20+ Interesting Facts About the Bahamas

1. The Bahamas is a country located on the northwestern edge of the West Indies. Its neighboring countries are Cuba and Hispaniola on the south, Turks & Caicos Island on the east and Florida (USA) on the northwest.
2. The Bahamas consists of around 700 islands and cays in the Atlantic Ocean. Only 30 of these islands are inhabited.
3. Taino people from South America were the initial settlers of the Bahamas around 800 CE. Christopher Columbus was the first European to arrive on this island in 1492 during his first voyage.
4. The Spanish took the entire population of the Bahamas to Hispaniola between 1492 and 1508 as workers in mines. After this period, these islands remained unpopulated for more than a century before the arrival of the British.
5. The Bahamas was a favorite location for pirates during the Golden Age of Piracy between 1690 and 1725. Several forts were established during these years to defend the islands against pirates. Pirates of the Nassau Museum contain several weapons used by pirates. (Source)
6. In 1648, the Bahamas was re-settled by English colonists from Bermuda. Later, it became a British colony in 1718 after the arrival of the first royal governor, Woodes Rogers. 
7. British settled thousands of loyalists and slaves in these islands after the American Revolutionary War in 1783. It is the reason that around 90% of people in the Bahamas are Afro-Bahamian.
8. The British Empire abolished slavery in the Bahamas in 1834. However, the complete eradication of slavery occurred in 1838. The Bahamas gained independence from the UK on 10^th July 1973.
9. In 1841, more than 100 American slaves on a ship took advantage of the eradication of slavery in the Bahamas. They landed on this island after taking charge of the ship and gained their independence. It is known as the most successful slave rebellion in the American history. (Source)
10. Dean’s Blue Hole in the Bahamas is one of the deepest blue holes in the world. The maximum depth of this blue hole is 663 ft. (202 m). (Source)
11. After the USA and Canada, the Bahamas is the 3^rd wealthiest country in North America. Its GDP per capita is more than $34,000. (Source)
12. The economy of the Bahamas largely depends on tourism and offshore financial services. Around 40% of the workforce is in the tourism sector. 

    

    A large underwater cave system is in the Bahamas

    
    
13. One of the world’s largest underwater cave systems is present in the Lucayan National Park in the Bahamas. Two of the caves in this cave system are open to the public. (Source)
14. The Flamingo and yellow elder is the national animal and national flower of the country.
15. English is the official language of the Bahamas. The English spoken in the Bahamas is known as Bahamian English or Bahamian Creole and is slightly different from Standard English. Haitian Creole is the other chief language in the Bahamas, spoken by around 25% of the population.
16. The Big Major Cay is an uninhabited island in the Exuma district of the Bahamas. It is known as “pig beach” due to the presence of swimming pigs. (Source)
17. The weather in the Bahamas remains pleasant throughout the year. The Bahamas received snow just once in recorded history. Freezing temperatures brought snow to the Bahamas and southern Florida on 18^th January 1977.
18. Iguana Island (Bitter Guana Cay) in the Bahamas is famous due to the presence of the Northern Bahamian Rock Iguanas. These species of iguanas, known for their unique thick-ringed tail, have been on this island for the past 3 million years. These iguanas are present nowhere else in the world.
19. A series of stones are located 18 feet below water off the coast of North Bimini Island, Bahamas. These stone formations were considered the remains of the lost city of Atlantis due to their similarity to man-made structures. But carbon dating has proved that these limestone blocks were formed naturally by erosion. (Source)
20. The Graycliff in Nassau (Bahamas) is one of the largest wine cellars in the world with 275,000 bottles. This hotel also contains the first five-star restaurant in the Caribbean.
21. The Bahamas has hosted several Hollywood films. These also include a few famous movies like Pirates of the Caribbean and James Bond’s Casino Royale.
22. Several authoritative sources confirm that the Bahamas is one of two countries (along with the Gambia) that should be referred to with “the” before their name. (Source)
23. The Bahamas is a famous tax haven because of the absence of taxes on personal income, capital gains, interests, and gifts for citizens and residents. (Source)