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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.[5] 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";[citation needed] or the Lucayan word for Grand Bahama Island, ba-ha-ma "large upper middle land".[citation
needed]
Geography of the Bahamas
Map of the Bahamas
The closest island to the United States is
Bimini, which is also known as the gateway to the Bahamas. The island of Abaco is to the east of Grand Bahama, also
known as the "Big Island". The southeasternmost island is Great Inagua. Other notable islands include the Bahamas'
largest island, Andros Island, and Eleuthera, Cat Island, Long Island, San Salvador Island, Acklins, Crooked
Island, Exuma and Mayaguana. Nassau, the Bahamas capital city, lies on the island of New Providence.
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.[citation needed]
The climate of the Bahamas is subtropical to tropical, and is moderated significantly by the waters of the Gulf
Stream, particularly in winter.[16] 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.[21]
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
The Flag of the Bahamas has an approximately 1:2 aspect ratio. The black equilateral triangle on the left
represents the unity and determination of the people of the Bahamas.The triangle is oriented toward three
equal-width stripes symbolizing areas of natural resource; two aquamarine stripes at the top and bottom of the flag
representing the sea and one gold stripe representing the land. The flag was adopted on July 10, 1973.
The civil ensign is a red ensign with a white cross throughout and the national flag in the upper-hoist corner; the
naval ensign is a white ensign with the same canton.
The Coat Of Arm of Bahamas
The coat of arms of the Bahamas contains a shield with the national symbols as its focal
point, the shield is supported by a marlin and flamingo.
On top the shield is a conch shell, that represents the varied marine life of the island chain. This rests upon a
helmet. Below this is the actual shield, the main symbol of which is a ship, reported to represent the Santa Maria
of Christopher Columbus. It is sailing beneath a sun. The animals supporting the shield are the national animals,
and the national motto is found at the bottom. The flamingo is located upon land, and the marlin upon sea,
indicating the geography of the islands.
The vibrant colors of the coat of arms are also intended to point to a bright future for the islands. They are also
reputed to have been maintained due to their attractiveness to tourist
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, Click to view Hotel
information on the Island of the Bahamas.
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