Useful information about the Bahamas. Holidays in the Bahamas What the Bahamas are like

When it comes to the Bahamas, many people imagine luxurious beaches surrounded by spreading palm trees, blue sea and bright sun. And this is understandable, since the tourism industry is really well developed here. But what else is interesting about this territory? We will talk about this in this article.

Bahamas on the map

The state called the Commonwealth of the Bahamas is located north-southeast of the island of Florida in the Atlantic Ocean. The archipelago consists of 700 islands of various sizes and coral reefs, which occupy an area of ​​250 thousand km. Only 30 of them are inhabited.

The land area can be compared to the area of ​​Jamaica. It includes the Caicos and Turks Islands, which are a British overseas land. The largest of them are Andros, Grand Bahama, New Providence, Eleuthera.

State capital

All tourists arriving there begin their acquaintance with this unusually picturesque territory from the capital of the state. It is located on the island of New Providence. This is a very small island (the smallest in the Bahamas archipelago). The capital Nassau is small and modern city, which is famous throughout the world for its harmonious combination of ultra-modern buildings with colonial architecture. The once bustling and small village founded by pirates has become the wonderful modern city of Nassau (Bahamas).

Many original and colorful buildings surround the port promenade and harbor, business districts are always lively, and numerous shops and markets offer tourists goods from different countries.

At the beginning of the 20th century, after the construction of an international airport and the deepening of the harbor, the Bahamas (the capital in particular) received up to a million tourists annually. And by the 70s, when the Paradise Island Bridge was built and Cable Beach was developed, the city began to welcome up to 2.5 million guests a year.

Bahamas attractions

At the beginning of our journey, we will get acquainted with some islands that arouse the interest of tourists.

Grand Bahama is located in the north of the archipelago. It is the second most visited island in the country by tourists. Despite its name, it is not the largest island. It attracts tourists with its snow-white shores, vast forests and rich wildlife. Its most popular area is the city of Freeport.

Andros

Archipelago. It is covered with extensive palm thickets. In addition, mahogany and pine grow here. The forest here, according to the islanders, is inhabited by aggressive little red-eyed elves. They call them “chiccharniz”.

The island is sparsely populated, with only shabby shacks on its eastern shore, surrounded by old cars and abandoned refrigerators. Therefore, Andros is most often visited only by extreme divers, who are attracted here by the third longest barrier reef in the world. It stretches along all the coasts of the island. The city of Andros Town is also one of the attractions of this island, along with an old lighthouse and the beautiful Somerset Beach. In the town of Red Bay, located in the northwest of Andros, live the descendants of the Seminole Indians, who are famous for their skill in weaving various products from straw.

Eleuthera

The Bahamas, whose photos often adorn the covers of glossy magazines, attract very wealthy tourists on vacation. As a rule, they prefer this small island, which is traditionally considered elite. Luxurious resorts and various clubs alternate with magnificent villas and gourmet restaurants.

The Harbor Island Reef, located in the northwest of Eleuthera, deserves special attention. Here is a bright and original city Dunmore Town, wonderful beach and excellent snorkeling and diving sites.

Long Island

Tourists do not visit all the Bahamas. The map shows that Long Island is an elongated island (one hundred kilometers long and five kilometers wide). It is practically not visited by tourists. And completely in vain. This is the most picturesque island archipelago, with many corners untouched by human civilization.

The landscape of Long Island is formed by a combination of hilly terrain, surf-eroded shores, which are washed by waters rich in marine life, and sandy beaches. In the north of the island there is a long snow-white beach - one of the most beautiful in the western hemisphere.

Nassau Cathedral

But not only interesting nature The Bahamas are famous. The capital of the state is famous for its architectural structures. One of them is the Cathedral. This is the largest religious building in the country. The construction of the cathedral dates back to the end of the 17th century. Next to it you can see many memorial plaques with the names of people who died here during epidemics.

Queen Victoria's Staircase

There is an unusual staircase in Nassau (Bahamas). It was carved into the limestone rock by slaves in the 18th century. It has sixty-five steps. It received its current name much later. This happened during the celebration of the 65th anniversary of Queen Victoria's accession to the throne.

The staircase runs along the wall of the fort. On the opposite side a small waterfall carries its waters. At the very bottom, near the steps, there is a seating area. And from the top steps there is a stunning view of Nassau.

Houses of Parliament

This small two-story building is located in the very center of Nassau, on its main square. It was built in the early 19th century for meetings of the colonial government. The first officials from Britain appeared here in the middle of the 17th century. And today the direct influence from London is felt in the state, since formally the head of the country’s Parliament is still the Queen of Great Britain.

The Parliament building has an antique portico, which is decorated with four columns. Like all the buildings on the square, it is painted a rich pink color. It looks especially beautiful in the evening hours.

Bimini Road

These are two almost parallel tracks paved with stone slabs that are under water. Some slabs reach a length of six meters. The road is located at a depth of nine meters, through absolutely transparent water it is clearly visible from the sea surface. Its length is five hundred meters, width - ninety meters.

This is not the only unusual find. Not far from the Bimini road there is a J-shaped arm. It is also lined with such slabs. Here, other strange structures were also discovered under water - platforms and concentric circles.

Alice Town

Today, many are attracted to the Bahamas, photos of which you can see in our article. They have many different clubs on their territory. Alice Town is home to the most famous of them. E. Hemingway began writing his novel “To Have and Have Not” there. Tourists are shown this historical monument, which presents unique photographs of the famous writer and his personal belongings.

Royal Victoria Gardens

The Bahamas are famous for their unusual vegetation. The capital of Nassau has a unique Botanical Garden, built here at the beginning of the 19th century.

The Royal Victoria Gardens house a rare collection of plants from tropical countries. There are more than three hundred species. A huge number of rare varieties of orchids entwine the trees and fill the air with a delightful aroma.

Bahamas (Bahamas ) are islands in the Atlantic Ocean located between the island of Cuba and the Florida Peninsula. Commonwealth of the Bahamas It is an archipelago of about 700 islands, of which only 30 are inhabited. Bahamas Everyone associates it with a luxurious beach holiday, with endless white sandy beaches, crystal clear warm water and coral reefs. of the world are presented precisely on Bahamas.

Bahamas – paradise in the atlantic ocean

1. Capital

The capital of the Bahamas is city Nassau(Nassau), founded by English pirates on the island New Providence.

Nassau– a noisy, modern city. It is not only a center of entertainment, but also a center of commerce on Bahamas, as numerous cruise ships stop in the city. Nassau Known for its warm climate, beautiful beaches, colorful tropical vegetation, numerous restaurants, banks and high-end shops.

2. Flag

Flag of the Bahamas- this is a panel consisting of three horizontal stripes of equal width, with an aspect ratio of 1:2. The black equilateral triangle symbolizes the unity and determination of the Bahamians. Three horizontal stripes of equal width symbolize Natural resources islands: two bright blue (aquamarine) stripes along the edges - crystal clear waters Caribbean Sea , the golden stripe (in the center) is the land of the islands, giving their inhabitants their treasures.

3. Coat of arms

Coat of arms of the Bahamas- a shield with the national symbols of the country, held by a flamingo and a marlin. At the top of the shield is a shell, symbolizing the rich marine flora and fauna, placed on the helmet. In the center of the coat of arms is the shield itself, the main symbol of which is the caravel "Santa Maria", the flagship of Columbus's first expedition. The ship is depicted floating under rising sun- a symbol of a young nation. Animals that hold a shield are national symbols Bahamas. The flamingo is shown standing on the ground, and the marlin is on the water. At the bottom of the coat of arms is written the national motto - “Forward, together, higher, further”.

4. Anthem

listen to the anthem of the Bahamas

5. Currency

The national currency of the Bahamas is the Bahamian dollar. equal to 100 cents (B$, BSD, code 44). In circulation there are coins of 1, 5, 10, 15, 25 cents and banknotes in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 dollars. Bahamian dollar to ruble exchange rate or any other currency can be viewed on the currency converter below:

Coins Bahamas

Banknotes of the Bahamas

Bahamas located in the Atlantic Ocean at a distance of about 90 km southeast of Florida and approximately the same distance northeast of Cuba. The Bahamas are a scattering of 700 islands and 2,500 reefs, of which only 30 are inhabited.

The area of ​​the Bahamas is 13,940 km 2. The surface of the islands is flat. Highest point Bahamas located on Cat Island, which is only 63 meters high. On the territory of the islands there are several freshwater lakes, and only one small river flowing on the island of Andros.

8. What's worth seeing

. Bahamas- this includes the beauty of nature, underwater fishing, hunting, diving in coral reefs, sailing on a yacht, watching flamingos, boat trips with dolphins, and also immersing yourself in the atmosphere of a Caribbean carnival. All this and much more attract tourists from all over the world like a magnet to these islands.

Here's a small one list of attractions, which you should pay attention to when planning excursions around Bahamas:

• Funnel Blue Hole Dean
• Government House building
• Atlantis complex
• Cat Island
• National Park Lucaya
• Paradise Island
• Underwater sculpture Atlanta
• Pink beach of the Bahamas
• Nassau Straw Market
• Fort Fincastle

9. 10 Largest cities in the Bahamas

• Nassau / Nassau (capital)
• Freeport
• West End / West End
• Coopers Town
• Marsh Harbor
• Freetown / Freetown
• High Rock / High Rock
• Andros Town / Andros Town
• Spanish Wells
• Clarence Town

10. What’s the weather like here?

Climate of the Bahamas- tropical, trade wind and has two seasons: summer (lasts from May to November) and winter (lasts from May to November). Midwinter is a cool time of year for the Bahamas. The average temperature of the islands during the daytime is +24°C, and in summer the temperature ranges from +26 to +32 C, on some days it can reach +40 C (from June to August), but the trade winds significantly soften the heat throughout the country . The main amount of precipitation (up to 800 mm) occurs, the so-called rainy season, from May to October. IN winter period rains are not frequent. The water temperature is usually +27 - +29 C in summer and +23 - +25 C in winter.

11. Population

The population of the Bahamas is 397,297 (as of February 2017). 3/4 of the total population Bahamas- blacks and mulattoes, there are also diasporas of immigrants from Haiti and Jamaica. A tiny portion are Europeans and North Americans.

12. Language

Official language of the Bahamas—English, Creole or “Patois” is still quite common (widely used among people from Haiti).

13. Religion

Bahamas- predominantly Christian country 92%. The largest Christian groups are Baptists, Catholics, Pentecostals and Anglicans. Traditional folk beliefs are also common "obea", originating in Haitian "voodoo".

14. Holidays

National holidays of the Bahamas:

• 1st of January - New Year, Jonconu Carnival
• March-April - Easter
• First Friday in June - Labor Day
• July 10 is Independence Day.
• first Monday in August - Liberation Day
• October 12 - America's Discovery Day
• December 25 – Christmas
• December 26 — Boxing Day

15. Souvenirs

Here's a small one list most common souvenirs which tourists usually bring from the Bahamas:

• large graceful ships made of shells
• handmade Maltese glass vases, silver sail models, precious crosses
• wickerwork, souvenirs carved from wood
• symbols and amulets
• straw products (hats and baskets)
• watches from famous companies
• exotic clothing items
• Jewelry

16. “Neither nail nor rod” or customs rules

allow the import and export of any amount of foreign currency. Local currency - Bahamian dollars- you can import into the country, but export more 70 Bahamian dollars permitted only with permits from the Central Bank Bahamas.

Tourists over 18 years of age can import Bahamas duty-free 0.94 liters of any alcohol, tobacco products (your choice) 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars or 250 grams of tobacco. As well as any other goods and products worth $100.

On Bahamas The transit of narcotic and explosive substances, items of historical and cultural value and weapons without the appropriate permits is prohibited. The export of agricultural products, plants of all types and wood carvings requires permission from the country's Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries.

What about sockets?

Electrical voltage Bahamas: 120 V , at a frequency of 50, 60 Hz . Socket type: Type A , Type B .

17. Telephone code and domain name Bahamas

Code of the country: +1-242
Geographic first level domain name: .bs

Dear reader! If you have been to this country or have something interesting to tell about the Bahamas . WRITE! After all, your lines can be useful and educational for visitors to our site "Across the planet step by step" and for all travel lovers.

About 6 million tourists vacation in the Bahamas every year. For such a small island country these are huge numbers. Tourists can be understood, because the Bahamas has excellent conditions for beach holiday, including diving and sailing. Some tourists are also interested in seeing the places that were once “home” to the famous pirates of the Caribbean.

Geography

The Bahamas (officially the Commonwealth of the Bahamas) is a country in the Atlantic Ocean made up of more than 3,000 islands and coral reefs. The Bahamas are north of Cuba and Haiti, northwest of the Turks and Caicos Islands, and southeast of the Florida Peninsula. total area countries - 13,938 sq. km.

The largest islands that make up this state are New Providence, Grand Bahama, Andros, Bimini, Inagua, Eleuthera, Cat Island, Long Island, San Salvador, and Acklins.

The landscape of all the Bahamas is flat. The highest local peak is Mount Alvernia, whose height reaches 63 meters.

It should be noted that the territory of the Bahamas is subject to frequent hurricanes. The last destructive hurricane occurred in 2005.

Capital of the Bahamas

Nassau is the capital of the Bahamas. More than 250 thousand people now live in this city, which is located on the island of New Providence. Nassau was founded by the British in 1666.

Official language

The official language of the people of the Bahamas is English.

Religion

About 35% of the population is Baptist, about 15% is Anglican, and about 13.5% consider themselves Roman Catholic.

State structure

The Bahamas is a constitutional monarchy governed by a Governor-General appointed by the Queen of Great Britain. The head of government is the Prime Minister.

The bicameral local parliament consists of the Senate (16 senators) and the House of Representatives (38 deputies).

The main political parties are the Progressive Liberal Party and the Free National Movement.

Climate and weather

The climate is subtropical and tropical, strongly influenced by the Gulf Stream (especially in winter). The average annual air temperature is +24-29C. Hurricane season runs from June to November. However, in fact, hurricanes in this country are a rare occurrence. The weather service warns in advance if a hurricane is expected.

The best time to holiday in the Bahamas is winter.

Sea in the Bahamas

The Commonwealth of the Bahamas is surrounded on all sides by the Atlantic Ocean. The average annual water temperature near the shore is +25C.

Culture

In the XVII-XVIII centuries Caribbean Islands brought millions of Africans, under whose influence the modern culture of the inhabitants of the Bahamas was formed.

The main cultural events are festivals, carnivals, fishing competitions and sailing regattas. The most popular of them: in January - Junkanoo Festival, Sailing Regatta, in February - Farmer's Cay Festival, in March - Bacardi Billfish Tournament, in April - Bahamas White Marlin Open, in May - Long Island Regatta, in June - Eleuthera Festival Pineapple, July - Independence Week, August - Cat Island Regatta, September - All Abaco Sailing Regatta, October - Discovery Day, November - Guy Fawkes Day, One Bahamas Music & Heritage Festival, and December - Junkanoo Boxing Day .

Bahamian cuisine

Cuisine, unfortunately, is not one of the main reasons why tourists choose the Bahamas for vacation. Most local restaurants offer so-called dishes. international cuisine. In general, the cuisine of the Bahamas focuses on seafood and fish (mainly sea bass and oysters).

The best restaurants are in Nassau, Cable Beach, Paradise Island, and to a lesser extent Freeport.

Bahamian fish soup is most often prepared with sea bass, adding celery, onions, tomatoes and various spices and herbs (such as thyme), as well as lime juice and a little rum. Many tourists still order turtle soup in restaurants, although turtles themselves have the status of endangered animals.

The national dish of the Bahamas is oysters, which are eaten as a main dish and made into salads and appetizers. Oyster soup is very popular. Each local chef has his own recipe for making this soup. Typically, tomatoes, potatoes, sweet peppers, onions, carrots, bay leaves, thyme, and, of course, salt and pepper are added to oyster soup.

We also recommend trying the unique local oyster fritters - they are made in the shape of balls, served with spicy sauce, as well as “Cracked conch” (fried clams with Creole sauce), baked crab, “Johnnycake” (baked bread with milk, flour and sugar) .

For dessert, we recommend trying local fruits, sour cream apple ice cream, Sapodilla pudding and guava dessert “duff”. The traditional alcoholic drink is rum. The Bahamians have invented several local drinks based on rum (Yellow Bird, Bahama Mama, and Goombay Smash).

Attractions

Tourists, of course, do not expect any serious unique attractions from the Bahamas. However, this small island country also has something to see, because it was discovered by Christopher Columbus himself. After the Spaniards and the British (they captured the Bahamas in the middle of the 17th century), there were many beautiful houses, churches and forts.

Parks and reserves that are very popular among tourists are Inagua National Park, Abaco National Park, Man-O-War Reef and Embrister Creek on Cat Island.

Cities and resorts

The largest local cities are West End, Freeport and Nassau. All these and more settlements are excellent beach resorts, especially Nassau.

Some of the best local beaches include the following:

1. Cable Beach (New Providence Island)
2. Cabbage Beach (Paradise Island)
3. Xanadu Beach (Grand Bahama Island)
4. Tahiti Beach (Abacos)
5. Ten Bay Beach (Eleuthera)
6. Pink Sands Beach (Harbor Island)
7. Saddle Cay (Exumas)

Also worth highlighting are the beaches on Stocking Island and Cat Island. All beaches of the Bahamas have snow-white sand and are surrounded by coconut palms.

Souvenirs/shopping

Tourists in the Bahamas buy handicrafts, straw baskets, linen towels, local soaps and lotions, bags, wallets, hats, guava jelly, pineapple jam, and rum as souvenirs.

Office hours

If you are looking for something unusual, then you should visit the Bahamas. The Bahamas are located in the western Atlantic Ocean, southeast of the Florida Peninsula, in the Bahamas archipelago. Tours to the Bahamas are intended not only for those who are looking for a magnificent holiday full of varied entertainment, but also for those who are looking for an exciting holiday. It's no secret that the Bahamas is a gambling center, and casinos here operate 24 hours a day. In addition, tours to the Bahamas will be a real boon for lovers fishing. Here you can enjoy fishing in specially designated areas for a reasonable fee. Fans of outdoor activities will find a variety of entertainment in the Bahamas, mainly related to aquatic species sports For festival lovers, on New Year's and Christmas Eve, the colorful Junkanoo festival-carnival is held, which takes place to national music, using national costumes and accompanied by national dances. Carnival has its own history, the roots of which go deep into history. On this day, it was customary for the owners to give freedom to their slaves, and they, in turn, dressed up in various costumes and had fun from the heart. The Bahamas annually hosts great amount tourists from all over the world, thanks to its favorable location and the presence of a wide variety of entertainment, the Bahamas are a recreation center that allows you to escape from a boring and monotonous life...

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Bahamas

The name Bahamas evokes the fringe of palm trees, the warmth of sand, the turquoise of lagoons and the roar of waves. The Bahamas are located in the West Indies. The Bahamas includes hundreds of small and thirty big islands. Thanks to its mild climate, lush tropical environment, relative isolation and natural beauty, the Bahamas is always full of tourists at any time of the year.

The capital of the Bahamas is Nassau. Nassau is located on New Providence Island. At first, New Providence was an ordinary, unremarkable island, but today more than half the country's population lives on the island. Nassau was founded by English settlers; it was they who gave the city its name - Charlestown, in honor of King Charles II of England. After all, Charles II gave these lands to English settlers. Later, the town was renamed Nassau, and this name has stuck with it to this day. The town owes its name to Nassau to English settlers, who renamed the city in honor of King William III, who is a representative of the Orange-Nassau dynasty. In addition, the island’s past contains notes of pirate daring and adventurism. Nassau was the command post of the famous pirate Blackbeard. The famous inventor of the pirate flag, Rackham, was also based here.

Modern Bahamas no longer pose a threat to civilians; it is quiet and peaceful here. Today, the Bahamas have become a favorite holiday destination for Canadians and Americans. Thanks to stable good weather, as well as sea and sun, you can relax in the Bahamas at any time of the year. Cable Beach is famous because all the famous hotels are located here. The beach got its name in honor of the first telegraph, which was laid in the Bahamas. Paradise Island is famous for being located near New Providence and connected to it by two bridges.

Climate in the Bahamas

Subtropical and tropical. Throughout the year - unchanged. Average temperatures in summer are 32 degrees, and in winter - 20 degrees. The water temperature ranges from 23 to 27 degrees. From May to October, the island constantly experiences high amounts of rainfall.

Time Zone in the Bahamas

The difference with Moscow time is eight hours.

Language in the Bahamas

The predominant languages ​​are English and Creole.

Currency in the Bahamas

In the Bahamas, the main currency is the Bahamian dollar.

Sights of the Bahamas

The main place where the main city attractions are located is Parliament Square, which was built in the 19th century. There is a building here Supreme Court, Colonial Administration Building, Parliament and Queen Victoria Statue.

Tourists should also visit small towns located on the west coast. In these towns there used to be either pirates or secret rum producers. Fort Charlotte, which was built in 1788, is also worthy of attention. Coral island, the Rand Memorial Reserve, the Garden of the Groves, underwater caves - all these are the main attractions of the Bahamas, which every tourist should definitely visit.

Entertainment in the Bahamas

The Atlantis complex is the largest aquarium located under open air. Here you can see a transparent underwater tunnel, copies of Mayan pyramids with water slides, and a labyrinth that imitates the ruins of Atlantis. During the day you can go shopping in boutiques and shops, and in the evening visit a casino, bar or restaurant. The islands of Bimini, Berry and Andros have excellent fishing, and the most best diving- on the islands of Eleuthera and Abacos. You can feed sharks and swim with dolphins on Inagua Island. To play golf, you can go to Grand Bahama Island.

Largest Islands in the Bahamas

The most important and most visited island of the Bahamas is New Providence. However, most tourists call this island Nassau, due to the fact that the capital of the Bahamas of the same name is located here. On the island there is best beach- Cable Beach. In addition, there is also a huge number of shops, casinos, restaurants and bars. Nassau is the world's largest offshore center. There are more than 400 banks and trust funds located in Nassau.

Paradise Island is famous for its bridges that connect it to New Providence. The island is quite popular among tourists. There are underwater attractions, modern comfortable hotels, luxurious casinos and excellent resorts.

Nature of the Bahamas

The Bahamas are famous for their coconut palms, lagoons, coral reefs and sandy beaches. The climate of the Bahamas is tropical and mild. In the west, the Bahamas are washed by the Gulf Stream, and in the southeast a warm equatorial wind always blows. Throughout the year, the air temperature does not drop below 26 degrees. There is no rainy season on the island. However, tropical hurricanes occur here, which are typical for the entire Caribbean region. The most favorable time to visit the Bahamas is from November to May.

History of the Bahamas

The Bahamas were discovered by Columbus. This happened in 1492. Naturally, the first inhabitants of the islands were adventurers and pirates. The Bahamas were a British colony for more than three hundred years. However, since 1973, the Bahamas have been part of Great Britain as an independent state. The head of state in the Bahamas is nominally the Queen of Great Britain, whose authority is exercised by the Governor General.

Population of the Bahamas

The total population of the Bahamas is 300 thousand people. However, about 170 thousand people live in Nassau. The bulk of the population is represented by Chinese, Europeans, mulattoes and descendants of black slaves. Official language is English.

Religion in the Bahamas

The bulk of the population is represented by Protestants.

Visa to the Bahamas

To visit the Bahamas for citizens Russian Federation For stays up to ninety days, a visa is not required.

Electricity in the Bahamas

On the islands the American standard plugs and voltage are 120 V.

Health

Vaccinations are not required to enter the country.

Holidays in the Bahamas

Casinos operate 24 hours a day on the islands. The Atlantis Hotel is home to the largest casino in the Caribbean.

The coastal waters of the Bahamas are a diver's paradise and the fishing is... business card holidays in the Bahamas.

Shopping and Shopping in the Bahamas

Bay Street is the center of commerce in the Bahamas. Here you can buy literally everything, and the purchased items will be genuine. A pleasant surprise will be that all purchased goods are exempt from taxes.

The archipelago extends approximately 1,500 km from northwest to southeast between the islands of Grand Bahama and Great Inagua and is separated from Florida (USA) by the Strait of Florida, and from Cuba by the Old Bahama Strait. The total area of ​​the islands is 13,940 square meters. km, including inhabited ones – approx. 11,400 sq. km. The largest islands are Andros (4.1 thousand sq. km), Great Abaco (2 thousand sq. km), Great Inagua, Grand Bahama (1.1 thousand sq. km), New Providence (with the capital of the state - Nassau), Eleuthera, Kat, San Salvador, Long Island, Great Exuma, Crooked Island, Acklins, Mayaguana.

Nature.

The islands of the archipelago are areas of a vast submerged limestone plateau protruding above sea level. The thickness of the limestone deposits is approx. 4500 m. In the east, the plateau drops steeply towards the North American basin of the Atlantic Ocean. The archipelago is separated from the Florida Peninsula by the shallow Strait of Florida, and from the island of Cuba by the Old Bahama Strait. The water areas between the islands are shallow, but the surface of the underwater plateau is dissected by deep cracks, which are associated with fairways. Numerous coral reefs, as well as ferruginous layers in the limestones create an unusually colorful picture of the underwater world.

The islands are raised relative to sea level from a few meters to about 60 m. Highest point country - Mount Alvernia (63 m) - located on Cat Island. The relief of the islands is flat. On the shores facing the ocean, a series of marine terraces can be traced. TO west coast The islands are home to numerous salty lagoon lakes and mangrove swamps. In some places along the coast there is a strip of sandy beaches. Karst phenomena and landforms are widespread on the islands. Therefore, there are no rivers in the archipelago, but there are many karst lakes. Sources fresh water very little.

The climate is tropical trade wind. Winters, due to the influence of the Gulf Stream, are milder than on the North American continent. Average temperatures in winter months are 22–24° C, in summer – 29–30° C. Average annual precipitation is 1000–1500 mm (in some places in the east - only 750 mm). They fall mainly in May-June and September-October. Tropical hurricanes often occur. Since the islands are scattered large area, the destructive effects of hurricanes on each island occur on average once every 12 years.

In some places, limestones exposed to the surface are devoid of soil cover. In the depressions of the relief in the interior regions, solonchaks and saline soils are common, while in other areas fertile red-brown soils predominate.

Natural vegetation on the drier eastern islands is xerophytic, dominated by cacti and aloes. Most of the islands were initially dominated by rainforests. Currently, many of them have been removed, and low-growing shrubs are growing in their place. Where forests have been preserved (on the islands of Andros, Great and Little Abaco, Grand Bahama), valuable broad-leaved tree species such as redwood (mahogany), logwood and ironwood, as well as Caribbean pine, are common. In broad-leaved forests, bougainvillea, jasmine, orchids and other plants with beautiful and delicately scented flowers grow in abundance. On some islands, artificial plantings of casuarina, mahogany and a number of tropical conifers have been created.

The fauna of the Bahamas is poor. There are very few mammals, of which the most numerous are the bats. Among the amphibians there are many frogs, and among the reptiles there are lizards and snakes. The most numerous birds in the fauna of the islands are birds, including migratory birds from North America (ducks, geese, etc.), which remain for the winter. Flamingos are found in swamps and lagoons (only in national park More than 50 thousand red flamingos, pelicans, spoonbills, herons and other waterfowl nest on Bolshoi Inagua Island. Termites, mosquitoes and other insects are abundant. In the coastal waters, near the reefs, there are many species of fish, including Atlantic sailfish, barracuda, mackerel, etc. There are sea turtles (on Great Inagua Island there are oviposition sites for the green turtle), and numerous mollusks and sponges. The Exuma Keys National Park contains protected marshes, mangroves, and coral reefs.

The range of minerals in the Bahamas is limited to limestone and aragonite (pure calcium carbonate). The world's largest deposit is located on the shelf of the Bahamas.

Thanks to the mild warm climate, sandy beaches, clean coastal waters and unlimited spearfishing opportunities, the Bahamas has become an internationally recognized winter resort.

Population and society.

In 2003, 297.48 thousand people lived in the Bahamas, with more than half of them living on New Providence Island. In 2008 the population was 307.5 thousand people. 28.8% of the population belongs to the age group under 15 years, 65.4% is from 15 to 65 years old and 5.8% is over 65 years old. The birth rate is estimated at 18.57 per 1000 population, mortality - 8.68 per 1000, emigration - 2.67 per 1000. Population growth in 2003 was 0.77%, in 2008 - 0.57%. Infant mortality – 24 per 1000 births (2008). Due to the spread of AIDS in the islands, there is an upward trend in mortality, lower life expectancy and lower population growth rates. In 1999, an estimated 6,900 people in the Bahamas were infected with AIDS and 500 died from the disease; in 2006, 6,800 people were infected.

The main component of the emerging Bahamian nation is blacks and mulattoes, making up more than 3/4 of the total population. There are diasporas of people from Haiti, Jamaica and the Turks and Caicos Islands. The share of Europeans and North Americans is small. This is mainly a contingent of wealthy elderly citizens from the USA, Canada, and Great Britain who settled in the Bahamas after retirement.

Protestants predominate among believers, including Baptists, Anglicans, Methodists, ca. 19% are Roman Catholics, part of the population adheres to African cults.

The Bahamas has introduced free and compulsory education for children aged 5 to 14 years. Behind last years the number has increased significantly educational institutions, and on the larger islands most children have access to high school. About 20% of school graduates receive vocational training in several vocational schools, pedagogical and technical colleges. The Bahamas does not have its own higher education institutions, but since 1964 the government has established ties with the University of the West Indies in Jamaica and a year later opened its correspondence department in Nassau. Some Bahamians get higher education at universities in the USA, UK and Canada. 98% of the Bahamas population is literate.

Healthcare is at a high level. Local doctors managed to completely defeat most tropical diseases. In 1965, the government launched a low-income housing project and approved a system of mortgage sales of low-cost housing. State benefits are paid only to elderly people (old age pensions) and disabled people.

State structure.

The Commonwealth of the Bahamas achieved limited internal self-government in 1964 and full self-government in 1969. On July 10, 1973, the independence of the Bahamas as part of the Commonwealth, led by Great Britain, was declared. According to the 1973 constitution, the head of state is the Queen of Great Britain, who is represented by the Governor General.

Legislative power is exercised by a bicameral parliament consisting of the Senate and the House of Assembly. The 16 members of the Senate are appointed by the Governor General (9 on the recommendation of the Prime Minister, 4 by the leader of the opposition and 3 by agreement between the leaders of the ruling and opposition parties). The Senate has the right to delay the adoption of laws (with the exception of those related to finance). The House of Assembly consists of 40 members elected by universal suffrage. The term of office of both chambers is 5 years, but early dissolution of parliament is possible. Executive branch belongs to the government headed by the prime minister - usually the leader of the party with a majority in parliament. The government is responsible to the House of Assembly.

The judiciary consists of the ordinary courts, the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court.

The Bahamas is a member of a number of international organizations: the UN, the Organization of American States, the Caribbean Community, etc.

ECONOMY

The Bahamas is a developing country whose economy is largely dependent on foreign tourism and offshore banking. In 2000, GDP amounted to 4.5 billion dollars, or 15 thousand dollars per capita; in 2003 – 5.5 billion dollars or 17.5 thousand dollars per capita. In 1999, tourism accounted for 60% of GDP, other services – 30%, industry – 7%, agriculture – 3%. Stable GDP growth (3% in 1998, 6% in 1999 and 4.5% in 2000) ensures an increasing flow of tourists and a boom associated with the construction of hotels, residential buildings and the development of resorts. The labor force is estimated at approximately 156 thousand people (40% are employed in the tourism business, 50% in other services, 5% in industry, 5% in agriculture). Do not have a permanent job approx. 9% of the economically active population.

Even before World War II, Nassau became a small tourist destination. In the post-war period, the number of hotels in the city increased many times. Hotels have also been built on most of the most populated and some sparsely populated islands. The Bahamas are also famous for their casinos. Every year the country receives more than 2 million tourists. Many hotels, restaurants and casinos are owned by foreign companies.

Tax benefits and ensuring the secrecy of deposits make the Bahamas attractive to businessmen and financiers, which is why the islands are one of the leading international financial and business centers. Hundreds of banks, financial institutions and companies from the USA, Canada, Great Britain and other countries have their branches in Nassau and Freeport.

Industry.

Mining in the Bahamas is carried out by American companies and is limited to the development of offshore aragonite deposits (used in the production of glass, reinforced concrete and fertilizers) in the western part of the archipelago and the evaporation of salt from sea water on the islands of Long Island and Great Inagua.

In 1955, a private American company leased a plot of 20 thousand hectares on the southern coast of Grand Bahama for the construction of a deep-water port, industrial construction and the creation of the necessary infrastructure. In exchange, it was provided with a tax-free regime until 1990 and duty free import means of production until 2054. In 1963, the city of Freeport grew here, gradually turning into the country's largest industrial center with an oil refinery (owned by American companies) operating on imported raw materials, and several dozen other industrial enterprises. Among the large enterprises in Freeport, there are a cement and two pharmaceutical plants, also owned by foreign companies. The second most important industrial city is Nassau, where enterprises in the food, clothing, textile and chemical industries are concentrated. On Great Abaco Island there is a plant for the production of wood pulp, built by an American company, operating on the basis of local Caribbean pine. This semi-finished product is used to make paper at the company's plant in Florida.

Agriculture.

Agriculture in the country is limited by the lack of suitable areas on the densely populated islands (only 1% of the land is cultivated) and provides approximately 25% of the country's food needs. Small semi-subsistence farms mainly grow vegetables, while larger ones grow pineapples, bananas, mangoes, sugar cane, citrus fruits, and coconut palms. Poultry farming is developed. In coastal waters there is a small fishery for lobsters, sea sponges and pearls.

Transport.

Length highways on the islands - approx. 2700 km, more than half of them are paved. Coastal shipping and air traffic are developed. There are three main ones in the Bahamas sea ​​ports: Nassau, Freeport and Mathew Town. The main port of Nassau can accommodate large ocean-going vessels and also has a large natural harbor, protected from wind and waves, and many anchorages for yachts and small boats. An oil port has been built in the vicinity of Freeport to receive supertankers, which is used for the transit of Middle Eastern and African oil and the shipment of petroleum products to the United States. Ocean-going ships, including transit ones, are refueled in the same port. The Bahamas merchant fleet consists of 1,049 vessels (each over 1,000 gross register tons) with a total displacement of over 30 million gross register tons. Trade ships from approximately 40 countries fly the flag of the Bahamas.

There are 65 airports in the country. The local airline provides connections between the islands of the Bahamas archipelago, as well as with the British-owned Turks and Caicos Islands. Nassau International Airport offers flights to Europe, the Caribbean and North and South America. Second international Airport is located in Freeport.

Foreign policy.

The economy of the Bahamas is dependent on foreign investment. Large foreign, mostly American, financial and industrial companies operate on the islands.

The structure of exports is dominated by industrial products, mainly petroleum products, medicines and cement. The Bahamas also exports rum, wood pulp, seafood and, in small quantities, tropical vegetables and fruits. Export earnings are constantly increasing. The main export partners are the USA, Switzerland, Great Britain, Denmark.

The structure of imports is dominated by raw materials, in particular oil (mainly from Saudi Arabia) for its further processing, food, consumer goods, cars, electronics. The main import partners are the USA, Italy, Japan, Denmark.

The Bahamas are a transit point for drug trafficking to the United States and Europe.

Budget and monetary circulation.

Most government revenue comes from customs duties, casino revenue, land sales, postal fees and utilities. There is no income tax in the country. State budget expenditure items include education, social security and public Works. The monetary unit is the Bahamian dollar = 100 cents.

STORY

The original inhabitants of the Bahamas archipelago were the Sibonean Indian tribes. In the first centuries AD, the islands were invaded by Taino tribes who spoke Arawak languages. The Taino grew yams, corn, cassava and cotton. Among them were artisans who spun, weaved and made pottery.

On October 12, 1492, Columbus first set foot on the New World, landing on the island of San Salvador in the Bahamas archipelago, which the local Indians called Guanahani. Taking with him six Indians from this island, Columbus sailed further to the island, which he gave the name Santa Maria de la Concepcion (now Rum Key), then to Fernandina Island (Long Island). Many Indians - the indigenous inhabitants of the Bahamas - were enslaved by the Spaniards and taken to work on plantations and mines on the island of Hispaniola (Haiti). As a result, the archipelago became depopulated. From the middle of the 16th century. Spain's enemies, primarily the French, used these islands as a base to attack Spanish ships. Thus, for 200 years, the Bahamas have established a reputation as a haven for pirates.

In 1629, the Bahamas were granted by Charles I to one of his ministers, who, however, did not even attempt to create settlements on them. In 1647, a company called Eleutheran Adventurers was formed in London to colonize the Bahamas. Settlers from England, Bermuda and the British colonies of North and South Carolina North America, originally settled on the island of Eleuthera, the right of ownership of which was granted to them by Oliver Cromwell. However, after the Restoration, Charles II transferred this right to the Lords Proprietors of North and South Carolina, which officially remained until 1787. In 1689, the Eleutheran Adventurers company founded the settlement of Charlestown on the island of New Providence, which was soon renamed Nassau (Nassau) in honor of Prince William of Orange -Nassausky. In 1703, Nassau was destroyed by the Spaniards, which significantly strengthened the position of pirates on the island. In 1718, Captain Woods Rogers was appointed royal governor to restore order in the Bahamas. By the time of his arrival, 2,000 pirates were supposedly hiding on New Providence Island. In 1720 the Spaniards attacked the island again. To protect the colony, the governor had to enter into an alliance with the pirates. In 1776, the US Navy captured the fortified Fort Montague, which protected Nassau harbor, and held it for several days.

In 1781, the Spaniards captured the colony and remained there for more than a year, but already in 1783, according to the Treaty of Versailles, the power of the British was restored and remained until the independence of the Bahamas was declared. At the end of the War of Independence of the English colonies in North America (1775–1783), approx. 3,000 American Loyalists who remained loyal to the British Crown, as well as their slaves. During the early stages of settlement in the Bahamas, cotton was grown. For this purpose, slaves were imported into the archipelago from Africa and the former North American colonies. After slavery was abolished in 1838, the colony's economy declined and many residents left the islands.

Revival economic activity in the Bahamas occurred during Civil War in the USA in 1861–1865, when the fleet exporting cotton from southern states USA. The colony's income was generated mainly from customs duties on cotton trade. During the period of Prohibition in the United States from 1920–1933, the Bahamas became one of the transit points for the smuggling of alcoholic beverages into the United States. Customs duties import and export of alcohol brought significant income to the colony and were partially invested in travel business, which later became the basis of the country's economy. In the 1920s–1930s, US capital began to penetrate all spheres of the colony’s economy (tourism, banking and business activities, etc.).

In January 1964, the Bahamas received internal self-government, and on July 10, 1973 they were declared an independent state within the Commonwealth, led by Great Britain. In October 1973, the Bahamas was admitted to the UN. The country's economic prosperity is greatly enhanced by its reputation as a major tourist, banking and financial center. Oil refining and transportation also generates considerable income.

The country's first prime minister (after independence) was the representative of the Progressive Liberal Party, Linden Oscar Pindling; he retained his post until August 19, 1992, when his party gave way to the Free National Democratic Movement, led by Hubert Ingraham. This party received a majority of votes (34) in the 1997 parliamentary elections, which allowed H. Ingraham to form a one-party government. There are dozens of industry trade unions in the country, the largest trade union associations are the Trade Union Congress of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas and the National Trade Union Congress.

In 2002, the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) came to power, and Perry Christie became the new prime minister, who returned to this post again in 2012, defeating the leader of the Free National Movement party, Hubert Ingram, who was elected in 2007.

Several large newspapers are published in the Bahamas: Nassau Guardian (founded in 1844, circulation 14.1 thousand copies), Nassau Daily Tribune (founded in 1903, 12 thousand copies), Freeport News (founded in 1961, 4 thousand copies). The government weekly Official Gazette is also published. Radio and television broadcasting is carried out by the government company Broadcasting Corporation Bahamas.