Metro
The Bahamas Population, Official Language And More.
Trendy developments: Since independence, The Bahamas has loved financial development and political stability, largely as a consequence of its tourism and offshore banking sectors. It has additionally confronted some challenges, equivalent to pure disasters (particularly hurricanes), crime, corruption, immigration, and environmental points. It has maintained good relations with its neighbors, particularly the USA, and has participated in regional and worldwide organizations such because the Caribbean Group (CARICOM) and the United Nations (UN).
The Bahamas
The population: The Bahamas has a population of about 400,000 people, making it one of the least populated countries in the Americas. The majority of the population is of African descent, followed by mixed, European, and other ethnic groups. The population is concentrated in urban areas, especially on New Providence Island, where the capital Nassau is located.
The landmarks: The Bahamas has many landmarks that reflect its natural beauty, cultural heritage, and historical events. Some of the most famous landmarks are: The Cloisters, a 14th-century French monastery that was relocated to Nassau by a newspaper tycoon; Pig Beach, a remote island where friendly pigs swim with tourists; Dunmore Town, a picturesque colonial settlement on Harbour Island; Fort Montagu, the oldest fort in Nassau that played a role in the American Revolution; and Pirates of Nassau Museum, a interactive attraction that showcases the history of piracy in the Caribbean.
The official language: The official and primary language spoken in The Bahamas is English, with many official and formal transactions and interactions taking place in this language. However, many Bahamians also speak a local dialect called Bahamianese or Bahamian dialect, which is based on English but influenced by West African languages and other creoles. Bahamianese is used in informal settings and has distinctive vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation. Another language spoken in The Bahamas is Haitian Creole, which is common among the Haitian immigrant community.
The culture: The culture of The Bahamas is rich and diverse, influenced by various sources such as African, European, American, and Caribbean traditions. Some of the aspects of Bahamian culture are: music, such as calypso, rake-and-scrape, junkanoo, and reggae; cuisine, such as conch salad, peas and rice, johnnycake, and rum cake; festivals, such as Junkanoo Parade, Crab Fest, and Pineapple Fest; sports, such as cricket, sailing, and basketball; art, such as straw work, pottery, painting, and sculpture; and religion, mainly Christianity.
The economic stability: The Bahamas has a stable and prosperous economy that relies heavily on tourism and offshore banking. Tourism accounts for more than 60% of the GDP and employs about half of the workforce. Offshore banking provides another 15% of the GDP and attracts foreign investors due to the low tax rates and financial secrecy laws. Other sectors of the economy include fishing, agriculture, manufacturing, and construction. The Bahamas has a high per capita income and a low unemployment rate. However, it also faces some challenges such as income inequality, environmental degradation, natural disasters (especially hurricanes), crime, corruption, and immigration.
The GDP The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of The Bahamas is the total value of goods and services produced in the country in a given year. According to the World Bank, the GDP of The Bahamas was worth 12.90 billion US dollars in 2022, representing 0.01 percent of the world economy. The GDP of The Bahamas is expected to reach 13.33 billion US dollars by the end of 2023, and 14.21 billion US dollars by 2025.
The Currency The official currency of The Bahamas is the Bahamian dollar (BSD), which is divided into 100 cents. The Bahamian dollar is issued and managed by the Central Bank of The Bahamas. The Bahamian dollar is pegged to the US dollar at a one-to-one ratio, meaning that one Bahamian dollar is equal to one US dollar. The Food The Bahamian cuisine is influenced by African, British, American and Caribbean cultures, and features a lot of seafood, tropical fruits, rice, peas and pork. Some of the most popular dishes in The Bahamas are: Conch salad: a fresh and spicy salad made with raw conch (a type of shellfish), lime juice, onions, peppers, tomatoes and herbs. Bahamian stew fish: a hearty stew made with fish (usually snapper or grouper), potatoes, onions, celery, tomatoes, thyme and bay leaves. Rock lobsters: also known as spiny lobsters, these are grilled or boiled and served with butter or lemon juice. Pigeon peas and rice: a staple side dish made with rice, pigeon peas (a type of legume), bacon, onions, tomatoes and spices. Baked crab: a delicacy made with crab meat, bread crumbs, eggs, butter, onion, celery, bell pepper and seasonings, baked in crab shells or ramekins. Souse: a soup made with meat (usually chicken, pork or mutton), water, lime juice, onions, celery, carrots, potatoes and spices. Boiled fish: a simple dish made with fish (usually grouper), water, salt, lime juice, onions, potatoes and thyme. Fried/seared fish: a crispy dish made with fish (usually snapper or grouper), flour, salt, pepper and oil.
Major Cities The capital and largest city of The Bahamas is Nassau, located on the island of New Providence. It has a population of about 274,000 people as of 2020. Other major cities in The Bahamas are: Freeport: the second-largest city and the main port of entry for Grand Bahama Island. It has a population of about 27,000 people as of 2010. West End: the oldest town and westernmost settlement on Grand Bahama Island. It has a population of about 13,000 people as of 2010. Marsh Harbour: the largest town and commercial center of Abaco Islands. It has a population of about 6,000 people as of 2010. Andros Town: the main settlement and administrative center of Andros Island. It has a population of about 2,000 people as of 2010.
Major Airport, Sea Port and Schools The major airport in The Bahamas is Lynden Pindling International Airport (LPIA), located in Nassau. It is the busiest airport in the country and serves as a hub for domestic and international flights. The major sea port in The Bahamas is Freeport Harbour, located in Freeport. It is one of the largest man-made harbors in the world and handles cargo, cruise ships and yachts. Some of the major schools in The Bahamas are: University of The Bahamas: the national public institution of higher education in The Bahamas. It offers undergraduate and graduate programs in various fields such as arts and sciences, business, education, law and tourism. College of The Bahamas:
