Area of ​​the Bahamas in sq km. Bahamas

- a state in the West Indies. Located on 700 small islands and islets and on two and a half thousand coral reefs stretching from the south-west east coast Florida to the east coast of Cuba. About 40 islands are inhabited.

The name of the country comes from the Indian name for “island” - “bahama” and the Indian name for “island” - “bahama”.

Official name: Commonwealth of the Bahamas (Bahamas)

Capital: Nassau

The area of ​​the land: 13.9 thousand sq. km

Total Population: 310 thousand people

Administrative division: The state is divided into 21 districts.

Form of government: A constitutional monarchy.

Head of State: The Queen of Great Britain, represented by the Governor General.

Population composition: 85% are blacks and mulattoes, 12% are whites (British, Canadians, Americans), 3% are Asians and Latin Americans.

Official language: English. Bahamians speak with a local accent and use a number of words derived from the Arawak Indian language as well as African languages.

Religion: 32% are Baptists, 20% are Anglicans, 19% are Catholics, 6% are Methodists.

Internet domain: .bs

Mains voltage: ~120 V, 60 Hz

Country dialing code: +1-242

Climate

The climate here is subtropical, very mild. This is influenced by the warm Gulf Stream current, as well as the constantly blowing southeast wind from the equator (trade wind).

Throughout the year, average monthly temperatures do not fall below +20 degrees. The coolest month is January, when the temperature drops to +17 degrees at night and reaches +25 degrees during the day. The hottest time of the year is July and August. The average minimum temperature at this time drops to +24 degrees, the maximum reaches +32 degrees.

The driest months are February and March, with monthly precipitation of about 40 mm. The rainiest time of the year is the period from May to October, in which the monthly rainfall ranges from 150 to 220 mm. At this time, tropical hurricanes are possible, characteristic of the entire Caribbean region.

The water temperature in the coastal parts of the country warms up to +30 degrees from August to October, while in other months it stays at +25...+27 degrees.

Geography

The Bahamas are located in the western Atlantic Ocean, at the latitude of the Northern Tropic, near the American continent (100 km from the Florida Peninsula). It's about 700 islands, with total area 13.9 thousand sq. km., and only 30 of them are inhabited. Most of the islands are coral reefs.

From the east, the Bahamas are washed by the warm Gulf Stream. The islands are raised relative to sea level from a few meters to approximately 60 meters. Highest point country - 63 m, located on Kat Island. The relief of the islands is flat.

On the shores facing the ocean, a series of marine terraces can be traced. On west coast there are many salty lagoon lakes, as well as karst lakes and swamps. In some places there is a strip along the coast sandy beaches. There are no rivers in the archipelago.

Flora and fauna

Vegetable world

Coconut palms, bananas, agave, oranges, and pineapples grow on the islands. Natural vegetation on drier areas eastern islands xerophytic, with a predominance of cacti and aloe.

Most of the islands were initially dominated by rainforests. Currently, many of them have been removed, and low-growing shrubs are growing in their place. Where forests have been preserved (on the islands of Andros, Great and Little Abaco, Grand Bahama), valuable broad-leaved tree species such as redwood (mahogany), logwood and ironwood, as well as Caribbean pine, are common.

In broad-leaved forests, bougainvillea, jasmine, orchids and other plants with beautiful and delicately scented flowers grow in abundance. On some islands, artificial plantings of casuarina, mahogany and a number of tropical conifers have been created.

Animal world

The fauna of the Bahamas is poor. There are very few mammals, of which bats are the most numerous. Among the amphibians there are many frogs, and among the reptiles there are lizards and snakes.

Birds are the most numerous in the fauna of the islands, including migratory ones from North America(ducks, geese, etc.) that remain for the winter. Flamingos are found in swamps and lagoons (only in national park More than 50 thousand red flamingos, pelicans, spoonbills, herons and other waterfowl nest on Bolshoi Inagua Island. Termites, mosquitoes and other insects are abundant.

In the coastal waters, near the reefs, there are many species of fish, including Atlantic sailfish, barracuda, mackerel, etc. There are sea turtles (on the island of Great Inagua there are oviposition sites for the green turtle), and numerous mollusks and sponges.

Attractions

Scattered over a vast area, washed by the warm waters of the Gulf Stream, the Bahamas have long been considered a symbol of luxury and relaxation.

Christopher Columbus first set foot on the islands of San Salvador in 1492. British settlers began to explore the islands in 1647, and already in 1783 the islands became a colony. With independence in 1973, the Bahamas began to intensively develop tourism and banking.

One of richest countries region, as it is often called - "Switzerland of the Caribbean", a large offshore center (more than 400 banks are located on the islands), today the Bahamas is one of the largest resort areas in the Western Hemisphere.

Banks and currency

The official currency is the Bahamian dollar. Its value is equal to the American dollar.

1 Bahamian dollar = 100 cents. In circulation are banknotes in denominations of 1, 3, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 dollars and coins in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 15, 25 and 50 cents and 1, 2 and 5 dollars.

Banks are open throughout the working week: from Monday to Thursday until 15:00, on Friday until 17:00.

It is better to change currency in banks. It is advisable to take American dollars with you on a trip; they circulate freely here.

Useful information for tourists

The traditional culture of the Bahamas is far removed from the heavily American-influenced urban centers of Nassau and Freeport. Island folk art is reflected in large quantities fairy tales, natural medicine, music and religious practices brought here by slaves from Africa. The islands have formed a distinctive musical culture.

The country has adopted a tipping system for services provided. The receptionist expects to receive 1 dollar for each suitcase delivered to the room, 2 dollars per day you can pay the maid for additional service, for example, for a washed and ironed shirt or blouse. In most cases, tips for taxi drivers, waiters, and servants amount to 15% of the cost of services (in the most luxurious restaurants - 20%).

One of the most amazing places on Earth, the Bahamas is a magical union of seven hundred islands and over two thousand coral reefs located in the West Indies.

According to statistics at the end of the nineties of the twentieth century, about three hundred thousand people live in the Bahamas. The majority of the population has dark skin because they are descendants of slaves (more than eighty percent of the population). In addition to them, about fifteen percent of the population are from the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States. State language is English. On the islands there is freedom of choice of religion, but the majority are followers of Christianity, among whom a third are Baptists, a fifth are Anglicans, almost the same number are Catholics, and a small part adheres to the canons of the Methodist Church.

Among the most major cities Nassau (the capital of the Bahamas, about two hundred thousand people), New Providence (just over one hundred and seventy thousand people), and Freeport (more than twenty thousand people) stand out. The archipelago is an independent community. On behalf of the monarch of the United Kingdom, leadership is exercised by the Governor-General; in addition, the government is headed by the Prime Minister. The national currency is the Bahamian dollar.

Women on average live almost ten years longer than men (seventy-eight and sixty-nine years, respectively). Natural increase is positive, the mortality rate is four times less than the birth rate.

The Bahamas is a member of the international organizations, including the UN, WHO, World Bank and others.

Presumably, among the first inhabitants of the Bahamas were the Sibonean tribes. The beginning of the new millennium was marked by the arrival of the Taino Indians, who used the Arawak language. They were doing agriculture, cultivation of cassava, corn, yams, cotton. In addition, crafts were also developed.

The end of the fifteenth century was the time when Europeans came to the Bahamas. The first was Christopher Columbus. The arrival of Columbus opened a new, sad page in the history of the archipelago. From this moment on, the aborigines become slaves of the white conquerors. Almost all were taken from the Bahamas to what is now Haiti to work on plantations or mines. In a short time the islands became deserted. The passage of time has made the islands a place where pirates have created their refuge.

In the first third of the seventeenth century, the islands became a gift from Charles the First to one of his ministers. Two decades later, the Eleutheran Adventurers company appeared, which was created with the purpose of settling Bermuda. This company founded a settlement at the end of the seventeenth century, which was originally given the name Charlestown, which later became Nassau. The constant struggle with the Spaniards for the right to own the island ended only with the conclusion of the Treaty of Versailles.

The War of Independence in North America forced a large number of supporters of the British monarchy, who were engaged in cotton cultivation, to seek shelter on the islands. However, the subsequent abolition of slavery seriously damaged the economy of the islands. The next economic boom became possible only during the war between the North and South in the United States, when the islands became a kind of transshipment point for the export of cotton from the southern states.

In the second half of the twentieth century, the Bahamas received the status of an independent state, remaining part of the commonwealth of states led by the United Kingdom.

However, tourism has been and remains a unique symbol of the Bahamas. Beautiful beaches, rich vegetation, a huge selection of entertainment, unlimited shopping opportunities, a large number of cafes and restaurants make your holiday in the Bahamas unforgettable.

Among the attractions of the Bahamas, the first roles are occupied by the parliament and court buildings, in addition to them - the Government House, which was founded at the very beginning of the nineteenth century, and is the residence of the governor general. Also of interest are the so-called “ sea ​​gardens», Botanical Garden(with a huge number of tropical and subtropical plants), Fort Charlotte, built at the very end of the eighteenth century, Fort Fincastle (about the same period of time). In addition, tourists visit Jambi Village, which is a recreated British settlement of the eighteenth century.

2. History

Animal world

4. Population and society

Agriculture

Transport

Foreign policy

6. Political system

7. Kitchen Bahamas

8. Customs and traditions Bahamas

The Bahamas are

In January 1964, the Bahamas received internal self-government, and on July 10, 1973 they were proclaimed an independent state within the Commonwealth, led by Great Britain. In October 1973, the Bahamas was admitted to the UN. The economic prosperity of the country is greatly facilitated by its reputation as a major tourism, banking and financial center. Considerable income The processing and transportation of black gold also brings benefits.

The country's first prime minister (after independence) was the representative of the Progressive Liberal political party Linden Oscar Pindling; he retained his post until 19 August 1992, when he Political Party gave way to the Free National Democratic Movement, led by Hubert Ingraham. This Political Party received a majority of votes (34) in the 1997 parliamentary elections, which allowed H. Ingraham to form a one-party government. There are dozens of industry trade unions in the country, the largest trade union associations of enterprises - trade unions Commonwealth of the Bahamas and National congress trade unions.

Several large newspapers are published in the Bahamas: Nassau Guardian (founded in 1844, circulation 14.1 thousand copies), Nassau Daily Tribune (founded in 1903, 12 thousand copies), Freeport News (founded in 1961, 4 thousand copies). The government weekly Official Gazette is also published. Radio and television broadcasting is carried out by the government organization Broadcasting Corporation Bahamas.

Nature

The islands of the archipelago are areas of a vast submerged limestone plateau protruding above sea level. The thickness of the limestone deposits is approx. 4500 m. In the east, the plateau drops steeply towards the North American basin of the Atlantic Ocean. The archipelago is separated from the Florida Peninsula by the shallow Strait of Florida, and from the island of Cuba by the Old Bahama Strait. The water areas between the islands are shallow, but the surface of the underwater plateau is dissected by deep cracks, which are associated with fairways. Numerous coral reefs, as well as ferruginous layers in the limestones create an unusually colorful picture of the underwater world.

The islands are raised relative to ocean level from a few meters to about 60 m. The highest point of the country - Mount Alvernia (63 m) - is located on Cat Island. The relief of the islands is flat. On the shores facing the ocean, a series of marine terraces can be traced. The western coast of the islands is home to numerous salty lagoon lakes and mangrove swamps. In some places along the coast there is a strip of sandy beaches. Karst phenomena and landforms are widespread on the islands. Therefore, there are no rivers in the archipelago, but there are many karst lakes. Sources fresh water very little.

Climate

Climate- tropical trade wind. Winters, due to the influence of the Gulf Stream, are milder than on the North American continent. Average temperatures in winter months are 22-24° C, in summer - 29-30° C. Average annual precipitation is 1000-1500 mm (in some places in the east - only 750 mm). They fall mainly in May-June and September-October. Tropical hurricanes often occur. Since the islands are scattered over a large area, the destructive effects of hurricanes on each island occur on average once every 12 years.

In some places, limestones exposed to the surface are devoid of soil cover. In the depressions of the relief in the interior regions, solonchaks and saline soils are common, while in other areas fertile red-brown soils predominate.

Natural vegetation on the drier eastern islands is xerophytic, dominated by cacti and aloes. Most of the islands were originally dominated by tropical forests. Currently, many of them have been removed, and low-growing shrubs are growing in their place. Where forests have been preserved (on the islands of Andros, Great and Little Abaco, Grand Bahama), valuable broad-leaved tree species such as redwood (mahogany), logwood and ironwood, as well as Caribbean pine, are common. In broad-leaved forests, bougainvillea, jasmine, orchids and other plants with beautiful and delicately scented flowers grow in abundance. On some islands, artificial plantings of casuarina, mahogany and a number of tropical conifers have been created.

Animal world

The fauna of the Bahamas is poor. There are very few mammals, of which bats are the most numerous. Among the amphibians there are many frogs, and among the reptiles there are lizards and snakes. The most numerous birds in the fauna of the islands are birds, including migratory birds from North America (ducks, geese, etc.), which remain for the winter. In the swamps and within the lagoons there are flamingos (more than 50 thousand red flamingos nest in the national park on Great Inagua Island alone), pelicans, spoonbills, herons and other waterfowl. Termites, mosquitoes and other insects are abundant. In the coastal waters, near the reefs, there are many species of fish, including Atlantic sailfish, barracuda, mackerel, etc. There are sea turtles (on the island of Great Inagua there are oviposition sites for the green turtle), and numerous mollusks and sponges. The Exuma Keys National Park contains protected marshes, mangroves, and coral reefs.

Thanks to its mild, warm climate, sandy beaches, clear coastal waters and unlimited spearfishing opportunities, the Bahamas has become an internationally recognized winter destination.

Population and society

Population: 309 thousand (estimated as of July 2009).

Annual growth - 0.5%.

Immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection rate is 3% (2007 estimate).

Ethno-racial composition: growthmdash; blacks and mulattoes, 12% - whites, 3% - Asians and Hispanics.

The official language is English, immigrants from Republic of Haiti use their own dialect (based on French).

Literacy - 96%.

Religions: Baptists 35.4%, Anglicans 15.1%, Catholics 13.5%, Pentecostals 8.1%, Church of God 4.8%, Methodists 4.2%, other Christians 15.2%, atheists and undecided 2 .9%, others 0.8% (according to the 2000 census).

Some - especially in the southern and eastern islands - practice obeah, a religion similar to voodoo. Voodoo itself is practiced exclusively by immigrants from the Republic, Cuba, Dominican Republic and Jamaica.

In 2003, 297.48 thousand people lived in the Bahamas, more than half of them on New Providence Island. 28.8% of the population belongs to age group up to 15 years, 65.4% - from 15 to 65 years and 5.8% - over 65 years. The birth rate is estimated at 18.57 per 1000 population, mortality - 8.68 per 1000, emigration - 2.67 per 1000. Population growth in 2003 was 0.77%, infant mortality - 26.21 per 1000 births. Due to the spread of AIDS in the islands, there is an upward trend in mortality, lower life expectancy and lower population growth rates. In 1999, an estimated 6,900 people in the Bahamas were infected with AIDS, and 500 people died from the disease.

A growing component of the emerging Bahamian nation is African Americans and mulattoes, constituting more than 3/4 of the total population. There are diasporas of immigrants from the Republic of Haiti, Jamaica and from the Turks and Caicos Islands. The share of Europeans and North Americans is small. This is mainly a contingent of wealthy elderly citizens from the USA, Canada, and England who settled in the Bahamas after retirement.

Protestants predominate among believers, including Baptists, Anglicans, Methodists, ca. 19% are Roman Catholics, part of the population adheres to African cults.

The Bahamas has introduced free and compulsory education for children aged 5 to 14 years. In recent years, the number of educational institutions, and on the larger islands most children have access to high school. About 20% of school graduates receive vocational training in several vocational schools, pedagogical and technical colleges. The Bahamas does not have its own higher education institutions, but since 1964 the government has established ties with the University of the West Indies on Jamaica and a year later opened its correspondence department in Nassau. Some Bahamians get higher education at US universities, Britain and Canada. 98% of the population of the Bahamas is literate.

Healthcare is at a high level. Local doctors managed to completely defeat most tropical diseases. In 1965, the government launched a low-income housing project and approved a mortgage system Sales cheap housing. State benefits are paid only to elderly people (old age pensions) and disabled people.

State structure. The Commonwealth of the Bahamas achieved limited internal self-government in 1964 and full self-government in 1969. On July 10, 1973, the independence of the Bahamas was declared within the Commonwealth, led by Great Britain. According to the Basic Law of the State of 1973, the Head of State is the Queen England, which is represented by the Governor General.

Legislative Power has a bicameral parliament consisting of the House of Congress and the House of Assembly. 16 members Houses of the American Congress appointed by the Governor General (9 - on the recommendation of the Prime Minister, 4 - by the leader of the opposition and 3 - by agreement between the leaders of the ruling and opposition parties). US Senate has the right to delay acceptance Laws(except for those related to finances). House of Assembly agreement 3 40 members elected by popular vote. The term of office of both chambers is 5 years, but early dissolution of parliament is possible. Executive Power belongs to the government headed by the prime minister - usually the leader Political party with a majority in parliament. The government is responsible to the House of Assembly.

The structure of Imports is dominated by raw materials, in particular Oil(mostly from Saudi Arabia) for its further processing, food, consumer goods, cars, electronics. Main partners for Import- USA, Japan, Denmark.

The Bahamas is a transit point for drug trafficking to the United States and Europe.

Budget and monetary circulation. The majority of government revenue comes from Customs duties, casino revenues, Sales land, postal fees and utilities. There is no Income Tax in the Country. State budget expenditure items include education, social security and public Works. Currency - Bahamian Dollar= 100 cents.

Political structure

The Head of State is the Queen of Britain, represented by the Governor General. Legislative power is exercised by Parliament, consisting of the House of the American Congress (16 members appointed by the Governor General on the recommendation of the Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition for a five-year term) and the House of Assembly (41 members elected By popular vote for a five-year period). Executive Power belongs to the Cabinet of Ministers, headed by the Prime Minister.

Political parties:

Free National Movement (23 members of parliament)

The Bahamas are located in the western Atlantic Ocean, at the latitude of the Northern Tropic, near the American continent (100 km from the Florida Peninsula).

These are about 700 islands, with a total area of ​​13.9 thousand sq. km., and only 30 of them are inhabited. Most of the islands are coral reefs. From the east, the Bahamas are washed by the warm Gulf Stream. The islands are raised relative to sea level from a few meters to approximately 60 meters. Highest point - 63 m, located on Kat Island. The relief of the islands is flat. On the shores facing the ocean, a series of marine terraces can be traced. On the west coast there are many salty lagoon lakes, as well as karst lakes and swamps. In some places along the coast there is a strip of sandy beaches. There are no rivers in the archipelago.

CLIMATE

The climate here is subtropical, very mild. This is influenced by the warm Gulf Stream current, as well as the constantly blowing southeast wind from the equator (trade wind). Throughout the year, average monthly temperatures do not fall below +20 degrees. The coolest month is January, when the temperature drops to +17 degrees at night and reaches +25 degrees during the day. The hottest time of the year is July and August. The average minimum temperature at this time drops to +24 degrees, the maximum reaches +32 degrees. The driest months are February and March, with monthly precipitation of about 40 mm. The rainiest time of the year is the period from May to October, in which the monthly rainfall ranges from 150 to 220 mm. At this time, tropical hurricanes are possible, characteristic of the entire Caribbean region. Water temperature in coastal parts from August to October it warms up to +30 degrees, in the remaining months it stays at +25...+27 degrees.

Best time to visit:
The most favorable time to visit the Bahamas is from November to May. At this time there is the least amount of precipitation and it is not so hot.

TYPES OF TOURISM

Beach holiday.

Most tourists go to the Bahamas to simply lie on sandy beaches that stretch for hundreds of kilometers and are protected from cold winds by coral reefs, swim in the clear waters of the ocean, and enjoy the greenery of coconut palms. The most popular resorts located on the islands of New Providence, Paradise and Grand Bahama.

Diving.

Diving is suitable for divers of all skill levels. Visibility - 18-37 m. Most of islands offers divers shallow reefs from 3 m to 15 m, as well as reefs at greater depths from 30 m. ocean depths south of the Bahamas, the Gulf Stream originates, which rushes north, carrying with it marine life from Caribbean Sea to the Atlantic. The Gulf Stream is a barrier protecting the Bahamas from river sediment and runoff from Florida. Thanks to it and the ocean trenches, in the depths of which sediment is deposited, excellent visibility is ensured. WITH various types You can meet underwater inhabitants on the Bahama Bank, rising from the depths of the ocean in some places up to 6 m from the surface. These are sharks, dolphins, stingrays, reef fish, angelfish, moray eels.

Scuba divers are also attracted here by the so-called " blue holes"These places got their name because they appear dark blue when viewed from above. A mass of underwater tunnels, passages and coral reefs, as well as sunken ones dating back to Civil War ships, which are home to lobsters and octopuses, allow you to combine reef diving and cave diving, and are also of interest to underwater photographers. On the islands located further south, due to higher temperatures, night diving is common, and you can admire sleeping sharks.

The best season for diving on the islands is November - May.

Popular places active rest are: the islands of Andros, Berry, Bimini - fishing, described by E. Hemingway (“Islands in the Ocean”); Abacos Islands, Eleuthera - diving in coral reefs; Exuma Islands, Long Island - yacht trips; Inagua Island - swimming with dolphins and watching exotic iguanas and pink flamingos.

Fishing - thanks to the Gulf Stream, the catches here are record-breaking.

The excursion program is not of great interest. The main attractions of the Bahamas are sandy beaches, tropical vegetation and a rich underwater world. Among the attractions of the country's capital are the parliament building and the courthouse, and the Government House (built in 1801) - the official residence of the governor general. Tourists are also attracted by the “sea gardens”, Fort Charlotte (1789), Fort Fincastle (1793), the Adastra Gardens botanical garden, where many tropical and subtropical plants are presented, Jambi Village - a reconstruction of a British settlement of the 18th century.

The Bahamas is a major gambling center. All casinos are open 24 hours a day. The largest casino in the Caribbean is also located here.

VISAS, ENTRY RULES, CUSTOMS RULES

Russian citizens need a visa to visit the Bahamas.

Tourists traveling in transit can stay in the Bahamas without a visa for 3 days, if they have a ticket to the country of destination.

The visa is issued at the British Consulate General. There is a fee of approximately 70 GBP.

To obtain a visa, you must provide:

- completed and signed forms;

-valid passport. It must be valid for at least 6 months after the visa is issued;

-2 photographs 3X4;

- booking confirmation , or an invitation.

- documents confirming the availability of funds.

From Russian tourists A written customs declaration is not required. The following are not subject to customs duties: personal belongings 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars, or 1 pound (~0.450 kg) of tobacco, 1 liter of alcoholic beverages.

The import of Bahamian dollars is prohibited; export must not exceed $70.

WHAT TO SEE

, organized for tourists, are mainly related to getting to know the islands of the archipelago, with their pristine nature, animals and flora, as well as with the rich underwater world Atlantic Ocean.

In addition, you can get to know the capital of the Bahamas, Nassau, on a sightseeing tour. around town. This is the historical part of the city, where Fort Charlotte and Parliament Square are located, ancient buildings and buildings recent years, V includes a walk through the straw market. You can visit the Atlantis complex - one of the largest open-air aquariums.

Of great interest are excursions to the Adastra Gardens botanical garden, the Garden of the Grows, the Rand Memorial Park, the Preacher's Cave and an excursion to the international bazaar in Freeport.

A trip to an artificial coral island will leave a lot of impressions, because this is a real marine reserve.

Good for relaxation along the coastal waters and lagoons of New Providence Island. There are trips to uninhabited nearby islands where you can swim, sunbathe, snorkel, etc.

STORY

Back in 1492 The great navigator Christopher Columbus discovered the Bahamas. At that time they were inhabited by Arawak Indians. However, the Spaniards took them out and used them as work force. Until the 17th century, the islands were deserted, only pirates found this place an excellent hiding place. In 1787 The Bahamas became a British colony. Black slaves were brought here. For three centuries the territory belonged entirely to the British Empire. In 1964, the Bahamas received internal self-government. On July 10, 1973, the independence of the Bahamas was declared as part of the Commonwealth, led by Great Britain. The Bahamas is a member of a number of international organizations: the UN, the Organization of American States, the Caribbean Community.

EMBASSY

Bahamas, embassy in Moscow
Smolenskaya embankment 10

Tel.: (+7 095) 956-7200

Fax: (+7 095) 956-7420

Bahamas, embassy website: http://www.britemb.msk.ru/

Bahamas, Russian Embassy in :
Immigration Department: P.O. Box N-831, Nassau, The Bahamas.

RELIGION

Protestants predominate among believers, including Baptists, Anglicans, Methodists, ca. 19% are Roman Catholics, part of the population adheres to African cults.

TRANSPORT

In the capital of the Bahamas - Nassau - there is a shuttle bus . , motorcycle, scooter and even a bicycle can be rented. For rent vehicle(except for a bicycle) you must have with you driver's license. Driving experience must be at least one year, and the driver must be at least 21 years old. Driving on the islands is on the left. Ferries and boats ply between the islands.

FLORA AND FAUNA

Tropical vegetation predominates on the islands. There are redwood and ironwood trees, colorful orchids and jasmine.

The Bahamas are famous for their beautiful flamingo birds. Many reptiles live here. Coastal waters are replete with various species of fish. Turtles lay eggs here.

MINERALS

The Bahamas is home to the world's largest deposit of aragonite.

BANKS

Banks are open throughout the working week: from Monday to Thursday until 15:00, on Friday until 17:00.

MONEY

The official currency is the Bahamian dollar. Its value is equal to the American dollar.

1 Bahamian dollar = 100 cents. In circulation are banknotes in denominations of 1, 3, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 dollars and coins in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 15, 25 and 50 cents and 1, 2 and 5 dollars.

It is better to change currency in banks. It is advisable to take American dollars with you on a trip; they circulate freely here.

POLITICAL CONDITION

On July 10, 1973, the independence of the Bahamas was declared as part of the Commonwealth, led by Great Britain. According to the 1973 constitution, the head of state is the Queen of Great Britain, who is represented by the Governor General. Legislative power is exercised by a bicameral parliament consisting of the Senate and the House of Assembly. The government is headed by a prime minister - usually the leader of the party with a majority in parliament.

POPULATION

In 2003, 297.48 thousand people lived in the Bahamas, more than half of them on New Providence Island. The bulk of the Bahamian nation are blacks and mulattoes, making up more than 3/4 of the total population. There are diasporas of people from Haiti, Jamaica and the Turks and Caicos Islands. The share of Europeans and North Americans is small. This is mainly a contingent of wealthy elderly citizens from the USA, Canada, and Great Britain who settled in the Bahamas after retirement.

Language:
The official language of the Bahamas is English. It is spoken by almost the entire population of the country.

KITCHEN

A large part of the Bahamian cuisine menu is made up of all kinds of seafood. Among the first courses, fish soup made from sea bass, delicious turtle soup, and conch clam chowder are in demand. In general, conch shellfish are used to prepare both first courses, salads, pates, appetizers and main courses. There are even conk burgers. Another sea creature whose meat is widely used in Bahamian cuisine is the spiny lobster. Dishes made from it are not cheap.

But it is famous not only for seafood delicacies local menu. A dish of peas and rice with spicy sauce is very popular here. Chefs have borrowed dishes made from various types of meat from the cuisines of other countries.

A local delicacy is guava pudding. This is a favorite dessert. There is also a varied selection of fruits.

Rum is the most popular drink. All kinds of cocktails are made from it.

CONNECTION

Telephone, fax, telegraph and telex communications are possible with the whole world.

International telephone code Bahamas -1242.

EMERGENCY PHONES

The general telephone number for the police and fire department is 919.

Ambulance in Nassau - 322-21-21.

USEFUL THINGS
To use electrical appliances brought with you from Europe, as well as to recharge cameras, you need an adapter, which is almost impossible to buy in the Bahamas. Therefore, it is better to worry about this in advance.

Spearfishing is prohibited in the Bahamas, but sport fishing is allowed, for which you have to pay.

THE SHOPS
The center of trade is world-famous Bay Street. You can purchase it here favorable price watches of famous brands, jewelry, porcelain, crystal, leather bags, perfumes. All these goods are exempt from taxes (duty free).

TIPS
Service personnel in It is customary to tip around 1-2 Bahamian dollars per day. In restaurants, their size ranges from 15 to 20% of the amount indicated on the bill.

NATIONAL PECULIARITIES
The traditional culture of the Bahamas is far removed from the heavily American-influenced urban centers of Nassau and Freeport. The island's folk art is reflected in a large number of fairy tales, natural medicine, music and religious rituals brought here by slaves from Africa. Despite the fact that the Bahamas has not yet produced writers who are gaining worldwide fame, and visual art is also developing slowly, the islands have formed a distinctive musical culture. In this Several traditional forms of music developed, with a distinctive guitar sound, accordion and rattles made from the pods of the poinciana tree.

Bahamian children enjoy playing basketball. They literally live on the basketball court, and most towns have their own small basketball court with makeshift baskets. The Bahamas follow American basketball (and baseball) teams with great zeal.

ELECTRICITY
127V, 50Hz;

HEALTHCARE
No vaccinations are required to enter the Bahamas, but medical . Providing medical care in emergency cases is free. Doctors are highly qualified. Hospitals are located in Nassau, Freeport and Out Island.

When it comes to the Bahamas, many people imagine luxurious beaches surrounded by spreading palm trees, blue sea and bright sun. And this is quite understandable, since the tourism industry. But what else is interesting about this territory? We will talk about this in this article.

Bahamas on the map

The state called the Commonwealth of the Bahamas is located north southeast of the island of Florida in Atlantic Ocean. The archipelago consists of 700 islands of various sizes and coral reefs, which occupy an area of ​​250 thousand km. Only 30 of them are inhabited.

The land area can be compared to the area of ​​Jamaica. It includes the Caicos and Turks Islands, which are a British overseas land. The largest of them are Andros, Grand Bahama, New Providence, Eleuthera.

State capital

All tourists arriving there begin their acquaintance with this unusually picturesque territory from the capital of the state. It is located on the island of New Providence. This is a very small island (the smallest in the Bahamas archipelago). The capital Nassau is small and modern city, which is famous throughout the world for its harmonious combination of ultra-modern buildings with colonial architecture. The once bustling and small village founded by pirates has become the wonderful modern city of Nassau (Bahamas).

Many original and colorful buildings surround the port promenade and harbor, business districts are always lively, and numerous shops and markets offer tourists goods from different countries.

At the beginning of the 20th century, after construction international airport and deepening harbors, the Bahamas (the capital in particular) received up to a million tourists annually. And by the 70s, when the Paradise Island Bridge was built and Cable Beach was developed, the city began to welcome up to 2.5 million guests a year.

Bahamas attractions

At the beginning of our journey, we will get acquainted with some islands that arouse the interest of tourists.

Grand Bahama is located in the north of the archipelago. It is the second most visited island in the country by tourists. Despite its name, it is not the largest island. It attracts tourists with its snow-white shores, vast forests and rich wildlife. Its most popular area is the city of Freeport.

Andros

Archipelago. It is covered with extensive palm thickets. In addition, mahogany and pine grow here. The forest here, according to the islanders, is inhabited by aggressive little red-eyed elves. They call them “chiccharniz”.

The island is sparsely populated, only on its east coast you can find shabby shacks surrounded by old cars and abandoned refrigerators. Therefore, Andros is most often visited only by extreme divers, who are attracted here by the third longest barrier reef in the world. It stretches along all the coasts of the island. The city of Andros Town is also one of the attractions of this island, along with an old lighthouse and the beautiful Somerset Beach. In the town of Red Bay, located in the northwest of Andros, live the descendants of the Seminole Indians, who are famous for their skill in weaving various products from straw.

Eleuthera

The Bahamas, whose photos often adorn the covers of glossy magazines, attract very wealthy tourists on vacation. As a rule, they prefer this small island, which is traditionally considered elite. Luxury Resorts and various clubs alternate with magnificent villas and fine restaurants.

The Harbor Island Reef, located in the northwest of Eleuthera, deserves special attention. It's home to the vibrant and distinctive town of Dunmore Town, a wonderful beach and excellent snorkeling and diving sites.

Long Island

Tourists do not visit all the Bahamas. The map shows that Long Island is an elongated island (one hundred kilometers long and five kilometers wide). It is practically not visited by tourists. And completely in vain. This is the most picturesque island of the archipelago, with many corners untouched by human civilization.

The landscape of Long Island is formed by a combination of hilly terrain, surf-eroded shores, which are washed by waters rich in marine life, and sandy beaches. In the north of the island there is a long snow-white beach - one of the most beautiful in the western hemisphere.

Nassau Cathedral

But not only interesting nature The Bahamas are famous. The capital of the state is famous for its architectural structures. One of them - Cathedral. This is the largest religious building in the country. The construction of the cathedral dates back to the end of the 17th century. Next to it you can see many memorial plaques with the names of people who died here during epidemics.

Queen Victoria's Staircase

There is an unusual staircase in Nassau (Bahamas). It was carved into the limestone rock by slaves in the 18th century. It has sixty-five steps. It received its current name much later. This happened during the celebration of the 65th anniversary of Queen Victoria's accession to the throne.

The staircase runs along the wall of the fort. On the opposite side a small waterfall carries its waters. At the very bottom, near the steps, there is a seating area. And from the top steps there is a stunning view of Nassau.

Houses of Parliament

This small two-story building is located in the very center of Nassau, on its main square. It was built in the early 19th century for meetings of the colonial government. The first officials from Britain appeared here in the middle of the 17th century. And today the direct influence from London is felt in the state, since formally the head of the country’s Parliament is still the Queen of Great Britain.

The Parliament building has an antique portico, which is decorated with four columns. Like all the buildings on the square, it is painted in rich pink color. It looks especially beautiful in the evening hours.

Bimini Road

These are two almost parallel tracks paved with stone slabs that are under water. Some slabs reach a length of six meters. The road is located at a depth of nine meters, through absolutely transparent water it is clearly visible from the sea surface. Its length is five hundred meters, width - ninety meters.

This is not the only unusual find. Not far from the Bimini road there is a J-shaped arm. It is also lined with such slabs. Here, other strange structures were also discovered under water - platforms and concentric circles.

Alice Town

Today, many are attracted to the Bahamas, photos of which you can see in our article. They have many different clubs on their territory. Alice Town is home to the most famous of them. E. Hemingway began writing his novel “To Have and Have Not” there. Tourists are shown this historical monument, which presents unique photos famous writer, his personal belongings.

Royal Victoria Gardens

The Bahamas are famous for their unusual vegetation. The capital of Nassau has a unique botanical garden on its territory, built here at the beginning of the 19th century.

The Royal Victoria Gardens house a rare collection of plants from tropical countries. There are more than three hundred species. A huge number of rare varieties of orchids entwine the trees and fill the air with a delightful aroma.