The population of 300,000 is scattered around the island. Long traditions of social support and solidarity have created closely-linked families and communities. The island receives hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. These visitors remain mostly in hotels by the beaches and have very limited in-depth contact with the local inhabitants. Most of these relationships occur through services provided in the tourist and commercial areas.
Most islanders have regular contact with outsiders.
A thriving, but discreet, sex industry involving women and men exists and while disapproved, is never acknowledged by officials for fear of damaging the tourism industry. Literacy levels are high but fewer boys than girls graduate from high school. The health system is highly functional and includes a series of health care clinics around the island. Most people are Christian and there is strong tradition of other local spiritual beliefs. The island, because of its natural beauty attracts many thousands of tourists and provides circumstances in which considerable sexual activity does occur between local people and foreigners.