Bahamas Overview

Just off the coast of Florida, the 700 islands of the Bahamas is an ecological oasis waiting to be explored. There are intra-island flights, as well as ferry services and personal yachts available for you to island-hop and enjoy the unique aspects of each island. You’ll surely want to visit Nassau, the nation’s capital, and Paradise Island, which offer a distinct blend of international glamour and tropical paradise.

In 1492 Columbus first stepped foot in the New World on an island in The Bahamas. At the time, the indigenous Arawak Indians inhabited the islands. The Spanish didn't colonize The Bahamas, but they did ship the natives off to Hispaniola (now Haiti and the Dominican Republic) to be used as slaves. It wasn't until 1650 that British colonists arrived and settled on the island of Eleuthera. Nearly three quarters of a century later, The Bahamas became a Crown Colony of Britain in 1718.

After the American Revolution, a plantation industry began to flourish in The Bahamas as a result of the British loyalists and their enslaved moving to the islands. Slavery was abolished in the British Empire in 1834. The majority of today's Bahamian population consists of descendants of African slaves.

Capital

Nassau

Language

English

Politics

The Bahamas

Population

Approximately 330,000

Industry

Tourism accounts for more than 60% of the economy, with financial services coming in second at around 15%.

Entry Requirements

US Citizens require a passport, passport card, or WHTI-compliant document. Canadian citizens must have one of the following: passport, official birth certificate or an original naturalization/citizenship certificate.

Currency

The official currency is the Bahamian dollar, which is pegged to the US dollar on a 1:1 ratio.
USD widely accepted. There are very few ATMs available on the Out Islands, so make sure to plan costs accordingly.

Electricity

110-120 Volts (Same as U.S./Canada)

Time Zone

Eastern Time Zone

Bahamas Guide

About Bahamas

Just off the coast of Florida, the 700 islands of the Bahamas is an ecological oasis waiting to be explored. There are intra-island flights, as well as ferry… more

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