country on the easternmost island of the West Indies: formerly (1663-1966) a British dependency, it became independent & a member of the Commonwealth in 1966: 166 sq mi (430 sq km); pop. 260,000; cap. Bridgetown
A country occupying the easternmost island of the West Indies. Probably first visited by the Portuguese, the island was settled by the British in the early 1600s, became a separate colony in 1885, and gained full independence in 1966. Bridgetown is the capital and the largest city. Population: 281,000.