hinduism, Islam, the Baha'i Faith, and Judaism.
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Barbados has been an independent country since 30 November 1966.
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Barbados continues to share close ties with Trinidad and Tobago and with Guyana, claiming the highest number of Guyanese immigrants after the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.
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Barbados is a party to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.
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Barbados follows a policy of nonalignment and seeks cooperative relations with all friendly states.
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In 2005, Barbados replaced the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council with the Caribbean Court of Justice as its final court of appeal.
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Barbados is an original member of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and participates actively in its work.
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European Union relations and cooperation with Barbados are carried out both on a bilateral and a regional basis.
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Barbados is the 52nd richest country in the world in terms of GDP per capita, has a well-developed mixed economy, and a moderately high standard of living.
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Barbados maintains the third largest stock exchange in the Caribbean region.
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In October 2019, Barbados concluded restructuring negotiations with a creditor group including investments funds Eaton Vance Management, Greylock Capital Management, Teachers Advisors and Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry.
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Barbados has over 70 primary schools and over 20 secondary schools throughout the island.
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Barbados is home to several overseas medical schools, such as Ross University School of Medicine and the American University of Integrative Sciences, School of Medicine.
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Barbados is a blend of West African, Portuguese, Creole, Indian and British cultures.
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Music of Barbados includes distinctive national styles of folk and popular music, including elements of Western classical and religious music.
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The culture of Barbados is a syncretic mix of African and British elements, and the island's music reflects this mix through song types and styles, instrumentation, dances, and aesthetic principles.
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Barbados has produced many great cricketers including Sir Garfield Sobers, Sir Frank Worrell, Sir Clyde Walcott, Sir Everton Weekes, Gordon Greenidge, Wes Hall, Charlie Griffith, Joel Garner, Desmond Haynes and Malcolm Marshall.
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In golf, the Barbados Open, played at Royal Westmoreland Golf Club, was an annual stop on the European Seniors Tour from 2000 to 2009.
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Tennis is gaining popularity and Barbados is home to Darian King, who has achieved a career-high ranking of 106 in May 2017 and has played in the 2016 Summer Olympics and the 2017 US Open.
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Motorsports play a role, with Rally Barbados occurring each summer and being listed on the FIA NACAM calendar.
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Several players in the National Football League are from Barbados, including Robert Bailey, Roger Farmer, Elvis Joseph, and Sam Seale.
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