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Culture

What Should I Know About the Bahamas?

By J. Beam
Updated May 17, 2024
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The Commonwealth of the Bahamas is a nation that consists of 700 islands forming a 100,000 square mile archipelago with a land mass area of approximately 5, 382 square miles. The Bahamas are located east of Florida, north of Cuba, in the Atlantic Ocean. The nation’s capital and largest city is Nassau. The Bahamas are divided into 31 districts and they have been an independent nation since 1973.

The chain of islands that comprise the Bahamas are located along a 500 square mile stretch of water, dividing the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. The waters surrounding the Bahamas are some of the clearest waters in the world. Tourism accounts for nearly half of the nation’s employment and over half of their gross domestic product, contributing largely to the economy. The Bahamas is an English speaking nation with a population of approximately 323,000.

There are fourteen main islands that serve as hubs to the remaining 686 islands, many of which are surrounded by uninhabited cays and rocks. Bimini, the island geographically located closest to the United States is often referred to as the Gateway to the Bahamas. The Commonwealth of the Bahamas mints and circulates its own currency, the Bahamian Dollar, but it has the same value as the US Dollar and both can be used interchangeably as currency in the Bahamas.

The Bahamian culture is a blend of African and European cultures and slight differences and diversities can be found from island to island. Many visitors choose to vacation on a single island while others prefer exploring several. Traveling to the Bahamas requires a passport and once visitors arrive, they can travel by car, ferry, boat, or plane. Driving laws in the Bahamas are similar to British laws meaning drivers drive on the left side of the road.

There are 29 marinas that serve as ports of entry to the Bahamas. Visitors can also elect to fly into one of several airports directly. Whether taking a cruise around the Bahamas or staying at a secluded vacation spot, the Bahamas have countless Bahamian experiences to offer.

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