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Bahams

Continent: Central America and the Caribbean

Geography

People &
Society

Government

Economy

Energy

Communications

Military &
Security

Transportation

Terrorism

Transnational Issues
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Background

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. Piracy thrived in the 17th and 18th centuries because of The Bahamas close proximity to shipping lanes. Since attaining independence from the UK in 1973, The Bahamas has prospered through tourism, international banking, and investment management, which comprise up to 85% of GDP. Because of its proximity to the US - the nearest Bahamian landmass being only 80 km (50 mi) from Florida - the country is a major transshipment point for illicit trafficking, particularly to the US mainland, as well as Europe. US law enforcement agencies cooperate closely with The Bahamas, and the US Coast Guard assists Bahamian authorities in coastal defense through Operation Bahamas, Turks and Caicos, or OPBAT.

Location

Chain of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, southeast of Florida, northeast of Cuba

Area Comparative

Tlightly smaller than Connecticut

Maritime Claims

Territorial sea: 12 nm

Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Climate
Tropical marine; moderated by warm waters of Gulf Stream

Population Distribution

Most of the population lives in urban areas, with two-thirds living on New Providence Island where Nassau is located

Natural Hazards

Hurricanes and other tropical storms cause extensive flood and wind damage

Environment Current Issues

Coral reef decay; solid waste disposal

Environment International Agreements

Party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

Signed, but not ratified: None of the selected agreements

Geography Note

Strategic location adjacent to US and Cuba; extensive island chain of which 30 are inhabited
Year

Map Reference

  • Central America and the Caribbean

Irrigated Land

  • 10 sq km

Area 2020

  • Total
    13,880 sq km
  • Land
    10,010 sq km
  • Water
    3,870 sq km

Coastline

  • 3,542 km

Geographical Coordinates

  • 24 15 N, 76 00 W

Land use 2020

  • Agricultural Land
    1.4%
  • Arable Land
    0.8%
  • Forest
    51.4%
  • Other
    47.2%

Terrain

  • Long
  • Flat coral formations with some low rounded hills

Elevation

  • Lowest Point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
  • Highest Point: Mount Alvernia on Cat Island 64 m

Land Boundaries

    0 km

Natural Resources

  • Salt
  • Aragonite
  • Timber
  • Arable land
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