Useful information about the Bahamas. Where is the Bahamas located? State capital, attractions Bahamas population

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It's no secret that the Bahamas have long become popular place for tourists from all over the world. And even Russians fly there to rest. The truth frightens many of the distance. Which you have to fly over. But when you get to the islands, you will immediately forget about everything that happened to you before. After all, the Bahamas is a paradise for relaxation on earth. Here is everything you need and even what you never dreamed of! If you look at the Bahamas on a world map, you will see where they are. And they are in the Atlantic Ocean.

And if you look closely, you will see that the Bahamas is located somewhere in the middle between Cuba and Miami, which is located in the US state of Florida. This means that the Bahamas is hot and dry.

The Bahamas includes more than 700 islands, but only 30 of them are inhabited by people and they are inhabited. Why are the other islands empty? Some are too small to build on them. And some islands are constantly flooded with water, so you can't build there either.
But there are separate islands where you can go on an excursion. You will be a modern Robinson Crusoe, and this journey will be remembered for a long time.

The Bahamas is washed by the ocean on all sides. But the islands have no rivers at all! But there are lakes that are connected with the ocean and in them salty water... Mountains are also almost absent. They simply have nowhere to take, because there is so little space.
But the islands are full of green vegetation. And it is always green, because there is no cold winter here. And the vegetation grows here for a reason. Every bush and tree is under state protection! And all because there are few of them on the islands. Therefore, there are nature reserves and parks everywhere, where you can hide from the sun and watch animals.

See where the Bahamas are located on a world map. And then you will definitely want to fly here.

The Bahamas are famous for their excellent beaches, beautiful underwater world and distinctive culture. The archipelago includes about 700 islands, of which only 40 are inhabited. Local resorts are perfect both for a leisurely vacation in complete unity with nature, and for extreme diving, as there are many underwater tunnels and "blue holes".

Information about the Bahamas

The Bahamas have an official name - the Commonwealth of the Bahamas. The state is located in the Atlantic Ocean on an archipelago that stretches for 1500 km, and is separated from Cuba by the Old Bahamas, and from the United States by the Florida Gulf. total area islands is about 14 thousand square meters. km. The largest of them are Andros, Big Abaco, Grand Bahama, Big Inagua, New Providence, Big Exuma, Eleuthera and a number of others.

Capital: Nassau.

Population: 377,374 people (according to 2013 data).

State structure: a constitutional monarchy led by the Queen of Great Britain, represented in the Bahamas by the Governor-General.

Language: English, patois (Creole) is common among people from Haiti.

Religion: Most of the population is Christians, mostly Baptists (35%). Popular beliefs are also widespread ("oba").

Time: 8 hours behind Moscow time in summer and 9 hours behind in winter. On the last Sunday in March, the time is moved forward one hour (valid until the first Sunday in November).

Climate

The climate in the Bahamas can be characterized as subtropical (in the south) and trade wind (in the north). In summer, the air temperature here reaches +32 ° С, in winter - +22 ° С. It is always cooler in the central part of the archipelago than in southern islands... The water temperature in the resorts of the Bahamas is about +27 ° C in summer and +23 ° C in winter.

Most of the precipitation on the islands falls from May to October, during the same months severe storms and hurricanes are possible. Based on this, best time for holidays in the Bahamas, the period from late October to early May is considered.

Average daily temperature in the resorts of the Bahamas, ° C

Resorts in Bahamas

Jan

Feb

March

Apr

May

June

July

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Nassau

+25

+25

+26

+27

+29

+31

+32

+32

+31

+30

+28

+26

Nassau, t water

+25

+25

+25

+26

+27

+28

+29

+29

+29

+28

+27

+26

Andros

+25

+25

+26

+27

+29

+31

+31

+32

+31

+29

+27

+26

Andros, t water

+23

+23

+23

+24

+25

+27

+28

+28

+28

+27

+26

+24

Abaco

+25

+25

+26

+27

+29

+31

+31

+32

+31

+29

+27

+26

Abaco, t water

+23

+23

+23

+24

+25

+27

+28

+28

+28

+27

+26

+24

Grand Bahama

+25

+25

+26

+27

+29

+31

+31

+32

+31

+29

+27

+26

Grand Bahama, t water

+23

+23

+23

+24

+25

+27

+28

+28

+28

+27

+26

+24

Eleuthera

+25

+25

+26

+27

+29

+31

+31

+32

+31

+29

+27

+26

Eleuthera, t water

+23

+23

+23

+24

+25

+27

+28

+28

+28

+27

+26

+24

Bimini

+20

+21

+22

+24

+26

+27

+28

+28

+28

+26

+23

+21

Bahamas Map

Nature

The Bahamas are stretches of limestone plateau protruding above the ocean. Its underwater part has deep cracks and ferruginous layers, due to which undersea world The Bahamas looks very picturesque. Numerous coral reefs, blue holes and long tunnels connecting deep underwater caves add to its beauty. All this makes the islands of the archipelago very attractive for divers.

Previously, the entire territory of the Bahamas was covered with tropical forests, but today they are preserved only on the islands of Grand Bahama, Abaco and Andros. On their territory you can see valuable species of wood - red iron and log wood, Caribbean pines, as well as different kinds exotic flowers - orchids, jasmine, bougainvillea, etc. Often on the islands you can find artificial plantations with conifers, casuarins and mahogany.

The fauna in the Bahamas is not very diverse. The most common are bats, frogs, snakes, lizards, as well as birds - red flamingos, pelicans, herons, etc. Numerous fish species are found near the coasts - mackerel, barracuda, Atlantic sailboat, etc. Thanks to this, fishing in the Bahamas is very exciting class.

Another feature of the Bahamas' nature is the beautiful sandy beaches with fine sand, which attracts many travelers who want to soak up the sun and swim in the cleanest coastal waters.

Traditions and customs

The main feature of the Bahamians is their slowness; it is not customary to rush somewhere on the islands. The locals are generally calm and friendly, but sometimes they can express their emotions quite violently.

The dress code on the islands is informal. In most cases, a shirt and long trousers will be enough for men. In resort areas, shorts are also quite suitable; in cities, openly beachwear should be avoided. In the evening and on holidays, a long dress with ethnic patterns is considered good form for women, and a light suit for men.

As far as culinary traditions are concerned, in the Bahamas they are closely associated with seafood. Charcoal-baked shells, crabs, shrimps, fish cakes, salads with seafood, various variations of dishes with conch snails, reef perch in tomato or anchovy sauce, soup with lime juice, celery, meat and onions - these delicacies can be found in menu of almost all restaurants in the archipelago. Big influence the British colonialists rendered the cuisine of the Bahamas, so traditional English dishes cooked taking into account local characteristics... Popular desserts include Caribbean coconut pies, rice puddings and fruit salads. In the bar's card, you will surely see Nassau Royal rum, the famous Bahamian Kalik beer, as well as various imported drinks.

Culture and architecture

The culture of the Bahamas was influenced by Africans, residents neighboring islands The Caribbean and colonists. An important part of national folklore is the oba rituals, which are reminiscent of the santeria rites in Brazil and Cuba, as well as voodoo from Haiti. The practice provides for an appeal to white and black magicians, communication with departed ancestors and spirits of the underworld, etc. Followers of both believe that evil spirits live in silk cotton, and with a special skill, their power can be controlled. Voodoo rituals are also common in the Bahamas, especially among immigrants from Cuba, Haiti, Jamaica and the Dominican Republic.

Another bright side of the Bahamas culture is music, which combines the traditions of colonialists and African slaves. Down-home styles (music played on accordions, guitars and maracas) and gumbay, which combine English folk songs with calypso melodies, are especially popular.

Dance art is also common in the Bahamas. In special rooms or on the street, you can see real dance performances, in which ritual African dances, classical ballet and modern choreography are combined in a whimsical way.

There are also architectural sights in the Bahamas. Most of them belong to the period of colonization and are located in the capital of the state - the city of Nassau.

Main currency

The main currency on the islands is the Bahamian dollar, which is equal to 100 cents. Both coins and banknotes of various denominations are in circulation. US dollars are freely circulating. Credit cards of international systems are accepted almost everywhere.

You can exchange currency in the Bahamas at shopping centers, hotels and banks, which usually work on weekdays until 15:00. The most favorable exchange rate is at international banks located in Freeport and Nassau. There are a lot of ATMs in popular tourist areas, which cannot be said about the peripheral islands, where withdrawing money is quite problematic. Hotels, restaurants and exchange offices can charge a fairly large commission for cashing tourist checks, so before using their services, find out about all the conditions. It is most beneficial to use traveller's checks in US dollars.

Flight

Fly from Russia to the Bahamas using direct flight it is forbidden. Most the best option- British Airways flight with a connection in London (operates five times a week), which takes about 13 hours. You can also fly to the United States, and from there, with the help of American airlines, to the capital of the Bahamas - Nassau. The disadvantage of this option is that such a trip requires an American transit visa... You can also get to the Bahamas from the USA by ferry (the journey takes about 5 hours).

Electricity

Mains voltage - 110V, 60 Hz. American type sockets.

Car rent

To rent a car in the Bahamas, you need an international driver's license, passport and credit card... The driver must be at least 21-23 years old (depending on the rental company). Car rental offices are located at airports, large hotels and in central urban areas.

Our Tips

The tourist areas of the Bahamas are quite safe, but you should follow the usual precautions: do not walk on the outskirts at night, watch your wallet, leave valuables in the safe.

You do not need to do any vaccinations to enter the country - they will only be needed if you are arriving in the Bahamas from a hotbed of infectious diseases. It is advisable to undergo immunization against tuberculosis, diphtheria and hepatitis B. You should also avoid swimming in local fresh water.

Tap water in major cities is safe, although it tastes salty, so we recommend bottled water. Water outside popular tourist areas can be contaminated and should not be drunk. Dairy products, meat, poultry, vegetables and fruits can be eaten without fear - their safety is monitored.

For sun protection, it is worth using special creams, since the level of sun exposure in the Bahamas is very high. On excursions, it is advisable to wear light clothing that covers the shoulders.

The Bahamas is an independent country that is part of the Commonwealth, which is led by Great Britain. The second name of the state is the Commonwealth of the Bahamas. It is located on the archipelago of the same name, washed by the Atlantic Ocean. The border of the Bahamas with Florida is the Florida Strait, and with Cuba - the Old Bahamas. Now, I think, it has become clear to everyone where the Bahamas are located. Land borders, as you probably already guessed, the Bahamas simply do not have.

By the way, since 2009, Russians no longer need a visa to travel to the Bahamas. But when buying tickets, it is worth, nevertheless, to really assess your knowledge of English language... After all, the official language here is English, and most of the holidaymakers are from the neighboring United States. Therefore, it will not be superfluous to take good English courses and improve your knowledge of the language.

Isn't it beautiful?

The archipelago stretches in the north-west direction and slightly to the south-east for 1500 km, the area of ​​all islands of the state of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas is 13 940 sq. km, and inhabited islands- about 11 400 sq. km. It includes about 700 islands and 2,000 coral reefs. Of the seven hundred islands, only thirty are inhabited. The capital of the Bahamas is the port city of Nassau. It is Nassau that takes on the first wave of vacationers, since it is here that hotel ships dock, bringing here numerous tourists from all over the world. There is no shortage of tourists, as the prices for tours are in a fairly wide range. The currency of the Bahamas is the Bahamian dollar (BSD).

Bahamas on world map, map in Russian

Bahamas (Bahamas ) - islands in the Atlantic Ocean, located between the island of Cuba and the Florida Peninsula. Commonwealth of the Bahamas c is an archipelago with about 700 islands, of which only 30 are inhabited. Bahamas everyone associates with gorgeous beach vacation, with endless snow-white sandy beaches, with crystal clear warm water and coral reefs. the world is represented precisely on Bahamas.

Bahamas - paradise in the atlantic ocean

1. Capital

Capital of the Bahamas - city Nassau(Nassau), founded by English pirates on the island New Providence.

Nassau- a noisy, modern city. It is not only the center of entertainment, but also the center of commerce in Bahamas as numerous cruise ships stop in the city. Nassau known for its warm climate, beautiful beaches, vibrant tropical vegetation, numerous restaurants, banks and high-end shops.

2. Flag

Flag of the Bahamas Is a panel consisting of three horizontal stripes equal in width, with an aspect ratio of 1: 2. The black equilateral triangle symbolizes the unity and determination of the Bahamians. Three horizontal stripes of equal width symbolize Natural resources islands: two bright blue (aquamarine) stripes along the edges - crystal clear waters Caribbean , the golden stripe (in the center) is the land of the islands, giving their inhabitants their treasures.

3. Coat of arms

Coat of arms of the Bahamas- a shield with the national symbols of the country held by flamingos and marlin. At the top of the shield is a shell, symbolizing rich marine life, placed on the helmet. In the center of the coat of arms is the shield itself, the main symbol of which is the caravel "Santa Maria", the flagship of the first expedition of Columbus. The ship is depicted sailing under the rising sun - a symbol of a young nation. Animals holding a shield are national symbols Bahamas... The flamingo is depicted standing on the ground, and the marlin is depicted on the water. The national motto is written at the bottom of the coat of arms - "Forward, together, higher, further".

4. Anthem

listen to the national anthem of the Bahamas

5. Currency

The national currency of the Bahamas is the Bahamian dollar equal to 100 cents (B $, BSD, code 44). In circulation there are coins of 1, 5, 10, 15, 25 cents and banknotes in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 dollars. The Bahamian dollar to the ruble or any other currency can be viewed on the currency converter below:

Coins Bahamas

Banknotes of the Bahamas

Bahamas located in the Atlantic Ocean at a distance of about 90 km southeast of Florida and about the same distance northeast of Cuba. The Bahamas is a scattering of 700 islands and 2,500 reefs, of which only 30 are inhabited.

Area of ​​the Bahamas - 13 940 km 2... The surface of the islands is flat. The most high point Bahamas is located on the island of Cat, which is only 63 meters high. There are several freshwater lakes on the territory of the islands, and only one small river flowing on the island of Andros.

8. What is worth seeing

. Bahamas- this is the beauty of nature, underwater fishing, and hunting, and diving in coral reefs, boat trips, watching flamingos, boat trips with dolphins, as well as immersion in the atmosphere of the Caribbean carnival. All this and much more like a magnet attract these islands to tourists from all over the world.

And here is a small list of attractions, which you should pay attention to when drawing up a plan of excursions around Bahamas:

• Funnel Blue Hole Deana
• Government House building
• Complex "Atlantis"
• Cat Island
• Lucaya National Park
• Paradise Island
• Atlanta underwater sculpture
• Pink Beach Bahamas
• Nassau Straw Market
• Fort Fincastle

9.10 Largest cities in the Bahamas

• Nassau / Nassau (capital)
• Freeport
• West End
• Coopers Town
• Marsh Harbor
• Freetown
• High Rock
• Andros Town
• Spanish Wells
• Clarence Town

10. And what is the weather here?

Bahamas climate- tropical, trade wind and has two seasons: summer (lasts from May to November) and winter (lasts from May to November). The middle of winter for the Bahamas is a cool season. average temperature islands in the daytime is + 24 ° C, and in summer the temperature ranges from +26 to +32 C, on some days it can reach +40 C (from June to August), but the trade winds significantly soften the heat throughout the country. The main amount of precipitation (up to 800 mm) falls on the so-called rainy season, from May to October. Rains are not frequent during the winter. The water temperature is usually +27 - +29 C in summer and +23 - +25 C in winter.

11. Population

The population of the Bahamas is 397,297 (as of February 2017). 3/4 of the total population Bahamas- blacks and mulattos, there are also diasporas of people from Haiti and Jamaica. A tiny part is made up of Europeans and North Americans.

12. Language

Official language of the Bahamas—English, Creole or "patois" is still quite common (widely used among immigrants from Haiti).

13. Religion

Bahamas- mainly Christian country 92%. The largest Christian groups are Baptists, Catholics, Pentecostals, and Anglicans. Traditional folk beliefs are also common. "Obeah" originating in Haitian Voodoo.

14. Holidays

Bahamas National Holidays:

• January 1st - New Year, Jonconu carnival
• March-April - Easter
• first Friday in June - Labor Day
• July 10 - Independence Day.
• first Monday in August - Liberation Day
• October 12 - Discovery Day of America
• December 25 - Christmas
• December 26 - Boxing Day

15. Souvenirs

Here is a small list most common souvenirs which tourists usually bring from the Bahamas:

• large graceful ships made of shells
• handmade Maltese glass vases, silver sail models, precious crosses
• wickerwork, souvenirs, carved from wood
• symbols and amulets
• straw products (hats and baskets)
• watches of famous brands
• exotic garments
• Jewelry

16. "No nail, no rod" or customs regulations

allow to import and export any amount of foreign currency. Local currency - Bahamian dollars- you can import into the country, and export more 70 Bahamian dollars allowed only with permits from the Central Bank Bahamas.

Tourists over 18 years old can import on Bahamas no duty 0.94 liters of any alcohol, tobacco products (at choice) 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars or 250 grams of tobacco. As well as any other goods and products worth $ 100.

On the Bahamas the transit of drugs and explosives, items of historical and cultural value and weapons is prohibited without appropriate permits. The export of agricultural products, plants of all kinds and wood carvings requires a permit from the Ministry Agriculture and Fisheries of the country.

What about sockets?

Voltage in the electrical network Bahamas: 120 V , at a frequency of 50, 60 Hz ... Socket type: Type A , Type B .

17. Dialing code and domain name Bahamas

Country code: +1-242
Geographic first level domain name: .bs

Dear reader! If you have been to this country or you have an interesting story to tell about the Bahamas . WRITE! After all, your lines can be useful and informative for visitors to our site. "Around the planet step by step" and for all travel lovers.

Bahamas is a word that only makes everyone feel good. What could be better rest on the islands, where it is always warm, and the gentle sea invites you to frolic and forget about all the sorrows? Meanwhile, the Bahamas is a whole archipelago, which includes about seven hundred islands and thousands of reefs. Some of them are inhabited, others are of little use for life. The most popular among tourists are the islands of New Providence, Abaco, Grand Bahama, Andros, Long Island and Eleuthera.

The archipelago is located in the Atlantic Ocean near east coast North America... The coast of Florida is located 90 km from it, and Cuba is located in the southwest. The archipelago itself covers an area of ​​about 250 thousand kilometers, and its length is almost a thousand kilometers. The capital of the Bahamas is the city of Nassau, which is located on the island of New Providence.

The weather in the Bahamas varies depending on their location. In the north, it is due to the tropical trade wind climate. In summer, the air atmosphere is kept within + 26- + 32 ° С. In winter - around + 18- + 22 ° С, even at the most northern islands(Small Abaco) it does not fall below + 15 ° С. The southern part of the archipelago is slightly warmer. In summer, the air warms up to + 40 ° С, however, thanks to the trade winds blowing from the sea, the climate here is quite mild, the heat is not felt so much. The hottest months here are June, July and August. The water temperature in summer is about + 27 ° С, in winter - + 22 ° С. The humidity on the islands varies with the season. The rainy season lasts here from May to October, but it is not pronounced, so it does not annoy vacationers. But hurricane winds and storms during this period are a serious obstacle to rest. In winter, there are powerful tropical showers from time to time, however, they do not last long.

Tourism in the Bahamas

Many people associate the Bahamas, first of all, with relaxing on golden beaches. Meanwhile, it also has its own attractions. Despite the fact that the main income of the island is derived from tourism, not all places here are explored and open to the public. In the Bahamas big cities with a frantic pace of life and developed infrastructure interspersed with corners of wildlife. All this creates an indescribable atmosphere.

The most popular city tourists have the capital of the Bahamas - Nassau... This is a large bustling city, there is always something to see. Sightseeing should start from the northern part, the historic center of the city. Here, in Rawson Square, there are buildings dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries. Then the Bahamas was still a colony of Britain, so lovers of English architecture, spiced with South American flavor, should definitely take a look at this. It is never quiet here; artists, bankers, sailors, hawkers and tourists filled this small square a hundred years ago. The famous Jonkonu festival is also held here. In order to look at the colonial medieval architecture, it is worth going to Parliament Square. Here are the buildings of the Colonial Administration, Parliament, The Supreme Court and the House of Assembly, the construction of which dates back to the years 13-18 centuries. History buffs will love the Museum of Pompeii, housed in the auction house. It contains many exhibits that tell about the history of slavery on the islands. The colorful Straw Market, Woods Rogers Wolf Promenade and Harbrader Center are nearby.

In the southern part of the city, in the Hillside area, there is the Public Library and the City Museum. The building of the museum itself is of interest, as it has the shape of an octagon at the base. Previously, there was a city prison. The Royal Victoria Gardens are nearby. This place is definitely worth a visit. More than 300 species of tropical plants are collected in one place, and the atmosphere in the gardens gives a feeling of calm and tranquility.

Also of interest are Fort Fincastle and the 85-meter Water Tower. There are wonderful views of the harbor from here. And to the east of the tower is the Royal Staircase, which the slaves carved right into the limestone rock. The construction of this impressive structure took 16 years, and about 500 people worked on it.

Other islands are less visited by tourists. But if vacationers want something unusual, then it is worth looking for exotic things outside New Providence. Lovers of communication with wild nature worth a visit to the island of Grand Bahama. Here is the Rand Memorial Nature Center. It includes parks where more than 5 thousand species of exotic plants are collected, as well as the Grand Bahama Museum. In the western part of the island is the picturesque village of Jack Thur. Pirates and underground fighters once lived here.

But literature lovers should visit the tiny islands of Bimini. Here, in the city of Ellis Town, the famous writer Ernest Hemingway lived and worked. It was here that the novel "To Have or Not to Have" was written. Also on the islands it is worth looking at the Bimini Wall and Bimini Road. Locals claim that these sights are parts of the legendary Atlantis, which sank many thousands of years ago.

Holidays in the Bahamas

There is everything for a vacation in the Bahamas - great hotels for every taste, clear sea, golden beaches, conditions for active rest... On the island of New Providence, Cable Beach is very popular, which is located near Nassau. It is a huge beach with many hotels, restaurants, casinos and sports complexes... There is also the elite Delapor Point Beach with luxurious Venetian-style villas. In the vicinity of the island there are excellent conditions for fishing and water sports... Divers love the southern part of the island with quirky coastline and the beautiful Coral Bay. On the west coast fishing and snorkeling lovers usually have a rest. Here, in the shallow water, there is a very rich underwater world, the water is literally teeming with various marine inhabitants. There are several yacht clubs in the vicinity of Nassau.

Fans of a noisy city life with a lot of entertainment should go to the Grand Bahama Island, to the city of Freeport. This is a paradise for lovers active species recreation. There are tennis courts, golf courses, fishing and diving centers. The city itself is fashionable resort, founded just half a century ago. Shopping and nightlife lovers will love the Mull area, which is full of shops, restaurants, casinos and nightclubs. And, of course, you need to know the places where you can eat deliciously. In Freeport, this is the Le Chicken Snack restaurant, where barbecue chicken is prepared in such a way that even gourmets admit that this is the best chicken in the world.

There is a place in the Bahamas that is not very popular among tourists, but beloved by extreme divers. This is the most big Island Bahamas Archipelago - Andros. The nature here is almost not spoiled by civilization. Divers love the island for its huge barrier reef, which stretches along one of the banks. But the lovers of eco-tourism will also like it here. The dense mangrove and pine forests are so dense that the locals still talk about the Chikcharniz, the little red-eyed elves that live in these forests and do not have the most kind feelings for people.