The Bahamas

The Bahamas, officially the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, is an island country made up of over 3,000 islands, cays, and islets in the Atlantic Ocean. It is located north of Cuba and southeast of the United States, close to Florida. The capital and largest city is Nassau on the island of New Providence.

The islands were first home to the Arawak and Lucayans. English settlers arrived in the 1600s, and the Bahamas became a crown colony of the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1718. It gained independence in 1973. Today, the Bahamas is known for its beautiful beaches and is a popular destination for visitors from around the world. The Bahamas is part of the wider Caribbean region.

Naming and etymology

The name Bahamas comes from the word Bahama, used by the Taíno people for the island of Grand Bahama. Some tourist guides say the name might come from the Spanish words baja mar, meaning 'shallow sea'. The true origin of the name is still unknown.

The Bahamas is one of only two countries whose official short name starts with the word "the", the other being the Gambia.

History

Main article: History of the Bahamas

The first people in the Bahamas were the Taíno, who came from Hispaniola and Cuba. They were called the Lucayan people. When Christopher Columbus arrived in 1492, about 30,000 Lucayans lived there.

Landing of Columbus by John Vanderlyn, 1847. A depiction of Columbus' first landing, claiming possession of the New World for the Crown of Castile in caravels; the Niña and the Pinta, on Watling Island, an island of the Bahamas that the natives called Guanahani and that he named San Salvador, on 12 October 1492.

Columbus landed on an island he named San Salvador, but we are not sure which island it was. He met the Lucayans and claimed the islands for the Crown of Castile. Many Lucayans got sick from diseases and died.

The English arrived in 1648, led by William Sayle, looking for a place with more religious freedom. They made the first permanent home on an island called Eleuthera. In 1718, Britain made the Bahamas a crown colony to stop pirates. The Bahamas became independent from Britain in 1973 and joined the Commonwealth of Nations that same year.

After independence, the Bahamas grew and changed. Tourism and finance became important. In 2019, Hurricane Dorian damaged parts of the country. The COVID-19 pandemic came to the Bahamas in March 2020, bringing more challenges.

Geography

Main articles: Geography of the Bahamas and List of islands of the Bahamas

Map of the Bahamas

The Bahamas is a country made of many islands and small land areas in the Atlantic Ocean. It sits east of Florida, north of Cuba and Hispaniola, and west of the Turks and Caicos Islands. There are about 700 islands and 2,400 smaller areas called cays, but only 30 islands have people living on them.

The capital city, Nassau, is on the island of New Providence. Other important islands are Grand Bahama, Eleuthera, Cat Island, Andros, and Great Inagua. The islands are flat and low, and the highest point is Mount Alvernia, which is 64 meters tall. The Bahamas has many forests and mangroves that help keep the environment safe.

Government and politics

The Bahamian Parliament, located in Nassau

Main articles: Politics of the Bahamas and Elections in the Bahamas

Traffic police in Nassau

Further information: Law of the Bahamas

U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris with Prime Minister Philip Davis of The Bahamas at the Office of the Vice President in 2023

The Bahamas is a parliamentary constitutional monarchy. King Charles III is the head of state, and he is represented by a governor-general. The Bahamas follows the traditions of England and the Westminster system. The country has been stable, but it works on issues like growing its economy and improving its government. The Bahamas is part of the Commonwealth of Nations and shares its head of state with 14 other Commonwealth realms.

HMBS Nassau (P-61)

The prime minister is the head of government. The prime minister is the leader of the party with the most seats in the House of Assembly. The current prime minister is The Hon. Philip Davis, MP. The Bahamas has two main political parties: the Progressive Liberal Party and the Free National Movement.

The districts of The Bahamas provide local government. There are 32 districts, and elections are held every five years. Each councillor or town committee looks after public money for their area.

The districts other than New Providence are:

Economy

Main article: Economy of the Bahamas

Further information: Agriculture in the Bahamas and Tourism in the Bahamas

The Bahamas has a strong economy, especially compared to other countries in the Americas. It uses its own currency, the Bahamian dollar, which is worth the same as the US dollar. The economy has grown since the pandemic. Tourism has returned, and new financial rules have helped.

Tourism is the biggest part of the Bahamian economy. It creates most of the jobs and brings in a lot of money. After the COVID-19 pandemic, the Bahamas is working to welcome more visitors and make tourism better for the future. In 2024, the Bahamas had more visitors than in 2023. Besides tourism, the Bahamas grows some food like onions, tomatoes, and oranges, but it imports most of its food from other places.

The Bahamas is also known for its banking and financial services. These services are important, making up about 15% of the economy. Many big companies and wealthy people keep their money there. The country has special tax rules that attract businesses, with no taxes on income or profits for most companies.

Demographics

Main article: Demographics of the Bahamas

The Bahamas has about 400,000 people. Most live on two islands: New Providence, where the capital Nassau is, and Grand Bahama, where the city of Freeport is located.

Most people in the Bahamas have African roots, with many families coming from freed slaves. There are also people of European descent, including descendants of early British settlers and American Loyalists who arrived after the American Revolution. Smaller groups come from Haiti, Greece, and other places.

The main religion is Christian, with many people in Protestant churches such as the Baptists and Anglicans. Smaller groups practice Judaism, Islam, and Hinduism.

The official language is English, but many people also speak a local dialect called Bahamian dialect. Haitian Creole is also spoken by many Haitian residents.

Main article: Education in the Bahamas

Culture

Main articles: Culture of the Bahamas and Music of the Bahamas

The culture of the Bahamas is a mix of African, British, and American influences. This mix comes from the islands' history and people who came from many places. Storytelling, festivals, and shared memories are important traditions that bring people together.

Traditional events include Junkanoo, a colorful street parade held on Boxing Day and New Year’s Day in Nassau, with music, dance, and art. Regattas are sailing events with old-fashioned boats and festivals on land. The Bahamas also has a rich literary tradition with poetry, short stories, and plays.

Main articles: Television in the Bahamas and [List of newspapers in the Bahamas]

Main articles: Flag of the Bahamas and [Coat of arms of the Bahamas]

The Bahamian flag, adopted in 1973, shows a black triangle on three colored stripes. It symbolizes the strength of the people and the country’s natural beauty. The coat of arms includes a shield supported by a marlin and a flamingo, representing the sea and land. The national flower is the yellow elder, chosen for its year-round blooming.