Changes

*Religions: Protestant 67% (Anglican 40%, Pentecostal 8%, Methodist 7%, other 12%), Roman Catholic 4%, none 17%, other 12%.  

*Religions: Protestant 67% (Anglican 40%, Pentecostal 8%, Methodist 7%, other 12%), Roman Catholic 4%, none 17%, other 12%.  

*Language: English.  

*Language: English.  

*Education (2005): Adult literacy--99.7%.  

*Education (2005): Adult literacy—99.7%.  

*Health (2005): Infant mortality rate--11.0/1,000. Life expectancy--men 70.8 years; women 74.8 years.  

*Health (2005): Infant mortality rate—11.0/1,000. Life expectancy—men 70.8 years; women 74.8 years.  

*Work force (2006): 142,000 (tourism, government, manufacturing, construction, mining, agriculture, fishing).  

*Work force (2006): 142,000 (tourism, government, manufacturing, construction, mining, agriculture, fishing).  

*Unemployment (2006): 7.6%.  

*Unemployment (2006): 7.6%.  

==Government and Political Conditions==

==Government and Political Conditions==

The two main political parties--the Barbados Labour Party (BLP), the Democratic Labour Party (DLP)--are both moderate and have no major ideological differences; electoral contests and political disputes often have personal overtones. The major political problems facing Barbados today are in promoting economic growth: creating jobs, encouraging agricultural diversification, attracting foreign investment, and promoting tourism.  

The two main political parties—the Barbados Labour Party (BLP), the Democratic Labour Party (DLP)--are both moderate and have no major ideological differences; electoral contests and political disputes often have personal overtones. The major political problems facing Barbados today are in promoting economic growth: creating jobs, encouraging agricultural diversification, attracting foreign investment, and promoting tourism.  

The ruling BLP was decisively returned to power in May 2003 elections, winning 23 seats in the Parliament with the DLP gaining seven seats. The Prime Minister, Owen Arthur, who also serves as Minister of Finance, has given a high priority to economic development and diversification. The main opposition party, the DLP, is led by David Thompson, a Member of Parliament.  

The ruling BLP was decisively returned to power in May 2003 elections, winning 23 seats in the Parliament with the DLP gaining seven seats. The Prime Minister, Owen Arthur, who also serves as Minister of Finance, has given a high priority to economic development and diversification. The main opposition party, the DLP, is led by David Thompson, a Member of Parliament.  

===Principal Government Officials===  

===Principal Government Officials===  

*Head of State--Queen Elizabeth II  

*Head of State—Queen Elizabeth II  

*Governor General--Elliott Belgrave  

*Governor General—Elliott Belgrave  

*Prime Minister--Freundel Stuart  

*Prime Minister—Freundel Stuart  

*Deputy Prime Minister--Mia Amor Mottley  

*Deputy Prime Minister—Mia Amor Mottley  

*Ambassador to the United States and the OAS--Michael King  

*Ambassador to the United States and the OAS—Michael King  

*Ambassador to the UN--Dr. Christopher Hackett  

*Ambassador to the UN—Dr. Christopher Hackett  

===Foreign Relations===

===Foreign Relations===

*Manufacturing and construction: Food, beverages, infrastructure, electronic components, textiles, paper, chemicals.

*Manufacturing and construction: Food, beverages, infrastructure, electronic components, textiles, paper, chemicals.

*Services: Tourism, banking and other financial services, and data processing.  

*Services: Tourism, banking and other financial services, and data processing.  

*Trade (2005): Exports--$359 million (merchandise) and $1.41 billion (commercial services). Major markets--United States (13.4%), European Union (12.4%), Trinidad and Tobago (10.8%), St. Lucia (6.1%), and Jamaica (5%). Imports--$1.6 billion (merchandise) and $636 million (commercial services). Major suppliers--United States (35.9%), Trinidad and Tobago (21.2%), European Union (13.3%), Japan (7.6%), and Canada (3.4%).

*Trade (2005): Exports--$359 million (merchandise) and $1.41 billion (commercial services). Major markets—United States (13.4%), European Union (12.4%), Trinidad and Tobago (10.8%), St. Lucia (6.1%), and Jamaica (5%). Imports--$1.6 billion (merchandise) and $636 million (commercial services). Major suppliers—United States (35.9%), Trinidad and Tobago (21.2%), European Union (13.3%), Japan (7.6%), and Canada (3.4%).

*Official exchange rate: BDS$2 = U.S. $1.  

*Official exchange rate: BDS$2 = U.S. $1.  

Under its constitution, Barbados is a parliamentary democracy modeled on the British system. The governor general represents the monarch. Control of the government rests with the cabinet, headed by the prime minister and responsible to the Parliament.  

Under its constitution, Barbados is a parliamentary democracy modeled on the British system. The governor general represents the monarch. Control of the government rests with the cabinet, headed by the prime minister and responsible to the Parliament.  

The bicameral Parliament consists of the House of Assembly and Senate. The 30 members of the House are elected by universal suffrage to 5-year terms. Elections may be called at any time the government wishes to seek a new mandate or if the government suffers a vote of no-confidence in Parliament. The Senate's 21 members are appointed by the governor general--12 with the advice of the prime minister, two with the advice of the leader of the opposition, and seven at the governor general's discretion to represent segments of the community.  

The bicameral Parliament consists of the House of Assembly and Senate. The 30 members of the House are elected by universal suffrage to 5-year terms. Elections may be called at any time the government wishes to seek a new mandate or if the government suffers a vote of no-confidence in Parliament. The Senate's 21 members are appointed by the governor general—12 with the advice of the prime minister, two with the advice of the leader of the opposition, and seven at the governor general's discretion to represent segments of the community.  

Barbados has an independent judiciary composed of magistrate courts, which are statutorily authorized, and a Supreme Court, which is constitutionally mandated. The Supreme Court consists of the high court and the court of appeals, each with four judges. The Chief Justice serves on both the high court and the court of appeals. The court of last resort is the Caribbean Court of Justice.  

Barbados has an independent judiciary composed of magistrate courts, which are statutorily authorized, and a Supreme Court, which is constitutionally mandated. The Supreme Court consists of the high court and the court of appeals, each with four judges. The Chief Justice serves on both the high court and the court of appeals. The court of last resort is the Caribbean Court of Justice.