History of Bahamas:
The Bahamas were first settled by people from the surrounding islands. These people were called the Lucayans. In 1492, Christopher Columbus landed on the island of San Salvador in the Bahamas and discovered America. Unfortunately for the locals, smallpox was introduced and killed nearly half the population. Spanish slave traders then captured the Lucayans to work in the gold mines. Twenty-five years after Columbus’ arrival, all local residents are believed to have disappeared or died.
The first settlement in the Bahamas was established in 1647 by a group of religious refugees. As time went on more settlers came and the Bahamas became a British colony in 1717. The first royal governor was the English captain and privateer Woods Rogers.
The Bahamas became a pirate hideout and stopover. Famous pirates like Blackbeard and Sir Francis Drake are known to have hidden in the Bahamas. There were many pirate hiding places and coves. In addition, the islands were close to shipping routes and could be plundered for treasure by pirates.
The Bahamas became an independent country on July 10, 1973. Since independence, the Bahamas has grown into a center of financial services and a premier tourist destination.
Information about Bahamas, The:
| Capital | Nassau |
| Population | 412,985 (Source: 2023 worldometer) |
| Major Cities | NASSAU (capital) |
| Borders | Cuba, Haiti, the United States, and Turks and Caicos Islands (UK). |
| Gross Domestic Product (GDP) | $12,897,400,000 (2022 worldometer) |
| Currency | Bahamian dollar (BSD) |
Flag of Bahamas, The:
Bahamas Economy Key Industries:
Bahamas Major Industries: tourism, banking, cement, oil transshipment, salt, rum, aragonite, pharmaceuticals, spiral-welded steel pipe
Bahamas Agricultural Products: citrus, vegetables; poultry
Bahamas Natural Resources: salt, aragonite, timber, arable land
Bahamas Major Exports: mineral products and salt, animal products, rum, chemicals, fruit and vegetables
Bahamas Major Imports: machinery and transport equipment, manufactures, chemicals, mineral fuels; food and live animals
The Geography of Bahamas, The:
Total Size of Bahamas: 13,880 sq km (source: 2022 The world factbook)
Geographical Low Point of Bahamas: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
Geographical High Point of Bahamas: Mount Alvernia, on Cat Island 63 m
Climate of Bahamas: tropical marine; moderated by warm waters of Gulf Stream
General Terrain of Bahamas: long, flat coral formations with some low rounded hills
World Region or Continent of Bahamas: Central America
Geographical Coordinates: 24 15 N, 76 00 W
The People of Bahamas & Culture
Bahamas Government Type: constitutional parliamentary democracy
Bahamas Nationality: Bahamian(s)
Bahamas National Holiday: Independence Day, 10 July (1973)
Bahamas Independence: 10 July 1973 (from UK)
Bahamas National Symbol: blue marlin; flamingo
Bahamas National Anthem or Song: March On, Bahamaland!
Bahamas Languages Spoken: English (official), Creole (among Haitian immigrants)
Bahamas Religions: Baptist 35.4%, Anglican 15.1%, Roman Catholic 13.5%, Pentecostal 8.1%, Church of God 4.8%, Methodist 4.2%, other Christian 15.2%, none or unspecified 2.9%, other 0.8% (2000 census)
Interesting Facts about Bahamas, The:
Christopher Columbus is said to have landed on the island on October 12, 1492.
After the departure of the island’s first governor, Captain Woods Rogers, the slave trade became the island’s most important economic activity. In this island nation he abolished slavery in 1838.
“Linden Oh” became the country’s first prime minister after it gained independence on July 10, 1973.
In the 1980s, the island was established as a drug trafficking site. Nearly 90% of cocaine reportedly entered the United States via the Bahamas.
Hubert Ingraham became Prime Minister of the Bahamas in 1992 and has served as president in succession. During his tenure, he emphasized job creation and the country’s economic development.
The Bahamas signed the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) on February 4, 2005.
There is no railroad on the island and the road network of the big island includes he 2,693 km of highways. Mussels are the most popular seafood on the island.
Of the 700 islands in the Bahamas, only 30 are inhabited. New Providence is an island in the Bahamas with a population of over 200,000.
Surprisingly, although this country drives on the left, some cars steer to the left and others steer to the right.
The Bahamas is one of two countries whose official name begins with the word “the”. Wondering what the other one is? It’s Gambia.
The Bahamas sits on the edge of the infamous Bermuda Triangle.
The Bahamas has a spectacular underwater cave system. During the Ice Age, the ocean was 250 feet deeper than today’s sea level. Acid rain eroded the island’s limestone, forming vertical and horizontal caves.
Hurricane Floyd caused extensive damage to the island and reduced tourism.
In 2004, the Bahamas were hit by another devastating hurricane, Hurricane Francis, causing extensive damage to both living and non-living things.
Things still haven’t calmed down, and they witness another massive hurricane hitting the island. Tear down houses, uproot trees, throw cars away, destroy homes. But the island shines again, ready to come back as strong as it took to forget the pain and devastation caused by the natural disaster. The Bahamas has the third largest shipping flag in the world.
The Bahamas has only one stock exchange, the Bahamas International Stock Exchange (BISX).
There is no income or sales tax for residents of the Bahamas. Most of the government revenue comes from customs duties and import fees.
The Bahamian government provides maternity benefits for each birth and her 13 weeks of maternity benefits. Tourism accounts for about 40-45% of the country’s economy. It has wonderful beaches, flora and fauna, and many leisure and resort facilities.
Gambling is legal for non-Bahamian visitors to the Bahamas.