| Also known as: |
The place where worlds meet (Source: The
Heraldry of the Commonwealth Caribbean) |
Motto: |
Forward, Upward, Onward Together
|
Location: |
An archipelago state lying about 50 miles
off the coast of Florida, extending over 750
miles south-easterly along the coast of Cuba
to within 60 miles of Haiti and West of
Turks and Caicos Islands. The archipelago
comprises about 100,000 square miles with
more than 4,000 islands, islets and cays,
but it is commonly known as the country of
700 islands. Twenty-nine islands are
permanently inhabited.
|
History: |
The islands were colonised by the English in
the 16th century and was a British Crown
Colony from 1717 until internal self-rule in
1964. It gained independence on 10 July
1973.
|
Elections: |
Last elections were held in 2007. Next
elections due in 2012.
|
Ruling Party: |
Free National Movement (FNM)
|
Major Political Parties: |
Free National Movement (FNM), Progressive
Liberal Party (PLP)
|
Economic Summary: |
Tourism is the mainstay of the economy,
providing employment directly and indirectly
for over 50,000 persons. The industry is
oriented mainly towards short-stay visitors
and is concentrated in Nassau and in Grand
Bahama Island. There is a strong offshore
financial services sector. There is also a
container trans-shipment port on Grand
Bahama, as well as some export
manufacturing.
|
| Airports: |
Nassau International (New Providence)
Freeport (Grand Bahama)
|
| Status: |
Independent: 10 July 1973
|
| Capital: |
Nassau
|
| Head of State: |
H.E. The Hon. Arthur Dion Hanna, Governor
General
|
|
Head of Government: |
Rt. Hon. Hubert A.
Ingraham
Prime Minister
|
| Population: |
320,665 (2004)
|
Currency:
|
Bahamian dollar
|
| Education: |
Compulsory from ages 5 to 16 years |
| Infant mortality rate: |
17.2
per 1000 live births (2003) |
| Life expectancy: |
Male
70.4 years; Female 77.3 years (2000) |
GDP per capita:
|
EC$29,717 m (1995)
|
Total Exports:
|
EC$375.9m (2001)
|
Total Imports:
|
EC$1,928.7m (2001)
|
Intra-Regional Exports:
|
EC$2.5m (1997)
|
Intra-Regional Imports:
|
EC$7.7m (1997)
|
| Business
Hours: |
Commercial: 09:00 hrs-17:00 hrs Monday to
Saturday. Shops close on Thursday
afternoons and open on selected Sundays to
accommodate cruise ship visits.
Government: 09:00 hrs-17:30 hrs Monday to
Friday
|
| National
Holidays: |
New Year's Day (01 January); Good Friday;
Easter Monday; Whit Monday; Labour Day (02
June); Independence Day (10 July);
Emancipation Day (04 August); Discovery Day
(12 October); Christmas Day (25 December);
Boxing Day (26 December) Holidays that fall
on Saturday or Sunday are observed on the
following Monday
|
| Date of CARICOM
Membership: |
4 July 1983
|
| National
Anthem: |
March on Bahama Land
Lift up your head to the rising sun, Bahama
land;
March on to glory, your bright banners
waving high.
See how the world marks the manner of your
bearing!
Pledge to excel thro' love and unity.
Pressing onward, march together to a common
loftier goal;
Steady sunward, tho' the weather hide the
wide and treach'rous shoal
Lift up your head to the rising sun, Bahama
land;
'Til the road you've trod lead unto your
God,
MARCH ON, BAHAMALAND!
(Words and music by Timothy Gibson)
|
| Highest National Award: |
Governor General Award
|
| Favourite Dish: |
Steamed Conch 'N Tomato Paste
|
| Government web page: |
|
