Which country does the Bahamas belong to? Where are the Bahamas? The capital of the state, attractions. What airports are there in the Bahamas?

2. History

Animal world

4. Population and society

Agriculture

Transport

Foreign policy

6. Political system

7. Kitchen Bahamas

8. Customs and traditions Bahamas

Bahamas(Bahamas) is

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 tourist, 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 a 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 sea level from a few meters to about 60 m. Highest point country - Mount Alvernia (63 m) - 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. TO west coast The islands are 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. There are very few sources of fresh water.

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 relief depressions in inland areas Salt marshes and saline soils are common; in other areas fertile red-brown soils predominate.


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. 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. 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 Great Inagua Island 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 resort.

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 the age group under 15 years, 65.4% is from 15 to 65 years old and 5.8% is over 65 years old. 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. Behind last years the number of educational institutions has increased significantly, and on the larger islands most children have the opportunity to attend 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 of the Political Party that has 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)


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 a number of 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. Behind short term 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. The so-called “sea gardens” are also of interest. 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.

IN Atlantic Ocean The famous archipelago is the Bahamas, which are located between Florida and Cuba. This archipelago consists of 700 islands and 2,500 reefs. Only thirty islands are considered inhabited. The Bahamas are washed by the warm waters of the Gulf Stream. For a long time, a holiday in the Bahamas has been called a luxurious pastime. The Bahamas have also been called a major offshore center, which is considered the richest state in this region. There are more than 400 banks and casinos on the islands. It is worth remembering the countless kilometers of snow-white beaches, clear coastal waters and coral reefs, which are a delight for diving enthusiasts. and its attractions, see here.

It’s not for nothing that the Bahamas are called a real earthly paradise. This archipelago is located in the Atlantic Ocean. The main attractions of the Bahamas are the azure waves, White sand and palm trees. It is through tourism that the islands receive 60 percent of their gross income. Subtropical and tropical climate, warm weather, low rainfall make it ideal for relaxation in the Bahamas, as well as activities active recreation and fishing. Guests of the Commonwealth come here to play golf or visit the casino. Look at .

Features of the Bahamas

The most popular resorts in the Bahamas are located on islands such as: Eleuthera, Andros, New Providence, Grand Bahama, Mayaguana, Great Abaco, Long Island. Everywhere you can see luxurious tourist complexes, which offer tourists cosmetic services, clean isolated beaches, entertainment program and various options aquatic species sports Travelers call the Bahamas the second Switzerland. After all, economic life is in full swing in this territory. New Providence is called the center of business activity; life on this island is in full swing around the clock. As a rule, tourists come here for shopping, as there are many shops here duty free, and bars, discos and restaurants are open around the clock. By the way, the casino here is especially popular among Americans. What does it look like? Look at here.

The best attractions of the Bahamas include the amazing underwater world and coral reefs. This gives vacationers the opportunity to try different types of pastime, for example, sailing, diving, surfing, kiting, liveaboard diving and recreational diving. The wrecks of the Bahamas deserve special attention.

The beauty of the underwater world is easily rivaled by the nature of the Bahamas. Proof of this is: the Rand Memorial Park, famous cave Preacher and Garden of the Groves. And an underwater observatory was built on a real large coral island. Of course, Nassau is the most popular resort The Bahamas is also the largest city. A large underwater aquarium and a water tower were built especially for tourists. Market Street Bay Street allows you to get to know the capital better, because the seat of government is located next to it. You can also go and see the 18th century fortress.

It is impossible to get to the Bahamas from Russia by direct flight - you will need to change trains in London. The flight duration is approximately thirteen hours. In addition, there is the option of flying through the USA. Only in this case it is necessary to take care of the American transit visa. It is noteworthy that Russians in the Bahamas can live for 90 days without a visa.

Resorts of the Bahamas

Great Abaco is famous among yachtsmen of the world. The sailing season begins in spring and continues until autumn. The vast coastal waters are home to a variety of fish. In addition, here tourists are offered to engage in any kind of water sports, fish, and go shopping. The most big city the island is considered to be Marsh Harbour. Tourists hardly visit Long Island. But this is in vain, because it is the most picturesque island among all the Bahamas. It has the most beautiful flora and many places untouched by civilization.

In the north of the island there is Cape Santa Maria, which is famous for its long snow-white beach. By the way, this is one of the most beautiful islands from the west side. The main city of the island is Stella Maris, although it is small, it is a fairly modern settlement. Fishing and diving expeditions depart from here. The Exuma island chain consists of more than 360 small islands, although there are two large islands to the south - Little and Great Exuma. The entire local civilization is located here. Yachtsmen call this archipelago a paradise for them, because these places are considered the most beautiful places on the planet. Coastal shallows constantly change their depth, ebb and flow occur regularly, all this makes the sea especially beautiful. By full program This is where diving enthusiasts relax.

Tourist safety

Almost all known tourist areas safe for tourists. Sometimes in hotel rooms Petty crimes like theft occur. Pickpocketing is common in this region. IN dark time It is better for tourists to refrain from walking alone for a day, especially for women. Note that spearfishing with various devices, such as spear guns, is prohibited in the Bahamas. You can engage in sport fishing, you just need to pay for going out to sea, one exit costs up to twenty dollars. In addition, it is prohibited to conduct independent archaeological work on sunken ships. If these rules are violated, the tourist will be required to pay a substantial fine or be deported from the country.

The Bahamas has very strict laws regarding drug trafficking. Here you can get a long prison sentence for selling or using drugs. There are no restrictions on the export and import of foreign currency on the islands. The export of local currency is only limited; for this it is necessary to obtain permission from the local Central Bank. You are allowed to import two hundred cigarettes or fifty cigars, about one liter of wine and other strong alcoholic beverages duty free.

Memo for tourists

There are a large number of different hotels in the Bahamas, including large high-rise complexes, as well as small cozy places accommodation. It is noteworthy that in the territory Caribbean The Bahamian all-inclusive system is considered the best. Therefore, only the tourist has a choice suitable hotel. Some local residents rent out their houses on the sea coast, which can be very convenient for family travel.

Arriving in the Bahamas, you should definitely see the famous coral reefs, swim in the azure sea and bask on the golden sand. And in the evenings, plunge into a cheerful atmosphere nightlife. Countless stores allow you to easily buy a large number of souvenirs for your loved ones. In addition, you should set aside an entire day to enjoy the natural beauty of the Bahamas.

Bahamas Photos

islands

When it comes to the Bahamas, many people imagine luxurious beaches surrounded by spreading palm trees, blue sea and bright sun. And this is understandable, since the tourism industry is really well developed here. 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 the 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 most large 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. Typically 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 untouched human civilization corners.

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. Near it you can see many commemorative 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 a 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 is 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 photographs of the famous writer and 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 contain a rare collection of plants from tropical countries. There are more than three hundred species. Great amount rare varieties of orchids entwine the trees and fill the air with a delightful aroma.

 

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