Nassau is the capital of The Bahamas, an island country off the southeast coast of Florida in the Atlantic Ocean. Located on the coast of New Providence Island, Nassau is one of the world's major vacation resorts. Although the city itself is small, its surrounding neighborhoods stretch far along the coast.

Places of interest

North of Nassau is Paradise Island, a luxury tourist resort with high-rise hotels and casinos. Connected to Nassau by a bridge, it shelters the city's natural harbor. Offshore, at the eastern end of the harbor, are marine gardens. Glass-bottomed boats are available there for underwater sightseeing. Nassau is also the site of the College of The Bahamas.

Economy

Nassau's economy is based mostly on tourism. Much of the population works in hotels, shops, restaurants, and entertainment facilities. Through the city's port, homegrown products such as citrus fruits and vegetables are shipped for sale overseas. Other exports include fish, especially crayfish, and rum. Nassau is also a banking center.

History

The British founded Nassau during the 1600s after making The Bahamas a colony. The city, originally named Charles Towne, was renamed Nassau in the 1690s after the family name of the English king William III. During the early 1700s Nassau earned a reputation as a base for pirates, who attacked European merchant ships in the nearby Caribbean Sea. During World War II (1939–45) the United States set up a military base in Nassau. The Bahamas achieved independence from Britain in 1973 with Nassau as its capital. Population (1999 estimate), 214,000.