Home > Facts > Countries Facts > Bahamas Facts

Bahamas Facts

Bahamas Facts
Although known around the world as ‘The Bahamas', the country is officially the Commonwealth of the Bahamas. The Bahamas are located north of Cuba, northwest of Turks and Caicos, and to the south and east of Florida in the Atlantic Ocean. More than 700 islands make up this island country, as well as islets and cays, but only approximately 30 islands are inhabited. Prior to European settlement, the islands of the Bahamas were inhabited by Arawak Indians. Columbus arrived in 1492, and in the 1600s the British began to build settlements. Until 1964 the Bahamas were a Crown colony, but they were granted internal self-government at that time. On July 10th, 1973 the Bahamas gained their complete independence from Britain.
Interesting Bahamas Facts:
The word Bahamas is derived from a Spanish word ‘baja mar' which means ‘low tide' or ‘shallow water or sea'.
The Bahamas were once a favorite place for pirates to hide their treasure.
The Bahamas encompasses an area of 5,358 square miles.
There are 2,200 miles of coastline in the Bahamas.
The population in the Bahamas is approximately 307,000.
Approximately 60% of the population (248,948 people) living in the Bahamas lives in Nassau.
Nassau is the capital city of the Bahamas.
The Bahamas are a parliamentary democracy.
Although an independent nation, the Bahamas recognizes Queen Elizabeth II as the Head of State.
The sand beaches in the Bahamas are pink because of the broken seashells that have become mixed into the sand.
Mount Alvernia, located on Cat Island, is the highest point in the Bahamas. It sits at 200 feet in height.
There are more than 315 days of sunshine in the Bahamas each year.
The national flower of the Bahamas is the yellow elder. This flower is believed to helpful in fighting diabetes, as well as digestive issues.
The Lignum Vitae is the national tree of the Bahamas, and is also a potentially endangered species.
The flamingo is the national bird of the Bahamas. Because of extreme hunting and attempts to take them off the islands, they became an endangered species. Today they are protected.
The blue marlin is the national fish of the Bahamas. The famous writer Ernest Hemingway wrote about the fish in The Old Man and the Sea, one of his famous novels.
The Bahamas are extremely vulnerable to hurricanes because of their location, especially in the spring and fall months.
The Bahamas economy was once reliant on agriculture and fishing. Today the Bahamas' economy has diversified into tourism, shipping and financial services.
The monetary unit in the Bahamas is the Bahamian dollar.
The Bahamas are one the Caribbean's richest countries. Half of those in the Bahamas work in tourism, followed by 17% in the financial services sector.
There are no poisonous snakes in the Bahamas, but there are iguanas, parrots, wild horses, goats and pigs living there.
The national sport in the Bahamas is sloop sailing.
Popular sports in the Bahamas include cricket, baseball, football, soccer, basketball, and horse racing.
The culture in the Bahamas is rich in legend, folklore, tradition and belief.


Related Links:
Facts
Countries Facts
Animals Facts