The Bahamas is a chain of seven hundred tiny islands just off the Florida coast, which mixes British Colonial charm with the laid-back lifestyle of the Caribbean.
All of the Bahamas islands are flat and low, with hills rising no more than 50 or 60 feet in altitude; so the climate is tropical and balmy, warmed by the Gulf Stream in winter (although the fall hurricane season is not always the best time for Bahamas vacation rentals).
The population of a third of a million is about 85% black, 12% white, and 3% Hispanic and Asian.
Originally the population consisted of Taino Indians who moved there from Cuba and Hispaniola in the 800's AD, and numbered about 30,000 at the time when Christopher Columbus landed in 1492.
The Spanish who followed Columbus enslaved most of the natives and removed them to other islands, so that the Bahamas was uninhabited until the mid-1600's when British adventurers from Bermuda colonized the main islands in the chain.
The islands soon came to be a lair for Caribbean pirates, including Blackbeard.
In an effort to establish order the English government made Bahamas a crown colony in 1718, and waged a long but eventually successful war against the pirates.
During the American Revolution the Bahamas were attacked and the capital of Nassau was briefly captured by American Naval forces.
When the American Revolution ended, over 7,000 Loyalists fled to Bahamas taking their slaves with them, and they established plantations.
It was from this time that the population of Bahamas became mostly African descendants.
The 1807 abolition of the British slave trade resulted in the settlement of thousands of liberated slaves on the islands.
Today the Bahamas is one of the top tourist destinations in the Caribbean.
Miles and miles of gorgeous beaches are lapped by the gentle waves of the deep turquoise sea - the clearest water on earth.
There is also fabulous nightlife including gourmet dining, world class casinos, golf, snorkeling and scuba diving.
The hotels and marinas around Nassau resorts offer a wide variety of boat rentals and charters, including sailboat rentals, crewed and catered sailing trips, day cruises, jet skiing, charter fishing, even submarine rides.
Bahamas is also famous for its great shopping in exclusive Bay Street designer boutiques, as well as the colorful straw market of Nassau town with its outdoor vegetable and fruit stalls, and famous straw handicrafts.
It is recommended that visitors bring comfortable, casual attire including sandals for the beach and sneakers for hiking.
Smart casual outfits and shoes are required by some of the more upscale restaurants.
It's easy to get around, since there are jitneys that run all day, and taxis which can be called or flagged.
Specialized guided tours are available depending on your interest - ecological adventuring among the wildlife and birds; shopping sprees; or gourmet - gambling flings at casinos offering blackjack, baccarat, craps, slot machines, and sports betting.
Travelers to Bahamas are required to have passports (note that all inclusive resorts Bahamas include free passports in their offers) and a return ticket.
All of the Bahamas islands are flat and low, with hills rising no more than 50 or 60 feet in altitude; so the climate is tropical and balmy, warmed by the Gulf Stream in winter (although the fall hurricane season is not always the best time for Bahamas vacation rentals).
The population of a third of a million is about 85% black, 12% white, and 3% Hispanic and Asian.
Originally the population consisted of Taino Indians who moved there from Cuba and Hispaniola in the 800's AD, and numbered about 30,000 at the time when Christopher Columbus landed in 1492.
The Spanish who followed Columbus enslaved most of the natives and removed them to other islands, so that the Bahamas was uninhabited until the mid-1600's when British adventurers from Bermuda colonized the main islands in the chain.
The islands soon came to be a lair for Caribbean pirates, including Blackbeard.
In an effort to establish order the English government made Bahamas a crown colony in 1718, and waged a long but eventually successful war against the pirates.
During the American Revolution the Bahamas were attacked and the capital of Nassau was briefly captured by American Naval forces.
When the American Revolution ended, over 7,000 Loyalists fled to Bahamas taking their slaves with them, and they established plantations.
It was from this time that the population of Bahamas became mostly African descendants.
The 1807 abolition of the British slave trade resulted in the settlement of thousands of liberated slaves on the islands.
Today the Bahamas is one of the top tourist destinations in the Caribbean.
Miles and miles of gorgeous beaches are lapped by the gentle waves of the deep turquoise sea - the clearest water on earth.
There is also fabulous nightlife including gourmet dining, world class casinos, golf, snorkeling and scuba diving.
The hotels and marinas around Nassau resorts offer a wide variety of boat rentals and charters, including sailboat rentals, crewed and catered sailing trips, day cruises, jet skiing, charter fishing, even submarine rides.
Bahamas is also famous for its great shopping in exclusive Bay Street designer boutiques, as well as the colorful straw market of Nassau town with its outdoor vegetable and fruit stalls, and famous straw handicrafts.
It is recommended that visitors bring comfortable, casual attire including sandals for the beach and sneakers for hiking.
Smart casual outfits and shoes are required by some of the more upscale restaurants.
It's easy to get around, since there are jitneys that run all day, and taxis which can be called or flagged.
Specialized guided tours are available depending on your interest - ecological adventuring among the wildlife and birds; shopping sprees; or gourmet - gambling flings at casinos offering blackjack, baccarat, craps, slot machines, and sports betting.
Travelers to Bahamas are required to have passports (note that all inclusive resorts Bahamas include free passports in their offers) and a return ticket.
Source...