Barbados history
16th century
Barbados was discovered by Portuguese explorer Pedro a Campos in 1536. He names it los Barbudos ("the bearded ones") after the island's hoary-looking banyan trees, whose hanging roots resemble beards. But Portugal is not particularly interested in Barbados and establishes no permanent outposts there.
19th century
Both black and white Barbadians enter the new century with optimism as Great Britain ends the slave trade in 1806 and abolishes slavery completely in 1833. But the island passes through hard times, periodic massive destruction from hurricanes and a decline in the value of sugar, the principal cash crop, whose price plummets more than 50% in 50 years.
