Date of independence, or formation date: 1966
Date when current borders were established: 1966
National day: Nov 30
Vehicle country identifying code: BDS
Time zone (hours plus or minus from GMT): -4
International telephone dialling code: +1246
Internet country identifying code: .bb

Situated to the northeast of Trinidad, Barbados is the most easterly of the West Indian Windward Islands. In the 16th century, the Portuguese were the first Europeans to reach the island, then inhabited by Arawak Indians. However, Barbados was not colonized until the 1620s, when British settlers arrived. Popularly referred to by its neighbors as "little England," Barbados now seeks to forge a new national identity for itself.

From "The Financial Times World Desk Reference" © Dorling Kindersley 2004