The Bahamas

Nassau on New Providence serves as the capital and most populated center, housing roughly 70 percent of the national population. Grand Bahama, Andros, Eleuthera, and the Exuma Cays form other major island groupings, each displaying different topographic characteristics. Coral reefs surround shallow waters with turquoise hues appearing over white sand banks. Pine forests cover parts of the northern islands, while mangrove systems protect coastal areas throughout the chain. Underwater cave networks extend beneath several landmasses, creating complex geological formations.

Lucayan peoples inhabited the territory from approximately 800 CE until Christopher Columbus made landfall on San Salvador in 1492. Spanish expeditions enslaved or displaced the indigenous population within decades. Pirates operated bases throughout the islands during the early 1700s before British authority solidified control. Loyalists fleeing the American Revolution arrived with enslaved individuals, establishing cotton plantations that collapsed after emancipation in 1834. The territory gained independence from the United Kingdom on July 10, 1973, under Prime Minister Lynden Pindling, becoming a parliamentary democracy within the Commonwealth.

Straw-work artisans weave palmetto fronds into baskets, hats, and bags using techniques passed through generations. Anglican and Baptist churches anchor religious life across inhabited settlements, while rake-and-scrape music featuring accordion, saw, and goatskin drum accompanies social gatherings. Conch appears in various dishes including fritters, salad, and chowder, reflecting the ocean's central place in daily sustenance. Storytelling traditions preserve tales of folklore figures and historical events through oral narratives shared within communities.

Peak season runs from December through April, bringing mild temperatures averaging 75°F (24°C) and minimal rainfall, while hurricane season extends from June through November. Most hotels accept US dollars alongside the Bahamian dollar, which maintains a one-to-one peg. Ferries connect inhabited islands, though schedules vary with weather conditions. Visitors require valid passports for entry, and many nationalities receive automatic tourist permits upon arrival. Rental cars drive on the left side of roads, following British traffic conventions throughout the territory.

Dean's Blue Hole near Long Island drops 663 feet (202 meters) vertically, making it the deepest known saltwater blue hole on Earth. Waters surrounding Bimini contain underwater limestone structures that some interpret as remnants of the mythical Atlantis civilization. Thunderball Grotto appeared in two James Bond films and provides snorkelers access through underwater entrances during low tide. Andros hosts the third-largest barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere, stretching 140 miles (225 kilometers) along the eastern coastline.

Location: North Andros

Inception: July 10, 1973

Capital city: Nassau

Part of: Caribbean

Shares border with: United States, United Kingdom, Turks and Caicos Islands

Website: https://bahamas.gov.bs

GPS coordinates: 24.77365,-78.00005

Latest update: November 30, 2025 16:18