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Though it's only 166 square miles in size and boasts few natural resources, Barbados has the demographic profile of a developed country.

It is of enormous credit to all involved, both before and after independence in 1966, that the Barbados of today is such an admirable and respected country. 

From the first inhabitants who arrived around 1623 AD to the Europeans who developed parliament and industry starting in 1625 AD, the history of Barbados is a story about its people, the true strength of the island.

For an independent island of such small physical dimensions, measuring only 21 miles by 14 miles, Barbados enjoys a disproportionately high status throughout the world, and is well known for its positive and significant contribution to international affairs.

In reaching its praiseworthy world standing, Barbados has journeyed along a historical path which has never been easy; which has often been tortuous; which has frequently been painful; and which has always been richly interwoven into the patchwork fabric of world history.

The First Inhabitants - 1623 AD

The first people to call Barbados home reached the island around 1623 AD, almost 4 centuries ago. Amerindians travelled here by open canoe from the Orinoco area of South America known today as Venezuela.

During the next 300 years several tribes inhabited Barbados at varying intervals, including the Caribs and Arawaks.

The Arawaks, a peace-loving community of farmers and fishermen, lived mainly on the coast and they established major settlements in the areas of Bridgetown, Heywoods and Chancery Lane, where archaeological excavations continue to unearth evidence of their existence here in Barbados. 

Our modern day lifestyle is still influenced by the Arawaks, with the hammock and the barbeque which are good examples of how we retain elements of their traditional way of life. These are both Amerindian words, as is 'huracan' a less welcome feature of life in the Caribbean. 

The Arawaks also had a ritual of impaling pineapples on two poles either side of the doorway into their homes, believing that this kept away evil spirits. This ritual was mimicked by the settlers, and today there are many gateposts with a pineapple design standing on the top, not only in Barbados but throughout the world.

Continue reading more by viewing The Spanish & Portuguese, Naming the Island - Early 1500s.