PEOPLE
Population: 259,00 (1992 est.)
Density: 594 person per sq km (1,542 per sq mi) (1992)
Distribution: 42% urban; 58% rural (1992)
Annual growth: 0.1% (1992)
Official language: English
Major religion: Anglicanism, Pentecostalism, Methodism

EDUCATION AND HEALTH
Literacy: 98% of adult population
Universities: 1 (1994)
Hospital beds: 2,111 (1987)
Physicians: 246 (1986)
Life expectancy: women -- 76; men -- 70 (1992)
Infant mortality: 22 per 1,000 live births (1992)

ECONOMY
GDP: $1.8 billion; $7,000 per capita
Labor distribution
Commerce and services: 74.5%
Agriculture: 8%
Industry: 19.9%
Foreign trade
Imports: $1.4 billion
Exports: $412 million
Principal trade partners: United States, Caribbean Community, Britain.
Currency: $1.98 Bds. = $1.00 U.S.

GOVERNMENT
Type: Independent state within Commonwealth of Nations.
Legislature: Parliament
Government leaders: Dame Nita Barrow -- Govenor General (1994)
Political subdivisions: 11 parishes, Bridgetown

COMMUNICATIONS
Railroads: None (1995)
Roads: 1,573 km (977 mi) total
Major ports: 1
Major airfields: 1