Official Name: Barbados

Area: Caribbean

Size: 431 km²

Coastline: 97 km

Independence: from the UK 30 November, 1966

Form of Govt.: Constitutional monarchy

Head of Govt.: Prime Minister

Capital: Bridgetown

Largest City: Bridgetown

Demographics (2005): 279,254,  647 /km²

Black 90%, white 4%, Asian and mixed 6%

GDP per Capita (2005): $17,610

Languages: English

Geography: It is of a triangular shape and ringed by a coral reef. The island is of coral and limestone formation, and is comparatively flat with a series of tablelands that rise from the west coast to a ridge in the center with Mt. Hillaby the country's highest point at 340 m. Although there are no rivers, valleys temporarily fill with water during heavy rainfall and water courses as well as underground channels do exist.

Climate: Barbados has a tropical maritime climate with temperatures tempered by the NE trade winds particularly during the dry season. The dry season is relatively cool and occurs between December to May. The wet season between June and December, is hotter with higher humidity and greater rainfall. Average annual precipitation varies from around 1,000 mm in the coastal areas to 2,280 mm in the central ridge area. Average temperature ranges for Bridgetown are from 21 to 28 degrees in February to 23 to 30 degrees in June or September.