0

It's no secret that Bahamas have long been popular place for tourists from all over the world. And even the Russians fly there to relax. The truth scares away many distance. Which has to be flown. 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. It has 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 Atlantic Ocean.

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

The Bahamas includes more than 700 islands, but only 30 of them are inhabited and inhabited. Why are the other islands empty? Some are too small to build on. 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-day Robinson Crusoe, and this journey will be remembered for a long time.

The Bahamas is washed by the ocean from all sides. But there are no rivers on the islands at all! But there are lakes that are connected to the ocean and have salt water. The mountains are also almost non-existent. 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 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 the world map. And then you definitely want to fly here.

The Bahamas is independent country, which is part of the Commonwealth, which is headed 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 Florida Straits border the Bahamas with Florida and the Old Bahamas with Cuba. Now, I think, it has already become clear to everyone where the Bahamas are located. Land borders, as you've probably guessed by now, the Bahamas simply don't.

By the way, since 2009, Russians no longer need a visa to travel to the Bahamas. But when buying tickets, it is still worth really evaluating your knowledge in English. After all official language here it's English, and most vacationers are from the neighboring United States. Therefore, taking good English courses and improving your knowledge of the language will not be superfluous at all.

Is it really beautiful?

The archipelago extends in a northwest direction and slightly southeast for 1500 km, the area of ​​\u200b\u200ball the islands of the state of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas is 13,940 square meters. km, and inhabited islands- approximately 11,400 sq. km. It consists of about 700 islands and 2000 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 over the first wave of vacationers, since it is here that ship-hotels moor, bringing here numerous tourists from all over the world. There is no shortage of vacationers, so the prices for tours are in a fairly wide range. The currency of the Bahamas is the Bahamian dollar (BSD).

Bahamas on the world map, map in Russian

If you are looking for something unusual, then you should visit the Bahamas. The Bahamas are located in the western part of the Atlantic Ocean, southeast of the Florida peninsula, in the Bahamas archipelago. Tours to the Bahamas are intended not only for those who are looking for a great vacation full of various entertainments, but also for those who are looking for a gambling holiday. It's no secret that the Bahamas is the center of the gambling business, and the casinos here work around the clock. In addition, tours to the Bahamas will be a real find for lovers of fishing. Here you can enjoy fishing in specially designated places for a moderate fee. lovers active rest will be able to find a variety of entertainment in the Bahamas, mainly related to water sports sports. For lovers of festivals, on the eve of the New Year and Christmas, a colorful festival-carnival Junkanoo is held on the island, which takes place to the national music using national costumes and is accompanied by national dances. The carnival has its own history, the roots of which go deep into history. On this day, it was customary for the owners to give freedom to their slaves, and they, in turn, dressed up in various costumes and had fun from the heart. The Bahamas annually receive a huge number of tourists from all over the world, thanks to its favorable location and the presence of a large number of various entertainments, the Bahamas are a recreation center and allow you to escape from a boring and monotonous life...

#toursto thebahamas #holidaysto the bahamas #honeymoonbahamas#tourscaribbean#luxuryhotelscaribbean#luxuryvacationcaribbean#suntour #santour #atlantisparadise #tours

ATLANTIS PARADISE ISLAND BAHAMAS HOTEL 5* Bahamas The best resort complex in the Bahamas Atlantis Paradise Island Bahamas is located on Paradise Island and occupies a vast area. resort complex belongs to the Kerzner International group. ATLANTIS PARADISE ISLAND BAHAMAS 5* is a fantastic world of joy that will impress any vacationer and give a huge amount of positive emotions. It offers: a water park, a dolphinarium, 11 lagoons-aquariums, where more than 50,000 representatives of the oceans and seas live, which can be observed through a transparent tunnel, exquisite shopping, programs for newlyweds, organizing and holding wedding celebrations, a modern conference room, SPA center, the largest casino in the Caribbean, nightclubs, bars, first-class restaurants, magnificent beaches, numerous swimming pools. The complex can rightfully be called the Atlantis of our time.

Bahamas

The name Bahamas is associated with the fringe of palm trees, the warmth of the sand, the turquoise of the lagoons and the roar of the waves. The Bahamas are in the West Indies. The Bahamas consists of hundreds of small and thirty big islands. Thanks to the mild climate, lush tropical nature, the relative isolation of the Bahamas and its natural beauty, it is always full of tourists at any time of the year.

The capital of the Bahamas is Nassau. Nassau is located on the island of New Providence. At first, New Providence was ordinary, nothing notable island However, today more than half of the country's population lives on the island. Nassau was founded by English settlers, it was they who gave the city its name - Charlestown, in honor of King Charles II of England. After all, Charles II gave these lands to English settlers. Later, the town was renamed Nassau, and this name has stuck with it to this day. The town owes the name of Nassau to the English settlers, who renamed the city in honor of King William III, who is a representative of the Orange-Nassau dynasty. In addition, in the past of the island there are notes of pirate prowess and adventurism. Nassau was the command post of the famous pirate Blackbeard. The famous inventor of the pirate flag, Rackham, was also based here.

Modern Bahamas no longer pose a threat to civilians, it is quiet and calm here. Today, the Bahamas have become a favorite vacation spot for Canadians and Americans. Thanks to the stable good weather, as well as the sea and the sun, you can relax in the Bahamas at any time of the year. Cable Beach is famous for the fact that it is here that all the famous hotels are located. The beach got its name in honor of the first telegraph, which was laid in the Bahamas. Paradise Island is famous for being located near New Providence and connected to it by two bridges.

Climate in the Bahamas

Subtropical and tropical. Throughout the year - unchanged. Average temperatures in summer are 32 degrees and in winter - 20 degrees. The water temperature ranges from 23 to 27 degrees. From May to October, the island is constantly fixed a large number of precipitation.

Time Zone in the Bahamas

The difference with Moscow time is eight hours.

Language in the Bahamas

English and Creole languages ​​predominate.

Currency in the Bahamas

In the Bahamas, the main currency is the Bahamian dollar.

Attractions of the Bahamas

The main place where the main city attractions are located is Parliament Square, which was built in the 19th century. Here is the building of the Supreme Court, the building of the Colonial Administration, the Parliament and the statue of Queen Victoria.

Tourists should also visit small towns located on west coast. In these towns, there used to be either pirates or secret rum makers. Worthy of attention is Fort Charlotte, which was built in 1788. Coral Island, Rand Memorial Reserve, Garden of the Groves, underwater caves - all these are the main attractions of the Bahamas, which every tourist should definitely visit.

Entertainment in the Bahamas

The Atlantis complex is the largest aquarium located under open sky. Here you can see a transparent underwater tunnel, copies of the Mayan pyramids with water slides, as well as a labyrinth that imitates the ruins of Atlantis. During the day you can go shopping in boutiques and shops, and in the evening visit a casino, bar or restaurant. The islands of Bimini, Berry and Andros have excellent fishing, and the most best diving- on the islands of Eleuthera and Abacos. You can feed sharks and swim with dolphins on Inagua Island. To play golf, you can go to the island of Grand Bahama.

Largest Islands in the Bahamas

The most important and most visited island in the Bahamas is New Providence. However, most tourists call this island Nassau, due to the fact that the eponymous capital of the Bahamas is located here. On the island is best beach- Cable Beach. In addition, there is also a huge number of shops, casinos, restaurants and bars. Nassau is the world's largest offshore center. More than 400 banks and trust funds are located in Nassau.

Paradise Island is famous for its bridges that connect it to New Providence. The island is quite popular with tourists. There are attractions of underwater walks, modern comfortable hotels, chic casinos and excellent resorts.

Nature of the Bahamas

The Bahamas are famous for their coconut palms, lagoons, coral reefs and sandy beaches. The climate of the Bahamas is tropical and mild. In the west, the Bahamas are washed by the Gulf Stream, and in the southeast, a warm equatorial wind always blows. During the year, the air temperature does not drop below 26 degrees. There is no rainy season on the island. However, tropical hurricanes occur here, which are typical for the entire Caribbean region. The most favorable time to visit the Bahamas is from November to May.

History of the Bahamas

The Bahamas were discovered by Columbus. It happened in 1492. Naturally, the first inhabitants of the islands were adventurers and pirates. The Bahamas were an English colony for over three hundred years. However, since 1973, the Bahamas have been part of the UK as an independent state. The head of state in the Bahamas is nominally the Queen of Great Britain, whose authority is exercised by the Governor General.

Population of the Bahamas

The total population of the Bahamas is 300 thousand people. However, about 170 thousand people live in Nassau. The bulk of the population is represented by Chinese, Europeans, mulattos and descendants of Negro slaves. official language is English.

Religion in the Bahamas

The bulk of the population is represented by Protestants.

Visa to the Bahamas

For citizens to visit the Bahamas Russian Federation for up to ninety days a visa is not required.

Electricity in the Bahamas

The islands have American standard plugs and 120V voltage.

Health

Vaccinations are not required to enter the country.

Holidays in the Bahamas

Casinos are open around the clock on the islands. The Atlantis is home to the largest casino in the Caribbean.

The coastal waters of the Bahamas are a paradise for divers, and fishing is the hallmark of a vacation in the Bahamas.

Shopping and Shops in the Bahamas

Bay Street is the center of trade in the Bahamas. Here you can buy literally everything, and the purchased items will be authentic. A pleasant surprise will be that all purchased goods are exempt from taxes.

Bahamas (Bahamas ) - islands in the Atlantic Ocean, located between the island of Cuba and the Florida peninsula. Commonwealth of the Bahamas in is an archipelago with about 700 islands, of which only 30 are inhabited. Bahamas everyone associates with chic beach holiday, with endless snow-white sandy beaches, with crystal clear warm water and coral reefs. of the world are presented 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 is a noisy, modern city. It is not only a center of entertainment, but also a center of commerce in Bahamas, as numerous cruise ships stop in the city. Nassau known for its warm climate, beautiful beaches, colorful tropical vegetation, numerous restaurants, banks and high-end shops.

2. Flag

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

3. Coat of arms

Coat of arms of the Bahamas- shield with national symbols country, which is held by flamingos and marlin. At the top of the shield is a shell, symbolizing the rich marine flora and fauna, 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 on the water. At the bottom of the coat of arms is written the national motto - "Forward, together, higher, further".

4. Anthem

listen to the 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 are coins of 1, 5, 10, 15, 25 cents and banknotes in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 dollars. Bahamian dollar to ruble exchange rate 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 are a scattering of 700 islands and 2,500 reefs, of which only 30 are inhabited.

The area of ​​the Bahamas is 13,940 km 2. The surface of the islands is flat. The most high point Bahamas located on Cat Island, which is only 63 meters high. On the territory of the islands there are several freshwater lakes, 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, sailing on a yacht, watching flamingos, boat trips with dolphins, as well as immersing yourself in the atmosphere of the Caribbean carnival. All this and much more like a magnet attract tourists from all over the world to these islands.

And here is a small list of attractions which you should pay attention to when planning excursions to Bahamas:

• Vortex Blue Hole Deana
• Government building
• Complex "Atlantis"
• cat island
• Lucaya National Park
• Paradise Island
• Underwater sculpture Atlanta
• Pink beach in the Bahamas
• Nassau Straw Market
• Fort Fincastle

9. 10 Largest Cities in the Bahamas

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

10. What's the weather like here?

The climate of the Bahamas- tropical, trade winds 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, the so-called rainy season, from May to October. In winter, rain is not frequent. The water temperature is usually +27 - +29 C in summer and +23 - +25 C in winter.

11. Population

The Bahamas has a population of 397,297 (as of February 2017). 3/4 of the total population Bahamas- blacks and mulattoes, there are also diasporas of immigrants from Haiti and Jamaica. A tiny part are Europeans and North Americans.

12. Language

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

13. Religion

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

14. Holidays

National holidays in the Bahamas:

• 1st of January - New Year, Jonconu Carnival
• March-April - Easter
• First Friday of June - Labor Day
• July 10 - Independence Day.
• first Monday of August - Liberation Day
• October 12 - America's Discovery Day
• 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
• vases self made Maltese glass, silver sail models, precious crosses
• wickerwork, souvenirs carved from wood
• symbols and amulets
• straw products (hats and baskets)
• famous brand watches
• exotic clothing items
• Jewelry

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

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

Tourists over 18 years of age can bring in Bahamas duty-free 0.94 liters of any alcohol, tobacco products (optional) 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars or 250 grams of tobacco. As well as any other goods and products worth $100.

On Bahamas the transit of narcotic and explosive substances, objects of historical and cultural value and weapons without appropriate permits is prohibited. The export of agricultural products, plants of all kinds and wood carvings requires permission from the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries of the country.

What about sockets?

Voltage in electrical networkBahamas: 120 V , at a frequency of 50, 60 Hz . socket type: Type A , Type B .

17. Telephone code and domain name Bahamas

Code of the country: +1-242
First level geographic domain name: .bs

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

Bahamas- a state located on the archipelago of the same name in the Atlantic Ocean, 90 km southeast of Florida and about the same distance northeast of Cuba. It extends for 970 km from the northwest to the southeast, covering an area of ​​about 259 thousand square meters. km (land area about 13.9 thousand sq. km). The capital is Nassau (New Providence Island).

The archipelago includes about 700 islands (of which only 30 are inhabited) and more than 2,000 coral reefs.

Climate

The climate is tropical trade winds in the north and subtropical in the south. The average summer temperature is +26..+32°C. In winter, the average temperature is +18..+22°C, the coolest is in the northwestern islands. The average water temperature is usually +27°C in summer and around +23°C in winter.

The best time to visit the country is the cool season from September to May.

In winter, rain is rare, usually in the form of short but powerful downpours. From May to November, hurricanes and tropical storms are possible, bringing heavy rainfall and hurricane-force winds.

Last changes: 06/18/2010

Population

Population of the Bahamas- 307,552 people (2009). Over 80% of the population of the islands are Africans and mulattoes, up to 12% are of European origin, and about 3% are immigrants from other countries of the Caribbean and Asia.

Composition: Baptist 35.4%, Anglicans 15.1%, Catholics 13.5%, Pentecostals 8.1%, Church of God 4.8%, Methodists 4.2%, other Christians 15.2%, atheists and undecided 2.9%, other 0.8% (2000 census).

Some, especially in the south and eastern islands practice bothah, a religion similar to voodoo. Voodoo itself is practiced exclusively by immigrants from Haiti, Cuba, Dominican Republic and Jamaica.

The official language is English, immigrants from Haiti use their own dialect (based on French).

Currency

The Bahamian dollar (B$, BSD), which is equal to 100 cents, is rigidly pegged to the US dollar.

In circulation there are banknotes of 100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 3 and 1 dollars (in total there are more than 40 different denominations of all denominations in circulation), as well as coins of 1 and 2 dollars, 50, 20, 15, 10 and 5 cents.

American coins and banknotes also circulate freely.

Currency can be exchanged at bank offices, hotels and large stores. The Bahamian dollar is firmly pegged to the US dollar, but exchange rates can vary quite a lot between institutions. The most stable rate is at the offices of international banks in Nassau and Freeport, change money in tourist areas most disadvantageous.

All types of credit cards are accepted for payment. Traveler's checks can be cashed in the same place where you can change currency - at bank offices, hotels and large stores. Some hotels, restaurants, and money changers charge high commissions for cashing checks, so it's always best to find out the terms and conditions in advance.

Last changes: 06/18/2010

Communication and communications

Telephone code: 1 - 242.

Internet domain: .bs

Rescue service: 911.

How to call

To call from Russia to the Bahamas, you need to dial: 8 - beep - 10 - 1 - 242 - subscriber's number.

To call from the Bahamas to Russia, you need to dial: 011 - 7 - area code - subscriber number.

Fixed line

The communication system on the islands is quite modern and well developed. Payphones that can be used to make international calls are located everywhere and work on calling cards national telephone company Batelco, which are sold at post offices, telephone company offices, hotels and supermarkets. You can also make a call from a payphone through an operator.

Many hotels provide a phone in every room from which you can make an inexpensive local call (seven-digit numbers) or go through an operator to an international line (usually the cost of a call from hotel room 10-15% more expensive than from a pay phone).

International calls can also be made from the post office.

mobile connection

Cellular communication of the GSM 900 standard covers all the islands and is well developed. The operator Batelco (Bahamas Telecommunications Company Ltd) - www.btcbahamas.com - provides full coverage of the country. Handsets of foreign operators must be registered with Batelco.

Internet

Network technologies and means of their service are developing quite intensively on the islands. The BaTelNet provider - www.batelnet.bs - provides almost all types of network services. in the capital and others major cities Internet cafes can be found on the island of Grand Bahama (usually open seven days a week). The cost of connection is usually about $5 per hour.

Mail

Only Bahamian postage stamps are valid in the Bahamas. In Nassau and Freeport, post offices are open on weekdays from 8.30 to 17.30, on Saturday - until 12.30. On outer islands Post office hours may be shorter. The main post office in Nassau, which is located on East Hill Street, has a philatelic office.

Mail, however, travels slowly from the Bahamas, so use the services of international commercial postal services for prompt delivery of correspondence.

Last changes: 06/18/2010

shopping

The country has canceled all duties on the import and export of perfumes, leather goods, jewelry, watches, photographic equipment, porcelain, and so on. Therefore, the prices for the mentioned goods are lower than in the USA by 25-50%. And in many areas that have the status of free trade zones, their cost is another 15 percent lower, so the Bahamas are considered one of the best areas for shopping in the central part of the Atlantic.

Shops are usually open from Monday to Saturday from 09.00 to 13.00 and from 15.00 to 17.00. Many shops close for lunch at 12.00 and open their doors again only at 14.30-15.00. Even though the government insists on opening shops on Sundays, very few establishments follow this rule. Therefore, Sunday is usually a day of calm in trade.

The Trade Center of the Bahamas is the world-famous Bay street. There you can buy everything at very competitive prices - watches of famous brands, jewelry, porcelain, crystal, leather bags, perfumes.

Last changes: 06/18/2010

Where to stay

The hotels are very diverse: there are large high-rise complexes, and small but cozy establishments. The local all-inclusive system is recognized as the best in the Caribbean.

Sea and beaches

The beaches in the Bahamas are municipal, free. However, certain sections of the beach are assigned to the hotels, which are diligently guarded.

Last changes: 01.09.2010

Story

The first settlers in the Bahamas are considered to be the Lucayans, a branch of the Arawak tribe, who arrived here around the 9th century. The islands were discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1492. One of the islands of the archipelago - Watling Island (San Salvador) - the first land of the New World, discovered on October 12, 1492. Three years later, the first Spanish colonists settled in the archipelago.

It is believed that by the time the islands were discovered by Europeans, up to 40 thousand people lived here, who settled the islands in the period from the 7th to the 12th centuries. The Spaniards took the locals to Hispaniola (Haiti) as slaves, and after 25 years almost all the Indians died, and the Spaniards left the settlement.

For another century, the islands remained sparsely populated and unclaimed, until King Charles I of England handed them over to the Attorney General. In 1650, a few English settlers arrived here with Bermuda who created settlements on the island of Eleuthera. At the same time, pirates began to settle in the Bahamas, creating their bases for rest and repair of ships on several islands of the archipelago. Pirates were expelled from the Bahamas by the British in 1718.

The Bahamas became a British colony in 1718, but remained sparsely populated until about 8,000 loyalists arrived here at the end of the 18th century, deported to the islands along with their slaves from the proclaimed independence of the United States (from New York, Florida and North and South Carolina). After the American War of Independence, English Loyalists began to bring thousands of people to the islands and in three years greatly increased the population. In addition, they contributed to the appearance of slaves and cotton on the islands, which shaped the future of the islands. American-style plantations were built here, but since the soil was not so good, most of the plantations ceased to exist in the very first years.

In 1781, the islands were captured by Spain, and returned to Great Britain in 1783.

When the slave trade was banned in Great Britain in 1807, the Royal Navy began to intercept slave ships and free slaves in the Bahamas. Many loyalists left the Bahamas after the abolition of slavery, often leaving their lands to former slaves who began to lead a meager existence without their masters, mainly engaged in fishing and agriculture. Although equality and political rights were conditional, power on the islands belonged to the white minority. In the 19th century, a share of smuggling emerged in the agrarian economy. Also important for the future of the islands was the fact that rich people appeared in the United States, ready to spend money on holidays in tropical paradise. By the end of the 19th century, Florida became tourist region and the Bahamas received little additional income.

In 1920, money poured into the country like a river, after the adoption of Prohibition in the United States, and smugglers became more active in Nassau. The Bahamas were the perfect platform for illicitly supplying the United States with alcohol, and Nassau soon became a huge warehouse for rum. The city invested a lot of money in construction, a huge number of hotels appeared.

The repeal of Prohibition in the United States in 1933 brought the Bahamas into the Great Depression.

As well as in the USA Second World War marked the end of the economic downturn. During the war, the mass of the American military came to the islands for recreation, which significantly improved the economy of the Bahamas.

After the war, wealthy Americans began to come to the islands for recreation, encouraged by the governor and his wife, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor. The Duke and Duchess made a big contribution to the development of tourism, as they believed that this was a great way to pull the Bahamas out of the post-war devastation, and after the Cuban Revolution in 1959, the islands were in an advantageous position, due to the fact that many Western travelers were forced to abandon resorts in Cuba. An American Air Force base has been expanded in Nassau to receive international flights, the port was updated and an active advertising campaign began. The rise in prosperity provoked the development of party politics and the aggravation of ethnic tensions, since the white elite received huge incomes from tourism, while the black majority remained below the poverty line.

In 1964, in accordance with new constitution, the islands were granted internal self-government.

The black-backed Progressive Liberal Party came to power in 1967 and ended white dominance. The country has embarked on the path of gaining independence.

On July 10, 1973, the Bahamas became an independent state within the British Commonwealth.

Attempts to reform the PLP led to a decrease in the value of real estate and the cessation of economic growth. Party leaders were mired in corruption, some of them involved in the international drug trade.

After aid provided by the United States to stop the drug trade in the 1980s. and the election of an administration representing the interests of the business community, the Bahamas began to gradually revive.

In 1999, Hurricanes Dennis and Floyd tore through the islands, destroying houses, roads, reefs and resorts. By 2001, the damage had been repaired, and the Bahamas again attracted the attention of tourists.

Last changes: 06/18/2010

Spearfishing with the use of spearguns and other devices is prohibited on the islands. Sport fishing is allowed, but a fee 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 result in a hefty fine and deportation from the country.

In addition, local laws regarding drug trafficking are very strict: for the sale and even simple use of drugs, it is quite possible to get a long prison term.

A separate danger is represented by regular outbreaks of conjunctivitis, which, although easily treated, still causes a lot of inconvenience in the local climate.

Tap water is usually chlorinated and relatively safe, although often brackish, so bottled water is recommended. Drinking water outside the main cities may be contaminated and not recommended.

The pace of local life, despite the strong American influence, is leisurely and calm. Even numerous entertainment establishments are famous for their calm atmosphere and clear work schedule.

The Bahamas is the center of the gambling business. All casinos are open 24 hours a day. The largest casino in the Caribbean is also located here (in the Atlantis hotel).

Last changes: 07.03.2013

How to get to the Bahamas

There are no direct flights from Russia. The best time-consuming travel option is a flight by British Airways with a change in London (flights five times a week, travel time from 13 hours).

Another possibility is a flight to the US, with a subsequent transfer to American airlines in Nassau. However, this option requires an American transit visa. The flight from Miami to Nassau will take about 35 minutes, from New York - 2.5 hours, from Philadelphia - 2 hours 45 minutes, from Toronto (Canada) - 3 hours.

Another means of connecting the United States with the Bahamas are ferries departing daily from Fort Lauderdale, Florida (journey time 5 hours).

The Bahamas also have air links with other Caribbean countries, including Cuba (Aeroflot's direct flight from Moscow to Havana is operated five times a week, travel time is about 13 hours).

Last changes: 04/10/2017