Barbados was under British rule from its first settlement in 1627 to its independence in 1966, and these unbroken centuries of dominion left a legacy of proper British heritage. In many ways, the island seems like a tropical England with cottages sitting neatly in well-tended gardens, parish churches gracing every neighborhood, and a hilly area in the northeast called the Scotland District. The English are still present in a small but thriving community of settler's descendants, but England certainly isn't the only nation to have influenced Barbados. More than 70% of the islanders are of African descent, and the more flamboyant, rich African heritage also pervades local life. Even the language is affected, with the Queen's English as the official tongue, but the colorful local patois as the common language.

The people, known as Bajans, are a quick-witted and fun-loving with a gift for double entendre that's immortalized in their literature and calypso music. Historically, the primary industry was sugar from the 1600s until the 1980s. It remains a powerful influence today, though the fishing industry and tourism have become major players. In the 19th century, this island was "the sanatorium of the West Indies," hosting British sufferers of "the vapors." The 21st century doesn't often see "the vapors," but the need for Barbados' perfect climate and unhurried life is stronger than ever!