Bahamas

Featured Island:

Bahamas

Country:

Commonwealth of the Bahamas

Island Capitals:

Nassau

Population:

307,451

Major Airports:

Nassau International Airport

Major Airlines:

Bahamas Air
American Airways
Delta
British Airways
United Airlines
Continental

Description:

The Bahamas is situated in the north of the Caribbean Sea and west of the Atlantic Ocean. It is to the north of Cuba, and southeast of the United States encompassing an area of 14,000 square kilometers.

The Bahamas consists of 29 islands hundreds of cays and thousands of rocky outcrops. Most of these islands are low lying and relatively flat with the highest point being Mount Alvernia at 63 meters. The average across the islands is a rise of no more than about 20 meters.

The climate of the Bahamas is tropical to sub tropical, moderated by the Gulf Stream waters. There is a wet season from June till November and dry season from December to May. Humidity remains around 65% all year.

The origin of the name 'Bahamas' is unclear but is believed to be of Spanish origin from the words 'baja mar' which translates to shallow seas.

The first European to discover these islands was Christopher Columbus in 1492. The Spanish colonials eventually settled the islands and the indigenous population was essentially wiped out by diseases such as small pox, to which they had no immunity.

The Bahamas became a British colony in 1718 and there followed many years of wars between the English, French and Spanish over the control of the Caribbean and these islands as a whole, in 1783 the islands were returned to British Sovereignty. There were also problems with pirates throughout the period due to their location on one of the major trade routes.

Today the Bahamas has two main economies, tourism and offshore finance. The economy has prospered sine the 1950 with tourism becoming more and more popular and finance becoming a more lucrative market.

Highlights

Junkanoo
Charter a yacht
Bahamas National Trust Park
Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park
San Salvador
Nassau
Atlantis Resort and Casino

Landmarks / To Dos:

One of the most popular events in the calendar of the Bahamas is Junkanoo. A huge street carnival held on Boxing Day when the whole city of Nassau party the day and night away with costumes made from scratch.

San Salvador is the home of the cultural and cosmopolitan heart of the country. With a combination of museums, war memorials and cultural centers to trendy bars and coffee shops showing with arty style movies and short films.

The Bahamas is a tropical paradise and with so many little islands you must tour some of them. Whether you take a guided tour or charter a yacht these islands will make you feel a million miles from anywhere.

A big temptation with the Bahamas is simply to rest and relax on the beach, swim in the clear turquoise ocean or just relax in a hammock between the coconut palms.