The Caribbean Island of the Bahamas 

The Bahamas, officially the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, is an independent, English-speaking country consisting of 2,387 rocks, 661 cays and 29 islands. It is located in the Atlantic Ocean southeast of the United States of America; northeast to east of Cuba, Hispaniola (Dominican Republic & Haiti) and north to east of the Caribbean Sea; and west to northwest of the Turks and Caicos Islands. Its size is almost 14,000 km2 with an estimated population of 330,000. Its capital is Nassau. It remains a Commonwealth realm. 

History of the Bahamas
The seafaring Taino people moved into the uninhabited southern Bahamas from Hispaniola and Cuba around the 7th century AD. These people came to be known as the Lucayans. There were an estimated 30,000+ Lucayans at the time of Columbus' arrival in 1492. Christopher Columbus' first landfall in the New World was on an island named San Salvador (known to the Lucayans as Guanahani), which is generally accepted to be present-day San Salvador Island, (also known as Watling's Island) in the southeastern Bahamas. Here, Columbus made first contact with the Lucayans and exchanged goods with them.

The Spaniards who followed Columbus depopulated the islands, carrying most of the indigenous people off into slavery. The Lucayans throughout the Bahamas were wiped out by exposure to diseases for which they had no immunity.[4] The smallpox that ravaged the Taino Indians after Columbus's arrival wiped out half of the population on what is now the Bahamas.

It is generally assumed that the islands were uninhabited until the mid-17th century. However, recent research suggests that there may have been attempts to settle the islands by groups from Spain, France, and Britain, as well as by other Amerindians. In 1648, the Eleutherian Adventurers migrated from Bermuda. These English puritans established the first permanent European settlement on an island which they named Eleuthera — the name derives from the Greek word for freedom. They later settled New Providence, naming it Sayle's Island after one of their leaders. To survive, the settlers resorted to salvaged goods from wrecks.

Based on the twin pillars of tourism and offshore finance, the Bahamian economy has prospered since the 1950s. However, there remain significant challenges in areas such as education, health care, international narcotics trafficking and illegal immigration from Haiti.
The origin of the name "Bahamas" is unclear. It may derive from the Spanish baja mar, meaning "shallow seas or the Lucayan word for Grand Bahama Island, ba-ha-ma "large upper middle land. 

 Map of the Bahamas

All the islands are low and flat, with ridges that usually rise no more than 15 to 20 m (49 to 66 ft). The highest point in the country is Mount Alvernia, formerly called Como Hill, which has an altitude of 63 metres (210 ft) on Cat Island. To the southeast, the Turks and Caicos Islands, and three more extensive submarine features called Mouchoir Bank, Silver Bank, and Navidad Bank, are geographically a continuation of the Bahamas, but not part of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas.

The climate of the Bahamas is subtropical to tropical, and is moderated significantly by the waters of the Gulf Stream, particularly in winter. Conversely, this often proves very dangerous in the summer and autumn, when hurricanes pass near or through the islands. Hurricane Andrew hit the northern islands during the 1992 Atlantic hurricane season, and Hurricane Floyd hit most of the islands during the 1999 Atlantic hurricane season. Hurricane Frances hit in 2004; the Atlantic hurricane season of 2004 was expected to be the worst ever for the islands. Also in 2004, the northern Bahamas were hit by a less potent Hurricane Jeanne. In 2005 the northern islands were once again struck, this time by Hurricane Wilma. In Grand Bahama, tidal surges and high winds destroyed homes and schools, floated graves and made roughly 1,000 people homeless, most of whom lived on the west coast of the island. 

 Culture and Music of the Bahamas

In the less developed outer islands, of Bahamas, handicrafts include basketry made from palm fronds. This material, commonly called "straw", is plaited into hats and bags that are popular tourist items. Another use is for so-called "Voodoo dolls," despite the fact that such dolls are the result of the American imagination and not based on historic fact.

Junkanoo celebration in Nassau Obeah, a religion of folk magic, sorcery, and religious practices derived from Central African and West African origins, is practiced in some of the Family Islands (out-islands) of the Bahamas.

Junkanoo is a street parade with music, which occurs in many towns across The Bahamas every Boxing Day (December 26), New Year's Day and, more recently, in the summer on the island of Grand Bahama. The largest Junkanoo parade happens in Nassau, the capital. Junkanoo is a Bahamian cultural expression, which has been derived from Bahamians' ancestry. In theses parades, the locals showcase a wonderful part of their culture in three forms: Music, Art and Dance.

There is a huge controversy about the origin of Junkanoo, as many historians have offered explanations for the origins and beginning of this festival. The most accepted one is that the word “Junkanoo” comes from the name John Canoe, who was an African prince and slave trader operating on the Gold Coast in the seventeenth (17th) century. He was said to have outwitted the English and subsequently gained control of Fort Brandenbury. Therefore, the Dutch and English alike feared him. However, to the slaves, he was a hero and was worshipped and idolized by them. Those slaves who were brought here to the Bahamas kept up this distinct form of worship.

Some settlements have festivals associated with the traditional crop or food of that area, such as the "Pineapple Fest" in Gregory Town, Eleuthera or the "Crab Fest" on Andros. Other significant traditions include story telling. 

 The Flag Of Bahamas and Coat of Arm

Back to the top | Return Home | Bahamas Directory

 Things to do in Bahamas

Diving
The Bahamas offer some of the best scuba diving and snorkeling in the world. Every island is rimmed by coral reefs and crystal clear water. Among the impressive array of coral formations you will experience a dazzling display of colorful sea life including moray eels, barracudas, stingrays, turtles, sand tigers, queen triggerfish, parrotfish and angelfish. Warm temperatures make wetsuits unnecessary. There are popular dive sites off Andros Island, which is bordered by the world's third largest reef, the Biminis. Here you can dive with dolphins and islanders claim that it provides a vantage point of the lost city of Atlantis. Elbow Cay, just off Great Abaco, is a great spot from which to view an amazing array of coral. There is also plenty to offer around New Providence Island including Balmoral Island off the north coast, Clifton Wall and Razorback to the southwest. Many companies rent equipment and offer courses and trips for both novice and experienced divers.

Fishing
There is some excellent fishing in the Bahamas and people come from all over the world to test their skills out on the wide variety of fish. The archipelago is most famous for the deep-sea sport fishing - with the right guide you will find schools of dolphin fish, wahoo, tuna and above all, blue and white marlin. However many fishermen prefer the challenge of fly and spin casting for bonefish on the sandbanks which surround many of the islands. They can be caught year-round, though April and May is spawning time and hence, the most productive months.

 Sailing
There's plenty of excellent sailing to be done in the Bahamas; the islands offer gorgeous gin-clear waters and a seemingly endless array of uninhabited cayes inaccessible by any other means. Even around the most popular islands you can drop anchor at some remote spot and enjoy sunny, silent swimming and snorkeling far from the shore. The sheltered waters of the Sea of Abaco and Exuma Sound are good for beginners. For the more competitive, or social, each island holds its own regatta, usually in late summer; the best are to be found on Exuma, Long Island, Nassau/Paradise Island, and Freeport/Lucaya. Non-sailors can charter a crewed boat for a few days of quiet and carefree escape.

Bird-watching
For those who prefer to keep their feet on the ground the Bahamas offer some wonderful bird-watching. Most islands shelter a fairly wild interior where you can find hundreds of different species of birds among the palm savannas and primeval forest. There are dozens of reserves: Great Inagua is best for bird watching, and at Inagua National Park you may see the world's largest flock of West Indian flamingo. Others include Abaco National Park; Man-O-War Cay, off the Abaco Islands; the area around Love Hill on the north-eastern coast of North Andros; and Armbrister Creek, just north of New Bight on Cat Island.

Watersports
Bahamas main islands have excellent facilities for just about every kind of beach and water activity, including parasailing, water-skiing and windsurfing. The larger resort hotels generally include watersports in their rates. 

Caribbean Cruise

Cruising in the Bahamas is a popular vacation because there are plenty of facilities for travelers to benefit from on-board the boat as it travels casually between some of the most popular spots in the island group. There are various Eastern Caribbean cruises that feature the Bahamas as a destination, most often docking in Nassau's Prince George Wharf and in Freeport, on Grand Bahamas Island. While in the Bahamas, passengers will find pristine beaches to laze on, as well as dozens of things to see and do. The island towns also offer great dining and shopping options for visitors.

The islands offer many attractions and activities, featuring everything from Christopher Columbus' first stop in the New World to Loyalist settlement ruins and the Glass Window Bridge, as well as the largest underwater cave system known today. The mysterious stone blocks in the waters off the Bimini Islands are thought to be part of the 'lost city' of Atlantis, an alluring site for scuba divers, and Long Island boasts the world's deepest 'blue hole'.

A visit to the Pirates of Nassau Museum is a must, while horse-drawn cabs provide guided tours of colonial Nassau. The Festival Place shopping mall is an outlet for local crafts and food, and there are various other local markets throughout the Bahamas selling an array of goods. Beautiful Caribbean weather makes this a year-round destination and, with so much to see and do, cruise passengers must be careful not to miss the boat... 

 Getting Married in The Bahamas

Getting Married Application for Wedding License
The couple must be in the Bahamas at the time of application for the marriage license.
Couples may apply a day after their arrival and can be married once they receive their approved license the day after application.
If either party is single and have never been married before, a declaration certifying this fact must be sworn before a notary public or other person authorized to administer oaths in the country of residence.

This document must accompany the application for the marriage license. This declaration can also be obtained in the Bahamas from an attorney-at-law or notary public.
If either party has been divorced, the original final decree or a certified copy must be produced. Where applicable, a translated, certified and notarized copy of the final decree must be produced.

If either party is widowed, the original death certificate, or certified copy, must be produced. Where applicable, a translated, certified and notarized copy of the death certificate must be produced.
Minors (under 18 years) may be married with both parents' consent. Consent forms for minors are available at the registrar general's office. 

Both parties must produce a valid passport, birth certificate and photo id. The parties must also produce evidence of the date of their arrival in the Bahamas. The Bahamas immigration card or entry stamp in your passport will suffice.
A blood test is not required.
The fee for the license is $100; certified copies of a marriage certificate are $20. Marriage licenses are issued at the office of the registrar general. This office is open to the public Mondays to Fridays between the hours of 9:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

 Hotels, Villas and Resorts in the Bahamas

On The Islands of the Bahamas, every day is exciting. And when you’re ready for a good night’s sleep, there’s a variety of accommodations to select from. Compare the best hotels in Nassau, Bahamas. Discover the perfect place to stay and find what you need to book your perfect trip, 

Caribbean Hotels and Resorts

Anguilla | Antigua and Barbuda | Aruba | Bahamas | Barbados | British Virgin Islands | Cayman Islands |cozumel Mexico

Curacao | Cuba | Dominica | Dominican Republic | Grenada | Guadeloupe | Jamaica | Martinique | Montserrat | Puerto Rico

Saint Barthélemy | Saint Kitts and Nevis | Saint Lucia | Saint Martin | Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | Trinidad and Tobago

Turks and Caicos Islands | U. S Virgin Islands | Riu Hotels | sandals hotels and villas

Other Related Links

Home | Caribbean Directory  | Ocho Rios / Jamaica Tour | Caribbean Weather | Jamaica Airport Transfer

List Your Property with Caribbean Travel