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Bahamas

The Bahamas is a country in North America, home to about 385,640 people. Its capital is Nassau.

It covers 13,940 square kilometres (5,382 square miles). That's slightly smaller than Connecticut.

Map of the Bahamas showing major cities and neighbouring countries — Map: UN OCHA

A little history

Lucayan Indians inhabited the Bahama islands when Christopher COLUMBUS first set foot in the New World in 1492. British settlement of the islands began in 1647; the islands became a colony in 1783. Piracy thrived in the 17th and 18th centuries because of The Bahamas' close proximity to shipping lanes. Since gaining independence from the UK in 1973, The Bahamas has prospered through tourism, international banking, and investment management, which comprise up to 85% of GDP. Because of its proximity to the US – the nearest Bahamian landmass is only 80 km (50 mi) from Florida – the country is a major transshipment point for illicit trafficking to the US mainland, as well as to Europe. US law enforcement agencies cooperate closely with The Bahamas; the Drug Enforcement Administration, US Coast Guard, and US Customs and Border Protection assist Bahamian authorities with maritime security and law enforcement through Operation Bahamas, Turks and Caicos, or OPBAT.

What's it like there?

The weather is tropical marine.

Location: Chain of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean

Southeast of Florida

Northeast of Cuba

Note - although The Bahamas does not border the Caribbean Sea, geopolitically it is often designated as a Caribbean nation
Size: Slightly smaller than Connecticut
Climate: Tropical marine

Moderated by warm waters of Gulf Stream
Landscape: Long, flat coral formations with some low rounded hills
Natural resources: Salt

Aragonite

Timber

Arable land
Land use: Agricultural land

1.3%

Arable land

0.8%

Permanent crops

0.3%

Permanent pasture

0.2%

Forest

50.9%

Other

47.8%

2023 estimate
Good to know: Strategic location adjacent to US and Cuba

Extensive island chain of which 30 are inhabited

Agricultural land	1.3%
Arable land	0.8%
Permanent crops	0.3%
Permanent pasture	0.2%
Forest	50.9%
Other	47.8%

Who lives there?

About 385,640 people live in the Bahamas, and the biggest city is Nassau.

Largest cities: Nassau Capital 227,940

Lucaya 46,525

Freeport 26,910

Killarney 17,679
Languages: English (official), Creole (among Haitian immigrants)
Religions: Protestant (includes Baptist 34.9%, Anglican 13.7%, Pentecostal 8.9% Seventh Day Adventist 4.4%, Methodist 3.6%, Church of God 1.9%, Plymouth Brethren 1.6%, other Protestant 0.9%) 69.9%

Roman Catholic 12%

Other Christian (includes Jehovah's Witness 1.1%) 13%

Other 0.6%

None 1.9%

Unspecified 2.6%

2010 estimate
Ethnic groups: African descent 90.6%

White 4.7%

Mixed 2.1%

Other 1.9%

Unspecified 0.7%

2010 estimate

Note: Data represent population by racial group
Where people live: Most of the population lives in urban areas, with two thirds living on New Providence Island where Nassau is located
Cities and towns: Urban population

83.6% of total population

2023

Rate of urbanization

1.02% annual rate of change

2020-25 estimate
What people are called: Noun

Bahamian(s)

Adjective

Bahamian

Urban population	83.6% of total population 2023
Rate of urbanization	1.02% annual rate of change 2020-25 estimate

Noun	Bahamian(s)
Adjective	Bahamian

Who's in charge?

Its government is a parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy.

Leaders: Head of state

King Charles III (since 8 September 2022); represented by Governor-General Cynthia A. Pratt (since 1 September 2023)

Head of government

Prime Minister Philip Edward Davis (since 17 September 2021)
Parliament: Legislature name

Parliament

Legislative structure

Bicameral

Note: Parliament sits for 5 years from the date of the last general election: the government may dissolve the parliament and call elections at any time
Courts: Highest court(s)

Court of Appeal (consists of the court president and 6 justices, organized in 3-member panels)

Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and 19 justices)

Judge selection and term of office

Court of Appeal president and Supreme Court chief justice appointed by the governor-general on the advice of the prime minister after consultation with the leader of the opposition party

Other Court of Appeal and Supreme Court justices appointed by the governor general upon recommendation of the Judicial and Legal Services Commission, a 5-member body headed by the chief justice

Court of Appeal justices appointed for life with mandatory retirement normally at age 68 but can be extended until age 70

Supreme Court justices appointed for life with mandatory retirement normally at age 65 but can be extended until age 67

Subordinate courts

Industrial Tribunal

Magistrates' Courts

Family Island Administrators (can also serve as magistrates)

Note: The Bahamas is a member of the 15-member Caribbean Community but is not party to the agreement establishing the Caribbean Court of Justice as its highest appellate court; the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (in London) serves as the final court of appeal for The Bahamas
Constitution: History

Previous 1964 (pre-independence)

Latest adopted 20 June 1973, effective 10 July 1973

Amendment process

Proposed as an "Act" by Parliament

Passage of amendments to articles such as the organization and composition of the branches of government requires approval by at least two-thirds majority of the membership of both houses of Parliament and majority approval in a referendum

Passage of amendments to constitutional articles such as fundamental rights and individual freedoms, the powers, authorities, and procedures of the branches of government, or changes to the Bahamas Independence Act 1973 requires approval by at least three-fourths majority of the membership of both houses and majority approval in a referendum
Legal system: Common-law system based on the English model
Who can vote: 18 years of age

Universal

Head of state	King Charles III (since 8 September 2022); represented by Governor-General Cynthia A. Pratt (since 1 September 2023)
Head of government	Prime Minister Philip Edward Davis (since 17 September 2021)

Legislature name	Parliament
Legislative structure	Bicameral

Highest court(s)	Court of Appeal (consists of the court president and 6 justices, organized in 3-member panels) Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and 19 justices)
Judge selection and term of office	Court of Appeal president and Supreme Court chief justice appointed by the governor-general on the advice of the prime minister after consultation with the leader of the opposition party Other Court of Appeal and Supreme Court justices appointed by the governor general upon recommendation of the Judicial and Legal Services Commission, a 5-member body headed by the chief justice Court of Appeal justices appointed for life with mandatory retirement normally at age 68 but can be extended until age 70 Supreme Court justices appointed for life with mandatory retirement normally at age 65 but can be extended until age 67
Subordinate courts	Industrial Tribunal Magistrates' Courts Family Island Administrators (can also serve as magistrates)

History	Previous 1964 (pre-independence) Latest adopted 20 June 1973, effective 10 July 1973
Amendment process	Proposed as an "Act" by Parliament Passage of amendments to articles such as the organization and composition of the branches of government requires approval by at least two-thirds majority of the membership of both houses of Parliament and majority approval in a referendum Passage of amendments to constitutional articles such as fundamental rights and individual freedoms, the powers, authorities, and procedures of the branches of government, or changes to the Bahamas Independence Act 1973 requires approval by at least three-fourths majority of the membership of both houses and majority approval in a referendum

How does it make a living?

In short: High-income tourism and financial services economy

Major income inequality

Strong US bilateral relations

Several tax relief programs

Targeted investment in agriculture, energy, light manufacturing, and technology industries
Industries: Tourism

Banking

Oil bunkering

Maritime industries

Transshipment and logistics

Salt

Aragonite

Pharmaceuticals
Farming: Sugarcane

Grapefruits

Vegetables

Bananas

Tomatoes

Chicken

Tropical fruits

Oranges

Coconuts

Mangoes/guavas

2023

Note: Top ten agricultural products based on tonnage
Exports: Refined petroleum

Ships

Aluminum

Shellfish

Plastics

2023

Note: Top five export commodities based on value in dollars
Sells most to: USA 36%

Zimbabwe 16%

Cote d'Ivoire 14%

Germany 8%

Guyana 8%

2023

Note: Top five export partners based on percentage share of exports
Imports: Refined petroleum

Ships

Aircraft

Cars

Crude petroleum

2023

Note: Top five import commodities based on value in dollars
Buys most from: USA 60%

Germany 13%

China 5%

Japan 3%

Brazil 2%

2023

Note: Top five import partners based on percentage share of imports
Workforce: 237,100

2024 estimate

Note: Number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work
Electricity: Electrification - total population

100%

2022 estimate
Government budget: Revenues

$2.855 billion

Expenditures

$3.389 billion

2023 estimate

Note: Central government revenues and expenses (excluding grants/extrabudgetary units/social security funds) converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated

Electrification - total population	100% 2022 estimate

Revenues	$2.855 billion
Expenditures	$3.389 billion

Want to read more? Try the Wikipedia article.

Have a great day!

I'll look forward to seeing you again tomorrow.

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Nassau Capital		227,940
Lucaya		46,525
Freeport		26,910
Killarney		17,679

Protestant (includes Baptist 34.9%, Anglican 13.7%, Pentecostal 8.9% Seventh Day Adventist 4.4%, Methodist 3.6%, Church of God 1.9%, Plymouth Brethren 1.6%, other Protestant 0.9%)		69.9%
Roman Catholic		12%
Other Christian (includes Jehovah's Witness 1.1%)		13%
Other		0.6%
None		1.9%
Unspecified		2.6%

African descent		90.6%
White		4.7%
Mixed		2.1%
Other		1.9%
Unspecified		0.7%

USA		36%
Zimbabwe		16%
Cote d'Ivoire		14%
Germany		8%
Guyana		8%

USA		60%
Germany		13%
China		5%
Japan		3%
Brazil		2%