Bahamas
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Geography
The Bahamas is an archipelago consisting of about 700 islands and Cays and almost 2,400 low, barren rock formations. Only 22 of these islands and keys are inhabited. The archipelago extends about 750 miles (1,200 km), reaching from a point off the east coast of Florida almost to the island of Hispaniola.

The islands are generally low and flat and the highest point in the entire archipelago, on Cat Island, is only 63 meters above sea level. There are no running streams except on Andros, the largest island. Fresh water is procured from wells dug in underlying rocks. Nassua, the capital is located on New Providence island.

History
One of the Bahama islands- San Salvador also called Watling Island- is probably the first site where the Spaniards landed in the New World in 1492. Caribs and Arawaks were enslaved by the newly arrived Europeans and not long after were virtually wiped out. In 1503 white settlers brought slaves to the Bahamas and settled in Eleuthera. However, the Bahamas became a haven for pirates the likes of Edward Teach alias Blackbeard and his cohorts, "Calico" Jack Rackham, Major Bonet (a Frenchman) and the female pirates Mary Reed and Ann Bonney. Following emancipation in August 1834 the freed slaves established themselves in various communities throughout the islands. The Bahamas remained a British colony until its independence in July 1973.

Economy
The economy is heavily dependent on tourism and offshore banking. Tourism alone accounts for more than 40% of the labor force. The financial services sector includes banks and trust companies, insurance companies, mortgage companies, international business companies, investment companies, mutual funds and a ship registry. In excess of $ US 260million in assets are under management in Bahamian licensed banks of which there are approximately 420 from 34 different countries. Manufacturing and industry account for about 10% of GDP with most of this sector operational in Freeport, Grand Bahama. Salt, rum, aragonite, pharmaceuticals and beer are among the major exports. There are ongoing efforts to develop the agricultural and fisheries sector which currently accounts for 5% of GDP. The country earns an estimated $US 60 million annually from the export of crawfish.

People & Culture
Most Bahamians are of African descent -about 85%. The remaining white population is directly descended from Loyalists, Eleutheran adventurers and sailors. Some families have been native Bahamians for over two centuries. Religion is an important part of Bahamian life and churches are to be found everywhere. Although many international foods can be found in the Bahamas, the country boasts a variety of local dishes including its famous conch salad, crack conch and boil fish and Johnny cake. Junkanoo is a national festival in the Bahamas and Christmas celebrations include several Junkanoo parades through the streets of the various islands, particularly in the wee hours of the morning on Boxing Day (December 26) and New Year's Day.