Barbados, a small island in the Caribbean, has a rich and vibrant culture influenced by the almost 350 years it spent as a colony of England and by its West African roots stemming from the slave trade. Once dominated by the sugarcane industry and the white-owned plantations that supported it, today Barbados is a popular tourist destination and a hub for manufacturing. Barbadians, or Bajans as they refer to themselves, take pride in their home, even long after they move away. This book explores the sometimes murky history of this country, its fight for independence from England, how it continues to struggle against economic setbacks today, and the incredible music, food, festivals, sports, and landmarks that make Barbados unique.