About 6 million tourists visit the Bahamas every year. The small island country attracts travelers with excellent infrastructure and excellent conditions for relaxing by the sea. Here you can find scuba diving, sailing, and also the opportunity to explore the places where pirates once hunted. Caribbean.
Modern culture The Bahamas were shaped by the millions of Africans brought to this area over 300 years ago. Festivals, carnivals, sailing regattas and fishing competitions are prized in the country.
Cities and landmarks of the Bahamas
For a vibrant nightlife, head to the capital. It is also famous for its beautiful harbor and paradise white sand beaches, coral reefs and warm waters. The most famous beach in the capital can be found at. Those who wish can take a ride here on a yacht, go diving and go fishing.
It is worth continuing the journey by visiting a small island called. This is an elite vacation spot for VIPs. The size of the island is not that big, but there are great places for luxury holidays, but the prices for accommodation and entertainment are high.
Another popular resort- the northern island, which is located 90 km from the state of Florida. Here you can just lie on the beach and have fun during a trip to Tiger Beach, which is home to many striped sharks. The impressions from visiting this place will last for a lifetime.
It is worth including in the list of metropolitan attractions in the Bahamas. Lovers like this place, they often make appointments here for their halves. You can also walk to. It looks like a limestone rock with 65 steps. It is said that after the death of Queen Victoria, the governor ordered the slaves to create a monument in the rock in her honor. So a staircase appeared in the city, each step of which is a symbol of the queen's year of life.
When is the best time to go to Bahamas?
Although the country does not often experience natural disasters, there is a hurricane season that runs from June to November. The population is warned about possible cataclysms by the meteorological service. It is best to buy a ticket during the cool season - from September to May.
Tourist safety
Street crime on the islands has increased in recent years, so precautions will not hurt. Most of the crimes take place in non-tourist areas, but cases of theft have been recorded in those places where crowds of visitors walk. Girls are not recommended to go outside alone at night. Also, do not wear expensive jewelry and take large sums of money with you. On deserted beaches, special care should be taken; it is better to give preference to crowded recreation areas by the sea.
Bahamas- a fabulous corner of our planet, which, probably, every tourist dreams of visiting. Bahamas - are an archipelago, in the middle of a blue surface Atlantic Ocean, which is the center of world tourism. The Bahamas is washed by the warm Gulf Stream, thanks to which a mild climate reigns here all year round. The structure of this state includes two and a half thousand reefs and seven hundred islands, although only thirty of them are inhabited. The Bahamas coast pleases sophisticated tourists with hundreds of kilometers of white beaches, beautiful coral reefs, crystal clear coastal waters and picturesque Caribbean nature. We will tell you about an amazing vacation in the Bahamas in our article.
Prices for tours and flights to the Bahamas... Holidays in the Bahamas are elite, therefore, you need to be prepared that the tours will be expensive. When choosing travel packages on the Internet, please note that many travel agencies offer tours to the resorts of the Bahamas, without the cost of air travel. Approximately, a week-long tour to the Bahamas for two adults will cost from eight hundred euros. The price will include accommodation in a three-star hotel, breakfast included, and transfer from the airport to the hotel and back. All-inclusive food, so beloved by Russians, is a rarity in the Bahamas. It is very convenient that a visa to the Bahamas is not needed for our compatriots planning to rest there for less than ninety days. It is quite possible to buy relatively cheap air tickets to the Bahamas, just be aware that ticket prices vary from the time of year, the city of departure, the availability of promotions and discounts from this airline at that time. It is most profitable to purchase an air ticket to the Bahamas from Moscow or St. Petersburg, then an economy class one-way ticket will cost you about fifty thousand rubles. But you can find even more profitable options, for example, a one-way flight from Delta airline will start from twenty-three thousand rubles, and with Transaero airline, with a flight from Vnukovo, you can go to paradise islands for twenty eight thousand rubles. But there are practically no direct flights to Freeport Airport, you still have to make one or two transfers. Most of the transplants take place in or in the United States.
When and where is it better to relax in the Bahamas? For the Bahamas, there are two main seasons: summer, when the air temperature warms up to thirty-three degrees, and the water temperature to twenty-eight, and winter, when the temperature outside is twenty-five degrees, and the water temperature is twenty-three degrees. Prices for tours to the Bahamas are always higher in winter, the more they rise in holidays, but also in the period summer holidays, the cost of the tour will also rise. Although, at this particular time, you can find a lot of last minute deals to the Bahamas with significant discounts. When choosing a vacation spot, it is worth knowing that the northwestern islands of the archipelago are cooler. The hottest islands in the Bahamas are the southern ones: Big and Small Inagua, Mayaguana. V winter time it rains here, but very rarely, and winds, high waves, hurricanes on these islands are also very rare. That is why, it is winter that is more preferable for a holiday in the Bahamas. But in the period from May to October, the season of rains, typhoons and storms begins here. In all hotels, at the reception desk, they post warnings about all weather disasters predicted for the day. It is quite romantic to have a rest in the Bahamas in summer, because it is during this period that bright tropical flowers begin to bloom on the islands and shrubs bloom, everything is green, exotic birds and insects flutter.
Resorts of the Bahamas. It is clear that all the islands of this archipelago are divided into resort areas, and each of them is attractive in its own way, here everywhere tourists are offered a lot interesting excursions and a variety of entertainment. Each resort has several restaurants, bars, cabarets, casinos, shops.
New Providence Island resorts and beaches- this is the most populous Bahamas, where the capital is located - a beautiful city Nassau, which combines all the best that the local nature has given. Calm - during the day, and capable at night, turn anyone, even the most passive tourist, into an untethered reveler. In the city, you can trace a vivid mixture of style trends of architecture: colonial, modern - and this can be explained by the fact that this sea harbor has always been an area of someone's interests and each people who took possession of it contributed to the urban architectural component.
Connoisseurs of white beaches and a clean ocean, who are not ready to leave civilization and find themselves alone with nature, prefer to rest in Nassau. It is worth noting that there are hotel complexes along the entire coast of the resort of Nassau, shopping centers and parks that make the rest of tourists more intense and interesting. And also, Nassau - real paradise for connoisseurs of excellent shopping. Here are the most luxurious boutiques, numerous shops " duty free". The city of Nassau is one of the world's largest offshore centers, where four hundred banks and trust funds are located, it is not for nothing that it is called the "Zurich of the Tropics". The islets located near New Providence are the location of fashionable hotels intended for elite vacation in the Bahamas, there are a lot of upscale restaurants and the "Crystal Palace" casino. The most popular beaches of New Providence Island are: Cable Beach - the best beach in the Caribbean islands, as well as opposite resort islands, with Long Cay Beach and North Cay Beach.
Resorts and beaches of Grand Bahama Island- the largest island with an international airport receiving flights from America and Europe. Connoisseurs of noise and fun come to rest on this Bahamas, because music does not stop here, there is a lot entertainment centers, discos, nightclubs, and in every shopping center there is a duty-free point. The island has excellent infrastructure. The main natural advantages of this island are long white beaches, huge pine forests... The most popular resort in the Grand Bahamas - Freeport or Lucaya - is a modern city with free morals. And the best beach is Gold Rock, with romantic palm trees leaning towards the water, grape bushes around and beautiful lush orchids. For those who love to tickle their nerves, we advise you to get to Tiger Beach - the habitat of tiger sharks, and then, you will have enough impressions for a lifetime. A very popular holiday destination in the Grand Bahamas is the gorgeous Paradise Bay Beach, which is photographed on many brochures advertising an exclusive vacation in the Bahamas.
Resorts and beaches of Andros island- this is the most uninhabited Bahamas, with centuries-old pine groves, fragrant needles, beautiful mangrove thickets and palm trees located along the snow-white sandy beaches, smoothly disappearing into the turquoise sea surface. Supporters of the laid-back come here to relax. beach holiday in the lap of nature, with pleasure, strolling along the turquoise ocean, to the melodic accompaniment of bird chirping: ibises, flamingos, spoonbills, hummingbirds, Bahamian parrots. Weddings are often held here or Honeymoon... But this island is no less popular among eco-tourists, amateur kayakers, bird watchers, snorkelers, divers, and just fishing enthusiasts. The three main resorts of Andros Island: Nicholls Town, Andros Town, Congo Town. But due to the small population of the island, there is almost no developed infrastructure and public transport, and traveling by taxi will cost you a pretty penny. The most popular beach in Andros is Somerset Beach. By the way, many local hotels, knowing that newlyweds are trying to come to this particular Bahamas for their holidays, offer a “wedding package”.
Resorts and beaches of Eleuthera island- This is the fourth largest island in the Bahamas, and a place of elite vacation, with the most expensive and luxurious hotels and restaurants. It is only two kilometers wide, but it stretches for one hundred and eighty kilometers in length. The locals live on generous seafood and rich pineapple plantations, and, of course, tourism.
Eleuthera Island is a quiet but well-developed resort with picturesque nature: high cliffs extending into the bright blue sea surface, numerous mysterious caves and grottoes, beautiful coral reefs, wide beaches with pink sand. The water here is very clean and clear, and the entrance is shallow. The main beaches: "French Leave Beach", "Lighthouse Beach", "Surfers Beach", "Winding Bay Beach" - are very popular among tourists on this Bahamas. The island of Eleuthera is a popular destination for divers who have long appreciated its beautiful underwater world.
Resorts and beaches of the island of Great Abaco Is the second largest island in the Bahamas and a favorite destination for sailing fans. Yachtsmen from all over the world meet here, in the “sailing season”, which begins with the arrival of spring and lasts almost until the end of autumn. Travelers vacationing here will certainly delight the local coast with cozy bays and beautiful reefs, clear turquoise sea water, by the way, local waters are calm and rather shallow, with a gentle entrance. Most popular sandy beaches: Ocean Beach, Tahiti Beach, Guana Cay Beach, Abaco Beach Resort"," Sandy Point Beach ". Abaco offers excellent fishing, as the local coastal waters are teeming with fish. For lovers of eco-tours, we recommend visiting the picturesque Abaco National Park.
Long Island resorts and beaches- the most picturesque Bahamas, where there are very few tourists, but many natural places, completely untouched by civilization. The island stretches in a long, narrow strip along blue waters Atlantic Ocean. It is divided in two by the ridge of an ancient reef, therefore on Long Island there are completely different shores, on the one hand, high cliffs and deep caves, washed by raging ocean waves, prevail, and on the other hand, these are ideal white-sand beaches with a gentle entrance to calm and calm waters. ... It is this contrast that makes the vacation on this Bahamas more interesting and exciting. The main resort town here is Stella Maris, this is where everything starts boat excursions and other tours around the island. At the northern tip of the island is the most beautiful Cape Santa Maria in the western hemisphere.
Exuma Island resorts and beaches- This is an archipelago of three hundred and sixty-five coral reefs and small islets, the largest of which are Big Exuma and Small Exuma, they are washed by the sapphire waters of the Atlantic Ocean. On the island of Bolshaya Exuma, tourists will find a lot of opportunities for an interesting vacation, as there are excellent resorts with hotels offering high-quality service, but you can also rent a modest fishing lodge, thus saving on accommodation. Local cozy bays, quiet bays and harbors attract numerous yachtsmen and sports fishing fans. Here since 1957, the most famous in the world was created marine park- "Exuma Case Land and Sea Park". The most popular beaches among tourists on Exuma Island are Tropic of Cancer Beach, Three Sisters Beach, Jolly Hall Beach, Coco Plum Beach, Hamburger Beach. Exuma Cays Land and Sea park"," Staniel Cay "," Saddle Cay "," Stocking Island "- all of them are sandy with a gentle entrance to the clear sea water.
Bimini island resorts and beaches- a picturesque archipelago of several islands, the largest of which are North Bimini and South Bimini. This picturesque archipelago is located on the edge of a powerful sheer underwater cliff, immersed in the sea abyss for thousands of meters. The Bimini Islands are a very attractive place for people interested in the unusual and unknown, because it is here that there are several unique places planets and natural monuments, the properties of which have not yet been solved and explained by scientists. The most controversial place is the "Bimini Road" - "Bimini Road", about which, back in the forties of the twentieth century, spoke the famous predictor Edgar Cayce, who said that in 1968, here they will find the ruins of one of the lost cities of the sunken Atlantis. And so it happened: in September 1968, near the shores of Paradise Point, in North Bimini, they found neatly laid out huge limestone blocks, seven hundred meters long, which were named "Bimini Road". Long-term underwater archaeological expeditions and research began, after which it was concluded that these megaliths were really laid by people - representatives of the long extinct highly developed civilization, but there were other opponents who argued that it was just marine sediments - coastal rock.
Another very controversial place in Bimini is the "Fountain of Youth" - a rejuvenating source that Juan Ponce de Leon was looking for, who heard a story about him from representatives of the Arawak people, akin to the Taino Indians. Many indigenous inhabitants of the island say that their distant ancestors passed on from mouth to mouth the legend that this miraculous fountain is located in the shallow backwaters of South Bimini. The next mysterious place on the island is the "Healing Grotto", located in the backwaters of the mangrove forest covering North Bimini, this place is the end of the mysterious labyrinth of underground tunnels, through which, at low tide, cool fresh water, rich in mineral salts - lithium and sulfur, penetrates into this backwater , because of what, it has a powerful healing effect. After bathing here, people experience physical rejuvenation and phenomenal mental clarity.
The main resort of the Bimini Islands is Alice Town, with the best restaurants, shops, hotels. Fans of fishing, as well as fans of eco-tourism often come here, who are happy to get acquainted with the natural beauty of the islands, observe the numerous representatives of the sea and air fauna that live here. Flocks of dolphins and giant turtles swim right to the shores of the island. The most popular beaches of Bimini, with clear sea water, white-sandy shore and a gentle entrance: Radio Beach, Blister Beach, Spook Hill Beach, Tiki Hut Beach.
Greater Inagua resorts and beaches- the most south island The Bahamas is the third largest, with several lakes and a large bird sanctuary, home to eighty thousand species of birds. The main resort of the island is Matthew Town, and the most popular beach in Inagua is Iron Badge Beach. Fans of eco-tours, divers, as well as just supporters of a calm contemplative vacation will really like to rest on the island. Here you can observe life in the natural environment of pink flamingos, swim with dolphins.
Harbor Island resorts and beaches- a small island, five kilometers long and a kilometer wide, with the only resort town - Dunmore Town. Here is the famous pink sand beach - "Pink Sands Beach", which, thanks to coastal reefs, protects vacationers from huge waves. Harbor Island is considered the best Caribbean island and the most elite vacation spot in the Bahamas for the richest people in the world. Rest here is calm, since there are no noisy entertainment centers on the Harbor; lovers of silence and solitude in the bosom of picturesque nature will like it. It is home to some of the finest villas and luxury holiday homes in the Bahamas.
Berry Islands Resorts & Beaches- here you will find the most economical vacation in the Bahamas. This cluster of thirty small reef islands is located southeast of Bimini. They are completely covered with greenery, there are many beautiful sandy, snow-white, like flour, beaches. Due to their gently sloping entrance, these beaches are ideal for families traveling to the Bahamas with children. So, seven miles of the best sandy beaches await you: Dannenberg Beach, Queen's Beach, Sand Dollar Hil, Shark Creek, Shelling Beach, Sugar Beach, The Ship Yard Beach There are also completely uninhabited islets with virgin nature and beautiful sea depths, which have long been chosen by divers and snorkelers.
Paradise Island Resort- is located northeast of New Providence, and is connected to this island by a bridge. Paradise is home to the huge Atlantis hotel complex, with amazing beaches, white sand and palm trees on the shore, excellent golf courses, a huge water park, casinos, and numerous shops. Mental rest and entertainment for every taste awaits you here.
The Bahamas is essentially one big resort and luxury beach destination. Most resort places have a well-developed infrastructure and a lot of entertainment for vacationers, here you can go diving, fishing, snorkeling, yachting, and get acquainted with interesting sights.
Basic moments
The extended archipelago covers an area of 250,000 km² and consists of 2,700 islands and coral reefs covering a total of 13,878 km². People inhabit thirty of them. The island territory is united into a state - the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, in which 391,232 people live (2016). The most populated is the island of New Providence, where the capital of the country is located, and the island of Grand Bahama. The population is 3/4 African American and mulatto. A small proportion of Bahamians are elderly, wealthy North Americans and Europeans who settled on the islands after retirement.
The majority of believers in the Bahamas are Christians - Protestants, Methodists, Baptists and Roman Catholics. Some locals, and especially the descendants of African American slaves, adhere to African cults.
The Bahamas are popular with travelers from all over the world and the island's economy is heavily dependent on tourism. People come here for a beach holiday. In addition, the Bahamas attracts diving, surfing and sailing enthusiasts.
In recent years, medical tourism has been actively developing in the Bahamas. The level of medical care here is based on US standards and is rated very high. More than twenty modern medical institutions, whose specialists work in all types of health care. Most popular destinations are joint surgery, heart surgery and plastic surgery.
History of the development of the Bahamas
The first to settle on the tropical islands were the Native Americans - the Lucayans (Arawaks), who sailed here in the 5th century with Antilles, Cuba and Hispaniola (now the territory of the Republic of Haiti). In 1492, the expedition of Christopher Columbus landed in the Bahamas. Three years later, Spanish colonists settled on the archipelago. For 30 years, the locals have practically died out. The reasons for this were the diseases and slavery brought by the Europeans. A large number of Lucayans were taken by colonists to Hispaniola for pearl mining and work in the mines.
Soon the Spaniards also left the Bahamas, and for about 130 years this region remained unclaimed. Then British settlers from Bermuda came to Harbor Island. In addition to them, pirate bases arose on several islands, where sea corsairs rested and repaired their ships. Only in 1718, thanks to the British army, the pirates were expelled from the Bahamas. Since then, the islands have secured the status of a British colony.
The local population began to grow rapidly from the end of the 18th century. The reason for this was the eviction of eight thousand loyalists from the United States to the Bahamas, with whom their slaves arrived. The new settlers tried to organize cotton plantations on the islands in the manner of those they were forced to leave in America. However, due to the poor soil, this venture failed. In 1807, the slave trade was banned in Great Britain and the Royal Navy freed slaves in the Bahamas.
A large influx of money to the islands occurred in 1920. At this time, a dry law was passed in the United States. Smuggling began to grow in the Bahamas, and a rum warehouse was made from the city. During the Second World War, the American military spent vacations in the Bahamas, and in the post-war period, the tourism industry began to develop on the islands.
Since 1973 in island nation there is a democratic political regime, the Constitution is in effect. According to the form of government, the Bahamas is a parliamentary monarchy, when the British queen is considered the head of state, and her interests on the islands are represented by the governor-general. Legislative functions are performed by a bicameral parliament, while executive power is exercised by the government. Administratively, the Bahamas is divided into 31 districts.
Bahamas landmarks
All Bahamas attractions
Climate features
It is no coincidence that the Bahamas is called a paradise. Their Northern part lies in the tropical trade wind zone, and the southern one - in the subtropical zone. The average temperature in the summer months is from + 26 ° С to + 32 ° С, and in winter - from + 18 ° С to + 22 ° С. Summers are warmer in the south than in the central part of the archipelago, while winters are cooler in the northwestern Bahamas.
The sea water is suitable for swimming all year round. Its temperature, depending on the season, ranges from + 23 ° C to + 27 ° C.
It is believed that the best time to visit the Bahamas is from September to May when it is cooler. At this time of the year, there is almost no rain, and if it does happen, it falls in the form of strong short showers, after which the sun immediately comes out. From May to mid-November, the Bahamas begins the tropical storm and hurricane season. There are heavy rainfalls on the islands, and large waves rise in the coastal zone.
The nature of the islands
The land area in the Bahamas covers an area of 10,070 km². All islands are composed of coral limestone. The surface is mostly flat, but there are also karst landforms. The most elevated part is on the island of Cat. This is the Alvernia hill, which rises 63 m above sea level.
Frequent hurricanes and mineral-poor soils have led to the lack of lush vegetation in the Bahamas. Here you can find thickets of evergreen thorny bushes and savannahs. Coconut palms grow in abundance on the coast, and pine forests are far from the sea.
The Bahamas is home to many birds, iguanas, bats and agouti. V national park Big Inagua Island has the largest flamingo colony on the planet, in which over 50 thousand birds have found shelter. The coastal waters surrounding the islands are home to a variety of fish, crustaceans and molluscs.
Today, more than 25 protected areas have been created in the Bahamas with a rich flora and fauna. Rare birds and animals can be seen in local national parks. Most popular with nature lovers are the island of Greater Inagua, the northeastern part of North Andros, and Embrister Creek on Cat Island.
Beaches
Almost every island in the archipelago has excellent beaches. Clean white sand, easy entry into the water and warm water attract millions of travelers to the Bahamas.
The most luxurious are considered beach areas New Providence, especially Cable Beach. Here you can sunbathe and swim. If you wish, you can drop by a local casino or cross the original bridge to Paradise Island.
Grand Bahama offers vacationers surrounded by coconut trees, Gold Rock Beach, Paradise Bay and Tiger Beach. On the outer islands, many beaches coexist with fishing villages. They attract lovers of more secluded relaxation, as well as fans of diving and sea fishing. The beaches of Andros Island are often used for wedding ceremonies. National-style weddings are popular here, and hotels on the island offer special "wedding packages".
Outdoor activities in the Bahamas
Not only fans of a measured beach holiday come to the Bahamas. New Providence, Harbor Island and the Grand Bahama have the most sports centers and water sports facilities. There are places for golf and tennis, as well as for motorcycle trips. From marine entertainment windsurfing, surfing, kiting, water skiing and scooters are popular.
Fans of sea fishing go to the islands of Bimini, Berri and Andros, and those who want to feel the power of the sea waves and explore the coast from the board of a yacht, to the islands of Long Island and Exuma. These places are considered a real paradise for boaters and the sailing season lasts here most of the year.
The clear waters of the Atlantic and the rich underwater world attract diving enthusiasts to the Bahamas. Most of the islands have dive centers that organize beginner training and underwater expeditions for experienced divers. Coral reef diving is practiced on the islands of Eleuthera and Abaco. In many places, travelers can swim with dolphins and even participate in shark feeding.
Cities and resorts of the Bahamas
Most of the inhabitants of the Bahamas inhabit the capital of the archipelago - a city of 274,400 people (2016), which is built on the island of New Providence. There is a large seaport in this city. Many come to live in nightlife, shopping and to see picturesque examples of colonial architecture. Tourists love to visit the “straw market” of the city, where they sell interesting straw crafts. Not far from the center, there is a unique corner of tropical nature - the magnificent Adastra gardens and a zoo.
Grand Bahama is often referred to as a tropical paradise. The island is covered with lush thickets of Cuban pine, and three national parks are located on it. Travelers come here to see beautiful large caves with stalagmites and rare tropical flowers.
Long Island got its name from its elongated shape. It stretches for almost a hundred kilometers with a width of up to 5 km. Long Island is covered with low hills. It has beautiful beaches and steep headlands that drop right into the sea.
Eleuthera is known as an elite holiday destination. The most luxurious hotels, beaches and clubs in the Bahamas are concentrated in the resorts of this island.
Island restaurants and local cuisine
There are many excellent restaurants and bars in the Bahamas. Most places offer tourists British, North American or Caribbean cuisines... Lunch in a budget cafe costs $ 12-15, and in a respectable restaurant - $ 30-35. Fast food establishments are represented by world famous brands - McDonalds and KFC.
Livestock farming is poorly developed on the archipelago, so rice, shrimp, fish and cereal, potatoes and macaroni and cheese prevail in the daily menu of local residents. Fishing is a major craft for the islanders, and Bahamian cuisine is rich in ocean gifts. Previously, turtle soup was considered a specialty on the islands. But time passed, the number of turtles decreased, environmentalists sounded the alarm, and this soup is no longer prepared here.
Bahamian delicacies include seafood salads, grilled shells, crabs and prawns, and red grouper cutlets. You should definitely try boiled lobster and reef bass fillets, which are fried or baked in tomato sauce.
The restaurant menus also include meat dishes, with rice or peas used as a side dish. Bacon and scrambled eggs, steaks, schnitzel and onions, fried chicken and french fries are served everywhere. A mixture of rice and peas forms the basis of most local soups. A special place in the island menu is occupied by soup, which is made from meat, water acidified with lime juice, onions, peppers and celery. This popular soup is prepared very quickly and tastes good.
For dessert in the Bahamas, it is customary to eat tropical fruits or pudding made from guava. Locals and tourists alike have a preference for coconut crumb cakes, Johnny Cakes and gingerbread.
Non-alcoholic beverages on the islands are English-style tea, as well as strongly brewed Brazilian or Colombian coffee. In addition, they drink a lot of fruit juices and different types sparkling water.
In the Bahamas, you can try the local Nassau Royal rum. It tastes good and is inexpensive. A large amount of rum is produced at the Bacardi distillery, which is located south of the capital of the Bahamas. Local beer "Kalik" is also popular. It is produced in three types. Light beer "Kalik Light" contains a small amount of alcohol. Kalik regular is appreciated for its refreshing soft taste. And "Kalik Gold" is the strongest of all varieties, the amount of alcohol in it reaches 7%.
Transport
Bahamasair planes fly between the major islands of the Bahamas. The prices are quite high, so it is often more profitable to charter a small plane privately.
New Providence has the longest and most extensive road network - 1000 km. Eleuthera has 209 km of roads, while the Grand Bahama has 156 km. In the cities of Freeport and passengers are brought up by private fixed-route taxis.
There is no public transport system, so travelers use taxis or rent cars, motorcycles or bicycles. To move between the islands or along the coast, you can rent a boat or boat.
The Bahamas has left-hand traffic and heavy road traffic. In densely populated areas, traffic jams occur every now and then. In addition, the road network is often flooded during floods. There are no sidewalks along some roads, people walk right on the side of the road, so those who rent cars or bikes should be extremely careful.
Safety
The Bahamas are considered safe for travelers, and the tourism centers established there enjoy a good reputation. However, there are cases of pickpocketing and hotel room theft. All tourists, and especially women, are advised to refrain from walking alone in the outskirts of cities, and even more so at night.
If tourists go sport fishing, they must pay a $ 20 tax. In this case, the boat should not have more than six spools of fishing line. Spearfishing is not permitted in the Bahamas with any kind of gear. The prohibitions also apply to the independent conduct of underwater archaeological research. For these violations, substantial fines are imposed, up to and including expulsion from the country.
The use and distribution of drugs is especially severely punished in the Bahamas. Local laws in this area are even harsher than European or North American ones, so those who are convicted of drug crimes always receive long sentences.
Particular threats in the Bahamas can arise in connection with natural disasters. The Bahamas is part of the Caribbean region and is in the zone of hurricanes and typhoons. Those travelers who find themselves in the Bahamas from June to November are advised to follow the weather forecasts. Hurricanes are usually accompanied by floods. It should also be borne in mind that during strong typhoons in the Bahamas, airports are closed, and tourists are not able to leave the country.
Tiger sharkWhile tap water is considered safe in the Bahamas, it is not worth drinking from the tap. Every Bahamian resort sells bottled water. Due to the possibility of contracting infectious diseases on the islands, it is not recommended to swim in freshwater bodies. The exception is hotel pools, where the water is regularly disinfected.
To travel to the Bahamas, it is worth taking out medical insurance, which includes payment for air evacuation. The most qualified medical care can be found in New Providence and the Grand Bahama. There are few hospitals on the small islands, and they do not work every day. True, on most of the inhabited islands, you can use the rapid response services, which are supervised by volunteers. With the help of such services, the sick person is quickly transferred to the nearest hospital.
Cancellation of currency and settlements
The Bahamian dollar (BSD) is the local currency used for all settlements on the islands. It is tightly pegged to the US dollar, however the exchange rate can vary depending on the hotel or bank. In addition, US dollars are accepted for payment anywhere in the Bahamas.
You can exchange currency in many places - in hotels, bank branches and large shopping centers. Tourist checks are also cashed here. As is usually the case, the most disadvantageous course is offered in the areas where the most foreign tourists stay. The most convenient way to change currency is at bank branches in the capital of the country and in the city of Freeport. From Monday to Thursday they start work at 9.00-9.30 and end at 15.00. Bank branches are open until 5 pm on Friday. It should also be borne in mind that in remote places banks may not serve customers every day.
In large hotels and shopping centers, cards are accepted for payment. In other places, preference is given to cash.
Tipping is accepted in the Bahamas. As a rule, hotel porters, guides and porters expect $ 1 from a grateful visitor, and room maids - $ 1-2. In most establishments, the tip reaches 15%, and they are immediately included in the bill. In addition, many hotels add an additional 8-10% government tax to their invoices.
Useful information for tourists
- To visit the Bahamas, Russian citizens do not need to apply for a visa. This rule applies if the trip is in the nature of a private visit and does not exceed 90 days.
- When passing through customs, there are no restrictions on the import and export of foreign currency. Duty-free in the Bahamas is allowed to import 200 cigarettes or 0.45 kg of tobacco, as well as up to 0.94 liters of strong alcohol and the same amount of wine.
- In order to take out agricultural products from the islands, any plants or wood carvings will require a special permit.
- To accommodate tourists in the Bahamas, huge hotel centers and small cozy all-inclusive hotels have been built. Some travelers prefer to rent rooms and rooms in guesthouses from the local population.
- The famous Bay street outside the Bahamas is considered the center of shopping. All goods sold there are exempt from taxes.
How to get there
There are no direct flights from Russia to the Bahamas. The best option is considered to be a flight with a stopover in London. Without taking into account the transfer itself, this will take about 13 hours. Another option is to fly through the United States. In this case, you need to apply for an American transit visa.
The Bahamas have long been associated with luxury vacation... It is one of the richest states in the Caribbean, whose main income is tourism. The state includes more than 2500 reefs and 700 islands, of which only 30 are inhabited. Hundreds of kilometers of white sandy beaches, coral reefs and amazingly clear coastal waters, real Caribbean nature - all this attracts thousands of tourists round Goth. 
Resorts
The Bahamas, like many others, have long been divided into resort areas. Each resort is good in its own way, it can offer a lot of entertainment and excursions. Each resort has an abundance of local specialties restaurants, bars, cabarets and casinos. The main resorts of the Bahamas are New Providence, Big Bahama, Anros Island, Eleuthera, Big Abaco, Long Island, Exuma, Bimini, Big Inagua, Harbor Island.
New Providence is the most populous island in the Bahamas, home to most of population of this country. Thanks to this, the entire coast of this resort is simply built up with various hotel complexes, shopping centers and parks. The island's capital, Nassau, is a shopping paradise. The nearby islets are built up with the most fashionable hotels, restaurants and casinos. Of course, the main attraction of the Bahamas is the sea and the sand. Popular New Providence beaches are Cable Beach, and the opposite islets with their Long Cay and North Cay beaches. 
Grand Bahama is the largest island of this state, has its own international Airport which receives flights from America and some from Europe. This resort is ideal for those looking for a fun and noisy holiday, with a wide variety of parties until the morning, shopping centers with a pleasant duty-free addition. The island has a well-developed road infrastructure, here you can rent a scooter and get to know the surroundings. Best beach- this is Gold Rock, with thickets of palms, grapes and orchids. If you are in search of adventure, then the direct road to Tiger Beach, where tiger sharks live, will have enough impressions for a lifetime. The beach of Paradise Bay is also popular, as if copied from tourist brochures. 
Andros can be safely called the "wildest" of the Bahamas. There are centuries-old pine groves with an attractive smell of pine needles steamed under the scorching sun, mangroves. And of course, palm trees White sand and the surface of the sea. The three main cities where tourists stay are Nicholls Town, Andros Town and Congo Town. Moving around the island is a whole problem, the only means of transportation is a taxi, which is very expensive here. A popular beach is Somerset Beach. Young couples often come to Andros for weddings, which is why many hotels offer a so-called “wedding package”.
Eleuthera Island is small in size, but the most expensive hotels and restaurants are concentrated here, therefore it is considered an elite vacation spot. It is only 2 kilometers wide, but more than 180 kilometers long. There is only one road here, which stretches along the entire length of the island. On the island, they offer to make a fascinating excursion to the village of Dunmore, where traces of two hundred years ago have been preserved. Diving enthusiasts also come to Eleuthera. 
Abaco is an archipelago, the largest islands of which are Big Abaco and Small Abaco. Greater Abaco is the second largest island in the Bahamas. Sailing enthusiasts come here. For boaters from all over the world, this is one of the most popular places meetings. The sailing season starts in spring and lasts until autumn. Fishing is also allowed on Abaco, the local coastal shallow waters are teeming with fish. The island is located national park Abaco. 
Long Island is one of the most picturesque places in the Bahamas. Due to the fact that very little is visited by tourists, places untouched by civilization have been preserved here. The main town on this island is Stella Maris, from where you can take expeditions by boat or across the island. Cape Santa Maria is located in the northern part of the island, one of the most beautiful in the western hemisphere. 
Exuma is an archipelago that includes more than 360 small islands, the largest of which are Great Exuma and Little Exuma. It is on these two islands that almost the entire civilization of this archipelago is concentrated. Exuma is considered a paradise for diving and yachtsmen, and the localities are some of the most beautiful in the world. The constant ebbs and flows that change the depth of the coastal zone make the sea unforgettably beautiful. 
Bimini is an archipelago of several islands, the largest being North Bimini and South Bimini. These islands attract lovers of the most unusual; there are several natural monuments with inexplicable properties, scientists still put forward only hypotheses. The main city of the islands is Alice Town, where the main restaurants, shops and hotels are concentrated. The islands also attract fishing enthusiasts. 
Inagua is the most southern region island, the largest of which are Greater Inagua and Lesser Inagua. Greater Inagua is the third largest island in the Bahamas, there are several lakes here, the most big lake Windsor. Main locality the city of Matthew Town. This island attracts bird lovers; in the very center there is a large ornithological reserve, where more than 80 thousand species of birds live. A variety of activities await you on the island, you can watch pink flamingos, swim with dolphins or even feed sharks. 
Harbor Island is one of the most unique places in the Bahamas and attracts thousands of tourists with its pink sand beach - Pink Sands Beach. The island itself is small, two kilometers wide and about 5 kilometers long. Villas and holiday homes are located here. As well as souvenir varnishes and shops, where prices are much lower than in general in the Bahamas. Walking on pink sand, water activities, as well as a host of celebrities and wealthy people make you think you are in the most fashionable resort in the Bahamas.
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1) arch. in the Atlantic Ocean, in the West Indies. Local name islands Bahama (English Bahama Islands) ; believe 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. Stretch 1200 km from the northwest. to the SE. from the Florida Peninsula to Cuba and Haiti. Separated from Florida by the Florida Strait, from Cuba - by the Old Bahamas Strait. There are approx. 700 islands, folded in base. coral limestone, and over 2,300 coral reefs and rocks. Pl. 13.9 thousand km²; OK. 298 K people (2001). The largest about. Andros, the most populous 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 a Senate and a House of Assembly. 85% of the population are blacks and mulattoes, whose ancestors were taken out by the British from Africa. Officer English language. Most believers are Protestants. 3/4 of the population lives in cities. The climate is tropical, trade wind, with a rainy period from May to October. Thickets of thorny evergreen shrubs and pine forests predominate; on the coast there are groves of coconut trees. Inhabited by less than 40 islands. O. San Salvador from the group of the Bahamas was the first land discovered by H. Columbus in the New World on October 12, 1492 Refining of imported oil (including oil products are exported), cement. and pharm., food. (production of cane sugar, rum, tomato juice, caning of pineapples, lobsters) Pineapples, citrus fruits, bananas, tomatoes, agave (sisal), and sugar are grown. reed, mango, melon, etc. Developed fish and sea fishing (tuna, white marlin, lobsters, sea turtles, oysters). Harvesting valuable tropical timber. International airport near Nassau (communication 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. Big hotels, beautiful sandy beaches, water parks. Monetary 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, extending for 1,500 km from the northwest. in the south-east from the Florida Peninsula to Cuba and Haiti. They are separated from Florida by the Florida Strait, from Cuba - by the Old Bahamas. There are approx. 700 islands, folded in base. coral limestone, and over 2,300 coral reefs and rocks. The largest islands: Andros, Big Abaco, Big Inagua, Big Bahama. The surface of the islands does not rise above 60 m, karst is developed. The climate is tropical, trade wind, with a rainy period from May to October. Average month. temperature is from 21 to 32 ° C, precipitation is 1000–1600 mm per year, hurricanes are not uncommon. There are many salt lakes connected to the sea; there is a lack fresh water... Thickets of thorny evergreen shrubs and pine forests predominate; on the coast there are groves of coconut trees. Nat. parks: Inagua, Exuma. In fact, only a little more than 20 islands are inhabited. Samana Island 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. Edited by prof. A.P. Gorkina. 2006 .
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 the Grand Bahama and Grand Inagua and is separated from Florida (USA) by the Florida Strait, and from Cuba by the Old Bahamas. 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), Big Abaco (2 thousand sq. Km), Big Inagua, Big Bahama (1.1 thousand sq. Km), New Providence (with the capital of the state - Nassau), Eleuthera, Cat, 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 sea level. The thickness of the limestone deposits is approx. 4500 m. In the east, the plateau drops abruptly 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 Island by the Old Bahamas. The waters between the islands are shallow, but the surface of the underwater plateau is cut by deep cracks, to which the 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 raised relative to the sea level from a few meters to about 60 m. The highest point of the country - Mount Alvernia (63 m) - is 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 confined to numerous salt 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. There are very few sources of fresh water.
The climate is tropical trade wind. Winters, thanks to the influence of the Gulf Stream, are milder than those on the North American mainland. Average temperatures in winter months are 22–24 ° С, in summer months - 29–30 ° С. 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 are common. Since the islands are scattered over a large area, the devastating effect of hurricanes on each island occurs on average once every 12 years.
In some places, limestones that come out on the surface are devoid of soil cover. In the depressions of the relief in the interior regions, salt marshes and saline soils are widespread, in the rest of the regions fertile red-brown soils prevail.
Natural vegetation on the drier eastern islands is xerophytic, with a predominance of cacti and aloe. Most of the islands were originally dominated by rainforests. At present, many of them have been brought down, and stunted shrubs are growing in their place. Where forests have survived (on the islands of Andros, Big and Small Abaco, Big Bahama), valuable broad-leaved trees such as red (mahogany), log and iron trees, and Caribbean pine are widespread. In deciduous forests, bougainvillea, jasmine, orchids and other plants with beautiful and delicately scented flowers grow in abundance. On some islands, artificial plantings of casuarinas, 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. There are many frogs among amphibians, and lizards and snakes among reptiles. In the fauna of the islands, birds are most numerous, including migratory birds from North America (ducks, geese, etc.), which remain for the winter. In the swamps and within the lagoons, there are flamingos (only in the national park on Bolshoi Inagua Island over 50 thousand red flamingos nest), pelicans, spoonbills, herons and other waterfowl. Termites, mosquitoes and other insects are abundant. In the coastal waters, near the reefs, there are many species of fish, including the Atlantic sailboat, barracuda, mackerel, etc. There are sea turtles (on Big Inagua Island where the green turtle is laid), mollusks and sponges are numerous. The Exuma Keys National Park is protected by marsh and mangrove landscapes and coral reefs.
The range of minerals in the Bahamas is limited to limestone and aragonite (pure calcium carbonate). Its largest field in the world is located on the shelf of the Bahamas.
Due to the mild warm climate, sandy beaches, clear coastal waters and unlimited opportunities for spearfishing, 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. 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%, infant mortality - 26.21 per 1000 newborns. With the spread of AIDS in the islands, there is a trend towards higher mortality rates, lower life expectancy and lower population growth rates. In 1999, an estimated 6,900 people were infected with AIDS in the Bahamas and 500 died from the disease.
The main component of the emerging Bahamian nation is African Americans and mulattos, who make up more than 3/4 of the total population. There are diasporas of people from Haiti, Jamaica and the Turks and Caicos Islands. The proportion of Europeans and North Americans is small. This is mainly a contingent of wealthy senior citizens from the United States, Canada, Great Britain, who settled in the Bahamas after retirement.
Among believers, Protestants predominate, including Baptists, Anglicans, Methodists, approx. 19% are Roman Catholics, part of the population adheres to African cults.
The Bahamas has introduced free compulsory education for children aged 5 to 14. In recent years, the number of educational institutions has grown significantly, and by large islands most children have the opportunity to attend high school... About 20% of school graduates receive vocational training in several vocational schools, teacher training and technical colleges... There are no private higher education institutions in the Bahamas, but since 1964 the government established links with the University of the West Indies in Jamaica and a year later opened its correspondence department in Nassau. Some Bahamians are pursuing 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 of the tropical diseases. In 1965, the government embarked on a low-income housing project and approved a system for the sale of low-cost housing mortgages. State benefits are paid only to the elderly (old age pensions) and the disabled.
State structure.
The Commonwealth of the Bahamas achieved limited internal self-government in 1964 and full - in 1969. On July 10, 1973, the independence of the Bahamas was proclaimed as part of the Commonwealth led by Great Britain. 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. 16 Senate members are appointed by the Governor General (9 - on the recommendation of the Prime Minister, 4 - the leader of the opposition and 3 - by agreement between the leaders of the ruling and opposition parties). The Senate has the power 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, however, early dissolution of parliament is possible. Executive power rests with the government, headed by the prime minister - usually the leader of the party with the majority in parliament. The government is accountable to the House of Assembly.
The judiciary 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 country with an economy heavily dependent on foreign tourism and offshore banking. In 2000, the 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%. The stable GDP growth (3% in 1998, 6% in 1999 and 4.5% in 2000) is driving an increasing tourist flow and a boom associated with the construction of hotels, residential buildings and resorts. Labor resources are estimated at about 156 thousand people (40% are employed in the tourism business, 50% - in the field of 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 was small tourist center... In the post-war period, the number of hotels in the city has grown exponentially. Hotels are also built on most of the most populated and some sparsely populated islands. The Bahamas are also famous for their casinos. The country receives over 2 million tourists annually. Many hotels, restaurants and casinos are owned by foreign companies.
Tax breaks and 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 firms in the USA, Canada, Great Britain and other countries have branches in Nassau and Freeport.
Industry. Mining in the Bahamas is carried out 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 seawater on Long Island and Great Inagua.
In 1955, a private American company rented south coast Big Bahama Island is a plot of 20 thousand hectares for the construction of a deep-water port, industrial construction and the creation of the necessary infrastructure. Instead, it was provided with a tax-free regime until 1990 and duty-free import of means of production until 2054. In 1963, the city of Freeport grew here, which gradually turned into the largest industrial center of the country with an oil refinery (owned by American companies) working on imported raw materials, and several dozen other industrial enterprises. ... Of the large enterprises in Freeport, there is a cement and two pharmaceutical plants, also owned by foreign companies. Second most important industrial city is Nassau, which concentrates food, clothing, textile and chemical industries. On the island of Bolshoy Abaco, there is a pulp and wood pulp plant built by an American company, operating on the basis of local Caribbean pine harvests. 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 land 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 tree... Poultry farming is well developed. In the coastal waters, a small volume of fishing for lobsters, sea sponges and pearls is carried out.
Transport. The length of the roads on the islands is approx. 2700 km, more than half of them have a hard surface. Coastal shipping and air traffic are well developed. There are three main seaports in the Bahamas: Nassau, Freeport and Mathieu Town. Nassau's main port can accommodate large ocean-going ships 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 for the shipment of oil products to the United States. In the same port, refueling of ocean-going vessels, including transit vessels, is carried out. The Bahamas' merchant fleet consists of 1,049 vessels (each with a displacement of more than 1,000 gross register tons) with a total displacement of more than 30 million gross register tons. Merchant ships from about 40 countries fly the Bahamas flag.
There are 65 airports in the country. The local airline operates between the islands of the Bahamas and the British islands of the Turks and Caicos Islands. Nassau International Airport offers flights to Europe, the Caribbean and North and South America. The second international airport is located in Freeport.
Foreign policy. The Bahamas' economy is dependent on foreign investment. Large foreign, mainly American, financial and industrial companies operate on the islands.
The export structure is dominated by industrial products, mainly oil products, medicines and cement. The Bahamas also exports rum, wood pulp, seafood and a small amount of 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 is a transit point for drug trafficking to the United States and Europe.
Budget and money circulation. Most government revenue comes from customs duties, casino revenues, land sales, postage and utilities... There is no income tax in the country. State budget expenditures include education, social security and public works. The monetary unit is the Bahamian dollar = 100 cents.
STORY
The original inhabitants of the Bahamian archipelago were the Indian tribes of the Siboneans. In the first centuries of our era, the Taino tribes, who spoke the languages of the Arawak group, invaded the islands. The Tainos cultivated 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 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 Santa Maria de la Concepcion (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 Hispaniola Island (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 for attacks on Spanish ships. Thus, over 200 years, the Bahamas has established itself as a pirate haven.
In 1629 the Bahamas were granted by Charles I to one of his ministers, who, however, did not even attempt to establish settlements there. In 1647 a company called Eleutheran Adventurers was formed in London to colonize the Bahamas. Immigrants from England, Bermuda and the British colonies of North and South Carolina in North America, originally settled on Eluthera Island, the ownership 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 officially survived until 1787. In 1689, Eleutheran Adventurers founded the Charlestown settlement on New Providence, which was soon renamed Nassau (Nassau) 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 of his arrival in New Providence, 2,000 pirates were believed to be hiding. In 1720 the Spaniards attacked the island again. To protect the colony, the governor had to agree to an alliance with the pirates. In 1776, the US Navy captured the fortified Fort Montagu, which defended the harbor of Nassau, and held it for several days.
In 1781 the colony was captured by the Spaniards 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 very proclamation of the independence of the Bahamas. At the end of the War of Independence, the British colonies in North America (1775-1783) settled on the islands approx. 3,000 American loyalists who remained loyal to the British crown, as well as their slaves. In the early stages of settlement in the Bahamas, cotton was grown. For this purpose, slaves from Africa and the former North American colonies were imported into the archipelago. After the abolition of slavery in 1838, the economy of the colony declined and many inhabitants left the islands.
A revival of economic activity in the Bahamas occurred during the American Civil War in 1861-1865, when a fleet was based on the islands, exporting cotton from the southern states of the United States. The colony's income was formed mainly from customs duties on the cotton trade. During the period of "Prohibition" in the United States in 1920-1933, the Bahamas became one of the trans-shipment 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 partially 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 was admitted to the UN. The country's economic prosperity is greatly enhanced by its reputation as a major tourism, banking and financial center. Refining and transportation of oil also brings considerable income.
The first prime minister of the country (after the declaration of independence) was the representative of the Progressive Liberal Party of Linden, Oskar Pindling; he retained office until 19 August 1992, when his party gave way to the Free National Democratic Movement, led by Hubert Ingraham. This party received the majority of votes (34) in the parliamentary elections in 1997, 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 - 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: 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 Office Gazette is also published. Radio and television broadcasts are operated by the government-owned Broadcasting Corporation Behames.
LITERATURE
Aksenov L., Fetisov A. The distant islands of the West Indies... M., 1984
Encyclopedia Around the World. 2008 .
BAGAMI ISLANDS
COMMONWEALTH OF BAGAMI
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 south east coast Florida to the east coast of Cuba. Only about 40 islands are inhabited. The area is 13935 km2.
The population (as of 1998) is 279,800 people. Ethnic groups: Blacks - 85%, Whites (British, Canadians, Americans) - 15%. English language. Religion: Baptist 32%, Anglicans 20%, Roman Catholic 19%, Methodist 6%. The capital is Nassau. Largest cities Nassau (171,542), New Providence (171,000), Freeport (25,000). The state structure is an independent community. 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. The mortality rate (per 1000 people) is 5.4.
The Bahamas is a member of the UN, World Bank, IMF, WHO, British Commonwealth of Nations and Organization of American States.
Bahamas - worldwide famous resort famous for its beaches, tropical vegetation and the so-called Paradise Island (Paradise Island) in the harbor of Nassau. Among the sights of the capital of the country - the parliament building and the courthouse; The Government House (built in 1801) is the official residence of the Governor General. Tourists are also attracted by the "sea gardens"; Fort Charlotte (1789); Fort Fincastle (1793); Botanical Garden Adastra Gardens, featuring many tropical and subtropical plants; 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 part of the Atlantic Ocean in the West Indies, southeast of the Florida Peninsula. In total, there are about 700 islands, of which only 30 are inhabited. Area - 13.9 thousand square kilometers, population - 305.6 thousand people (2006). The capital - the city of Nassau (172 thousand) - is located on the island of New Providence. The nominally head of state is the Queen of Great Britain (cm. Great Britain) presented by the Governor General. Official language- English.
One of the eastern islands of the archipelago, named by the Spaniards San Salvador, became the first land open expedition 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. The US naval bases are located here. (cm. United States of America)... Over 80% of the population of the Bahamas are mulattoes and blacks.
In 1946, a tourist boom began in the Bahamas, which intensified especially in the late 1950s. The Bahamas has become a winter resort for the United States and Europe. Large hotels and casinos have been built here. Attracted by the tax breaks, many companies have established offices and banks here. Naturally, the Bahamas are characterized by flat relief, extensive shallow waters - banks near the coast, which represent excellent beaches. The Bahamas has a tropical trade wind, with a rainy season from May to October. Average temperatures in January are 20 - 23 ° C, in July - about 28 ° C. Savannas or thickets of thorny bushes predominate. There are many pine forests. Grand Bahama Island is often referred to as the "New Riviera" because of its tourist attractions.
Cyril and Methodius Encyclopedia of Tourism. 2008 .
