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Bahamas
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The Bahamas is a tropical island chain in the Caribbean Sea. It is an independent commonwealth of the United Kingdom. The Bahamas is a tourist location for many people.
CitiesNassau - CapitalFreeportMatthew TownAlice Town BiminiOther destinationsSeveral cruise lines operate private island retreats in the Bahamas. Among them is Castaway Cay of the Disney Cruise Line. To visit these islands you usually have to be a passenger on the cruise line that owns the island.BackgroundHistoryArawak 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. Since attaining independence from the UK in 1973, The Bahamas have prospered through tourism and international banking and investment management. Because of its geography, the country is a major transshipment point for illegal drugs, particularly shipments to the US, and its territory is used for smuggling illegal migrants into the US.
CitiesNassau - CapitalFreeportMatthew TownAlice Town BiminiOther destinationsSeveral cruise lines operate private island retreats in the Bahamas. Among them is Castaway Cay of the Disney Cruise Line. To visit these islands you usually have to be a passenger on the cruise line that owns the island.BackgroundHistoryArawak 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. Since attaining independence from the UK in 1973, The Bahamas have prospered through tourism and international banking and investment management. Because of its geography, the country is a major transshipment point for illegal drugs, particularly shipments to the US, and its territory is used for smuggling illegal migrants into the US.
CultureThe populace is predictably friendly and more religious than one might expect: the Bahamas have one of the highest ratios of churches per capita in the world, with Baptists being the largest single group. Local newspapers will reveal religious references by elected officials in a manner that exceeds what would be found in the American South. This devotion does nothing to prohibit the activities of visitors nor is it intended to. There is a very "libertarian" attitude about personal morals.
FestivalsThe biggest event in the Bahamian calendar is Junkanoo, a street carnival held on Boxing Day (December 26) and New Year's Day (January 1). Junkanoo groups "rush" through the streets of towns, especially Nassau, wearing spectacular costumes of crepe paper and playing distinctive Junkanoo music, which combines African rhythms with loud brass and cowbells, fusing them together in a medley that veers on cacophony but is exceedingly dancable. The costumes, made from scratch every year, are disposed of on the streets as the party ends and make a great free souvenir to bring home!
ClimateTropical marine; moderated by warm waters of Gulf Stream. Hurricanes and other tropical storms cause extensive flood and wind damage.
TerrainLong, flat coral formations with some low rounded hills. The highest point is Mount Alvernia (63 m), on Cat Island.
ElectricityOfficially 120V 60Hz, which is identical to the U.S. and Canadian standard. Outlets are North American grounded outlets, identical to standard U.S. and Canadian wall outlets. Occasionally non-grounded outlets may be found, which do not accept the third, round pin present on grounded plugs, and require an adapter. Older North American outlets may not be polarized (with one slot wider than the other). Otherwise, adapters are available which accept a polarized plug and adapt it for use with a non-polarized outlet.
From Wikitravel, the free encyclopedia
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By The McClearys
7 days
This family-friendly vacation is centered in Nassau with some day jaunts to other areas of interest.
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20 people reviewed Bahamas
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Top
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at 2:38AM May 29, 2008
Beautiful
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at 6:10AM September 4, 2009
I've seen the beauty and pleasure of Bahamas in the last Ms. Universe pageant...it's a great to visit at.
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at 9:25AM August 12, 2008
Beautiful, from what I remember.
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at 7:40AM July 28, 2008
day trip off the ship - what a blast!
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at 5:21PM May 29, 2008
Fun weekend getaway ;)
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at 12:55PM May 29, 2008
freeport was industrial but nassau was alright. the crime is high and it is overpriced but there were a few gems. the gardens were fun as well as seeing the queens staircase. the inner city was really dirty.
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at 11:36AM May 29, 2008
Amazing. The water is so blue and the people are really nice...and the rum cake is good too!
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at 11:33AM May 29, 2008
My favorite Caribbean! I dream of living here! The pirate in me is now wanting a rum-runner!
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at 10:55AM May 29, 2008
Oh yes...one of my 1000 places to see before I die!
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at 10:12AM May 29, 2008
moi aussi j'y vais ac mon associéeeeeeeeeeee
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at 10:11AM May 29, 2008
Compass Point hotel is where I got married on my birthday - it's beautiful
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at 9:44AM May 29, 2008
Our Friend/Family trip of 1999! Great Trip!
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at 8:51AM May 29, 2008
Spring Break during my 1st year of medical school
Tony Arnett came along too
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at 6:22AM May 29, 2008
love it. paradise island is the shit!
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at 3:09AM May 29, 2008
I'm into tropical islands. I want to see the white sand beaches and the waters. I also want to try the cuisine.
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at 12:58AM May 29, 2008
A must-see for Caribbean travellers. Scuba diving experiences recommended. White beaches, clear waters. A great place for a wedding also. Can be pricey depending on where you travel within the islands but worth it. Atlantis is worth seeing. Try to swim with dolphins at least once before you leave.
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at 9:46PM May 28, 2008
I never thought I'd like tropical weather, but I was wrong.
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at 4:33AM May 28, 2008
you just have to stay at the Atlantis hotel!
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at 4:17AM May 28, 2008
only been there once but am planning a future trip
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at 9:22PM May 27, 2008
On a Cruise for our honeymoon
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