The Commonwealth of the Bahamas (Bahamas) is a state on the islands of the same name north of caribbean and Cuba, southeast of the Florida peninsula. The archipelago includes about 700 islands (of which only 30 are inhabited) and 2,000 coral reefs.
Country Summary
Capital Nassau Founded 1670 Political system Today, the UK provides the Bahamas with internal Bahamas act as an independent sovereign state. The head of state is the Queen of Great Britain, represented by the Governor General. Legislative power is exercised by Parliament, which consists of the Senate and the House of Assembly. Executive power is vested in the Cabinet of Ministers headed by the Prime Minister. Location The country is located in the West Indies, between the Florida peninsula and the island of Cuba. The Commonwealth of the Bahamas is an archipelago of about 700 islands, of which only 30 are inhabited, and located in the Atlantic Ocean at a distance of about 90 km east of Florida. These are the most northern islands Caribbean. Washed by the seas They are located in the waters of the Atlantic Ocean, washed by the warm waters of the Gulf Stream. Nassau's largest cities Time zone UTC -5 Flight time from Moscow There are no direct flights to the Bahamas from Moscow. Travel time is about 13 hours (excluding connections). Territory The area is about 13.9 thousand square meters. km. Population The population of the Bahamas is more than 350 thousand people, most of whom live on the island of New Providence and the Grand Bahama Island. Language Official language- English, which is spoken by almost 100% of the population. Main religions Freedom of religion, the majority of the population belongs to the Christian church. The official currency is the Bahamian dollar. Mains voltage Voltage - 120 V. Climate The climate is tropical trade wind and subtropical, with a rainy period from May to October, although there is no pronounced rainy season. The western coast of the islands is washed by the warm Gulf Stream, and a mild equatorial wind constantly blows from the southeast. Therefore, in winter the temperature is usually up to +15°C, and in summer it is not higher than +32°C. The temperature of the crystal clear sea is usually +27°С in summer time and about +23°C in winter. Constantly blowing trade winds make the climate on the islands even and mild throughout the year. The coolest season is the period from September to May, when the temperature drops to +18-22°C.Finance
The monetary unit is the Bahamian dollar (B$), but the US dollar has equal circulation in the country. 1 B$ = 1 US$.
What money to bring The Bahamian dollar is firmly pegged to the US dollar, but the exchange rate can vary quite a lot between institutions. The most stable exchange rate is at the offices of international banks in Nassau and Freeport; changing money in tourist areas is the most unprofitable. Where to change Money is better to change in banks. Opening hours: from Monday to Thursday - from 9.30 to 15.00, on Friday - from 9.30 to 17.00. Credit cards Credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Diners Club, etc.) are accepted in many places. Traveler's checks are also widely accepted. To avoid additional exchange transactions, take checks in US dollars. Shopping Center of Commerce of the Bahamas - the world-famous Bay street. There you can buy everything at very competitive prices - watches of famous brands, jewelry, porcelain, crystal, leather bags, perfumes. All these purchases are exempt from taxes. Tipping The country adopted a system of "tipping" for the services provided. The receptionist expects to receive 1 dollar for each suitcase delivered to the room, 2 dollars a day you can pay the maid for additional service, for example, for a washed and ironed shirt or blouse. In most cases, "tips" to taxi drivers, waiters, servants make up 15% of the cost of services. Cost of meals Local delicacies: charcoal-roasted shells of all kinds, seafood salads, spiny lobsters and shrimps, charcoal-roasted crabs and red snapper (reef perch) fillets, etc.
The most popular soft drinks are tea and coffee. The islands produce classic rum, the best variety of which is Nassau Royal, and imported alcohol is also sold everywhere. Local beer "Kalik" is sold everywhere on the islands. Taxi services Taxis are almost the only way to get around on the small islands. Public transport Communication between the islands takes place with the help of boats and ferries. Many of the ferries are quite comfortable.
Public transport provided bus routes available only in Nassau and Freeport. The fare is 5 cents. Car rental Dudget Rent-a-Car rental prices range from $42 to $54 per day, depending on the car class and transmission type.
Foreign driver's license is valid for 3 months.
Required requirements:
the age of the driver is at least 21 years old;
possession of an international driver's license;
driving experience of at least one year.
customs control
The Bahamas is perhaps the most democratic in terms of duties and customs control the country. Firstly, there are no restrictions on the import / export of currency. Secondly, you do not need to fill out a declaration. Third, almost all duties have been abolished. The only thing that you cannot carry without special permission is narcotic and explosive substances, weapons, items of historical value.
Transport
Communication between the islands takes place with the help of boats and ferries. Many of the ferries are quite comfortable.
Public transport represented by bus routes is available only in Nassau and Freeport. The fare is 5 cents. Taxis are almost the only way to get around on the small islands.
Telecommunications
The Bahamas have excellent telecommunications opportunities. There is a possibility of direct telephone connection with most countries of the world. A new telex system has been installed and there is an underground fiber link to Florida's West Palm Beach. Postal and courier services also provide their services.
Telephony Payphones that can make international calls are ubiquitous and work with calling cards sold at post offices, telephone company offices, hotels and supermarkets. You can also make a call from a payphone through an operator. As a rule, the cost of a call from a hotel is 10-15% more expensive than from a pay phone. You can also call to another country from the post office. Calls to Russia Phone code 8-10-1-242 (area code + tel.) Calls from Russia Phone code: 1809377 Long-distance calls Bahamas international dialing code: +1242 To call from a landline, dial: 8 - 10 - 1242 - - City codes Cities do not have their own dialing codes. Useful Phones
Police, firefighters - 919,
Ambulance - 322-21-21 or 352-26-89.
National cuisine
Bahamian cuisine is truly national, as it borrowed a lot from Caribbean, American, British, European and African cuisines, but all the recipes were adapted by them to local conditions and opportunities, which together constitute Bahamian cuisine.
Institutional work
Banks in Nassau, Freeport, on many islands are open from 9.30 to 15.00 from Monday to Thursday. On Fridays, banks are open from 9.30 to 17.00. Opening hours may vary from island to island.
Holidays and non-working days
New Year (January 1), Good Friday (in different time), Second Day after Easter (various times), Spirits Day (seven weeks after Easter), Labor Day (first Friday in June), Independence Day (July 10), Liberation Day (first Monday in August), America's Discovery Day (October 12 ), Christmas (December 25), Boxing Day (December 26).
One of the most colorful celebrations coinciding with the celebration of Christmas and New Year is the Junkanoo festival. This is a carnival, a theatrical procession, and a folk festival at the same time. Participants demonstrate fantastic costumes that delight the public. Big attractions are the regatta, held annually in April at Elizabeth Harbor on Family Island, and The Goombay Summer Festival, held for tourists in June.
customs and practices
The traditional culture of the Bahamas is far removed from the heavily American-influenced urban centers of Nassau and Freeport. Folk island creativity is reflected in a large number of fairy tales, natural medicine, music and religious rites brought here by slaves from Africa. Despite the fact that the Bahamas does not yet give birth to writers who are gaining world fame, and the visual arts are also developing slowly, the islands have formed a distinctive musical culture. Several traditional forms of music were born in this country, including goombey, a synthesis of calypso, juice and English folk songs, as well as a working-class scratch-and-scrape style, with a distinctive guitar sound, accordion and rattles made from poinciana tree pods.
Precautionary measures
Holidays in the Bahamas are quite safe, but petty crimes are not uncommon: theft in hotel rooms and pickpocketing.
Spearfishing with the use of spearguns and other devices is prohibited on the islands. Sport fishing is allowed, but a fee of up to 20 USD must be paid for one trip to the sea, provided that no more than six reels of fishing line are installed on the vessel. Independent archaeological work on sunken ships is also prohibited. Violation of these rules can lead to a fine and deportation from the country.
2. History
Animal world
4. Population and society
Agriculture
Transport
Foreign policy
6. Political structure
7. Kitchen Bahamas
8. Customs and traditions Bahamas
The Bahamas is
In January 1964, the Bahamas received internal self-government, and on July 10, 1973 they were proclaimed independent state within the Commonwealth, led by Great Britain. In October 1973, the Bahamas were admitted to the UN. The economic prosperity of the country is greatly facilitated by its reputation as a major tourist, banking and financial center. Considerable income also brings processing and transportation of black gold.
The country's first prime minister (after independence) was a member of the Progressive Liberal Political Party Linden Oscar Pindling; he retained his post until 19 August 1992, when he Political Party gave way to the Free National Democratic Movement, led by Hubert Ingraham. This Political Party received a majority of votes (34) in the 1997 parliamentary elections, which allowed H. Ingraham to form a one-party government. There are dozens of sectoral trade unions in the country, the largest trade union associations of enterprises - trade unions Commonwealth of the Bahamas and National congress trade unions.
Several major newspapers are published in the Bahamas: the Nassau Guardian (founded in 1844, circulation 14,100 copies), the Nassau Daily Tribune (founded in 1903, 12,000 copies), and the Freeport News (founded in 1961, 4 thousand copies). The government weekly, the Official Gazette, is also published. Radio and television broadcasting is carried out by the government organization"Broadcasting Corporation Bahamas".
Nature
The islands of the archipelago are areas of a vast flooded limestone plateau protruding above the ocean level. Thickness of limestone deposits approx. 4500 m. In the east, the plateau abruptly breaks off towards the North American Basin of the Atlantic Ocean. The archipelago is separated from the Florida Peninsula by the shallow Florida Strait, and from Cuba by the Old Bahama Strait. The water areas between the islands are shallow, but the surface of the underwater plateau is dissected by deep cracks, to which fairways are confined. Numerous coral reefs, as well as ferruginous interlayers in limestones, create an unusually colorful picture of the underwater world.
The islands are elevated relative to the ocean level from a few meters to about 60 m. highest point countries - Mount Alvernia (63 m) - located on the island of Cat. The relief of the islands is flat. On the shores facing the ocean, a series of marine terraces can be traced. Numerous salty lagoon lakes and mangrove swamps are confined to the western coast of the islands. In places, a strip of sandy beaches stretches along the coast. Karst phenomena and landforms are widespread on the islands. Therefore, there are no rivers in the archipelago, but there are many karst lakes. Sources fresh water extremely few.
Climate
Climate- tropical trade wind. Winters due to the influence of the Gulf Stream are milder than on the North American mainland. Average temperatures in the winter months are 22-24°C, in summer - 29-30°C. The average annual precipitation is 1000-1500 mm (in some places in the east - only 750 mm). They fall mainly in May-June and September-October. Tropical hurricanes are frequent. Since the islands are scattered over a large area, the destructive effect of hurricanes on each island affects on average once every 12 years.
In places, limestones exposed to the day surface are devoid of soil cover. Salt marshes and saline soils are widespread in relief depressions in the interior regions, fertile red-brown soils predominate in other regions.
Natural vegetation on drier eastern islands xerophytic, with a predominance of cacti and aloe. Most of the islands were originally dominated by tropical forests. At present, many of them have been reduced, and undersized shrubs grow in their place. Where forests have survived (on the islands of Andros, Greater and Lesser Abaco, Grand Bahama), such valuable broad-leaved tree species as red (mahogany), logwood and iron trees, as well as Caribbean pine, are common. In the broad-leaved forests, bougainvillea, jasmine, orchids and other plants with beautiful and delicately scented flowers grow in abundance. On some islands, artificial plantings of casuarina, mahogany and a number of tropical conifers have been created.
Animal world
The fauna of the Bahamas is poor. There are very few mammals, of which bats are the most numerous. From amphibians there are many frogs, from reptiles - lizards and snakes. In the fauna of the islands, birds are most numerous, including those migratory from North America (ducks, geese, etc.), which remain for the winter. In the swamps and within the lagoons there are flamingos (only in the national park on the island of Great Inagua more than 50 thousand red flamingos nest), pelicans, spoonbills, herons and other waterfowl. Termites, mosquitoes and other insects are abundant. In the coastal waters, near the reefs, there are many types of fish, including the Atlantic sailfish, barracuda, mackerel, etc. Sea turtles are found (on the island of Big Inagua, the green turtle is laying eggs), mollusks and sponges are numerous. In the Exuma Keys National Park, swamp and mangrove landscapes and coral reefs are protected.
Thanks to its mild warm climate, sandy beaches, clear coastal waters and unlimited spearfishing opportunities, the Bahamas have become an internationally recognized winter resort.
Population and Society
The population is 309 thousand (July 2009 estimate).
Annual growth - 0.5%.
Infection with the immunodeficiency virus (HIV) - 3% (2007 estimate).
Ethno-racial composition: growthmdash; blacks and mulattoes, 12% - whites, 3% - Asians and Hispanics.
The official language is English, immigrants from Republic of Haiti use their own dialect (based on French).
Literacy - 96%.
Religions: Baptist 35.4%, Anglicans 15.1%, Roman Catholic 13.5%, Pentecostal 8.1%, Church of God 4.8%, Methodist 4.2%, other Christian 15.2%, atheist and undecided 2 .9%, other 0.8% (according to the 2000 census).
Some - especially in the southern and eastern islands - practice obeah, a religion similar to voodoo. Voodoo itself is practiced exclusively by immigrants from the Republic, Cuba, Dominican Republic and Jamaica.
In 2003, 297.48 thousand people lived in the Bahamas, more than half of them - on the island of New Providence. 28.8% of the population belongs to the age group under 15 years old, 65.4% - from 15 to 65 years old and 5.8% - over 65 years old. Birth rate is estimated at 18.57 per 1000 population, mortality - 8.68 per 1000, emigration - 2.67 per 1000. Population growth in 2003 was 0.77%, infant mortality - 26.21 per 1000 newborns. With the spread of AIDS, the islands are experiencing a trend towards higher mortality, lower life expectancy and lower population growth rates. In 1999, an estimated 6,900 people in the Bahamas were infected with AIDS and 500 died from the disease.
growth component of the emerging Bahamian nation - African Americans and mulattoes, making up more than 3/4 of the total population. There are diasporas of immigrants from the Republic of Haiti, Jamaica and from the Turks and Caicos Islands. The proportion of Europeans and North Americans is small. This is mainly a contingent of elderly wealthy citizens from the USA, Canada, England, who settled in the Bahamas after retirement.
Protestants predominate among believers, including Baptists, Anglicans, Methodists, approx. 19% - Roman Catholics, part of the population adheres to African cults.
The Bahamas introduced free compulsory education for children aged 5 to 14 years. Behind last years the number of educational institutions has grown considerably, and on the larger islands most children have the opportunity to attend secondary school. About 20% of school graduates receive vocational training in several vocational schools, teachers' colleges and technical colleges. There are no own higher educational institutions in the Bahamas, but since 1964 the government has established ties with the University of the West Indies on Jamaica and opened a correspondence department in Nassau a year later. Some Bahamians receive higher education at universities in the United States, Britain and Canada. 98% of the Bahamas are literate.
Healthcare is on high level. Local doctors managed to completely defeat most tropical diseases. In 1965, the government launched a housing project for the poor and approved a system of mortgage loans. Sales cheap housing. State benefits are paid only to the elderly (old-age pensions) and the disabled.
State device. The Commonwealth of the Bahamas achieved limited internal self-government in 1964 and full self-government in 1969. On July 10, 1973, the independence of the Bahamas was proclaimed as part of the Commonwealth, led by Great Britain. According to the Basic Law of the State of 1973, the Head of State is the Queen England represented by the Governor General.
Legislative Power has a bicameral parliament, consisting of the House of the American Congress and the House of Assembly. 16 members Houses of the American Congress appointed by the Governor General (9 - on the recommendation of the Prime Minister, 4 - the leader of the opposition and 3 - by agreement between the leaders of the ruling and opposition parties). US Senate has the right to withhold acceptance laws(with the exception of those related to finance). House of Assembly agreement of 40 members elected by popular vote. The term of office of both chambers is 5 years, but early dissolution of parliament is possible. Executive Power belongs to the government headed by the prime minister - usually the leader of the political party that has a majority in parliament. The government is responsible to the House of Assembly.
The structure of imports is dominated by raw materials, in particular Oil(mainly from Saudi Arabia) for its further processing, food, consumer goods, machinery, electronics. Main partners for Import- USA, Japan, Denmark.
The Bahamas is a transit point for drug trafficking in the United States and Europe.
Budget and money circulation. The majority of government revenue comes from customs fees, proceeds from the casino, Sales land, postage and utilities. There is no Income Tax in the Country. State budget expenditure items include education, social security and public Works. Monetary unit - Bahamian Dollar= 100 cents.
Political structure
The head of state is the Queen of Britain, represented by the Governor General. Legislative power is exercised by the Parliament, which consists of the House of the American Congress (16 members, appointed by the Governor General on the recommendation of the Prime Minister and the leader of the opposition for a five-year term) and the House of Assembly (41 deputies, elected by by popular vote for a five year period). Executive power belongs to the Cabinet of Ministers headed by the Prime Minister.
Political parties:
Free National Movement (23 MPs)
Basic moments
The long archipelago covers an area of 250,000 km² and consists of 2,700 islands and coral reefs, occupying only 13,878 km². Humans inhabit thirty of them. The island territory is united into a state - the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, in which 391,232 people live (2016). The most populated island is New Providence, where the capital of the country is located - the city, and the island of Grand Bahama. The population of 3/4 consists of African Americans and mulattoes. A small proportion of the Bahamians are elderly wealthy North Americans and Europeans who settled on the islands after retirement.
Among believers in the Bahamas, most of all are Christians - Protestants, Methodists, Baptists and Roman Catholics. Some locals, and especially the descendants of African American slaves, adhere to African cults.
The Bahamas are popular with travelers from all over the world, and the economy of the islands is heavily dependent on tourism. People come here for a beach holiday. In addition, the Bahamas attract diving, surfing and yachtsmen.
In recent years, medical tourism has been actively developing in the Bahamas. The level of medical care here is based on the standards adopted in the United States, and is highly valued. More than twenty modern medical institutions have been opened on the islands, whose specialists work in all types of healthcare. Most popular destinations are joint surgeries, heart surgery and plastic surgeries.
History of the development of the Bahamas
First on tropical islands Native Americans settled - Lucayans (Arawaks), who sailed here in the 5th century from the Antilles, Cuba and Hispaniola (now it is the territory of the Republic of Haiti). In 1492, the expedition of Christopher Columbus landed in the Bahamas. Three years later, Spanish colonists settled on the archipelago. For 30 years, the locals have practically died out. The reasons for this were diseases and slavery brought by Europeans. The colonists took a large number of Lucayans to Hispaniola for pearling and work in the mines.
Soon the Spaniards also left the Bahamas, and for about 130 years this region remained unclaimed. Then British settlers from Bermuda came to Harbor Island. In addition to them, pirate bases arose on several islands, where sea corsairs rested and repaired their ships. Only in 1718, thanks to the British army, the pirates were driven out of the Bahamas. Since then, the islands have been assigned the status of a British colony.
The local population began to grow rapidly from the end of the XVIII century. The reason for this was the eviction of eight thousand loyalists from the United States to the Bahamas, with whom their slaves arrived. The new settlers tried to establish cotton plantations on the islands in the manner of those they were forced to leave behind in America. However, due to infertile soil, this venture failed. In 1807, the slave trade was banned in Great Britain, and the Royal Navy freed the slaves in the Bahamas.
A major influx of money into the islands occurred in 1920. At this time, Prohibition was passed in the United States. Smuggling began to grow in the Bahamas, and the city was turned into a warehouse of rum. During the Second World War, the American military spent vacations in the Bahamas, and in the post-war period, the tourism industry began to develop on the islands.
Since 1973 in island nation there is a democratic political regime, the Constitution is in force. According to the form of government of the Bahamas, it is a parliamentary monarchy, when the British Queen is considered the head of state, and her interests on the islands are represented by the Governor General. Legislative functions are performed by a bicameral parliament, and the executive power is exercised by the government. Administratively, the Bahamas are divided into 31 districts.
Attractions of the Bahamas
All attractions Bahamas
Climate features
The Bahamas are not accidentally called heavenly place. Their northern part lies in the zone of a tropical trade wind climate, and the southern part lies in the subtropical zone. The average temperature in the summer months is from +26°С to +32°С, and in winter - from +18°С to +22°С. Summer in the south is warmer than in the central part of the archipelago, and in winter it is cooler in the northwestern part of the Bahamas.
Sea water is suitable for swimming all year round. Its temperature, depending on the season, ranges from +23°С to +27°С.
It is believed that it is best to come to the Bahamas from September to May, when it is cooler here. At this time of the year, there is almost no rain, and if precipitation does occur, it falls in the form of strong, short showers, after which the sun immediately comes out. From May to mid-November, the tropical storm and hurricane season begins in the Bahamas. It rains heavily on the islands, and in coastal zone big waves rise.
The nature of the islands
The land area in the Bahamas covers an area of 10,070 km². All islands are composed of coral limestones. The surface is mostly flat, but there are also karst landforms. The highest part is on Cat Island. This is Alvernia Hill, which rises 63 meters above sea level.
Frequent hurricanes and soils poor in mineral salts have caused the Bahamas to lack lush vegetation. Here you can find thickets of evergreen thorny shrubs and savannas. Coconut palms grow in abundance on the coast, and pine forests further from the sea.
The Bahamas are home to many birds, iguanas, bats and agoutis. In the Great Inagua Island National Park, there is the largest flamingo colony on the planet, in which over 50,000 birds have found shelter. The coastal waters surrounding the islands are inhabited by various fish, crustaceans and mollusks.
Today, more than 25 protected areas have been created in the Bahamas with rich flora and fauna. In local national parks x you can see rare birds and animals. Among nature lovers, the most popular island is Big Inagua, the northeastern part of North Andros, as well as Embrister Creek on Cat Island.
Beaches
Almost every island in the archipelago has great beaches. Clean white sand, convenient entry into the water and warm water attract millions of travelers to the Bahamas.
The most luxurious are beach areas New Providence, especially Cable Beach. Here you can sunbathe and swim. If you wish, you can look into the local casino or cross the original bridge to Paradise Island.
Grand Bahama offers vacationers surrounded by coconut palms Gold Rock Beach, Paradise Bay and Tiger Beach. On the outlying islands, many beaches are adjacent to fishing villages. They attract lovers of a more secluded holiday, as well as fans of diving and sea fishing. The beaches of Andros Island are often used for wedding ceremonies. Marriages in the national style are popular here, and hotels on the island offer special "wedding packages".
Bahamas for outdoor activities
Not only fans of a measured beach holiday come to the Bahamas. Most sports centers and places to do water sports Sports, located on New Providence, Harbor Island and Grand Bahama. There are places for golf and tennis, as well as for motorcycle trips. Of the sea activities, windsurfing, surfing, kiting, water skiing and scooters are popular.
Fans of sea fishing go to the islands of Bimini, Berry and Andros, and those who want to feel the power of the sea waves and explore the coast from the board of the yacht, to the islands of Long Island and Exuma. These places are considered a real paradise for yachtsmen, and the sailing season here lasts most of the year.
Clear waters of the Atlantic and rich undersea world attract diving enthusiasts to the Bahamas. On most islands there are dive centers that organize training for beginners and underwater expeditions for experienced divers. Diving on coral reefs is practiced on the islands of Eleuthera and Abaco. In many places travelers can swim with dolphins and even participate in shark feeding.
Cities and resorts of the Bahamas
Most of the inhabitants of the Bahamas inhabit the capital of the archipelago - the city - 274,400 people (2016), which is built on the island of New Providence. This city has a large sea port. Many come in for the lively nightlife, shopping and to see picturesque examples of colonial architecture. Tourists like to visit the “straw market” of the city, where they sell interesting handicrafts made from straw. Not far from the center there is a unique corner of tropical nature - the luxurious gardens of Adastra and the zoo.
Grand Bahama is often referred to as a tropical paradise. The island is covered with lush thickets of Cuban pine, and it houses three national parks at once. Travelers come here to see beautiful large caves with stalagmites and rare tropical flowers.
Long Island got its name from its elongated shape. It stretches for almost a hundred kilometers with a width of up to 5 km. Long Island is covered with low hills. It has beautiful beaches and steep capes that break right into the sea.
Eleuthera is known as a place elite vacation. The most luxurious hotels, beaches and clubs in the Bahamas are concentrated in the resorts of this island.
Island restaurants and local cuisine
There are many excellent restaurants and bars in the Bahamas. Most places offer tourists British, North American or Caribbean cuisine. Lunch at budget cafe costs 12-15 $, and in a reputable restaurant - 30-35 $. Fast food establishments are represented by world famous brands - McDonalds and KFC.
Animal husbandry is poorly developed on the archipelago, so the daily menu of local residents is dominated by rice, shrimp, fish with cereal porridge, potatoes and macaroni and cheese. Fishing for the islanders is the main craft, and Bahamian cuisine is rich in seafood. Previously, turtle soup was considered a specialty on the islands. But time passed, the number of turtles decreased, environmentalists sounded the alarm, and this soup is no longer cooked here.
Bahamian delicacies include seafood salads, grilled shells, crab and shrimp, and red grouper patties. Be sure to taste boiled lobsters and reef perch fillets, which are fried or baked in tomato sauce by chefs.
Restaurant menus also include meat dishes, which are served with rice or peas as a side dish. Everywhere they serve bacon with scrambled eggs, steaks, schnitzel with onions, fried chicken and French fries. A mixture of rice and peas forms the basis of most local soups. A separate place in the island menu is occupied by soup, which is made from meat, water acidified with lime juice, onions, peppers and celery. This popular soup is cooked very quickly and tastes good.
For dessert in the Bahamas, it is customary to eat tropical fruits or pudding made from guava. Coconut crumble cakes, Caribbean johnny cakes and gingerbread are also popular among locals and tourists.
From soft drinks on the islands they drink English-style tea, as well as strongly brewed Brazilian or Colombian coffee. In addition, they consume a lot of fruit juices and different types carbonated water.
In the Bahamas, you can try the local Nassau Royal rum. It tastes good and is inexpensive. A large amount of rum is produced at the Bacardi plant, which is located south of the capital of the Bahamas. The local beer "Kalik" is also popular. It is produced in three types. Light beer "Kalik Light" contains a small amount of alcohol. "Kalik regular" is valued for its refreshing mild taste. And Kalik Gold is the strongest of all varieties, the amount of alcohol in it reaches 7%.
Transport
Between large islands The Bahamas are operated by Bahamasair. Flight prices are quite high, so it is often more profitable to hire a small aircraft privately.
New Providence has the longest and most extensive road network - 1000 km. There are 209 km of roads on Eleuthera and 156 km on Grand Bahama. In the cities of Freeport and passengers are brought up by private fixed-route taxis.
There is no public transport system, so travelers use taxi services or rent cars, motorcycles or bicycles. To move between the islands or along the coast, you can rent a boat or a boat.
In the Bahamas, left-hand traffic and heavy traffic. In densely populated areas, traffic jams occur every now and then. In addition, the road network is often flooded during floods. There are no sidewalks along some roads, people walk right on the side of the road, so those who rent cars or bikes should be extremely careful.
Security
The Bahamas are considered safe for travelers, and created there tourist centers enjoy a good reputation. However, there are cases of pickpocketing and theft from hotel rooms. All tourists, and especially women, are advised to refrain from walking alone in the suburbs of cities, and even more so at night.
If tourists go sport fishing, they must pay a fee of $20. At the same time, the boat should not have more than six spools of fishing line. In the Bahamas, it is not allowed to conduct spearfishing with any devices. Prohibitions also apply to the independent conduct of underwater archaeological research. Heavy fines are imposed for these violations, up to expulsion from the country.
Especially strictly in the Bahamas, the use and distribution of drugs is punished. Local laws in this area are even more severe than European or North American ones, so those who are convicted of drug crimes always receive long terms conclusions.
Special threats in the Bahamas may arise in connection with natural disasters. The Bahamas is part of the Caribbean region and is in the zone of passage of hurricanes and typhoons. Those travelers who are in the Bahamas from June to November are advised to follow the weather forecasts. Hurricanes are usually accompanied by floods. It should also be borne in mind that during strong typhoons in the Bahamas, airports are closed, and tourists are unable to leave the country.
Tiger sharkAlthough tap water in the Bahamas is considered safe for health, you should not drink from the tap. On any resort in the Bahamas sell bottled water. Due to the possibility of contracting infectious diseases on the islands, it is not recommended to swim in freshwater reservoirs. The exception is hotel pools, the water in which is regularly disinfected.
For travel in the Bahamas, it is worth taking out medical insurance that provides for payment for air evacuation. The most qualified medical care can be obtained in New Providence and Grand Bahama. There are few hospitals on small islands and they do not work every day. True, on most inhabited islands, you can use the first responder services, which are supervised by volunteers. With the help of such services, the sick person is quickly transported to the nearest hospital.
Cancellations of currency and settlements
The Bahamian dollar (BSD) is the local currency in which all settlements on the islands take place. It is firmly pegged to the US dollar, however the exchange rate may vary depending on the hotel or bank. In addition, American dollars are accepted for payment anywhere in the Bahamas.
You can exchange currency in many places - in hotels, branches of banks and large shopping malls. Traveler's checks are also cashed here. As is usually the case, the most unfavorable rate is offered in areas where most foreign tourists stay. It is most convenient to change currency at bank branches in the capital of the country and the city of Freeport. From Monday to Thursday they start work at 9.00-9.30 and finish at 15.00. On Friday, bank branches are open until 17.00. It should also be taken into account that in remote places, banks may not serve customers every day.
Major hotels and shopping malls accept credit cards. In other places, cash payments are preferred.
Tipping is accepted in the Bahamas. As a rule, hotel doormen, guides and porters expect $1 from a grateful visitor, and room maids - $1-2. In most establishments, the tip is up to 15%, and they are immediately included in the bill. In addition, many hotels add an additional government tax of 8-10% to the bill.
Useful information for tourists
- To visit the Bahamas, Russian citizens do not need to apply for a visa. This rule applies if the trip is in the nature of a private visit and does not exceed 90 days.
- When passing through customs, there are no restrictions on the import and export of the currency of another country. It is allowed to import duty-free to the Bahamas 200 cigarettes or 0.45 kg of tobacco, as well as up to 0.94 liters of strong alcohol and the same amount of wine.
- In order to take agricultural products from the islands, any plants or wood carvings will require a special permit.
- To accommodate tourists in the Bahamas, huge hotel centers and small cozy hotels operating on an all-inclusive basis have been built. Some travelers prefer to rent rooms and rooms in guesthouses from the local population.
- The center of shopping is known outside the Bahamas Bay street. All goods sold there are exempt from taxes.
How to get there
There are no direct flights from Russia to the Bahamas. The best option is a flight with a transfer in London. Without taking into account the transplant itself, this will take about 13 hours. Another option is to fly across the US. In this case, you need to apply for a transit American visa.
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about the country
Scattered in the warm waters of the Atlantic Ocean, the Bahamas have long been a symbol of luxury and first-class vacations. Christopher Columbus first set foot on this land at the end of the 15th century, and in 1783 the islands became a British colony. When the Bahamas gained independence in 1973, tourism began to develop rapidly here. Today, these are no longer islands lost in the sea, but richest country Caribbean region and the largest offshore center (there are about 400 banks in the Bahamas), as well as the largest resort area western hemisphere.
Geography of the Bahamas
The archipelago of the Bahamas consists of more than 700 islands and 2,500 reefs, of which only 30 are inhabited. The Bahamas lie 90 km south of Florida in the Atlantic Ocean. The territory of the state is almost 260 thousand square meters. km, of which the land occupies only 14 thousand square meters. km.
The area of the Bahamas is 13.878 km. sq., occupies the 160th place in the world by area.
Population
The official currency is the Bahamian dollar (BSD).
The official language is English.
Visa to the Bahamas
If the period of stay in the country does not exceed three months, and the purpose of being on the islands is not to make a profit, then you do not need to obtain a visa. In other cases, you need to apply for a visa at the consular section of the British Embassy. At the border point, you must present a valid passport, return tickets and evidence that you have sufficient funds for living.
Weather in the Bahamas
The climate of the islands varies from north to south, from tropical to subtropical. In summer, the temperature stays within +26 +32 C, it is worth noting that in the central part of the country it is a little cooler than in southern islands. Sometimes the temperature here reaches +40 C. It is also warm in the Bahamas in winter, very rarely the temperature drops to +15, usually +18 +22 C. The amount of precipitation is not too large, up to 800 mm falls a year, and the rainy season is not too stands out. Most of the precipitation falls during hurricanes, which occur between May and November. In summer, the water temperature is +27 C, and a little lower in winter - +23 C. In the cool period from September to May, it is most comfortable on the islands, at this time the amount of precipitation is no more than 150 mm.
Attractions Bahamas
From a small village founded by pirates, the city of Nassau has become Big City which became the capital of the Bahamas. Now the architecture of the city is represented by an unusual mixture of modern buildings and colorful colonial houses. The shopping districts are full of business life, there are a huge number of shops duty free where you can find any goods from all over the world. The main historical part of the city is a small Rawson Square, where the main streets of the city intersect. From all sides it is decorated with beautiful buildings. At any time of the year, you can listen to street musicians on the square, there are always a lot of tourists here, especially during the main festival - Jonkonu, at which time about 30 thousand people gather here. Not far from Rawson Square is the no less beautiful Parliament Square, around which the buildings of Parliament and government offices rise. Most of these structures were built at the end of the 18th century. A few steps from the square is the famous Straw Market. Trading in this market has been going on for many years. Once upon a time, women sold sea sponges here, which at that time were one of the main incomes of the region. Today, interesting handicrafts and various souvenirs are sold here. In the mandatory list of places to visit in the capital, the Queen's Stairs should also be included. This staircase was named after Queen Victoria and consists of 65 steps, the same number of years as the queen spent on the throne. The construction of the stairs was carried out for about 15 years, all this time the slaves were carving steps in the rocks, and only after the abolition of slavery in 1834, work on the stairs stopped. Now anyone can climb it up, from where a beautiful panorama of the city opens. Just one and a half kilometers from the city center are the small gardens of Adastra. About 300 representatives of the local fauna live in the gardens. Every day there is an interesting show of trained flamingos. The second most popular place in the Bahamas is the island of Grand Bahama, which is famous for its amazing nature. snow white sandy beaches, rich flora and fauna and much more will become the best place for a relaxing holiday. There are also great opportunities for active rest and fishing. Even if you are not a fan of relaxing on the beach and swimming in the sea, you will definitely find something interesting for yourself. Most popular place in Grand Bahama - Freeport. Freeport is home to the Rand Nature Center with its beautiful garden. At the moment, in the garden you can get acquainted with more than 5,000 species of unusual exotic plants. The Grand Bahama Museum is also located in the garden. If you want to get away from the hustle and bustle, then you should visit Cat Island, which is not so heavily affected by tourism. The island is a long stretch of land where people live in thatched huts to this day. Beautiful beaches with pink sand stretch for several kilometers, where you can relax in complete solitude, watch the sunset and sunrise. In the southern part of the island lies the small town of New Bight, which once served as a free settlement of slaves. The main architectural asset of the island is the Catholic Church of the Savior, which was designed by an English apostate priest. An exciting canoe trip can be made along the small river Ambrister, which flows in the northern part of New Bight. You can rent a canoe in the nearby village. The river flows into the unusual lake "Boiling Hole", the water in which, under certain conditions of high and low tide, bubbles.
National cuisine of the Bahamas
For many years, life on the island depended on fishing, poor soils and a constant lack of fresh water did not allow local residents grow plants and raise livestock. Even today, when you can find a restaurant in almost every corner of the Bahamas, you can feel the abundance of fish dishes. Popular here are charcoal-baked shells, which are considered a local delicacy, fish cakes and a variety of seafood salads. The basis for local soups and one of the main side dishes is peas with rice, very often they are used together in one dish. You should definitely try the unusual local soup, which is made from meat, celery, lime juice and onions, but it is practically not cooked. Since most of the history of the islands, they were influenced by Great Britain, its culinary traditions took root here and you can find such traditional British dishes as scrambled eggs and bacon, toast with jam, steaks and fried potatoes everywhere. The national dessert is pies stuffed with coconut, and in general, most desserts are made using coconut. As in the UK, tea is the most popular drink, and strong Brazilian and Colombian coffees and fruit juices are also widespread.
Transport
On islands public transport no, but to get around you can rent a car or hire a taxi. To move to another island, you can use the numerous ferries or rent a boat.
Currency exchange in the Bahamas
As of October 2011, the national currency rate is 1 USD = 1 BSD. The national currency is the Bahamian dollar. From Monday to Thursday, Bahamian banks are usually open from nine in the morning until 15.00, and on Fridays - longer (until 17.00). In addition to banks, you can change currency in shops and hotels. Despite the fact that the Bahamian dollar is highly pegged to the US dollar, the exchange rate can change quite a lot in different institutions. In tourist areas, the exchange rate is not always favorable, it is best to exchange money at Nassau International Bank and Freeport Bank. In some places you can freely pay with the US dollar. You can pay almost anywhere in the country credit card, and there are ATMs on most islands, although they are less common on remote and sparsely populated ones. In some restaurants and shops, a large commission is charged for using a credit card, so it is advisable to find out the terms of payment with a credit card before buying.
Electricity
110V/60Hz (American style sockets).
Religion
Great Britain has had its impact on religion, now the majority of the population here are Christians (Baptists, Catholics and Anglicans). A small number of people professing the "Obea" folk religion remained.
Security
Every year about 6 million tourists rest in the Bahamas. For such a small island country, these are huge numbers. You can understand tourists, because the Bahamas have excellent conditions for a beach holiday, including diving and sailing. Some tourists are also interested in seeing the places that were once "native" to the famous pirates of the Caribbean.
Geography
The Bahamas (officially the Commonwealth of the Bahamas) is a state in the Atlantic Ocean, which includes more than 3,000 islands and coral reefs. The Bahamas are north of Cuba and Haiti, northwest of the Turks and Caicos Islands, and southeast of the Florida peninsula. The total area of the country is 13,938 sq. km.
Most big islands that are part of this state are New Providence, Grand Bahama, Andros, Bimini, Inagua, Eleuthera, Cat Island, Long Island, San Salvador, Acklins.
The landscape of all the Bahamas is flat. The highest local peak is Mount Alvernia, whose height reaches 63 meters.
It should be noted that the territory of the Bahamas is prone to frequent hurricanes. The last destructive hurricane occurred in 2005.
Capital of the Bahamas
Nassau is the capital of the Bahamas. In this city, which is located on the island of New Providence, more than 250 thousand people now live. Nassau was founded by the British in 1666.
Official language
The official language of the population of the Bahamas is English.
Religion
About 35% of the population are Baptists, about 15% are Anglicans, and about 13.5% identify themselves as Catholic.
State structure
The Bahamas is a constitutional monarchy ruled by a governor-general appointed by the Queen of Great Britain. The head of government is the Prime Minister.
The bicameral local parliament consists of the Senate (16 senators) and the House of Representatives (38 deputies).
The main political parties are the Progressive Liberal Party and the Free National Movement.
Climate and weather
The climate is subtropical and tropical, strongly influenced by the Gulf Stream (especially in winter). Average annual temperature air - + 24-29C. The hurricane season lasts from June to November. However, in fact, hurricanes in this country are a rare occurrence. The weather service warns in advance if a hurricane is expected.
The best time to visit the Bahamas is winter.
Sea in the Bahamas
The Commonwealth of the Bahamas is surrounded on all sides by the Atlantic Ocean. The average annual water temperature near the shore is +25C.
culture
In the 17th and 18th centuries, caribbean brought millions of Africans, under whose influence the modern culture of the inhabitants of the Bahamas was formed.
The main cultural events are festivals, carnivals, fishing competitions and sailing regattas. The most popular of them are: in January - Junkanoo festival, Sailing regatta, in February - Farmer's Cay Festival, in March - Bacardi Billfish Tournament, in April - Bahamas White Marlin Open, in May - Long Island regatta, in June - Eleuthera festival Pineapple, Independence Week in July, Cat Island Regatta in August, All Abaco Sailing in September, Discovery Day in October, Guy Fawkes Day, One Bahamas Music & Heritage Festival in November, and Junkanoo Boxing Day in December .
Cuisine of the Bahamas
Cuisine, unfortunately, is not one of the main reasons why tourists choose the Bahamas for holidays. Majority local restaurants offer dishes of the so-called. international cuisine. In general, the cuisine of the Bahamas focuses on seafood and fish (mainly sea bass and oysters).
The best restaurants are in Nassau, Cable Beach, Paradise Island, and, to a lesser extent, Freeport.
Bahamian fish soup is most often made with sea bass, adding celery, onions, tomatoes and various spices and spices (for example, thyme), as well as lime juice and a little rum. Many tourists still order turtle soup in restaurants, although the turtles themselves have the status of endangered animals.
The national dish in the Bahamas is oysters, which are eaten as a main dish, made into salads and appetizers. Oyster soup is very popular. Each local chef has his own recipe for this soup. Usually, tomatoes, potatoes, sweet peppers, onions, carrots, bay leaves, thyme, and, of course, salt and pepper are added to oyster soup.
We also recommend trying the original local oyster pancakes - they are made in the shape of balls, served with hot sauce, as well as "Cracked conch" (fried clams with Creole sauce), baked crab, "Johnnycake" (baked bread with milk, flour and sugar) .
For dessert, we recommend trying local fruits, sour cream apple ice cream, Sapodilla pudding and guava dessert duff. Traditional alcoholic drink- rum. Rum-based Bahamians have invented several local drinks (Yellow Bird, Bahama Mama, and Goombay Smash).
Attractions
Tourists, of course, do not expect any serious unique attractions from the Bahamas. However, in this small island country there is something to see, because it was discovered by Christopher Columbus himself. After the Spaniards and the British (they captured the Bahamas in the middle of the 17th century), many beautiful houses, churches and forts remained.
Parks and reserves are very popular with tourists - Inagua National Park, Abaco National Park, Man-O-War Reef and Embrister Creek on Cat Island.
Cities and resorts
The largest local cities are West End, Freeport and Nassau. All these and others settlements are great beach resorts, especially Nassau.
The best local beaches include the following:
- Cable Beach (New Providence Island)
- Cabbage Beach (Paradise Island)
- Xanadu Beach (Grand Bahama Island)
- Tahiti Beach
- Ten bay beach(Eleuthera)
- Pink Sands Beach (Harbor Island)
- Saddle Cay (Exumas)
You should also highlight the beaches on Stocking Island and Cat Island. All the beaches of the Bahamas have white sand and are surrounded by coconut palms.
Souvenirs/Shopping
Tourists in the Bahamas buy handicrafts, straw baskets, linen towels, local soaps and lotions, bags, wallets, hats, guava jelly, pineapple jam, rum as souvenirs.