Places / North & Central America
Bahamas
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At a glance
- Region
- Caribbean
- Capital
- Nassau
- Population
- 401,000 (2024)
- Area
- 13,943 km²
- Languages
- English
- Currency
- Bahamian dollar (BSD), United States dollar (USD)
- Drives on the
- left
- Calling code
- +1 242
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Before you go
Overview
The Commonwealth of Bahamas is located at the Lucayan Archipelago northwestern of West Indies of the Caribbean. The archipelago has around 700 islands, cays and islets within the Atlantic Ocean.
The country recorded a population of 385,640 in 2018 and covers an area of 13,878 km2. Its capital city is Nassau on the island of New Providence. It is near Paradise Island accessed using the Nassau Harbor Bridge.
Palm trees grow along the coast of New Providence Island
History
Christopher Columbus arrived at the Western of Bahamas in 1492. The first European settlement was by the English and Bermudan religious refugees in 1967. In 1717, Bahamas was made a British crown colony. The slaves were released in 1834. It gained internal autonomy in 1964.
It became fully independent in 1973.
Food & culture
The Bahamian culture is a mixture of African, British and American customs.
The crops grown here include okra, tomatoes, onions, grapefruit, cucumber and orange. The most popular dishes are conch salad, cracked conch, rock lobsters, Bahamian stew fish, baked crab, souse and, pigeon peas and rice.
Wildlife
The wild animals found here include the Bahamian Iguana, Bahamian hutia, Hawksbill turtle and Bimini boa.
Festivals & events
The most common events are the junkado festival, the Andros crab festival, Bahamas International Film Festival and Fox hill day festival.
Things to see
Paradise Island has white sand beaches and is commonly visited by visitors for its beauty as its name suggests.
Atlantis Casino is an ocean-themed resort at the Paradise Island with lagoons, pools, marine habitats, water slides and accommodation.
CocoCay is an island majorly used by Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd majorly for tourism purpose.
Other must-visit places are Harbor Island, Pig Beach and Castaway Cay.
Interesting facts
The Dean’s Blue Hole in the Bahamas is the second deepest blue hole in the world after Dragon Hole in the South China Sea.
Harbor Island has pink sand beaches made from foraminifera.
The highest point of the country is Mount Alvernia 63 m above sea level.
Neighbours
Bahamas has no land borders with other countries.
My Bucket List goals in Bahamas
None on the list yet. Got a suggestion? Email Dan.