Bahamas-Facts and InformationBahamas-facts and information to help you get to know a little about the Bahamas to help you plan your trip.
The Bahamas consist of over 700 islands and 2400 small cays extending from 50 miles off the coast of Florida almost to Haiti. Only about 30 of the islands are inhabited. That leaves a lot for you to enjoy and explore! National Flag of the Bahamas.
The main island is New Providence where the capital Nassau is located. It is one of the main tourist destinations in all the Caribbean with many hotels, casinos ,cruise ships and tourist attractions. The second most visited island is Grand Bahama where Freeport is located. There are also many hotels and casinos here, but also eco-tourism attractions including nature tours, national parks and botanical gardens. The rest of the Out-Islands in the Bahamas are known as the "Family Islands". The Out-Islands are quiet, peaceful, relaxed, uncrowded and unspoiled. These islands are the real "jewels" of the Bahamas. Underwater in Thunderball Cave, Exuma, Bahamas.
When Christopher Columbus first set foot in the New World on San Salvador in 1492, the Arawak Indians were the only inhabitants. Today, about 85 percent of Bahamians are of African heritage with the rest being white or mulatto. There were about forty thousand Lucayans (Arawak Indians) living on the islands when Columbus landed. Unfortunately the facts reveal that within forty years the islands were uninhabited because the Amerindians had been killed, died of European diseases or were transported to mine gold for the Spaniards. Maypole in Georgetown, Exuma, Bahamas.
Bahamas-Facts - Population - 319,000 - Capital Nassau - 222,000 - Area - 13,939 square kilometers (5,382 square miles) - Language - English, Creole - Religion - Baptist, Anglican, Roman Catholic - Currency - Bahamian dollar - Life Expectancy - 72 - GDP per Capita - U.S. $15,300 - Literacy Percent - 96 - Government - modeled on British Parliament - Independence Day - July 10, 1973 from the England - Highest Point - 63 meters - On Cat Island - Taxes - No Income, Capital Gain or Inheritance Taxes - Time Zone - The Bahamas operates on Eastern Time which is five hours behind Greenwich Mean Time. - Voltage - standard North American 120-volt/60-cycle Lighthouse in Hopetown, Abaco, Bahamas.
Bahamas-facts What to bring * Camera * Sunscreen * Sunglasses * Sun hat * Beach Towel * Bathing Suits * Insect repellent * Sandals * Mask, Fins, Snorkel * Maps * Money. The official currency is the Bahamian Dollar. It is at par with the U.S. Dollar. You can use either one throughout the islands. Boy Scouts sailing in Abaco, Bahamas.
The most important Bahamas-fact is that it is a beautiful country with magnificent coral reefs, fishing, diving, sailing and beaches. If any of these things are your passion, then do yourself a favor and plan a trip to the Bahamas. I have been fortunate enough to have spent a large portion of the last 30 years in the Bahamas and would encourage anyone and everyone to experience the the wonderful water world that sits only 50 miles from the coast of Florida. There is a reason why they say "It's Better in the Bahamas Mon"! Where else can you drive your sea-plane to the local bar!!! Pete's Pub in Little Harbour, Abaco, Bahamas. 
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