The Bahamas
About The Bahamas
Located in the Atlantic Ocean are 100,000 square-miles of shoals and Banks, where the waters are warm, tranquil blue and clear. Out of these shoals and banks rise more than 700 island and cays covered with greenery and blossoms fringed with inviting beaches. This place is called "The Bahamas ".
The Bahamas is located just 50 miles off the coast of Florida the Bahamas and consisting of a string of 700 islands and cays extending across an area of about 100,000 square miles in the Atlantic Ocean. The northernmost island. Grand Bahama. This archipelago stretches south to the doorstep of the Caribbean Sea just above Haiti and Cuba which offers easy access to the huge consumer market of North, Central and South America, some 800 million strong.
The capital city of Nassau is located on the island of New Providence. Freeport, the second largest city, is situated on Grand Bahama. Islands in the archipelago other than New Providence and Grand Bahama are known as the Family Island.
The three main income-producing areas in The Bahamas are Tourism, Financial Services (including banking and real estate) and manufacturing/construction. The Central Bank of The Bahamas, established in 1974, is the central financial institution. The agricultural and industrial sectors are relatively smaller industries.
The Bahamas' well-developed economy is driven largely by tourism, which accounts for approximately 60% of the nation's $4.8 billion gross domestic product, and a rapidly expanding financial services industry. The balance of economic output comes from retail and wholesale trade, fishing, light manufacturing and agriculture.
The Government funding is mainly obtained from import tariffs/duty. There is no income tax and no substantial property tax. There are annual fees for licenses of businesses, vehicle registration and inspection fees and other important fees to assist with departmental funding.
The Bahamas became an independent nation on July 10, 1973. They are a member state of the Commonwealth of Nations and have retained the British Monarch as the head of state. The Queen of England is represented by the Governor-General of The Bahamas.
The Bahamas offers many more Islands and Cays each of which is unique and has its own special personality. The Family of out Islands offer a quiet, relaxing way of life which is a big difference from the fast-paced lifestyle on the Islands of New Providence and Grand Bahama.
Nassau, as the nations capital, is the center of industry, commerce and communications. There remain well-preserved colonial buildings, attractions, duty free shopping, pristine beaches, wonderful cuisine and cultural activities. The Straw Market fire in 2001 has removed a world famous tourist attraction and formerly the largest center of its type within the Caribbean.
Grand Bahama (The Magic City), a stone's throw off the Florida coast, it known for its miles of canals, white powdery beaches, wide streets, infrastructures, quality healthcare, bed and breakfast motels to luxury hotels, dazzling casinos, night time entertainment, international and local shopping, superior scuba diving facilities as well as land and sea sports. Grand Bahama is able to provide from a romantic rendezvous for two on the beach to a heavy industrial manufacturing plant. Just pack you picnic basket or a small bag into a small sailing boat, fast ferry, motor yacht or jet and come over for a weekend hideaway from the stress of the big city every day living. Its an ideal spot for Bahamian living, with daily international flights, marinas and year round sun. Grand Bahama offers the largest deep-water container port in the Caribbean.