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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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