THE ISLANDS OF THE BAHAMAS
FACT SHEET
LOCATION: Although considered part of the Caribbean, the archipelago that makes up The
Islands Of The Bahamas lies well out into the Atlantic, stretching more than 650 miles from the
eastern coast of Florida to the southeastern tip of Cuba. The Tropic of Cancer runs through the
Great Bahama Bank and through Great Exuma.
SIZE/NUMBER OF ISLANDS: The archipelago includes approximately 700 islands and more
than 2,000 cays with a total land area of about 5,400 square miles. The islands vary in size, with
Andros being the largest. The most visited tourist regions include - 1: Nassau & Paradise Island
(the center of commerce, tourism, industry and communications), 2: Grand Bahama Island, and
3: The Out Islands which include (The Abacos, Acklins & Crooked Island, Andros, Berry
Islands, Bimini, Cat Island, Eleuthera & Harbour Island, The Exumas, Inagua, Long Island,
Mayaguana, Ragged Island, Rum Cay and San Salvador.
GEOGRAPHY: All the islands have similar geographical design with low, thick pine forests,
and mangrove swamps, lagoons and lakes. The islands are mostly flat with miles of white and
pink sand beaches. The highest point in the country is Mount Alvernia on Cat Island which rises
to a height of 206 feet above sea level.
HISTORY: The Commonwealth of the Bahamas was originally settled in the ninth century by
Lucayan Indians who came north from the Caribbean. In 1492, Christopher Columbus landed on
Guanahani, later naming it San Salvador. Conquistadors soon followed in pursuit of gold, killing
off the Lucayans with disease, enslavement and hardship.
English settlers arrived in 1647 in search of religious freedom and named the island on which
they landed Eleuthera -- the Greek word for freedom. After several years of unstable rule, The
Islands Of The Bahamas became a Crown Colony, and Captain Woodes Rogers was the first
Royal Governor. During the American Revolution, the islands fell to Spain and were not
restored to Great Britain until 1783. British Loyalists soon migrated to The Islands Of The
Bahamas, many bringing black slaves with them. A slave-free society was declared in 1834 by
the British Emancipation Act.
TYPE OF GOVERNMENT: After nearly 250 years of British colonial rule, on July 10, 1973
the Commonwealth of the Bahamas declared its independence. As a member of the
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Bahamas Fact Sheet
Commonwealth of Nations, The Bahamas recognizes Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II as Head of
State. The Governor-General is Her Majesty’s representative in The Bahamas and constitutes a
symbol of the nation’s unity. There is also the Executive Branch (Prime Minister), Legislative
Branch, and Judicial Branch of government.
CLIMATE: The sub-tropical and tropical climate makes the islands a good year-round
destination. The Gulf Stream and Trade Winds help to maintain a fairly even temperature
throughout the year, ranging from 68 to 86 degrees during the day and 62 to 70 degrees at night.
Sea water temperature ranges between 73 degrees in February and 82 degrees in August.
POPULATION: Approximately 30 islands are inhabited. Most of the 350,000 people live in
the two main cities -- Nassau on New Providence Island (approximate pop. 250,000) and
Freeport on Grand Bahama Island (approximate pop. 50,000). About 80 percent of the
population is black; three percent Asian or Hispanic; and around 17 percent white.
LANGUAGE: English
RELIGION: The Bahamas is a religious country, with Christianity as the dominant religion
encompassing Catholics, Anglicans, Methodists, Baptists and Greek Orthodox. Other religions
represented include Islam and Judaism.
ECONOMY: The standard of living is high in The Islands Of The Bahamas compared to
neighboring countries. The annual per capita income is $12,000 per person with tourism being
the most important industry, responsible for over half of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Approximately 5 million people visit the islands every year and about 50,000 Bahamians (or half
of the working population) are employed in the tourist trade.
CURRENCY: The official currency is the Bahamian dollar that is on par with the US dollar.
Both currencies are accepted.
VOLTAGE: 110V, 60 cycles AC; an adapter is required for 220V appliances.
TIME ZONE: The Bahamas is located on the Eastern Time zone. Daylight saving time
changes occur the same days as in the US.
GETTING THERE BY AIR: There are approximately 57 airports across The Bahamas, including
three international (in Nassau, Grand Bahama and The Exumas). It is possible to fly into The Bahamas
from the US, Canada, Europe and Latin America, through Copa Airlines, American Airlines, Jet Blue,
Spirit Airlines, Silver Airways, United, Delta, Southwest, British Airways, Air Canada, SunWing, West
Jet, Bahamasair and Sky Bahamas.
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Bahamas Fact Sheet
GETTING THERE BY SEA:
- There are a variety of marinas in The Bahamas, government and privately owned, twenty-nine of which
are official ports of entry to The Bahamas.
- There are dedicated cruises to The Bahamas, arriving at Grand Bahama. Baleària Bahamas Express
offers cruise only and cruise & stay options, offering a fast service between Port Everglades, Ft.
Lauderdale and Freeport, Grand Bahama. Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line offers 2-night cruises and cruise
& stay options, departing from Palm Beach, Florida to Freeport, Grand Bahama aboard its ship, the Grand
Celebration. Some of the main cruise lines stopping in The Bahamas include Carnival Cruise Line,
Celebrity Cruise Lines, Costa Crociere, Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean International.
DRIVING AND LOCAL TRANSPORTATION:
• Air: Almost all the tourist islands have small airports with Eleuthera and Andros each
having three. Bahamasair, the national flag carrier, serves 16 airports on 12 islands.
• Ferries and mailboats: Visitors can island hop by mailboats that depart from Potter's Cay in
Nassau and go to all inhabited islands. Fast Ferries now provides a daily link between
Nassau, Harbour Island and North Eleuthera, etc.
• Buses: Nassau and Freeport/Lucaya (Grand Bahama) have state-licensed buses called
jitneys. Nassau has continuous service to outlying areas between 6:30 am - 7:30 pm. Nassau
also has horse-drawn carriages known as surreys.
• Taxis: Taxis use meters based on a nationally agreed fare structure. Rates are posted at
many of the major hotels. Taxis can also be hired by the hour by negotiating with the driver.
A 15 percent tip is customary. In Nassau, water taxis operate between 9 am and 5:30 pm,
linking Prince George Wharf with Paradise Island.
• Rental cars: Major rental car companies including Hertz, Budget, National, Dollar and Avis
have offices in Nassau and Freeport.
• Bikes & Mopeds: Bikes and mopeds are an excellent way to get around the islands and can
be rented by tourists (helmets are mandatory).
CUSTOMS: Visitors from the various countries have different duty-free allowances and
amounts are based on length of stay.
PETS: Pets must be over six months old and have a valid import permit.
TIPPING: Most restaurants include a service charge; if not, a tip of 15 percent is customary.
Porters expect $2 per bag.
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS: The Islands Of The Bahamas have 10 national holidays: New Year's
Day, Easter Friday, Easter Monday, Whit Monday (last Monday in May), Labour Day (first
Friday in June), Independence Day (July 10), Emancipation Day (first Monday in August),
Discovery Day (Oct. 12), Christmas Day and Boxing Day (Dec. 26).
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Bahamas Fact Sheet
TELEPHONE: The international dialing prefix for The Bahamas is 242. Prepaid phone cards
for local and international calls can be purchased in various stores throughout The Bahamas. Ask
your local cellphone provider for roaming information before arriving in The Bahamas.
TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: All travelers must have a valid passport for their time in The
Bahamas. Travelers will need to check with the nearest Bahamas Consulate for visa
requirements. Travelers will also be required to show a copy of their return ticket and proof of
hotel reservation.
TAXES: A 7.5% tax will be added to all goods and services acquired in The Bahamas.
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