Bahamas Location : Caribbean, chain of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, southeast of Florida
Capital City : Nassau
Curreny : Bahamian dollar (BSD)
Languages Spoken : English, Creole (among Haitian immigrants)
Climate : tropical marine; moderated by warm waters of Gulf Stream
National Holiday : Independence Day, 10 July (1973)
Background Information
Since attaining independence from the UK in 1973, The Bahamas have prospered through tourism and international banking and investment management. Because of its geography, the country is a major transshipment point for illegal drugs, particularly shipments to the US, and its territory is used for smuggling illegal migrants into the US.
Geographical Note
strategic location adjacent to US and Cuba; extensive island chain of which 30 are inhabited
Economy
The Bahamas is a stable, developing nation with an economy heavily dependent on tourism and offshore banking. Tourism alone accounts for more than 60% of GDP and directly or indirectly employs almost half of the archipelago's labor force. Steady growth in tourism receipts and a boom in construction of new hotels, resorts, and residences have led to solid GDP growth in recent years. Manufacturing and agriculture together contribute approximately a tenth of GDP and show little growth, despite government incentives aimed at those sectors. Overall growth prospects in the short run rest heavily on the fortunes of the tourism sector, which depends on growth in the US, the source of the majority of tourist visitors.
Religions
Baptist 32%, Anglican 20%, Roman Catholic 19%, Methodist 6%, Church of God 6%, other Protestant 12%, none or unknown 3%, other 2%
Ports : Freeport, Matthew Town, Nassau
International Disputes - Risks to travellers
: none
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