Population density: 628/km² (1627/mi²)

Main languages spoken: Bajan (Barbadian English), English

Most Barbadians are descended from Africans brought to the island between the 16th and 19th centuries; there are also small groups of south Asians and Europeans, mainly expatriates from the UK, many of whom take up residence on retirement. There is some latent tension between the white community, which controls most of the economy, and the majority black population, though this rarely spills over into violence. Increasing social mobility has allowed many black Barbadians to move into the professions and the civil service. Barbados enjoys a higher standard of living than most Caribbean countries.

THE URBAN/RURAL POPULATION SPLIT

RELIGIOUS PERSUASION

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