The terrain changes dramatically from one of the island's 11 parishes to the next, and so does the pace. Bridgetown, the capital, is a rather sophisticated city. West coast resorts and private estates ooze luxury, whereas the small villages and vast sugar plantations found throughout central Barbados retain the island's history. The relentless Atlantic surf designed the cliffs of the dramatic east coast, and the northeast is called Scotland because of its hilly landscape. Along the lively south coast there's a palpable energy day and night.