2. Location Caribbean, chain of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, southeast of Florida, northeast of Cuba Coordinates 24 15 N, 76 00 W Total Area-13,880 sq km water: 3,870 sq km slightly smaller than Connecticut
3. Capital Population Nassau- It is a whole island not just a city Located in the Northwestern part of the Bahamas 309,156 citizens
4. Interesting Geographical Facts Climate tropical marine surrounded by warm waters of the Gulf Stream Terrain long, flat coral formations with some low rounded hills Elevations lowest point is the Atlantic Ocean at 0 m highest point is Mount Alvernia, on Cat Island at 63 m Natural Resources Salt Aragonite Timber arable land Bahamas is made up of 700 islands and only 30 islands are inhabited Weather They have hurricanes and tropical storms, which usually flood the surrounding area
6. Languages The official language of the Bahamas is English. Common speech is more British than English Locals have a strong accent and every other word is a slang word
7. Flag The colors represent the golden beaches of the islands in gold and are surrounded by the aquamarine sea Black represents the mental state of mind and force of a united people The black triangle represents the determination of the Bahamian people to develop the rich resources of land and sea
8. Government Executive branch Chief of State: is Queen Elizabeth II (since February,6 1952) Represented by Governor General Arthur D. HANNA (since 1 February 2006) Head of Government: Prime Minister Hubert A. INGRAHAM (since 4 May 2007) Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the prime minister's recommendation Elections, the monarch is hereditary Governor General is appointed by the monarch Legislative Branch Bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (16 Members), who serve for 5 years House of Assembly (41 seats), members elected by direct popular vote to serve five-year terms Elections last held May , 2007 (next to be held by May 2012) Judicial Branch Privy Council in London; Courts of Appeal; Supreme) Court; Magistrates' Courts Government constitutional parliamentary democracy and a Commonwealth realm Legal system Based on English common law
9. Bahamas History Lucayan Indians inhabited the islands when Christopher Columbus first set foot in the New World on San Salvador in 1492. British settlement of the islands began in 1647; the islands became a colony in 1783. Obtained Independence from the United Kingdom in 1973 The Bahamas have prospered through tourism, international banking and investment management. Because of its geography, the country is a major transshipment point for illegal drugs for both the United States and Europe HIV/AIDS 6,200 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 118 Median Age Total: 28.7 years Male: 27.9 years Female: 29.5 years (2009 est.)
10. Education System Literacy definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 95.6% male: 94.7% female: 96.5% (2003 est.) School attendance is compulsory between the ages of 5 and 16 As of 1999, the government fully operates 158 of the 210 primary and secondary schools in The Bahamas. School starts from nursery (age 3) or kindergarten (age 4) all the way up to high school (grade 12).
11. Foods Boiled fish and grits is a favorite breakfast. Boiled fish is also delicious served with homemade Island bread. Grouper is the most popular fish used for boiling. Bahamians are experts at cooking this fish which is flaky, white, tender and mild in flavor. A typical Bahamian meal consists of crab and rice, steamed fish, served with baked macaroni and cheese and potato salad. Desserts such as coconut or pineapple tart, bread pudding or guava duff, a delicious dessert that is made through a laborious process of folding the fruit into the dough and boiling and is served with a sauce. This meal is finished off with a large glass of ice cold "switcha" (lemon, sugar and water mixture) or beer. This explains why heart disease and diabetes is high in the Bahamas
12. National Holidays National holiday Independence Day, July 10, 1973 Constitution written July 10, 1973 2009 1 Jan New Year's Day.10 Apr Good Friday.13 Apr Easter Monday.1 Jun Whit Monday.5 Jun Labour Day.10 Jul Independence Day.3 Aug Emancipation Day.12 Oct National Heroes' Day.25 Dec Christmas Day.26 Dec Boxing Day.
13.
14. Major Religions Baptist 35.4% Anglican 15.1% Roman Catholic 13.5% Pentecostal 8.1% Church of God 4.8% Methodist 4.2% other Christian 15.2% none or unspecified 2.9%, other 0.8% (2000 census)
15. Military Military branches Royal Bahamian Defense Force Land Force, Navy, Air Wing (2009) Military service age and obligation 18 years of age (est.); no conscription (2008)
16. Soccer in the Bahamas “It is an event quite unlike any other. The FIFA Congress is about to get started once again and, as usual, that means a huge number of people are on the move and a mammoth logistical effort underway. No fewer than ten tons of material have been transported from FIFA headquarters, representing more than 100,000 items overall, while 3,659 flights have been booked from every corner of the planet, more than 5,000 hotel nights reserved and around 100 journalists accredited for an event that will feature 1,000 participants.”
17. Works Cited http://www.bahamaspost.com/bahamas/bahamas-sports/3691.html (newspaper) http://www.grandbahamavacations.com/about-the-island/our-culture/ (magazine) https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/bf.html (website) http://www.worldtravelguide.net/country/24/public_holidays/Caribbean/Bahamas.html(website)
