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Sun,
sand, and sea are merely perimeters of the Islands
Of The Bahamas. At the core of our islands you’ll
find a big heart, open arms, and a way of living
life that is both timeless and new. It is our
heritage. It is your departure from everyday
life. Welcome.
The closest island to the United
States is Bimini, which is also known as the
gateway to the Bahamas. The island of Abaco
is to the east of Grand Bahama. The southeasternmost
island is Great Inagua. Other notable islands
include the Bahamas' largest island, Andros
Island, and Eleuthera, Cat Island, Long Island,
San Salvador Island, Acklins, Crooked Island,
Exuma and Mayaguana. Nassau, the Bahamas capital
city, lies on the island of New Providence.
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The
Islands Of The Bahamas form a 100,000-sq-mile
archipelago that extends over 500 miles of the
clearest water in the world. Our 700 islands,
including uninhabited cays and large rocks,
total an estimated land area of 5,382 sq miles,
and register a highest land elevation of 206
ft. Most notable, however, is that each island
has its own diversity that continues beyond
geography, carrying through to the heart of
The Bahamas, the Bahamian people. You’ll
find it in our heritage. In our culture. And
in our humble pride. These are The Islands Of
The Bahamas. Population: somewhere north of
300,000.
Geography
played a crucial role in Bahamian history. In
1492, Christopher Columbus made his first landfall
in the New World on the island of San Salvador
in the eastern Bahamas. After observing the
shallow sea around the islands, he said "baja
mar" (shallow water or sea), and effectively
named the area The Bahamas, or The Islands of
the Shallow Sea.
Since
it was located close to Florida and well-travelled
shipping channels, The Islands Of The Bahamas
caught the attention of explorers, settlers,
invaders and traders. These people shaped the
colourful history of The Bahamas and made the
country what it is today.
You
are about to find out why The Bahamas is the
tropical paradise you’ve never dreamed
of. Maybe it’s the heritage of our people.
Maybe it’s the degree of opportunities
for adventure and seclusion. Maybe it’s
the number of islands we call home. Whatever
it is, as long as it’s truly Bahamian,
it will make your dreams seem incredibly unimaginative.
And that has to be a welcoming thought.
With
700 islands sprinkled out over 100,000 sq miles
of ocean, The Bahamas offers the largest assortment
of vacation spots of any tropical destination.
Islands are circled by cays (pronounced “keys”).
Some cays are surrounded by uninhabited rocks.
Which island or cay is right for your vacation?
Well, you won’t know until you know more
about our 14 main islands that serve as hubs
for the remaining 686 islands.
Links
& Sources:
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