The Bahamas are made up of about 700 islands, along with more than 2000 rocks and small, low-lying islands called cays. They form a chain stretching for nearly 970 kilometres (600 miles). The largest islands are Grand Bahama, Andros and Abaco; the most populated is New Providence, home to the nation’s capital, Nassau along with around two-thirds of its people. The islands of the Bahamas are made of coral. In some places, there are low rounded hills. Most of the islands are fringed by white, sandy beaches, while inland are tropical shrubs and trees. The Bahamas have a warm, sunny climate all year round. They are occasionally at risk from hurricanes sweeping in from the Atlantic Ocean.

People

Only about 30 of the islands are inhabited. Most people live on New Providence, in and around the capital Nassau. Nearly all Bahamians are descended from Africans who settled in the country after escaping slavery in the 19th century. The rest have ancestors from Europe and the USA, or have migrated to the country from Haiti. English is the main language.

Tourism and banking

More than half of all Bahamians work in the tourist industry, many in hotels, restaurants or as guides. Every year, nearly 6 million tourists visit the Bahamas, attracted by its warm climate and beaches. Most arrive on cruise ships. Another major industry is international banking: liberal tax laws have encouraged many global companies and banks to set up offices in the Bahamas.

Pirate republic

The town that would be called Nassau was founded as Charles Town in 1670 by English colonists. It was used as a base for privateering against the Spanish. After being burned to the ground, the town was rebuilt in 1695 and renamed Nassau in honour of the English king William III, who belonged to the Dutch House of Nassau. Following attacks on the port by the combined French–Spanish fleet during the War of the Spanish Succession in 1703 and 1706, it was largely abandoned by the English. Pirates took it over at the end of the war in 1713 and established their own republic there, known as New Providence, "governed" by pirates.

The pirate republic was dominated by two bitter rivals: Benjamin Hornigold and Henry Jennings. Together they had founded the "Flying Gang", members of which included Edward Teach, known as "Blackbeard", Samuel Bellamy, Stede Bonnet, Charles Vane, Edward England, John Rackham ("Calico Jack") and two female pirates, Mary Read and Anne Bonny. The activities of the pirates caused havoc with shipping in the Caribbean until the newly-appointed Royal Governor of the Bahamas, Woodes Rogers, reached Nassau in 1718 and restored British control.

Facts about the Bahamas

Population 412,628 (2023 census)

Area 10,010 sq km

Highest Point Mount Alvernia, Cat Island 63 m (207 ft)

Capital Nassau, population 296,522

Other major cities Freeport, Grand Bahama (pop. 26,910)

Language English

Religion Christian (Protestant) 70%, Christian (Roman Catholic) 12%, others 18%

Ethnicity black / African 91%, white European 5%, mixed black / European 2%, others 2%

Currency Bahamian dollar (BSD)

Chief exports crayfish, salt, polystyrene, aragonite (a mineral formed from coral sands)