American nomads were the first inhabitants of Barbados. British sailors arrived in Barbados in 1625 which was followed by the country being taken under the British rule. A number of slaves were transported by the British to Barbados. The nation attained its independence in 1966 after years of peaceful and democratic progress.

The Barbadian culture is a combination of African and British cultures with traces of British influence, which is visible in the Barbadian love for cricket. The Bajan or Barbadian Creole, which is a dialect, is an important part of the Barbadian culture. Music is another integral part of the culture. Calypso, spouge and jazz are enjoyed. Reggae, soca, and tuk are other forms of music equally popular. Barbados is home to a large number of music festivals.

Situated in the Atlantic Ocean, Barbados is to the east of other Caribbean islands. Consisting of mainly hills and fields, Barbados is a flat island, rising to Mount Hillaby. The north-eastern part of the island is rocky and eroded. The rest of the island consists of coral limestone and deep gullies. There are no permanent rivers in Barbados. Coral reefs and beaches with white sands are common.