On 30 November 1966, Barbados became an independent state and Commonwealth realm with Elizabeth II as Queen of Barbados. In October 2021, Sandra Mason was elected to become the first president of Barbados. On 30 November 2021, Mason, according to plan, would replace Queen Elizabeth as Head of State, with Barbados transitioning to a republic. The population of 287,010 is predominantly of African descent. While it is an Atlantic island, Barbados is closely associated with the Caribbean and is ranked as one of its leading tourist destinations.