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Most
people,
when they think of The Bahamas, think of a single island. Or an
area. Wrong.
 The
Bahamas is a country. A country of 700 different islands and cays,
stretching southeast off the Florida coast. And if you've been thinking
about an island vacation, you won't find more islands, or more interesting
islands, than right here in the country of 700 islands and cays.
Our
islands differ physically: pine forests, white sandy beaches, limestone
caves, lush plantations, bone fishing flats and the world's third largest
barrier reef.
They
differ historically: Indigenous Arawak Indians, Seminole Indians from
Florida, Eleutheran Adventurers from England, post-Revolutionary planters
from Carolina and pirates all settled here. Even Columbus paid us a visit
in 1492.
 And
because each of our islands retains its individual character, each has
something unique and unexpected to contribute to your island vacation.
We've got islands so secluded, only the lighthouse keeper has a telephone.
Islands where everything swings from casino to golf course. Islands for
the country-club set, where tennis overlooks mile-long beaches. Islands
bustling with colonial charm. Islands for frogman and islands for
fisherman. Even our islands have islands- a Sunfish sail from nearly any
beach can become a voyage of discovery.
 Think
about it. We're bound to have more beaches. More water sports. More golf
and tennis. More everything you come to the islands for. And because
nature keeps just enough separation between our islands experiences, you
can really get into the ones you choose.
Whatever
your pleasure, there's an island for you in The Bahamas.
 Blessed
with the perfect location--less than 100 miles off the coast of Florida;
the perfect climate-- averaging a little over 75 degrees; the perfect
surroundings--crystal clear turquoise blue waters and pearly white
beaches; the Islands of the Bahamas is the perfect destination for
your next siesta, honeymoon, or family vacation.
 Bahamian
culture is like no other. It has embraced a panorama of native customs of
the indigenous "Indian" people who populated The Islands Of The
Bahamas over the eons. Then Bahamian culture suddenly underwent an abrupt
change beginning in 1648 when English Puritans settled on the island of
Eleuthera. It has further evolved over the past four centuries, witnessing
the arrival of Bermudan slaves and free blacks, British Loyalists
(accompanied by slaves) fleeing America after the War of Independence,
freed
 Africans from slave ships, Black Seminoles from Florida, people from
other Caribbean islands, as well as Chinese, Syrian and Greek immigrants.
These
people -- with their different backgrounds, traditions and beliefs --
shaped Bahamian culture into the unique, colourful patchwork of life and
lifestyles that it is today.
Most
Bahamians are of African descent -- about 85 percent. The remaining white
population is directly descended from Loyalists, Eleutheran adventurers
and sailors. Some families have been Bahamian for over two centuries.
Bahamians
are a dynamic, independent and friendly people who love music. Religion is
an important part of their lives and churches are plentiful.
English
is spoken throughout the islands.
THE
ISLANDS OF THE BAHAMAS
 THE
ABACO ISLANDS
The Abaco Islands are a sailing and boating universe. The major islands of
this small archipelago are Great and Little Abaco, with the off-lying cays
of Elbow Cay, Man-O-War Cay, Green Turtle Cay, Guana Cay, Stranger's Cay,
Umbrella Cay and Walker's Cay completing the string.
ANDROS
ISLAND
As the largest and least-explored island in The islands Of The Bahamas,
Andros offers a wide variety of activities for just about everyone. This
2,300-square-mile island paradise is not only known as the bone fishing
capital of the world, but also boasts the second-largest reef in the
Northern Hemisphere and is home to the oldest dive resort on the planet.
 THE
BIMINI ISLANDS
Being the closest of The Islands Of The Bahamas to the coast of Florida
(you can see the glow of Miami Beach at night) has made The Bimini Islands
a popular destination for American visitors. But it's more than just
location that makes it a hot attraction. The waters surrounding The Bimini
Islands are known the world over for top big-game fishing.
THE
EXUMA ISLANDS
The Exuma Islands are located in the middle of The Islands Of The Bahamas,
yet remain mostly undisturbed. The Exuma Islands are a collection of some
365 cays and islands stretching over 120 miles, supported at the southern
end by two main islands, Great Exuma and Little Exuma. The main
attractions for visitors to The Exumas are its world-class sport fishing
and boating.
 ELEUTHERA
/ HARBOUR ISLAND
Miles of glistening pink and white sand beaches, serene colonial villages
and rolling acres of pineapple plantations make Eleuthera Island an island
of the most casual sophistication; and Harbour Island reminds many
visitors of a miniature Bermuda with its Georgian architecture and
fabulous beaches of coral pink sand.
GRAND
BAHAMA ISLAND
Grand Bahama Island is an ecological wonder waiting to be discovered.
Endless beaches, emerald green water, charming fishing villages and
enchanting marine life are just some of the Island's attractions that make
this a unique destination.
 NASSAU
/ PARADISE ISLAND
Come visit the jewel of The Islands Of The Bahamas -- Nassau/Paradise
Island. As the cultural, social, political and economic centre of The
Bahamas, it is the most visited destination in the islands.
Nassau/Paradise Island has much to offer visitors. There are more sights
and activities here than you can experience in one trip.
THE
OTHER OUT ISLANDS
If you're looking for total escape from the crowds, something different
from the everyday and a full menu of the unexpected, you might want to
become "a collector" of our extraordinary Out Islands.
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