Bahamas names. Where is the Bahamas located? The capital of the state, attractions
Bahamas is a word that causes only pleasant sensations in every person. What could be better than relaxing on the islands, where it is always warm, and the gentle sea invites you to frolic and forget about all your sorrows? Meanwhile, the Bahamas is a whole archipelago, which includes about seven hundred islands and thousands of reefs. Some of them are inhabited, others are unsuitable for life. The most popular among tourists are the islands of New Providence, Abaco, Grand Bahama, Andros, Long Island and Eleuthera.
The archipelago is located in Atlantic Ocean off the east coast of North America. Florida is located 90 km away, and Cuba is located in the southwest. The archipelago itself covers an area of about 250 thousand kilometers, and its length is almost a thousand kilometers. The capital of the Bahamas is the city of Nassau, which is located on the island of New Providence.
Weather on Bahamas varies depending on their location. In the north, it is due to the tropical trade wind climate. In summer, the air atmosphere is kept within + 26- + 32 ° С. In winter - in the region of + 18- + 22 ° С, even at the most northern islands(Small Abako) it does not fall below +15°С. The southern part of the archipelago is slightly warmer. IN summer period the air warms up to + 40 ° C, however, thanks to the trade winds blowing from the sea, the climate here is quite mild, the heat is not felt so strongly. The hottest months here are June, July and August. The water temperature in summer is about +27°С, in winter - +22°С. Humidity on the islands varies with the season. From May to October, the rainy season lasts here, but it is not pronounced, so it does not annoy vacationers. But hurricane winds and storms during this period are a serious obstacle to recreation. In winter, powerful tropical downpours occur from time to time, however, they do not last long.
Tourism in the Bahamas
Many people associate the Bahamas, first of all, with relaxing on golden beaches. Meanwhile, it also has its attractions. Despite the fact that the main income of the islands comes from tourism, not all places here have been explored and are open to the public. In the Bahamas, large cities with a frantic pace of life and developed infrastructure are interspersed with corners of the wild. All this creates an indescribable atmosphere.
The most popular city among tourists is the capital of the Bahamas - Nassau.. This is a big bustling city, there is always something to see here. Sightseeing should start from the northern part, the historical center of the city. Here, on Rawson Square, there are buildings built in the 18th and 19th centuries. Then the Bahamas were still a colony of Britain, so lovers of English architecture, seasoned with South American flavor, should definitely take a look at it. It is never quiet here, artists, bankers, sailors, hawkers and tourists filled this small square a hundred years ago. The famous Jonkonu festival is also held here. In order to look at the colonial medieval architecture, it is worth heading to Parliament Square Square. Here are the buildings of the Colonial Administration, Parliament, Supreme Court and the Assembly House, whose construction dates back to the years of the 13th-18th centuries. History buffs will love the Pompeii Museum, located in the auction house. There are many exhibits here that tell about the history of slavery on the islands. Nearby is the colorful Straw Market, Woody's Rogers Wolf Boardwalk and the Harebrader Center.
In the southern part of the city, in the Hillside area, is the Public Library and the City Museum. The museum building itself is of interest, as it has the shape of an octagon at the base. Previously, there was a city prison. Nearby are the Royal Victoria Gardens. This place is definitely worth a visit. More than 300 species of tropical plants are collected in one place, and the very atmosphere in the gardens gives a feeling of calm and tranquility.
Also of interest are Fort Fincastle and the 85-meter Water Tower. From here you have great views of the harbor. And to the east of the tower is the Royal Staircase, which the slaves carved directly into the limestone rock. The construction of this impressive structure took 16 years, and about 500 people worked on it.
Other islands are not so visited by tourists. But if vacationers want something unusual, then you should look for the exotic outside of New Providence. Lovers of communication with wildlife Worth a visit is Grand Bahama. The Rand Memorial Nature Center is located here. It includes parks with more than 5 thousand species of exotic plants, as well as the Grand Bahama Museum. In the western part of the island is the colorful village of Jack-Ter. Pirates and underground workers lived here at one time.
But lovers of literature should visit the tiny islands of Bimini. Here, in the city of Ellis Town, the famous writer Ernest Hemingway lived and worked. It was here that the novel To Have or Not to Have was written. Also on the islands, it is worth taking a look at the Bimini Wall and the Bimini Road. Locals claim that these sights are parts of the legendary Atlantis, which sank many thousands of years ago.
Holidays in the Bahamas
There is everything for a vacation in the Bahamas - excellent hotels for every taste, clear sea, golden beaches, conditions for active rest. On the island of New Providence, Cable Beach is a very popular place, which is located next to Nassau. This is a huge beach, where many hotels, restaurants, casinos and sports complexes. The elite Delapore Point Beach with luxurious Venetian-style villas is also located there. In the vicinity of the island there are excellent conditions for fishing and water sports. Divers really like the southern part of the island with a bizarre coastline and beautiful Coral Bay. Fishing and snorkeling enthusiasts usually rest on the west coast. Here, in shallow water, there is a very rich underwater world, the water is literally teeming with various marine inhabitants. There are several yacht clubs in the vicinity of Nassau.
Fans of noisy city life with a lot of entertainment should go to Grand Bahama Island, to the city of Freeport. This is a paradise for lovers of outdoor activities. There are tennis courts, golf courses, fishing and diving centers. The city itself is a fashionable resort founded only half a century ago. Fans of shopping and nightlife will love the Mull area, where many shops, restaurants, casinos and nightclubs are concentrated. And, of course, you need to know the places where you can eat deliciously. In Freeport, this is Le Chicken Snack, where barbecue chicken is prepared in such a way that even gourmets admit that this is the best chicken in the world.
There is a place in the Bahamas that is not very popular among tourists, but is beloved by extreme divers. This is the most big Island The Bahamas archipelago - Andros. Nature here is almost not spoiled by civilization. Divers love the island for a huge barrier reef that stretches along one of the coasts. But lovers of eco-tourism will also like it here. The dense mangrove and pine forests are so dense that locals still talk about chikcharniz, small red-eyed elves that live in these forests and have not the best feelings for people.
The Bahamas are famous great beaches, beautiful underwater world and original culture. The archipelago includes about 700 islands, of which only 40 are inhabited. Local resorts are perfect both for a leisurely vacation in complete unity with nature, and for extreme diving, as there are many underwater tunnels and blue holes.
Information about the Bahamas
The Bahamas have an official name - the Commonwealth of the Bahamas. The state is located in the Atlantic Ocean on an archipelago stretching for 1,500 km, and is separated from Cuba by the Old Bahama Strait, and from the United States by the Gulf of Florida. The total area of the islands is about 14 thousand square meters. km. The largest of them are Andros, Great Abaco, Grand Bahama, Great Inagua, New Providence, Great Exuma, Eleuthera and several others.
Capital: Nassau.
Population: 377,374 (2013 data)
Government: A constitutional monarchy headed by the Queen of Great Britain, represented in the Bahamas by the Governor General.
Language: English, Patois (Creole) is common among immigrants from Haiti.
Religion: Most of the population are Christians, mostly Baptists (35%). Folk beliefs also have a distribution ("obea").
Time: 8 hours behind Moscow in summer and 9 hours in winter. On the last Sunday in March, time is set forward one hour (valid until the first Sunday in November).
Climate
The climate in the Bahamas can be described as subtropical (in the south) and trade winds (in the north). In summer, the air temperature here reaches +32 °С, in winter - +22 °С. In the central part of the archipelago it is always cooler than in southern islands. The water temperature in the resorts of the Bahamas is about +27 ° C in summer and +23 ° C in winter.
Most of the precipitation on the islands falls from May to October, during the same months strong storms and hurricanes are possible. Based on this, best time for holidays in the Bahamas, the period from late October to early May is considered.
Average daily temperature in the resorts of the Bahamas, °C
| Resorts in the Bahamas | Jan | Feb | March | Apr | May | June | July | Aug | sen | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| Nassau | +25 | +25 | +26 | +27 | +29 | +31 | +32 | +32 | +31 | +30 | +28 | +26 |
| Nassau, t water | +25 | +25 | +25 | +26 | +27 | +28 | +29 | +29 | +29 | +28 | +27 | +26 |
| Andros | +25 | +25 | +26 | +27 | +29 | +31 | +31 | +32 | +31 | +29 | +27 | +26 |
| Andros, t water | +23 | +23 | +23 | +24 | +25 | +27 | +28 | +28 | +28 | +27 | +26 | +24 |
| Abaco | +25 | +25 | +26 | +27 | +29 | +31 | +31 | +32 | +31 | +29 | +27 | +26 |
| Abaco, t water | +23 | +23 | +23 | +24 | +25 | +27 | +28 | +28 | +28 | +27 | +26 | +24 |
| Grand Bahama | +25 | +25 | +26 | +27 | +29 | +31 | +31 | +32 | +31 | +29 | +27 | +26 |
| Grand Bahama, t water | +23 | +23 | +23 | +24 | +25 | +27 | +28 | +28 | +28 | +27 | +26 | +24 |
| Eleuthera | +25 | +25 | +26 | +27 | +29 | +31 | +31 | +32 | +31 | +29 | +27 | +26 |
| Eleuthera, t water | +23 | +23 | +23 | +24 | +25 | +27 | +28 | +28 | +28 | +27 | +26 | +24 |
| bimini | +20 | +21 | +22 | +24 | +26 | +27 | +28 | +28 | +28 | +26 | +23 | +21 |
Bahamas map
Nature
The Bahamas are limestone plateaus protruding above the ocean. Its underwater part has deep cracks and ferruginous layers, thanks to which the underwater world of the Bahamas looks very picturesque. Numerous coral reefs, blue holes and long tunnels connecting deep underwater caves add beauty to it. All this makes the islands of the archipelago very attractive for divers.
Previously, tropical forests covered the entire territory of the Bahamas, but today they are preserved only on the islands of Grand Bahama, Abaco and Andros. On their territory you can see valuable species of wood - red iron and logwood, Caribbean pines, as well as various types of exotic flowers - orchids, jasmine, bougainvillea, etc. Often on the islands you can find artificial plantations with coniferous trees, casuarina and mahogany.
The fauna in the Bahamas is not very diverse. The most common are bats, frogs, snakes, lizards, as well as birds - red flamingos, pelicans, herons, etc. Numerous species of fish are found near the coasts - mackerel, barracuda, Atlantic sailboat, etc. Thanks to this, fishing in the Bahamas is very exciting class.
Another feature of the nature of the Bahamas is the beautiful sandy beaches with fine sand, which attracts many travelers who want to soak up the sun and swim in the purest coastal waters.
Traditions and customsThe main feature of the Bahamians is slowness; it is not customary to rush anywhere on the islands. Local residents are generally calm and friendly, but sometimes they can express their emotions quite violently.
The dress code on the islands is unofficial. In most cases, a shirt and long trousers will suffice for men. IN resort areas shorts are also quite suitable; frankly beachwear should be avoided in cities. In the evening and on holidays, a long dress with ethnic patterns is considered good form for women, and a light suit for men.
Concerning culinary traditions, then in the Bahamas they are closely associated with seafood. Barbecued shells, crabs, shrimp, fish cakes, seafood salads, various variations of dishes with conch snails, reef perch in tomato or anchovy sauce, soup with lime juice, celery, meat and onions - these delicacies can be found in the menu of almost all restaurants in the archipelago. Big influence British colonizers had a hand in the cuisine of the Bahamas, so traditional English dishes prepared with local characteristics are also common here. Desserts include Caribbean coconut pies, rice puddings and fruit salads. In the bar menu you will definitely see Nassau Royal rum, the famous Bahamian beer Kalik, as well as various imported drinks.
Culture and architectureThe culture of the Bahamas was influenced by Africans, residents neighboring islands Caribbean and colonists. An important part of the national folklore is obea rituals, which are reminiscent of Santeria rites in Brazil and Cuba, as well as voodoo from Haiti. The practice involves turning to white and black magicians, communication with departed ancestors and the spirits of the underworld, etc. Followers of both believe that evil spirits live in silk cotton, and with special skill their power can be controlled. Voodoo rituals are also common in the Bahamas, especially among immigrants from Cuba, Haiti, Jamaica and the Dominican Republic.
Another bright side of the culture of the Bahamas is music, which combines the traditions of the colonizers and African slaves. Especially popular are down-home styles (music is performed on accordions, guitars and maracas) and gumbay, which combines English folk songs with calypso melodies.
Dance art in the Bahamas is also common. In special halls or on the street, you can see real dance performances, which combine ritual African dances, classical ballet and modern choreography in a bizarre way.
There are also architectural sights in the Bahamas. Most of them belong to the period of colonization and are located in the capital of the state - the city of Nassau.
Main currency
The main currency on the islands is the Bahamian dollar, equal to 100 cents. Both coins and banknotes of various denominations are in circulation. US dollars are freely circulating. Credit cards of international systems are accepted almost everywhere.
You can exchange currency in the Bahamas at shopping malls, hotels and banks, which usually work on weekdays until 15:00. The most favorable exchange rate is in international banks located in Freeport and Nassau. ATMs in popular tourist areas there are in large quantities, which cannot be said about the peripheral islands, where it is quite problematic to withdraw money. Hotels, restaurants and money changers can charge quite a large commission for cashing traveler's checks, so check the terms and conditions before using their services. It is best to use traveler's checks in US dollars.
FlightFly from Russia to Bahamas with direct flight it is forbidden. Flight is the best option british airways with a change in London (five times a week), taking about 13 hours. You can also fly to the United States, and from there, with the help of American airlines, to the capital of the Bahamas - Nassau. The disadvantage of this option is that you need an American transit visa for such a trip. From the US to the Bahamas can also be reached by ferry (the trip takes about 5 hours).
ElectricityMains voltage - 110V, 60 Hz. American type outlets.
Car rentTo rent a car in the Bahamas, you need an international driver's license, passport and credit card. The driver must be at least 21-23 years old (depending on the rental company). Car rental offices are located at airports, large hotels and in central urban areas.
Our adviceThe tourist areas of the Bahamas are quite safe, but you should follow the usual precautions: do not walk around the outskirts at night, keep an eye on your wallet, and leave valuables in a safe.
You do not need to do any vaccinations to enter the country - they will only be needed if you arrive in the Bahamas from a focus of infectious diseases. It is advisable to get immunized against tuberculosis, diphtheria and hepatitis B. You should also avoid swimming in local fresh water.
Tap water in the main cities is safe, although it tastes salty, so bottled water is recommended. Water outside the popular tourist areas can be polluted and should not be drunk. Dairy products, meat, poultry, vegetables and fruits can be eaten safely - their safety is controlled.
To protect from the sun, you should use special creams, because the level of insolation in the Bahamas is very high. It is advisable to wear light clothing that covers the shoulders on the tour.
1) arch. in the Atlantic Ocean, in the West Indies. Local name islands Bahama (eng. Bahama Islands) ; It is believed that this is an Indian name, but its etymology has not been established. Cm. also San Salvador.
2) Commonwealth Of The Bahamas, state in the West Indies. Named after the islands on which it is located.
Geographical names of the world: Toponymic dictionary. - M: AST. Pospelov E.M. 2001 .
Bahamas
(Bahamas), Commonwealth of the Bahamas , state in West Indies, (Central America), on the islands of the same name in the Atlantic Ocean. They extend for 1200 km from the NW. to SE. from the Florida Peninsula to the islands of Cuba and Haiti. Separated from Florida by Florida Strait, from Cuba by Old Bahama Strait. Count approx. 700 islands, folded in the main. coral limestone, and over 2,300 coral reefs and rocks. Pl. 13.9 thousand km²; OK. 298 thousand people (2001). The largest about Andros, the most populated New Providence, where the capital is located Nassau . Since 1783 - a colony of Great Britain, in 1973 independence was proclaimed. Part of the British Commonwealth. The head of state is the Queen of Great Britain, who is represented by the Governor General. Parliament consists of the Senate and the House of Assembly. 85% of the population are blacks and mulattos, whose ancestors were taken out of Africa by the British. Official English language. Most believers are Protestants. 3/4 of the population lives in cities. The climate is tropical, trade winds, with a rainy period from May to October. Thickets of thorny evergreen shrubs and pine forests predominate; on the coast - groves of coconut palms. Less than 40 islands are inhabited. O. San Salvador from the group of the Bahamas was the first land discovered by X. Columbus in the New World on October 12, 1492. Processing of imported oil (part of oil products is exported), cement. and farm., food. (production of cane sugar, rum, tomato juice, canning of pineapples, lobsters) industry. Pineapples, citrus fruits, bananas, tomatoes, agave (sisal), sugar are grown. reeds, mangoes, melons, etc. Developed fish and sea fishing (tuna, white marlin, spiny lobsters, sea turtles, oysters). Harvesting valuable tropical timber. Intern. airport near Nassau (connection with Miami). The basis of the economy is foreign tourism (in 1996 - 1.7 million people), which provides more than half of the state. income. Large hotels, beautiful sandy beaches, water parks. Cash unit - Bahamian dollar.
Dictionary of modern geographical names. - Yekaterinburg: U-Factoria. Under the general editorship of Acad. V. M. Kotlyakova. 2006 .
Bahamas
an archipelago of numerous low-lying islands in the Atlantic Ocean. The state of the same name is located here. Pl. 13.9 thousand km², stretching for 1500 km from the northwest. to the south-east from the Florida Peninsula to the islands of Cuba and Haiti. They are separated from Florida by the Straits of Florida, and from Cuba by the Old Bahamas. There are approx. 700 islands, folded in the main. coral limestone, and over 2,300 coral reefs and rocks. The largest islands: Andros, Great Abaco, Great Inagua, Great Bahama. The surface of the islands does not rise above 60 m, karst is developed. The climate is tropical, trade winds, with a rainy period from May to October. Average monthly temperature from 21 to 32 ° C, precipitation 1000–1600 mm per year, hurricanes are not uncommon. Many salt lakes communicating with the sea; there is a lack of fresh water. Thickets of thorny evergreen shrubs and pine forests predominate; on the coast - groves of coconut palms. National parks: Inagua, Exuma. In fact, only a little over 20 islands are inhabited. Samana Island from the group of the Bahamas was the first land discovered by H. Columbus in the New World on October 12, 1492
Geography. Modern illustrated encyclopedia. - M.: Rosman. Under the editorship of prof. A. P. Gorkina. 2006 .
The Commonwealth of the Bahamas, an independent state on the archipelago of the same name in the Atlantic Ocean, including approx. 700 islands, of which 40 are inhabited, and approx. 2000 reefs.
The archipelago stretches for about 1,500 km from northwest to southeast between the islands of Grand Bahama and Grand Inagua and is separated from Florida (USA) by the Florida Strait, and from Cuba by the Old Bahama Strait. The total area of the islands is 13,940 sq. km, including inhabited - 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, Aklins, Mayaguana.
Nature. The islands of the archipelago are areas of a vast flooded limestone plateau protruding above the ocean level. Thickness of limestone deposits approx. 4500 m. In the east, the plateau abruptly breaks off towards the North American Basin of the Atlantic Ocean. The archipelago is separated from the Florida Peninsula by the shallow Florida Strait, and from 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, to which fairways are confined. Numerous coral reefs, as well as ferruginous interlayers in limestones, create an unusually colorful picture of the underwater world.
The islands are elevated relative to the ocean level from a few meters to about 60 m. highest point country - Mount Alvernia (63 m) - located on the island of Cat. The relief of the islands is flat. On the shores facing the ocean, a series of marine terraces can be traced. Numerous salty lagoon lakes and mangrove swamps are confined to the western coast of the islands. In places, a strip stretches along the coast 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. There are very few sources of fresh water.
The climate is tropical trade wind. Winters due to the influence of the Gulf Stream are milder than on the North American mainland. The average temperatures of the winter months are 22–24°C, and the summer months are 29–30°C. The average annual precipitation is 1000–1500 mm (in some places in the east it is only 750 mm). They fall mainly in May-June and September-October. Tropical hurricanes are frequent. Since the islands are scattered over a large area, the destructive effect of hurricanes on each island affects on average once every 12 years.
In places, limestones exposed to the day surface are devoid of soil cover. Salt marshes and saline soils are widespread in relief depressions in the interior regions, fertile red-brown soils predominate in other regions.
The natural vegetation on the drier eastern islands is xerophytic, dominated by cacti and aloes. Most of the islands were originally dominated by tropical forests. At present, many of them have been reduced, and undersized shrubs grow in their place. Where forests have survived (on the islands of Andros, Greater and Lesser Abaco, Grand Bahama), such valuable broad-leaved tree species as red (mahogany), logwood and iron trees, as well as Caribbean pine, are common. In the 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 bats are the most numerous. From amphibians there are many frogs, from reptiles - lizards and snakes. In the fauna of the islands, birds are most numerous, including those migratory from North America (ducks, geese, etc.), which remain for the winter. Flamingos are found in swamps and within lagoons (only in national park more than 50 thousand red flamingos, pelicans, spoonbills, herons and other waterfowl nest on Bolshoy Inagua Island. Termites, mosquitoes and other insects are abundant. In the coastal waters, near the reefs, there are many species of fish, including the Atlantic sailfish, barracuda, mackerel, etc. There are sea turtles (on the Big Inagua Island there are green turtle egg-laying places), mollusks and sponges are numerous. In the Exuma Keys National Park, swamp and mangrove landscapes and coral reefs are protected.
The range of minerals in the Bahamas is limited to limestone and aragonite (pure calcium carbonate). On the shelf of the Bahamas is its largest field in the world.
With its mild warm climate, sandy beaches, clear 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, more than half of them in New Providence. 28.8% of the population belongs to the age group under 15 years old, 65.4% - from 15 to 65 years old and 5.8% - over 65 years old. 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%, infant mortality - 26.21 per 1000 newborns. With the spread of AIDS, the islands are experiencing a trend towards higher 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 of the disease.
The main component of the emerging Bahamian nation is African Americans and mulattos, which make up more than 3/4 of the entire population. There are diasporas of immigrants from Haiti, Jamaica and from the Turks and Caicos Islands. The proportion of Europeans and North Americans is small. This is mainly a contingent of elderly wealthy citizens from the USA, Canada, Great Britain who settled in the Bahamas after retirement.
Protestants predominate among believers, including Baptists, Anglicans, Methodists, approx. 19% are Roman Catholics, part of the population adheres to African cults.
The Bahamas introduced free compulsory education for children aged 5 to 14 years. In recent years, the number of educational institutions has grown significantly, and on the large islands, most children have the opportunity to attend secondary school. About 20% of school graduates receive vocational training in several vocational schools, teachers' colleges and technical colleges. There are no own higher educational institutions in the Bahamas, 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 receive higher education at universities in the US, UK and Canada. 98% of the population of the Bahamas is literate.
Health care is at a high level. Local doctors managed to completely defeat most tropical diseases. In 1965, the government launched a housing project for the poor and approved a system of mortgage sales of cheap housing. State benefits are paid only to the elderly (old-age pensions) and the disabled.
State device. 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 was proclaimed as part of the Commonwealth, led by Great Britain. Under 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 advice of the Prime Minister, 4 on the advice of the leader of the opposition, and 3 on the agreement between the leaders of the ruling and opposition parties). The Senate has the power to delay the passing of laws (with the exception of those relating to finance). The House of Assembly consists of 40 members elected by popular vote. The term of office of both chambers is 5 years, but early dissolution of parliament is possible. Executive power is vested in the government headed by the prime minister, usually the leader of the party with the majority in parliament. The government is responsible to the House of Assembly.
The judicial branch consists of 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 nation whose economy is heavily dependent on foreign tourism and offshore banking. In 2000, GDP was $4.5 billion, or $15,000 per capita. In 1999, tourism accounted for 60% of GDP, other items in the service sector - 30%, industry - 7%, agriculture - 3%. Steady GDP growth (3% in 1998, 6% in 1999 and 4.5% in 2000) is fueling an increasing influx of tourists and a boom in hotel, residential and resort development. Labor resources are estimated at about 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 ca. 9% of the economically active population.
Even before World War II, Nassau had become a small tourist center. In the post-war period, the number of hotels in the city increased many times over. Hotels have also been built on most of the most populated and on some of the 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 incentives and secrecy of deposits make the Bahamas attractive for businessmen and financiers, so the islands are one of the leading international financial and business centers. Hundreds of banks, financial institutions and firms in the USA, Canada, Great Britain and other countries have their branches in Nassau and Freeport.
Industry. Mining in the Bahamas is conducted by American companies and is limited to the development of an offshore aragonite deposit (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 20,000 hectares on the south coast of Grand Bahama for the construction of a deep-water port, industrial construction, and the creation of the necessary infrastructure. In return, it was provided with a tax-free regime until 1990 and duty-free import of capital goods 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 . Of the large enterprises in Freeport, there are cement and two pharmaceutical plants, also owned by foreign companies. Second in importance industrial city is Nassau, in which the enterprises of the food, clothing, textile and chemical industries are concentrated. On the island of Big Abaco, there is a plant for the production of pulp and wood pulp, built by an American company, operating on the basis of blanks of local Caribbean pine. This semi-finished product goes to the manufacture of 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 about 25% of the country's food needs. In small semi-subsistence farms, mainly vegetables are grown, in larger ones - pineapples, bananas, mangoes, sugar cane, citrus fruits, coconut palms. Developed poultry farming. In coastal waters, there is a small-scale fishery for lobsters, sea sponges and pearls.
Transport. The length of roads on the islands is approx. 2700 km, more than half of them are paved. Coastal shipping and air traffic are developed. The Bahamas has three main seaports: Nassau, Freeport and Matthew Town The main port of Nassau can accommodate large ocean-going vessels and also has a large natural harbor sheltered 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. In the same port, ocean-going vessels, including transit ones, are refueled. The merchant fleet of the Bahamas consists of 1,049 ships (each with a displacement of more than 1,000 gross register tons) with a total displacement of more than 30 million gross register tons. Trade ships from about 40 countries sail under the flag of the Bahamas.
There are 65 airports in the country. The local airline provides service between the islands of the Bahamas, as well as with the British-owned Turks and Caicos Islands. From international airport Nassau flies to Europe, the Caribbean and North and South America. The second international airport is 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 oil products, medicines and cement. The Bahamas also exports rum, wood pulp, seafood and, to a lesser extent, 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, machinery, electronics. The main import partners are the USA, Italy, Japan, Denmark.
The Bahamas is a transit point for drug trafficking in the US and Europe.
Budget and money circulation. Most government revenue comes from customs duties, casino revenue, land sales, postage, and utilities. There is no income tax in the country. State budget expenditure items include education, social security and public Works. Monetary unit - Bahamian dollar = 100 cents.
STORY
The original inhabitants of the Bahamas were the Siboney Indian tribes. In the first centuries of our era, the islands were invaded by the Taino tribes, who spoke the languages of the Arawak group. The Taíno grew yams, maize, cassava, and cotton. Among them were craftsmen who spun, wove and made pottery.
On October 12, 1492, Columbus first set foot on the land of the New World, landing on the island of San Salvador in the archipelago of the Bahamas, 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 of Santa Maria de la Concepción (now Ram Key), then to Fernandina Island (Long Island). Many Indians - the indigenous inhabitants of the Bahamas - were enslaved by the Spaniards and taken out to work on the plantations and mines of 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, over the course of 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, immigrants from England, from Bermuda and from the British colonies of North and South Carolina in North America, initially settled on the island of Eleuthera, the right of possession of which was granted to them by Oliver Cromwell. However, after the Restoration, Charles II transferred this right to the lords-owners of North and South Carolina, which was officially preserved until 1787. In 1689, the Eleutheran Adventurers company founded the settlement of Charlestown on the island of New Providence, soon renamed Nassau (Nasso) in honor of Prince William of Orange - Nassau. In 1703, Nassau was destroyed by the Spaniards, which greatly strengthened the position of the pirates on the island. In 1718, Captain Woods Rogers was appointed royal governor to restore order in the Bahamas. By the time he arrived on New Providence, 2,000 pirates were allegedly hiding. In 1720 the Spaniards attacked the island again. To protect the colony, the governor had to make an alliance with the pirates. In 1776, the US Navy captured the fortified Fort Montagu, which protected the harbor of Nassau, 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, under the Treaty of Versailles, the power of the British was restored and remained until the very independence of the Bahamas. 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. In the early stages of settlement, cotton was grown in the Bahamas. For this purpose, slaves from Africa and former North American colonies were imported into the archipelago. After the abolition of slavery in 1838, the colony's economy declined and many residents left the islands.
The revival of economic activity in the Bahamas occurred during civil war in the USA in 1861–1865, when a fleet was based on the islands, exporting cotton from the southern states of the USA. The income of the colony was formed mainly due to customs duties on the cotton trade. During the period of Prohibition in the United States in 1920-1933, the Bahamas became one of the transit points for the smuggling of alcoholic beverages into the United States. Customs duties on the import and export of alcohol brought significant income to the colony and were partly invested in the tourism business, which later became the basis of the country's economy. In the 1920s–1930s, US capital began to penetrate into all spheres of the colony's economy (tourism, banking and business, etc.).
In January 1964, the Bahamas received internal self-government, and on July 10, 1973, they were proclaimed an independent state within the Commonwealth, led by Great Britain. In October 1973, the Bahamas were admitted to the UN. The economic prosperity of the country is greatly facilitated by its reputation as a major tourist, banking and financial center. Refining and transportation of oil also brings considerable income.
The country's first prime minister (after the declaration of independence) was a representative of the Progressive Liberal Party Linden Oscar Pindling; he retained his post until 19 August 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 branch trade unions in the country, the largest trade union associations are the Congress of Trade Unions of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas and the National Congress of Trade Unions.
Several major newspapers are published in the Bahamas: the Nassau Guardian (founded in 1844, circulation 14,100 copies), the Nassau Daily Tribune (founded in 1903, 12,000 copies), and the Freeport News (founded in 1961, 4 thousand copies). The government weekly, the Official Gazette, is also published. Radio and TV broadcasting is carried out by the government company Broadcasting Corporation Bahamas.
LITERATURE
Aksenov L., Fetisov A. Outlying islands of the West Indies. M., 1984
Encyclopedia Around the World. 2008 .
BAHAMAS
COMMONWEALTH OF THE BAHAMAS
An independent state in the West Indies. The country is located on 700 small islands and islets and almost 2.5 thousand coral reefs, which stretch for 1200 km from the southeast coast of Florida to the east coast of Cuba. Only about 40 islands are inhabited. The area is 13935 km2.
The population (in 1998) is 279,800 people. Ethnic groups: blacks - 85%, whites (British, Canadians, Americans) - 15%. English language. Religion: Baptists - 32%, Anglicans - 20%, Catholics - 19%, Methodists - 6%. The capital is Nassau. The largest cities are Nassau (171,542 people), New Providence (171,000 people), Freeport (25,000 people). The state structure is an independent commonwealth. The head of state is Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain, represented by Governor General O. Turnquest (since 1995). The head of government is Prime Minister Hubert Ingram (since August 21, 1992). The monetary unit is the Bahamian dollar. Life expectancy (for 1998): 69 years - men, 78 years - women. The birth rate (per 1000 people) is 21.0. Mortality rate (per 1000 people) - 5.4.
The Bahamas is a member of the UN, the World Bank, the IMF, the WHO, the British Commonwealth of Nations and the Organization of American States.
The Bahamas is a world famous resort, famous for its beaches, tropical vegetation and the so-called Paradise Island (Paradise Island) in Nassau harbor. Among the sights of the country's capital are the parliament building and the courthouse; Government House (built in 1801) is the official residence of the Governor General. Tourists are also attracted by "sea gardens"; Fort Charlotte (1789); Fort Fincastle (1793); Botanical Garden"Adastra Gardens", where many tropical and subtropical plants are presented; Jambi Village is a reconstruction of an 18th century British settlement.
Encyclopedia: cities and countries. 2008 .
The Bahamas (Commonwealth of the Bahamas) is a state in the Bahamas archipelago, in the western Atlantic Ocean in the West Indies, southeast of the Florida peninsula. In total, there are about 700 islands, of which only 30 are inhabited. The area is 13.9 thousand sq. km, the population is 305.6 thousand people (2006). The capital - the city of Nassau (172 thousand) - is located on the island of New Providence. The nominal head of state is the Queen of Great Britain. (cm. Great Britain) represented by the Governor General. Official language- English.
One of the eastern islands of the archipelago, called San Salvador by the Spaniards, became the first land discovered by the expedition of Columbus in 1492 in the New World. The fate of the local Arawak Indians is tragic - the Spaniards took them to Cuba (cm. Cuba) and Haiti. Until 1629, when the islands became a colony of England, they remained uninhabited. The Bahamas gained independence in 1973. US naval bases are located here (cm. USA). Over 80% of the population of the Bahamas are mulattoes and blacks.
In 1946, a "tourist boom" began in the Bahamas, which especially intensified in the late 1950s. The Bahamas has become a winter resort in the United States and Europe. Built here large hotels and casino. Attracted by tax incentives, many companies have established offices and banks here. In natural terms, the Bahamas are distinguished by a flat relief, vast shallow waters - banks near the coast, representing excellent beaches. The climate of the Bahamas is tropical, trade winds, with a rainy period from May to October. Average January temperatures are 20 - 23 °C, July - about 28 °C. Savannahs or thickets of thorny bushes predominate. Lots of pine forests. Grand Bahama is often referred to as the "New Riviera" because of its tourist attraction.
Encyclopedia of Tourism Cyril and Methodius. 2008 .
When it comes to the Bahamas, many people think of luxurious beaches surrounded by sprawling 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 area? We will talk about this in this article.
Bahamas on the map
The state, called the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, is located north to 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 km2. Only 30 of them are inhabited.
The land area can be compared with the area of Jamaica. The structure includes the Caicos Islands and the Turks, on which the overseas land of Great Britain is located. The largest of them are Andros, Grand Bahama, New Providence, Eleuthera.
State capital
All tourists arriving at the beginning of 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 of Nassau is small and modern city, which is famous throughout the world for its harmonious combination of ultra-modern buildings with buildings of colonial architecture. The once noisy and small village founded by pirates has turned into a 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 bridge to Paradise Island was built and Cable Beach was landscaped, the city began to receive up to 2.5 million guests a year.
Attractions in Bahamas
At the beginning of our journey, we will get acquainted with some of the islands that are of interest to tourists.
Grand Bahama 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 most major island. It attracts tourists with 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 “chikcharniz”.
The island is sparsely populated, only on its eastern shore you can find shabby shacks, 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 stretched 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, the descendants of the Seminole Indians live, who are famous for their skill in weaving various straw products.
Eleuthera
The Bahamas, whose photos often adorn the covers of glossy magazines, attract very wealthy tourists to rest. As a rule, they prefer this small island, which is traditionally considered to be elite. luxury resorts and various clubs alternate with magnificent villas and fine restaurants.
The Harbor Island reef, located in the northwest of Eleuthera, deserves special attention. It is home to vibrant and distinctive Dunmore Town, a wonderful beach and superb snorkelling and diving sites.
Long Island
Not all Bahamas are visited by tourists. The map shows that Long Island is an island elongated in length (one hundred kilometers long and five kilometers wide). It is practically not visited by tourists. And absolutely in vain. This is the most picturesque island of the archipelago, which has many corners untouched by human civilization.
The landscape of Long Island is formed by a combination of hilly terrain, washed out by the surf of the coast, which are washed by the richest marine life in the waters, sandy beaches. In the north of the island there is a long white sand beach- one of the most beautiful in the Western Hemisphere.
Nassau Cathedral
But not only interesting nature famous for the Bahamas. The capital of the state is famous for its architectural structures. One of them - 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 commemorative plaques with the names of people who died here during epidemics.
Queen Victoria staircase
In Nassau (Bahamas) there is an unusual staircase. It was carved into the limestone rock by slaves in the 18th century. It has sixty five steps. It got its current name much later. This happened during the celebration of the 65th anniversary of the reign of Queen Victoria.
The stairs run along the wall of the fort. On the opposite side carries its waters small waterfall. At the very bottom, at the steps, there is a seating area. And from the top steps offers a breathtaking 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 at the beginning of the 19th century, for the meetings of the colonial government. The first officials from Britain appeared here in the middle of the 17th century. And today there is a direct influence from London in the state, since formally the head of the Parliament of the country 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 in 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 perfectly visible from the sea surface. Its length is five hundred meters, its width is ninety meters.
This is not the only unusual find. Not far from the Bimini road, a J-shaped sleeve stretched out. It is also lined with such plates. Here, under water, other strange structures were also found - 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 in their territory. In Alice Town is the most famous of them. E. Hemingway began to write his novel “To have and not to have” in it. Tourists are shown this historical monument, which presents unique photographs of the famous writer, his personal belongings.
Royal Victoria Gardens
The Bahamas are famous for their unusual vegetation. The capital of Nassau has a unique botanical garden on its territory, built here at the beginning of the 19th century.
The Royal Victoria Gardens has a rare collection of plants from tropical countries. There are more than three hundred types of them. A huge number of rare varieties of orchids twine around the trees and fill the air with a delicious aroma.
The name of the country comes from the Indian name "island" - "bahama" and the name "island" - "bahama".
Capital of the Bahamas. Nassau.
Area of the Bahamas. 13,935 km2.
Population of the Bahamas. 388,000 people (
Bahamas GDP. $8.511 billion (
Location of the Bahamas. The Bahamas is a state in the West. Located on 700 small and islets and two and a half thousand coral reefs, stretching from the southeast coast of Florida to the east coast. About 40 islands are inhabited.
Administrative divisions of the Bahamas. The state is divided into 21 districts.
Form of government of the Bahamas. .
Head of State of the Bahamas. The Queen, represented by the Governor General.
Supreme legislature of the Bahamas. Bicameral Parliament Senate and House of Assembly.
Supreme executive body of the Bahamas. Government.
Major cities in the Bahamas. New Providence, Freeport.
State language of the Bahamas. English.
Religion of the Bahamas. 32% - Baptists, 20% - Anglicans, 19% -, 6% - Methodists.
Ethnic composition of the Bahamas. 85% - Africans, 15% - British, Americans.
Currency of the Bahamas. Bahamian dollar = 100 cents.
Flora of the Bahamas. The vegetation on the territory of the islands is tropical. Thickets of evergreen shrubs and pine forests predominate, along the coast there are groves of coconut palms. Here, in the harbor of Nassau, is the world-famous Paradise Island (Paradise Island).
Fauna of the Bahamas. The islands are home to a large number of birds and almost no mammals. Lots of tropical fish species.