The Bahamas

THE ISLANDS OF THE BAHAMAS

The Bahama Islands is an archipelago and consist of over 700 islands and cay’s, most of which are uninhabited, covering over 100,000 square miles of the Atlantic Ocean between South Florida and Hispaniola. Each Bahama Island has its own unique personality and much to offer tourism.

The word Bahamas comes from the Spanish words ‘baja mar’ which means shallow sea. The Bahama Islands became the free and sovereign Commonwealth of The Bahamas on 10th July 1973 ending 325 years of British rule — though it still remains part of the Commonwealth.

In the 10th century, Lucayan Indians (a branch of the Arawaks) settled in the islands of the Bahamas. The Lucayans had fled the Lesser Antilles to avoid the Carib Indians, who were their enemies, astute warriors and cannibals. The Lucayan Indians were a very peaceful people, who farmed, lived in thatch huts, used stone tools and made their own pottery. They were politically, socially and religiously advanced. Christopher Columbus arrived in 1492 on the Bahamas Island of San Salvador (the former name of on Cat Island), he enslaved them and coupled with new diseases brought by Columbus and crew, wiped out the entire tribe within 25 years.

Vacationers enjoy the warm Bahamian reception they receive and the idyllic climate. The temperatures during the summer months are between 80-90 degrees Fahrenheit and in the winter 70-80 degrees Fahrenheit. Night time temperatures are generally 5-20 degrees cooler. The Bahama Islands water temperature varies between 72 to 84 degrees, winter to summer. Even during the rainy season, May through September, the showers generally clear quickly. Most wear casual, summer weight clothing year round and few restaurants require formal attire.

The hurricane season runs between June and November. 

The Bahamas in known for it’s beautiful crystal clear waters and it’s bounty of things to do that revolve around the ocean

The three main income producing areas in the Islands of the Bahamas are tourism, financial/real estate (includes banking) and manufacturing/construction.

For more information about the Bahamas or for choosing a vacation spot from the 700 gorgeous islands,

please visit the “Explore our islands” official website

http://www.bahamas.com/explore-our-island