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Junkanoo is a popular parade in The Bahamas that is known as one of the most entertaining parades in the world.

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A popular tourist site in The Bahamas is the Atlantis hotel

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Bahamas Vacation Resort on Paradise Island.

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In The Bahamas they drive on the left side of the road.

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The song "Who Let the Dogs Out?" was made by a group from The Bahamas called the Baha men.

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Baha Men - Who Let The Dogs Out (Original version) | Full HD | 1080p

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There are about 700 islands that make up The Bahamas, but only 30 are inhabitated.

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The type of government used in The Bahamas is constitutional parliamentary democracy and a Commonwealth realm. Their monarch is Queen Elizabeth II. The governor-general of The Bahamas who represents the Queen is Marguerite Pindling. Below is the Bahamian Parliament.

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Some of the major cities in The Bahamas are Nassau Freeport, and Georgetown.

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Remembering Our Past

Even the most experienced explorers have gotten lost in our abundant natural beauty. For centuries, our islands captivated settlers, traders and invaders, while our shipping channel enchanted pirates who quickly discovered all of our great hiding places. To this day, there are still tales of treasure. However, the real treasure is our people. Bahamians may live for today, but we never forget our past.

Lucayan/Christopher Columbus

As early as 300 to 400 AD, people who came from what is now Cuba (there was no country named Cuba at that time) lived on The Islands Of The Bahamas and relied on the ocean for food. From around 900-1500 AD the Lucayan people settled here. They enjoyed a peaceful way of life and had developed viable political, social and religious systems.

In 1492, Christopher Columbus made landfall in the New World on the island of San Salvador. Inspired by the surrounding shallow sea, he described them as islands of the "baja mar" (shallow sea), which has become The Islands Of The Bahamas. When he arrived, there were about 40,000 Lucayans. Their peaceful nature made the Lucayans easy targets for enslavement however, and within 25 years, all of the Lucayans were wiped out due to the diseases, hardships and slavery they endured.

First Settlement

English Puritans known as "Eleutheran Adventurers" arrived here in 1649 in search of religious freedom. Instead, they found food shortages. Captain William Sayles sailed to the American colonies for help and received supplies from the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Upon his return, the settlers thanked them by shipping them brasileto wood. The proceeds helped purchase land for what later became Harvard University.

Age of Piracy

During the late 1600s to early 1700s, many privateers and pirates came here, the most famous ones being Blackbeard and Calico Jack. There were also female pirates like Anne Bonny and Mary Read disguised as men.

Our shallow waters and 700 islands made great hiding places for treasure. And our close proximity to well-traveled shipping lanes made for the perfect spot to steal from merchant ships. There are rumors of hidden treasure that still exist today. It is believed that British pirate William Catt buried loot on Cat Island and Sir Henry Morgan, a wealthy privateer, buried treasure throughout our islands.

Nassau Struggles

Established around 1670 as a commercial port, Nassau was overrun by lawless, seafaring men. Years later, Nassau was destroyed twice-once by Spanish troops, the other time by French and Spanish navies.

Soon after, pirates began looting the heavily laden cargo ships. By 1718, the King of England appointed Woodes Rogers to serve as the Royal Governor. His job was to restore order. And he did. He offered amnesty to those who surrendered. Those who resisted would be hanged. 300 pirates surrendered and the rest, including Blackbeard, fled.

The Loyalists

More than a century later, American colonists loyal to Britain arrived in Eleuthera. Many brought their slaves as well as their building skills and agriculture and shipbuilding expertise. These greatly influenced Eleutheran life. In 1783, they solidified their independence and forced the retreat of the Spanish forces from the region without firing a shot.

Civil War and Prohibition

From 1861 to 1865, The Islands Of The Bahamas benefited greatly from the U.S. Civil War. Britain's textile industry depended on Southern cotton; however, the Union blockaded British ships from reaching Southern ports. So blockade runners from Charleston met British ships here and traded cotton for British goods. Upon their return, they sold their shipment for huge profits. The end of the Civil War marked the end of prosperity. In 1919, the United States passed the 18th amendment prohibiting alcohol. The colonial government expanded Prince George Wharf in Nassau to accommodate the flow of alcohol. When Prohibition ended in 1934 so did the enormous revenues. Combined with the collapse of the sponge harvesting industry, it economically devastated The Bahamas.

Tourism and Independence

The Hotel and Steam Ship Service Act of 1898 opened our doors to the world. This act provided the government support needed for the construction of hotels and subsidized steamship service. Since then, everything from Prohibition bringing well-to-do Americans to the closure of Cuba to Americans has impacted tourism in our country.

On July 10, 1973, The Bahamas became a free and sovereign country, ending 325 years of peaceful British rule. However, The Bahamas is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations and we celebrate July 10th as Bahamian Independence Day.
More About The Bahamas

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Remembering Our Past Even the most experienced explorers have gotten lost in our abundant natural beauty. For centuries, our islands captivated settlers, traders and invaders, while our shipping channel enchanted pirates who quickly discovered all of our great hiding places. To this day, there are still tales of treasure.

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The climate in The Bahamas is warm and winterless. There has never been a frost or freeze ever reported. The wettest season is the summer. Hurricanes and other tropical storms can be a threat to the islands.

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The population of The Bahamas is about 321,800.

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The currency used in the Bahamas is the Bahamian dollar.

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The yellow on the flag represents the golden beaches on the island surrounded by the blue water. The black represents the vigor and force of a united people. The pointed arrow indicates the determination of the people to develop the rich resources of the land and sea.

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Most people in The Bahamas practice some form of Christianity. Below is the link to the history of the Christ Church Cathedral. This was one of the first churches built in The Bahamas. It was built in an effort to spread Christianity throughout the island.

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christ church cathedral in nassau bahamas

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Welcome to Christ Church Cathedral - The Cathedral

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The official language of The Bahamas is English.

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The capital of The Bahamas is Nassau. This is the largest city in The Bahamas, and where 70% of the population lives.

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Nassau & Paradise Island | The Official Site of The Bahamas

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Note: Flights available only on Wednesday & Saturday

Note: Flights available only on Wednesday & Saturday

Note: Flights available only on Monday, Wednesday & Friday

Note: Flights available only on Monday & Friday

Discover Nassau & Paradise Island

I've spent my lifetime as a volunteer, and there's no greater joy than hosting our visitors in the People-to-People program.

Beverly Wallace-Whitfield, Nassau

Music is provided by a variety of local artists. Admission is free and the event is kid friendly.

The Authentically Bahamian Marketplace, sponsored by the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, features handmade Bahamian Craft and Souvenir products. It is held each Saturday and Sunday between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., at Pompey Square, in downtown Nassau.

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With the lure of a big city and the ease of tropical utopia, Nassau & Paradise Island are considered by many as, well, paradise. Nassau, the capital of The Bahamas, is a bustling metropolitan hub full of culture and modern amenities. To the north lies Paradise Island. Its name tells you everything.