Bahamas

Government
Parliamentary democracy.

Geography

The Bahamas are an archipelago of about 700 islands and 2,400 uninhabited islets and cays lying 80 Km off the east coast of Florida. They extend for about 1,223 km. Only about 30 of the islands are inhabited; the most important is New Providence (207 sq km), on which the capital, Nassau, is situated. Other islands include Grand Bahama, Abaco, Eleuthera, Andros, Cat Island, and San Salvador (or Watling’s Island).

Historical Background

The islands became a colony in 1783 and prospered through tourism and international banking and investment management.

• 1492 - Lucayan Indians inhabited the islands when Christopher Columbus first set foot on San Salvador.
• 1647 - British settlement began.
• 1973 - Attained Independence from UK.

Capital

Nassau

Government

Parliamentary democracy and Constitutional monarchy

Language

English

Area

13,878 km2 (160th) 5,358 sq mi

Population

330,000[2] (177th)  -  1990 census 254,685  -  Density 23.27/km2 (181st) 60/sq mi

Currency

Bahamian dollar (BSD)

GDP

2009 estimate Total $8.793 billion Per capita $25,807