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The island was uninhabited when first settled by the British in 1627. Slaves worked the sugar plantations established on the island until 1834 when slavery was abolished. The economy remained heavily dependent on sugar, rum, and molasses production through most of the 20th century. The gradual introduction of social and political reforms in the 1940s and 1950s led to complete independence from the UK in 1966. In the 1990s, tourism and manufacturing surpassed the sugar industry in economic importance.
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Country
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Surface Area: 431 squarre km
Population: 278,289 (July 2004 est.)
Located in: Central America (Caribbean)
Capital City: Bridgetown
Head of State: Queen ELIZABETH II, represented by Governor General Sir Clifford Straughn HUSBANDS
Prime Minister: Owen Seymour ARTHUR
Independent since: 30 November 1966 (from UK)
Currency: Barbadian dollar (BBD)
Flag (image): 
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