The Commonwealth of the Bahamas is located within Lucayan Archipelago in the West Indies of the Atlantic Ocean. The archipelago state of the Bahamas includes 700 islands, cays and islets. Bermuda is located north of Cuba and northwest of the islands of Hispaniola and the Turks and Caicos and southeast of Florida. The capital is Nassau, which is located on the main island of New Providence which has a population of 275,000 and the nation as a whole has a population of 385,000. The island stretches over 500 miles of ocean. Originally settled between 800-1000 AD by the Tiano People who later became known as Lucayans, a branch of the Arawaken speaking Taino from Hispaniola. The first European to see the islands was Columbus on his maiden voyage in 1492. At that time there were about 30,000 Lucayans on the islands. The Spanish conquered the Bahamas and sent all Lucayans to Hispaniola as slaves. The Bahamas was basically deserted from 1513 until 1648 when the British colonized it. In 1718, the Bahamas was made a British colony. After the American Revolutionary War, Britain resettled thousands of American loyalists, many of whom brought slaves and founded plantations. The slave trade and slavery were abolished in the early to mid 1800’s. In 1973, the Bahamas gained governmental independence. Bahamas is a Parliamentary Constitutional Monarchy with the Monarch of England as titular Head of State. 91% of the population is black and 5% white. The official language is English with several local dialects. 70% of the people are Christian.
The climate has a wet season and a warm dry season and because of the Gulf Stream there is no winter. The national flower is the Yellow Elde and the Bahamas has an official Coat of Arms.
The Bahamas is a mixture of African, British and American Cultures. The Island’s people have a rich culture of beliefs, traditions, folklore, myths and legends. Favorite events and holidays include regattas with many boats and street parades known as Junkanoo. The country’s cuisine is a reflection of Caribbean, African, British, American and other foreign influences. Dishes use local and traditional crops of the area. Favorite foods include seafood such as lobster, crab, and conch and tropical fruits. Seasonings are hot pepper, tomatoes, onion, and garlic. Popular and traditional side dishes are peas ’n rice, baked macaroni and cheese, potato salad and coleslaw. Dessert is Johnny Cake.
The Atlantis Paradise Island
Nassau a great ship port with white sand and coral beaches, candy colored buildings on Bay Street.
Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park.
Grand Bahama Island Freeport is the capital and second largest city in the Bahamas. Andros Island Diving and fishing.
Elbow Cay The charm of a New England fishing village.
Blue Lagoon Island encounter dolphins and sea lions.
Harbour Island has beautiful beaches and cute cottages.
Nassau
Nassau is a city known for its beauty and British Culture. It can be easily walked and has beautiful beaches, shops and tourist attractions.
Christ Church Cathedral built in 1841 from local limestone.
The National Art Gallery
Downtown Nassau has 20 blocks of history, architecture, luxury shops, modern murals, and beautiful monuments.
The Queens Staircase
Bay Street Artists
Clifton Heritage Park
The Government House
Versailles Gardens
Ardastra Gardens and Wildlife Conservation Center
Fort Fincastle
Bay Street Artists
Freeport
The city of Freeport is located on Grand Bahama Island and was built by the government in1955 as a tourist resort and attraction. It features upscale resorts, kayaking through mangroves, diving and off-road drives in the Pine Forests. Its population is 27,000
Port Lucaya Marketplace
Bird Watching
Garden of the Groves
Taino Beach
The Dolphin Experience
Fortune Beach
Peterson Cay Reefs
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