Little is known of the early history of Barbados – it was probably occupied by Arawak Indians from South America up until the arrival of the Spanish, in the region in the early-16th century. The earliest European arrivals were the Portuguese - also in the early-16th century - although the British established the first settlements in 1627. Barbados was declared a British colony in 1663. Slaves were brought to the island from Africa, to work on the sugar plantations until the abolition of slavery in the mid-19th century. Barbados joined the West Indies Federation in 1958 and was granted internal
self-government three years later. Full independence within the British Commonwealth was achieved in 1966.
Politics on the island have since been dominated by the Barbados Labor Party (BLP) – formed by Grantley Adams in 1937 – and the rival Democratic Labor Party (DLP), which began life after a split in the BLP. The two parties have alternated between government and opposition since independence. The DLP’s most recent term of office ended in 1994, after eight years in charge. Since then, the BLP has been pre-eminent. At the most recent general election, held in 2003, the BLP won 23 out of the 30 House of Assembly seats.
Barbados participates in CARICOM (the Caribbean Common Market) and the US-backed Regional Security System, set up following the 1983 US invasion of Grenada. Barbados backed the invasion, committing some of its own troops to the occupying force. More recently, the island has acquired a problem with drug trafficking, as the Caribbean islands have become important transit points between South and North America. The government is also one of the main proponents of further regional integration, despite the trade and political frictions that have inhibited it. As with most Caribbean members of the British Commonwealth, the Queen is Head of State in Barbados. However, there is a strong lobby – backed by a recent government commission examining Barbados’ constitutional future – for an elected president as Head of State. This would follow the example of Guyana, Trinidad & Tobago and Dominica. Another issue that may continute to develop is Barbados's relationship with its 'neighbor', Trinidad & Tobago: early 2004 oversaw Barbados and Trinidad & Tobago engage in a sear border dispute that remains unresolved.
GovernmentThe British monarch is Head of State and is represented in Barbados by a Governor General who is advised by the Cabinet and appoints the Prime Minister. The legislature comprises the Governor General, a 21-member Senate and the 28-strong House of Assembly, members of which are elected by universal adult suffrage for terms of up to five years.
EconomyThe Barbadian economy traditionally relied on sugar production but persistently low world market prices forced the government to promote economic diversification. Most effort has concentrated on tourism, which is now the largest employer on the island and continues to show steady growth. Cotton, flowers and plants are being developed as export products. New light industrial projects, such as electronic components, have fared less well, mainly as a result of falling demand in the USA – the principal export market.
The island’s other important industry is oil. Two-thirds of offshore output is exported, with the remainder assigned for domestic consumption. Exploration activities have been intensified since the mid 1990s. In the service sector, Barbados has developed an ‘offshore’ financial industry that now accounts for 15% of GDP.
Barbados receives some overseas aid from British and US sources and is a member of the Caribbean economic community, CARICOM, which has boosted regional trade. The island has a good transport and communications infrastructure, which should assist future economic development. Its declared goal is to become the world’s smallest developed nation.
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