Barbados: From Volcanic Origins to Independence

Barbados formed from volcanic uplift millions of years ago. Amerindians (Arawak, Carib) called it “Ichirouganaim.” Portuguese claimed it 16th century; British settled 1627, establishing a sugar-plantation economy powered by enslaved Africans. Independence came November 30, 1966. Today it’s a stable parliamentary democracy and republic (since 2021).