Country Guide • Bahamas
The Bahamas consists of 700 different islands and 2,400 uninhabited islets and cays lying 50 miles off the east coast of Florida. They extend for about 760 miles. Only about 30 of the islands are inhabited. New Providence with the capital Nassau and Grand Bahama are the two main islands where life is similar to that in America but the remaining ‘Family’ islands take a more relaxed West Indian approach to life.
| Official Name | The Commonwealth of the Bahamas |
|---|---|
| Area | 13,940km² (5,382mile²) |
| Population | 297,400 |
| Continent | Caribbean/North America |
| Population per mile² | 55 |
| Capital City | Nassau |
| Religions | Baptist 32%, Anglican 20%, Roman Catholic 19%, Methodist 6%, Church of God 6%, other Protestant 12% |
| Language | English |
| Government | Independent state within the British Commonwealth |
| Currency | Bahamian Dollar |
| GDP | $5.58 billion |
| GDP per Head | $20,000 |
| Natural Resources | Salt, aragonite, timber |
| Land Use | Arable Land 1% |
| Agriculture | Citrus fruits, poultry and vegetables |
| Industry | Tourism, banking, cement, oil refining and trans-shipment, salt and rum |
| Tourism | The Bahamas is a year-round destination. The best time to go is during the warm, lightly breezy summer. In summer, the rainy season extends from May to November, when hurricanes are a slim possibility. The busiest times to go are from mid-December to mid-April |
| Natural Hazards | Hurricanes |
| Health Risks | Sunburn, prickly heat, dehydration, heat exhaustion and heat stroke, fungal infection, diarrhoea, giardiasis, HIV/AIDS, tetanus, jellyfish |
| Climate | Most rainfall occurs between May—June and September—October with up to 52” of rain falling during the year. The hurricane season which lasts from June to November does experience gale force winds, although normally winds rarely exceed 15 mph. Average temperature ranges in Nassau are from 18 to 25°C in February to 24 to 32°C in August |
| Time | GMT/UTC-5 hours |
| National Days | July 10 - Independence Day, First Monday in August - Emancipation Day, October 12 - Discovery Day |
| Visas | US citizens do not need a passport or visa for stays of less than eight months but must show proof of citizenship. Visas and passports are not required of citizens of Canada or the UK and Commonwealth who stay three weeks or less. Visitors from most other European countries need passports but not visas for stays up to three months. Air passengers must have a return or ongoing airline ticket |
| British Embassy | Embassy Details |
Information Only
The content above is for information purposes only and we have tried to ensure that the information is as accurate as possible. We cannot accept any responsibility for any inconvenience, loss or injury as a result of the information above. You should always check and verify any critical information like visas, health and safety and customs with the relevant authorities before you travel since information can change at any time.
