Bahamas

The Bahamas consists of 29 islands, 661 cays, and 2,387 islets. Thirty of the largest ones are inhabited. Population is estimated at 330,000. Beginning 50 miles from the Florida coast, the Bahamas form a 760-mile arc through the Atlantic. The island of Bimini is closest to Florida and the island furthest south is Insgua, just 60 miles from Haiti. The two most popular destinations for tourists are Nassau/ Paradise Island (where we are!) and Grand Bahama Island. Paradise Island is home of the famed Atlantis hotel. Nassau is the capital of the Bahamas. The majority of tourists (80%) are American. As one of the most prosperous countries in the Caribbean region, the Bahamas relies on tourism to generate most of their economic activity. Tourism as an industry not only accounts for over 60 percent of the Bahamian GDP, but provides jobs for more than half the country's workforce. After tourism, the most important economic sector is financial services, accounting for around 15 percent of GDP.

A few interesting facts ~
-The Bahamas were the site of Columbus' first landfall in the New World in 1492.
-The Bahamas are famous for their conch shells and also conch meat which can be served raw or fried or used in fritters, soups and chowders.
-The name of the country comes from the Spanish word ‘bajamar’, meaning ‘shallow water’.
-The official language spoken in the country is English and the currency, the Bahamas-Dollar is at par with the US-Dollar.
-The largest immigrant community in the Bahamas is that of the Haitians. 30,000-50,000 of the residents are concentrated in the New Province, Abaco and Eleuthera islands.