Bahamas Information

The Bahamas islands were inhabited by Arawak Indians when Christopher Columbus first set foot on San Salvador in 1492, British settlement of the islands began in 1647 and became a colony in 1783. The Bahamas gained independence from the UK in 1973 and have since prospered with tourism as well as international banking.

Queen Elizabeth II is the head of state of the Bahamas, which is still a Commonwealth Realm and part of the Commonwealth of Nations. She is represented by the Governor-General, who is appointed on the recommendation of the elected government. The government is a multi-party democracy in the style of the British government.

The Bahamas consist of some 700 islands, of which around 30 are inhabited, as well as smaller cays covering over 100,000 square miles in the Atlantic Ocean between Florida and Hispaniola. Andros Island is the biggest of the Bahamas islands, whilst New Providence is where the capital and largest city, Nassau, is located. Other notable islands include Eleuthera, Cat Island, San Salvador, Acklins, Crooked Island, Exuma and Mayaguana.

The islands have plenty of beautiful beaches and there are many opportunities for diving, snorkeling and fishing. Over 3 million tourists visit the islands each year and there's a variety of accommodation available ranging from tourist hotels and all-inclusive resorts to rustic lodges. The Bahamas are a top destinations whether you're looking for outdoor sports, casinos, eco-tourism or just lounging in the sun.

The climate in the Bahamas in subtropical to tropical. It is modified by the warm waters of the Gulf Stream. While in the winter this current keeps the islands warm, in the summer and autumn months it brings hurricanes through or near the islands