Geography

The Bahamas are an archipelago, or chain of islands, consisting of about 700 islands and more than 2,000 low, barren rock formations. About 30 of the islands are inhabited. The main islands are Andros, Great Abaco, Eleuthera, Grand Bahama, Long Island, and New Providence Island, where the capital is located. The archipelago stretches more than 500 miles (800 kilometers). The total land area is 5,382 square miles (13,939 square kilometers).

Most of the islands are composed of limestone. They are generally low and flat, rising only a few meters above sea level. The highest point in the entire archipelago, Mount Alveria on Cat Island, is only 206 feet (63 meters) above sea level.

The islands have no rivers. Fresh water is obtained from wells dug in underlying rocks. There are no mineral riches except for salt, which has been harvested from the shallow seas for centuries.

The island has a tropical marine climate. The weather is mild throughout the year and in the winter averages about 70° F (21° C). From July to November, hurricanes may occur.

Plants and animals

Beautiful Caribbean pine forests cover some of the larger islands, and hardwood forests, known locally as “coppices,” are also found. Although the islands' soil is not very fertile, many residents have gardens. These are filled with fragrant jasmine, bougainvillea, orchids, and oleander. Some islands have dense coconut palm forests, the remnants of old plantations or the result of coconut cargoes that floated ashore from wrecked ships.

Animal life consists mainly of frogs, lizards, and non-venomous snakes. The surrounding waters are filled with fish, conch, crayfish, and other marine animals. The national bird is the flamingo. Some 50,000 flamingos live on Great Inagua Island.

People and culture

The Bahamas are primarily populated by descendants of West African slaves. A small percentage of white Bahamians are descended from British settlers who arrived during the late 18th century. English is the official language, and Christianity is almost universal.

Despite the fact the islands are so close to the United States, the culture of The Bahamas has largely been influenced by the peoples of nearby Caribbean islands. Accents here are closer to those of Jamaica or Trinidad than of Miami.

Calypso, steel pan, reggae, and other West Indian music is played, but goombay (from the Bantu word for rhythm) is a uniquely Bahamian sound. Visitors can hear its fast beat at the parades that are held on certain holidays.

Economy

Because they have very few natural resources, the islands are economically dependent on tourism. About two thirds of the islands' workers are involved in tourist-related businesses. The many attractions, including gambling casinos that have opened in several areas, have brought a relatively high standard of living for the mostly native population. Banking is also important.

In the southeastern islands, the traditional pattern of small farming and fishing still remains in many villages. Fruits and vegetables are grown. Pigs, sheep, goats, and turkeys thrive. Crayfish, lumber, and pulpwood are shipped chiefly to the United States.

History

On October 12, 1492, Christopher Columbus first set foot in the Americas when he landed on one of the Bahamian islands. Although Columbus claimed the islands for Spain, the Spanish made no attempt to settle there. Columbus found the islands inhabited by the peaceful Arawak Indians. Within 30 years the native population had completely disappeared from the islands. Most died of exposure to European diseases or from the harsh work conditions imposed by the Spanish, who had shipped the Arawaks to other islands to work as slaves.

The first permanent European settlers, a group of English Puritans, settled on Eleuthera Island in 1648. New Providence was settled a few years later, and soon the islands filled with planters and pirates. The first British governor was appointed in 1717. He was credited with expelling the pirates.

The U.S. Navy took control of The Bahamas for a few days in 1776, during the American Revolution. Spain then ruled briefly in 1782–83, but the islands were to stay British until 1973, when independence was granted. In the second half of the 20th century the country built many hotels and resorts to draw tourists to the islands. The efforts were successful, and the population of the country benefited. Population (2000 estimate), 295,000.