History The Bahamas was populated by Lucayans until the arrival of Christopher Columbus in 1492. One glance at our beautiful aquamarine oceans and you will understand why he named us "Baja Mar" (shallow seas). The native population was deported to Hispaniola and the Bahamas lay largely unpopulated until the arrival of the Eleutherian Adventurers in 1648. These religious refugees from the island of Bermuda called their new home Eleuthera (meaning free in Greek). During the late 1600's and early 1700's piracy and wrecking were the foremost "industries" in the Bahamas. With its proximity to the trading routes, intricate reef system and large amount of unsettled islands and cays, more than 300 pirates and privateers overran the Bahamas, including famous figures such as Sir Francis Drake, Henry Morgan and Blackbeard. It wasn't until the British gained control over the islands in 1717 and appointed Sir Woodes Rodgers as Royal Governor that piracy was largely eradicated. The first motto of the Bahamas, "Expulsis Piratis - Resituta Commercia" (Pirates Expelled Commerce Restored), dates from this time and was not changed until the 1960's. The largest influx of settlers arrived after the American Revolutionary War when eventually 6,000 loyalists and their slaves settled here. Aside from a brief boom due to cotton cultivation, it wouldn't be until blockade running during the American Civil War that the Bahamas would again prosper economically. There was another huge burst of economic prosperity during the 20th century and American Prohibition when countless Bahamians became involved in rum-running liquor to the southern United States. In 1950, about 40,000 visitors spent their winters in The Bahamas. Today the Bahamas boasts more than 5 million visitors per year. The Bahamas were granted limited self government in 1964, and became a Commonwealth in 1969. Full independence came on July 10, 1973 when the Bahamas peacefully gained freedom after over 300 years of colonization by Great Britain.

General Information The Bahamas is a Commonwealth nation with a parliamentary democracy. The capital city is Nassau on the island of New Providence. There are 14 main islands and dozens of populated cays and smaller islands. The official language is English, and the official religion is Christianity. The estimated population of the Bahamas is 305,655. The currency is the Bahamian dollar; which is on par with the U.S. dollar. U.S. dollars are accepted throughout the country. The exchange rate is controlled by the Central Bank of the Bahamas. The Bahamas stretches over 100,000 square miles and is mainly flat. The weather is mild throughout the year with average temperatures in the winter being 70°F (21° C) and summer 80°F (27°C). The Bahamas achieved independence from Great Britain in 1973, and now is a fully self-governed member of the Commonwealth and a member of the United Nations, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the Organization of American States (OAS).

Helpful Links » The official Bahamian government site including information about the economy and the political and legal systems. » The official Ministry of Tourism Site with information about the country including travel and cultural information. » The Nassau Guardian is one of the Bahamas's daily newspapers and offers an online edition. » The Bahama Journal can be found online.