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Britannica Money

Discover all you need to know about retirement, investing, and household finance, without the jargon or agenda. Get reliable guidance, insight, and easy-to-understand explanations, written, edited, and verified to Britannica's exacting standards.

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Explore the fact-checked online encyclopedia from Encyclopaedia Britannica with hundreds of thousands of objective articles, biographies, videos, and images from experts.

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Caribbean Islands Travel and Tourist Informaton

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The Caribbean Islands is a massive archipelago located in the Caribbean Sea, that can be subdivided into a few different regions: the Lucayan Archipelago, the Greater Antilles, the Lesser Antilles and the ABC Islands. There are 13 sovereign states and 17 dependent territories in the Caribbean, and the predominant languages are English, Spanish, French, Dutch and Antillean creole.

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Currently, our webcams are down as they blew away during the hurricane season this past year.

There are three main islands to visit in the USVI; they are; St. Thomas, St. Croix, and St. John. There is also small, and historically fascinating Water Island just off St. Thomas.

St. Thomas is the most popular cruise port in the Caribbean. It is also home to Charlotte Amalie, the capital of the US Virgin Islands. Therefore it should come as no surprise Charlotte Amalie hosts both the principle cruise terminal for the USVI as well as Cyril E King Airport.

St. Croix is the largest of the USVI at 82 square miles in area. There are two distinct towns; Christiansted and Frederiksted on the island. Due to the architectural quality and historical interest of the one-time Danish West Indies capital, part of Christiansted (founded in 1734) is a National Historic Site.

St. John is mainly a US National Park. This island offers incredible views of nature in the Caribbean. Friends of the Virgin Islands National Park volunteer to staff an information kiosk on St. John Island. We suggest starting your visit to St. John from here.

Spend day after day on beach after beach, each with its own panoramic view. Try camping under the stars. Let a friendly mongoose lead you along a woodland trail. Many of the trails end on a plateau high in the sky, offering panoramic views of white beaches, emerald cays, and turquoise waters.

Water Island is the smallest of the USVI at fewer than 1.3 square miles. Water Island is only a short 10-minute ferry ride from St. Thomas. If you're looking for something more than shopping, you will find it on Water Island. To help get around Water Island golf carts can be rented right off the ferry.

Some of the many things that can to do in the USVI include sailing, scuba diving, skin diving, water skiing and most other water sports. Newer attractions like zip lining are also available. Taking in a round of golf or horseback riding are also options if time allows. If staying overnight take the time to enjoy the nightlife on Water Island, you won't be disappointed.

If looking for a tropical wedding location but do not want to worry about passports - this is the perfect place! Imagine being wed on the beach at Magens Bay, one of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean. Receptions can be held at any number of locations from beaches to five-star hotels and anywhere in between. With scheduled daily flights provided by American, Delta, Jet Blue, and United from mainland hubs Atlanta and Miami the Islands are a reasonable location for those along the eastern seaboard.

Things to know about the USVI:

No passport required for US Citizens,

You can bring back up to 5 litres of alcohol duty-free,

Driving is on the left-hand side of the road, the steering wheel also on the left!

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USVI United States Virgin Islands - America's Paradise - US Virgin Islands

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Currently, our webcams are down as they blew away during the hurricane season this past year. There are three main islands to visit in the USVI; they are; St. Thomas, St. Croix, and St. John. There is also small, and historically fascinating Water Island just off St. Thomas. St.

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Central America and Caribbean :: BAHAMAS, THE

Introduction :: BAHAMAS, THE

Lucayan Indians inhabited the islands when Christopher COLUMBUS first set foot in the New World on San Salvador in 1492. British settlement of the islands began in 1647; the islands became a colony in 1783. Piracy thrived in the 17th and 18th centuries because of The Bahamas close proximity to shipping lanes. Since attaining independence from the UK in 1973, The Bahamas has prospered through tourism, international banking, and investment management. Because of its location, the country is a major transshipment point for illegal drugs, particularly shipments to the US and Europe, and its territory is used for smuggling illegal migrants into the US. Prime Minister Hubert MINNIS (2017- ) is only the fourth Prime Minister in Bahamian history following its independence from the UK; he is also the first Prime Minister in 25 years besides Perry CHRISTIE and Hubert INGRAHAM, who repeatedly traded the premiership from 1992 to 2017.

Geography :: BAHAMAS, THE

chain of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, southeast of Florida, northeast of Cuba

Central America and the Caribbean

slightly smaller than Connecticut

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

tropical marine; moderated by warm waters of Gulf Stream

long, flat coral formations with some low rounded hills

elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

highest point: Mount Alvernia on Cat Island 64 m

salt, aragonite, timber, arable land

arable land 0.8%; permanent crops 0.4%; permanent pasture 0.2%

most of the population lives in urban areas, with two-thirds living on New Providence Island where Nassau is located

hurricanes and other tropical storms cause extensive flood and wind damage

coral reef decay; solid waste disposal

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

strategic location adjacent to US and Cuba; extensive island chain of which 30 are inhabited

People and Society :: BAHAMAS, THE

note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2017 est.)

black 90.6%, white 4.7%, black and white 2.1%, other 1.9%, unspecified 0.7% (2010 est.)

English (official), Creole (among Haitian immigrants)

Protestant 69.9% (includes Baptist 34.9%, Anglican 13.7%, Pentecostal 8.9% Seventh Day Adventist 4.4%, Methodist 3.6%, Church of God 1.9%, Brethren 1.6%), Roman Catholic 12%, other Christian 13% (includes Jehovah's Witness 1.1%), other 0.6%, none 1.9%, unspecified 2.6% (2010 est.)

0-14 years: 22.55% (male 37,760/female 36,667)

15-24 years: 16.4% (male 27,415/female 26,703)

25-54 years: 44.14% (male 73,016/female 72,626)

55-64 years: 9.16% (male 13,647/female 16,567)

65 years and over: 7.75% (male 9,843/female 15,744) (2017 est.)

population pyramid:

total dependency ratio: 40.8

youth dependency ratio: 29.1

elderly dependency ratio: 11.7

potential support ratio: 8.5 (2015 est.)

female: 33.2 years (2017 est.)

15.3 births/1,000 population (2017 est.)

7.2 deaths/1,000 population (2017 est.)

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.)

most of the population lives in urban areas, with two-thirds living on New Providence Island where Nassau is located

urban population: 83% of total population (2017)

rate of urbanization: 1.21% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

NASSAU (capital) 267,000 (2014)

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1.03 male(s)/female

15-24 years: 1.03 male(s)/female

25-54 years: 1 male(s)/female

55-64 years: 0.81 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.62 male(s)/female

total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2017 est.)

80 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)

total: 11.3 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 11.4 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 11.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)

total population: 72.6 years

female: 75.1 years (2017 est.)

1.94 children born/woman (2017 est.)

2.26 physicians/1,000 population (2011)

2.9 beds/1,000 population (2013)

urban: 98.4% of population

rural: 98.4% of population

total: 98.4% of population

urban: 1.6% of population

rural: 1.6% of population

total: 1.6% of population (2015 est.)

total: 8% of population (2015 est.)

female: 32.2% (2012 est.)

Government :: BAHAMAS, THE

conventional long form: Commonwealth of The Bahamas

conventional short form: The Bahamas

etymology: name derives from the Spanish "baha mar," meaning "shallow sea," which describes the shallow waters of the Bahama Banks

parliamentary democracy (Parliament) under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm

geographic coordinates: 25 05 N, 77 21 W

time difference: UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

daylight saving time: +1hr, begins second Sunday in March; ends first Sunday in November

31 districts; Acklins Islands, Berry Islands, Bimini, Black Point, Cat Island, Central Abaco, Central Andros, Central Eleuthera, City of Freeport, Crooked Island and Long Cay, East Grand Bahama, Exuma, Grand Cay, Harbour Island, Hope Town, Inagua, Long Island, Mangrove Cay, Mayaguana, Moore's Island, North Abaco, North Andros, North Eleuthera, Ragged Island, Rum Cay, San Salvador, South Abaco, South Andros, South Eleuthera, Spanish Wells, West Grand Bahama

10 July 1973 (from the UK)

Independence Day, 10 July (1973)

previous 1964 (preindependence); latest adopted 20 June 1973, effective 10 July 1973; amended many times, last in 2016 (2016)

common law system based on the English model

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt

citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of The Bahamas

dual citizenship recognized: no

residency requirement for naturalization: 6-9 years

18 years of age; universal

chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General Dame Marguerite PINDLING (since 8 July 2014)

head of government: Prime Minister Hubert MINNIS (since 11 May 2017)

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by governor general on recommendation of prime minister

elections/appointments: the monarchy is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition usually appointed prime minister by the governor general; the prime minister recommends the deputy prime minister

note: Prime Minister Hubert MINNIS (2017- ) is only the fourth Prime Minister in Bahamian history following its independence from the UK; he is also the first Prime Minister in 25 years besides Perry CHRISTIE and Hubert INGRAHAM, who repeatedly traded the premiership from 1992 to 2017.

description: bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (16 seats; members appointed by the governor general upon the advice of the prime minister and the opposition leader to serve 5-year terms) and the House of Assembly (39 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve 5-year terms); note - the government may dissolve the parliament and call elections at any time

elections: last held on 10 May 2017 (next to be held by May 2022)

election results: percent of vote by party - FNM 57%, PLP 36.9%, other 6.1%; seats by party - FNM 35, PLP 4

highest resident court(s): Court of Appeal (consists of the court president and 4 justices, organized in 3-member panels); Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and a maximum of 11 and a minimum of 2 justices)

note: as of 2008, the Bahamas was not a party to the agreement establishing the Caribbean Court of Justice as the highest appellate court for the 15-member Caribbean Community (CARICOM); the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (in London) serves as the final court of appeal for The Bahamas

judge selection and term of office: Court of Appeal president and Supreme Court chief justice appointed by the governor-general on the advice of the prime minister after consultation with the leader of the opposition party; other Court of Appeal and Supreme Court justices appointed by the governor general upon recommendation of the Judicial and Legal Services Commission, a 5-member body headed by the chief justice; Court of Appeal justices appointed for life with mandatory retirement normally at age 68 but can be extended until age 70; Supreme Court justices appointed for life with mandatory retirement normally at age 65 but can be extended until age 67

subordinate courts: Industrial Tribunal; Stipendiary and Magistrates' Courts; Family Island Administrators

Democratic National Alliance or DNA [Branville MCCARTNEY]

Free National Movement or FNM [Hubert MINNIS]

Progressive Liberal Party or PLP [Philip "Brave" DAVIS]

Friends of the Environment [Wynsome FERGUSON]

ACP, AOSIS, C, Caricom, CDB, CELAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, LAES, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, Petrocaribe, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer)

chief of mission: Ambassador Sidney Stanley COLLIE (since 20 November 2017)

chancery: 2220 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 319-2660

consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Miami, New York

chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d' Affaires James Denven HENDERSON (since 9 November 2017)

embassy: 42 Queen Street, Nassau, New Providence

mailing address: local or express mail address: P. O. Box N-8197, Nassau; US Department of State, 3370 Nassau Place, Washington, DC 20521-3370

telephone: [1] (242) 322-1181, 328-2206 (after hours)

three equal horizontal bands of aquamarine (top), gold, and aquamarine, with a black equilateral triangle based on the hoist side; the band colors represent the golden beaches of the islands surrounded by the aquamarine sea; black represents the vigor and force of a united people, while the pointing triangle indicates the enterprise and determination of the Bahamian people to develop the rich resources of land and sea

blue marlin, flamingo, Yellow Elder flower; national colors: aquamarine, yellow, black

name: "March On, Bahamaland!"

lyrics/music: Timothy GIBSON

note: adopted 1973; as a Commonwealth country, in addition to the national anthem, "God Save the Queen" serves as the royal anthem (see United Kingdom)

Economy :: BAHAMAS, THE

The Bahamas has the second highest per capital GDP in the English-speaking Caribbean with an economy heavily dependent on tourism and international banking. Tourism accounts for approximately 75-80% of GDP and directly or indirectly employs half of the archipelago's labor force. Financial services constitute the second-most important sector of the Bahamian economy, accounting for about 15% of GDP. Manufacturing and agriculture combined contribute less than 7% of GDP and show little growth, despite government incentives aimed at those sectors. The new government led by Prime Minister Hubert MINNIS has prioritized addressing fiscal imbalances and rising debt, which stood at 75% in 2016. Large capital projects like the Baha Mar Casino and Hotel are driving growth. Public debt increased in 2017 in large part due to hurricane reconstruction and relief financing. The primary fiscal balance was a deficit of 0.4% in 2016. The Bahamas is the only country in the Western Hemisphere that is not a member of the World Trade Organization.

$9.339 billion (2017 est.)

$9.174 billion (2016 est.)

$9.197 billion (2015 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

$9.127 billion (2017 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

household consumption: 66.4%

government consumption: 16.9%

investment in fixed capital: 28.3%

investment in inventories: 1%

exports of goods and services: 38.3%

imports of goods and services: -50.8% (2017 est.)

services: 90% (2017 est.)

citrus, vegetables; poultry

tourism, banking, oil bunkering, maritime industries, transshipment and logistics, salt, aragonite, pharmaceuticals

other services: 37% (2011 est.)

highest 10%: 22% (2007 est.)

expenditures: $2.6 billion (2017 est.)

4.5% (1 January 2014 est.)

4.5% (31 December 2012 est.)

4.3% (31 December 2017 est.)

4.8% (31 December 2016 est.)

$2.576 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$2.461 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

$7.033 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$6.622 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

$9.7 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$9.1 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

$2.78 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

$-1.626 billion (2017 est.)

$-1.126 billion (2016 est.)

$934.7 million (2017 est.)

$444.3 million (2016 est.)

Rock lobster, aragonite, crude salt, polystyrene products

US 53.4%, Namibia 31.4% (2016)

$3.105 billion (2017 est.)

$2.594 billion (2016 est.)

machinery and transport equipment, manufactures, chemicals, mineral fuels; food and live animals

$922.1 million (31 December 2017 est.)

$1.002 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

$17.56 billion (31 December 2013 est.)

$16.35 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Bahamian dollars (BSD) per US dollar -

Energy :: BAHAMAS, THE

electrification - total population: 100% (2016)

1.807 billion kWh (2015 est.)

1.681 billion kWh (2015 est.)

99.8% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

0% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

0% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

0.2% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

0 bbl (1 January 2017 es)

24,000 bbl/day (2015 est.)

922.7 bbl/day (2014 est.)

26,330 bbl/day (2014 est.)

0 cu m (1 January 2009 es)

4.1 million Mt (2013 est.)

Communications :: BAHAMAS, THE

total subscriptions: 121,088

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 37 (July 2016 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 110 (July 2016 est.)

general assessment: modern facilities

domestic: totally automatic system; highly developed; the Bahamas Domestic Submarine Network links all of the major islands; Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) privatized in 2011, but the government reacquired 51% share in 2014

international: country code - 1-242; landing point for the Americas Region Caribbean Ring System (ARCOS-1) and two additional fiber-optic submarine cables that provide links to South and Central America, parts of the Caribbean, and the US; satellite earth stations - 2 (2017)

The Bahamas has 4 major TV providers that provide service to all major islands in the archipelago; 1 TV station is operated by government-owned, commercially run Broadcasting Corporation of the Bahamas (BCB) and competes freely with 3 privately owned TV stations; multi-channel cable TV subscription service is widely available; there are 31 licensed broadcast (radio) service providers, 28 are privately owned FM radio stations operating on New Providence, Grand Bahama Island, Abaco Island, and on smaller islands in the country; the BCB operates a multi-channel radio broadcasting network that has national coverage; the sector is regulated by the Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority (2017)

percent of population: 80.0% (July 2016 est.)

Transportation :: BAHAMAS, THE

number of registered air carriers: 4

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 16

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 587,516

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 172,730 mt-km (2015)

by type: bulk carrier 335, container ship 53, general cargo 98, oil tanker 284, other 670 (2017)

major seaport(s): Freeport, Nassau, South Riding Point

container port(s) (TEUs): Freeport (1,116,272)(2011)

Military and Security :: BAHAMAS, THE

Royal Bahamas Defense Force: Land Force, Navy, Air Wing (2011)

18 years of age for voluntary male and female service; no conscription (2012)

Transnational Issues :: BAHAMAS, THE

disagrees with the US on the alignment of the northern axis of a potential maritime boundary

stateless persons: 11 (2016)

transshipment point for cocaine and marijuana bound for US and Europe; offshore financial center

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The Office of Public Affairs (OPA) is the single point of contact for all inquiries about the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). We read every letter, fax, or e-mail we receive, and we will convey your comments to CIA officials outside OPA as appropriate.

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Where is Dominica?

Sitting halfway along the Eastern Caribbean archipelago, Dominica is located just a few miles from Martinique to the south and Guadeloupe to the North. Stretching 751 km² (290 square miles), our island boasts 148 km (91 miles) of coastal line. Dominica's official name is the 'Commonwealth of Dominica,' which is mostly referenced in official communications and to further distinguish the island from the Dominican Republic, its northerly Caribbean sister.

Being Dominican

We want all our economic citizenship applicants to gain an understanding of what it means to be Dominican and to espouse our way of life. The Commonwealth of Dominica is founded upon a belief in fundamental human rights and freedoms.

Dignity and equality are paramount, and our institutions, including our courts and other legal bodies, strive to always be just and impartial. We also value the role of the family in our society, and many of us acknowledge the supremacy of God.

The fundamental human rights and freedoms we believe in are enshrined in our Constitution. All our citizens are entitled to the following rights and freedoms whatever their race, place of origin, political opinion, colour, creed, or gender, subject to the respect for the rights and freedoms of others and to the public interest:

Life, liberty, security of the person and the protection of the law;

Freedom of conscience, of expression, and of assembly and association; and

Protection for the privacy of the home and other property, and from deprivation of property without compensation.

Our society is also based on the following shared beliefs and values:

Respect for the principles of social justice;

Belief that the operation of the economic system should result in the distribution of material resources in such a way as to serve the common good, that there should be adequate means of livelihood for all, that labour should not be exploited or forced by economic necessity, that no one should be compelled to operate in inhumane conditions, and that there should be opportunity for advancement based on recognition of merit, ability, and integrity;

Belief in a democratic society in which persons may, to the extent of their capacity, play some part in our institutions and in national life, and thus develop and maintain due respect for lawfully-constituted authority; and

Recognition that people and institutions remain free only when freedom is founded upon respect for moral and spiritual values and the rule of law.

CARICOM and Other International Memberships

Dominica is a member of Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and of the Commonwealth of Nations.

CARICOM is an international organisation consisting of 15 member-states, all of whom are in the Caribbean. CARICOM works to promote economic cooperation and integration in the region. Its secretariat headquarters are based in Georgetown, Guyana.

The Commonwealth of Nations is a voluntary organisation of 53 countries that share no legal commitment to each other but have a common goal of enhancing the "development of free and democratic societies" and "promoting peace and prosperity to improve the lives of all peoples of the Commonwealth" (see more at the Commonwealth's official website). There are many benefits to Commonwealth members, such as easier travel between member states, protection of all members by other embassies and commissions around the world, and eligibility for certain cultural or sporting activities, including the Commonwealth Games.

Dominica is also a member of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), the United Nations, the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, and the Organisation of American States (OAS). We maintain missions in Washington D.C., New York, London, and Brussels, and we are represented jointly with other OECS members in Canada.

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Where is Dominica? Sitting halfway along the Eastern Caribbean archipelago, Dominica is located just a few miles from Martinique to the south and Guadeloupe to the North. Stretching 751 km² (290 square miles), our island boasts 148 km (91 miles) of coastal line.

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British Virgin Islands

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Cuba

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The native Amerindian population of Cuba began to decline after the European discovery of the island by Christopher COLUMBUS in 1492 and following its development as a Spanish colony during the next several centuries. Large numbers of African slaves were imported to work the coffee and sugar plantations, and Havana became the launching point for the annual treasure fleets bound for Spain from Mexico and Peru.