Barbados

The island's colonial history as a British sugar colony left a deep imprint on its institutions, culture, and landscape. Bridgetown's historic garrison and the old town are inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Barbados has one of the highest literacy rates and human development indices in the Caribbean, with a well-developed financial sector and tourism industry supplementing its historical agricultural base.

Rihanna, born in Bridgetown, is the country's most globally recognised cultural figure and holds the title of National Hero — a distinction that reflects how deeply the tiny island punches above its weight in culture, sport (cricket especially), and international recognition. The country has been a vocal advocate for climate action, as rising seas and intensifying hurricanes pose existential risks to low-lying island nations across the Caribbean.