The Bahamas - The Bahama Islands are unique in the world

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The Bahama Islands Sun, sand, and sea are merely perimeters of the Islands Of The Bahamas. At the core of these islands you’ll find a big heart, open arms, and a way of living life that is both timeless and new The Islands Of The Bahamas is a 100,000-sq-mile archipelago that extends over 500 miles of the clearest water in the world. The 700 islands, including uninhabited cays and large rocks, total an estimated land area of 5,382 sq miles, and register a highest land elevation of 206 ft. Most notable, however, is that each island has its own diversity that continues beyond geography, carrying through to the heart of The Bahamas, the Bahamian people. You’ll find it in the heritage. In the culture. And in the humble pride of the Bahamian people. These are The Islands Of The Bahamas. Population: somewhere north of 300,000. Geography played a crucial role in Bahamian history. In 1492, Christopher Columbus made his first landfall in the New World on the island of San Salvador in the eastern Bahamas. After observing the shallow sea around the islands, he said "baja mar" (shallow water or sea), and effectively named the area The Bahamas, or The Islands of the Shallow Sea. Since it was located close to Florida and well-travelled shipping channels, The Islands Of The Bahamas caught the attention of explorers, settlers, invaders and traders. These people shaped the colourful history of The Bahamas and made the country what it is today. You are about to find out why The Bahamas is the tropical paradise you’ve never dreamed of. Maybe it’s the heritage of our people. Maybe it’s the degree of opportunities for adventure and seclusion. Maybe it’s the number of islands we call home. Whatever it is, as long as it’s truly Bahamian, it will make your dreams seem incredibly unimaginative. And that has to be a welcoming thought

The diverse heritage of The Bahamas has left behind an equally diverse culture rich with customs that continually remind travelers of the Bahamian love for celebration and community Easy access to The Islands Of The Bahamas is a key reason for this tropical playground’s appeal as a year-round vacation destination. Just a short hop by jet, a pleasant day by cruise ship, or a memorable voyage by private or charter boat, The Bahamas can be reached quickly by air or by sea. Explore your options There are many options to help you get around each island in The Bahamas, and to help you hop from island to island. But remember, when you take to the road, British rules apply, so please keep to the left. Visitors may use their home driver’s license for up to three months and may also apply for an international driver's license. Pedestrians should remember to look right before crossing streets! Nassau is the best-known city in the Bahamas, but can you name the island on which it is located? New Providence is the island home of Nassau, and it is located in the middle of the Bahamas archipelago of over 700 islands. These islands start within 50 miles of Miami and stretch hundreds of miles to the northern coasts of Haiti and Cuba. Only about 35 or so are populated, and Nassau, Freeport, and Paradise Island get most of the tourists. About two thirds of the population of about 260,000 live on New Providence. Recorded Bahamian history starts with a date familiar to many of us--October 12, 1492. Christopher Columbus made landfall in the New World on an island in the Bahamas that he named San Salvador. Neither Columbus nor the explorers who followed him ever found gold or riches in the islands. European settlers first came to the Bahamas in 1648, but the late 17th century found the Bahamas full of pirates such as Edward Teach (Blackbeard) and Henry Morgan. The British managed to bring the islands under control by hanging many of the pirates, and the Bahamas became a colony of Great Britain in 1728. The islands are still part of the British Commonwealth of nations. Since the Bahamas are so close to the United States, they have played an interesting role in the history of this country. In fact, the American captured Nassau and held it for two weeks during the Revolutionary War. The Bahamas also were involved with the United States during two storied eras of our past--gun-running during the War Between the States, and rum-running during Prohibition. The relationship between the Bahamas and the United States may not be quite as exciting anymore, but Americans invade the islands each week via cruise ship or airplane bringing welcome tourism dollars into the Bahamian economy. Fast Facts Area 3 islands, 102 sq. miles total (264 sq. km) Population 42,397 (2004 est.) Capital George Town (population, 20,626, 1999 census) Currency Cayman Islands dollar (CI$) of 100 cents; CI$1 = US$1.20 Flag British blue ensign with the arms on a white disc in the fly Life Expectancy 77 years (2003) Infant Mortality (per 1,000 births) - 4.8 (2003) Population Growth Rate 2.6 per cent (2002) GDP US$1,924 million Annual Average Growth of GDP 2.7 per cent (2004/05 projected)

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