The Bahamas are located in the west of the Atlantic Ocean, at the latitude of the Northern Tropic, near the American continent (100 km from the Florida peninsula).
These are about 700 islands, with a total area of 13.9 thousand square kilometers, and only 30 of them are inhabited. Most of the islands are coral reefs. From the east, the Bahamas are washed by the warm current of the Gulf Stream. The islands are raised relative to the ocean level from a few meters to about 60 meters. highest point - 63 m, located on Cat Island. The relief of the islands is flat. On the shores facing the ocean, a series of marine terraces can be traced. On the west coast there are many salty lagoons, as well as karst lakes and swamps. In places, a strip of sandy beaches stretches along the coast. There are no rivers in the archipelago.
CLIMATE
The climate here is subtropical, very mild. The influence of the warm current of the Gulf Stream, as well as the constantly blowing southeast wind from the equator (trade wind) affects. Throughout the year, the average monthly temperatures do not fall below +20 degrees. The coolest thing is in January, when at night the temperature drops to +17 degrees, in the daytime it reaches +25 degrees. The hottest time of the year is July, August. The average minimum temperature at this time drops to +24 degrees, the maximum reaches +32 degrees. The driest months are February and March, with a monthly rainfall of about 40 mm. The rainiest time of the year is the period from May to October, in which the monthly amount of precipitation ranges from 150 to 220 mm. At this time, tropical hurricanes are possible, characteristic of the entire Caribbean region. Water temperature in coastal areas from August to October it warms up to +30 degrees, in the rest of the months it stays at +25 ... +27 degrees.
Best time to visit:
The most favorable time to visit the Bahamas is from November to May. At this time, the least amount of precipitation falls and it is not so hot.
TYPES OF TOURISM
Beach vacation.
Most tourists go to the Bahamas just to lie on sandy beaches that stretch for hundreds of kilometers and are protected from cold winds by coral reefs, swim in the clear waters of the ocean, and enjoy the greenery of coconut palms. The most popular resorts are located on the islands of New Providence, Paradise and Grand Bahama.
Diving.
Diving is suitable for divers of all skill levels. Visibility - 18-37 m. Most of the islands offer divers shallow reefs from 3 m to 15 m, as well as reefs at great depths from 30 m. In the ocean depths south of the Bahamas, the Gulf Stream originates, which rushes north, carrying with it sea life from the Caribbean to the Atlantic. The Gulf Stream is a barrier that protects the Bahamas from river sediment and Florida runoff. Thanks to him and the ocean trenches, in the depths of which sediments are deposited, and excellent visibility is provided. You can get acquainted with various types of underwater inhabitants on the Bahama Bank, which rises from the depths of the ocean in some places up to 6 m from the surface. These are sharks, dolphins, rays, reef fish, angelfish, moray eels.
Scuba divers are also attracted here by the so-called "blue holes". These places get their name from the fact that they appear dark blue when viewed from above. The mass of underwater tunnels, passages and coral reefs, as well as shipwrecks from the time of the Civil War, in which lobsters and octopuses live, make it possible to combine diving on reefs and diving in caves, and are also of interest to underwater photographers. On the islands located further south, due to higher temperatures, night diving is common, you can admire the sleeping sharks.
The best season for diving on the islands is November - May.
Popular places for outdoor activities are: the islands of Andros, Berry, Bimini - fishing, described by E. Hemingway ("Islands in the Ocean"); islands of Abakos, Elluthera - diving in coral reefs; Exuma Islands, Long Island - yacht trips; Inagua island - swimming with dolphins and watching exotic iguanas and pink flamingos.
Fishing - thanks to the Gulf Stream, the catches here are record-breaking.
The excursion program is not of great interest. The main attractions of the Bahamas are sandy beaches, tropical vegetation and a rich underwater world. Among the sights of the country's capital, one can single out the parliament building and the court building, Government House (built in 1801) - the official residence of the Governor General. Tourists are also attracted by the "sea gardens", Fort Charlotte (1789), Fort Fincastle (1793), the botanical garden "Adastra Gardens", which presents many tropical and subtropical plants, Jambi Village - a reconstruction of the British settlement of the XVIII century.
The Bahamas is a major gambling center. All casinos are open 24 hours a day. Here is the largest casino in the Caribbean.
VISAS, ENTRY RULES, CUSTOMS REGULATIONS
Russian citizens need a visa to visit the Bahamas.
Tourists in transit can stay in the Bahamas without a visa for 3 days, if they have a ticket to the country of destination.
The visa is issued at the British Consulate General. There is a fee of around £70 for this.
To obtain a visa, you must provide:
-filled and signed application forms;
- a valid passport. It must be valid for at least 6 months after the visa is issued;
-2 photos 3x4;
- booking confirmation or an invitation.
- documents confirming the availability of funds.
Russian tourists do not need a written customs declaration. Customs duty is not subject to: personal items 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars, or 1 pound (~ 0.450 kg) of tobacco, 1 liter of alcoholic beverages.
The import of Bahamian dollars is prohibited, the export should not exceed 70 dollars.
WHAT TO SEE
, organized for tourists, are mainly associated with acquaintance with the islands of the archipelago, with their pristine nature, flora and fauna, as well as with the rich underwater world of the Atlantic Ocean.
In addition, you can get to know the capital of the Bahamas - Nassau, on the overview around town. This is the historical part of the city, where Fort Charlotte and Parliament Square are located, old buildings and buildings of recent years, in includes a walk through the straw market. You can visit the Atlantis complex - one of the largest open-air aquariums.
Of great interest are excursions to the Adastra Gardens botanical garden, the Garden of the Grows, the Rand Memorial Park, the Preacher's Cave and an excursion to the international bazaar in Freeport.
A trip to an artificial coral island will leave a lot of impressions, because this is a real marine reserve.
Good for relaxing along the coastal waters and lagoons of New Providence. There are trips to nearby uninhabited islands where you can swim, sunbathe, snorkel, etc.
STORY
Back in 1492. the great navigator Christopher Columbus discovered the Bahamas. At that time they were inhabited by the Arawak Indians. However, the Spaniards took them out and used them as labor. Until the 17th century, the islands were deserted, only pirates found this place an excellent hiding place. In 1787 The Bahamas became a British colony. Black slaves were brought here. For three centuries, the territory was wholly owned by the British Empire. In 1964, the Bahamas received internal self-government. On July 10, 1973, the independence of the Bahamas was proclaimed as part of the Commonwealth, led by Great Britain. The Bahamas is a member of a number of international organizations: the UN, the Organization of American States, the Caribbean Community.
EMBASSY
Bahamas, embassy in Moscow
Smolenskaya emb. 10
Tel.: (+7 095) 956-7200
Fax: (+7 095) 956-7420
Bahamas, Embassy website: http://www.britemb.msk.ru/
Bahamas, Russian Embassy in
:
Immigration Department: P.O. Box N-831, Nassau, The Bahamas.
RELIGION
Protestants predominate among believers, including Baptists, Anglicans, Methodists, approx. 19% - Roman Catholics, part of the population adheres to African cults.
TRANSPORT
In the capital of the Bahamas - Nassau - a shuttle bus runs . , motorcycle, scooter and even a bicycle can be rented. To rent a vehicle (except a bicycle), you must have a driver's license with you. Driving experience must be at least one year, and the age of the driver must be at least 21 years. Driving on the islands is on the left. Ferries and boats run between the islands.
FLORA AND FAUNA
The islands are dominated by tropical vegetation. There are red and iron trees, colorful orchids and jasmine.
The Bahamas are famous for their beautiful flamingo birds. Many reptiles live here. Coastal waters are full of various species of fish. Turtles lay their eggs here.
MINERALS
The Bahamas has the world's largest deposit of aragonite.
BANKS
Banks are open throughout the working week: from Monday to Thursday until 15:00, on Friday until 17:00.
MONEY
The official currency is the Bahamian dollar. It is equal in value to the US dollar.
1 Bahamian dollar = 100 cents. Banknotes in denominations of 1, 3, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 dollars and coins in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 15, 25 and 50 cents and 1, 2 and 5 dollars are in circulation.
It is better to change currency in banks. It is advisable to take American dollars with you on your trip, they have free circulation here.
POLITICAL STATE
On July 10, 1973, the independence of the Bahamas was proclaimed as part of the Commonwealth, led by Great Britain. Under the 1973 constitution, the head of state is the Queen of Great Britain, who is represented by the Governor General. Legislative power is exercised by a bicameral parliament, consisting of the Senate and the House of Assembly. The head of government is the prime minister, usually the leader of the party with the majority in parliament.
POPULATION
In 2003, 297.48 thousand people lived in the Bahamas, more than half of them in New Providence. The main part of the Bahamian nation is blacks and mulattos, which make up more than 3/4 of the total population. There are diasporas of immigrants from Haiti, Jamaica and from the Turks and Caicos Islands. The proportion of Europeans and North Americans is small. This is mainly a contingent of elderly wealthy citizens from the USA, Canada, Great Britain who settled in the Bahamas after retirement.
Language:
The official language of the Bahamas is English. It is spoken by almost the entire population of the country.
KITCHEN
Most of the menu of Bahamian cuisine is occupied by dishes from all kinds of seafood. Of the first courses, sea bass stew, gourmet turtle soup, conch clam stew are in demand. In general, both first courses and salads, pates, appetizers and main courses are prepared from the conch mollusk. There are even conkburgers. Another inhabitant of the sea, whose meat is widely used in Bahamian cuisine, is the spiny lobster. Dishes from it are not cheap.
But the local menu is famous not only for sea delicacies. They love a dish of peas and rice with spicy sauce here. From the cuisines of other countries, chefs borrowed dishes from various types of meat.
A local delicacy is guava pudding. This is a favorite dessert. There is also a wide selection of fruits.
Of the drinks, rum is the most popular. All kinds of cocktails are made from it.
CONNECTION
Telephone, facsimile, telegraph and telex communication is possible with the whole world.
The international dialing code for the Bahamas is 1242.
EMERGENCY PHONES
The general telephone number for the police and fire brigade is 919.
Ambulance in Nassau - 322-21-21.
USEFUL THINGS
To use electrical appliances brought with you from Europe, as well as to recharge cameras, you need an adapter, which is almost impossible to buy in the Bahamas. Therefore, it is better to take care of this in advance.
Spearfishing is prohibited in the Bahamas, but sport fishing is allowed, for which you have to pay.
THE SHOPS
The Trade Center is the world-famous Bay Street. Here you can buy watches of famous brands, jewelry, porcelain, crystal, leather bags, perfumery at a bargain price. All these goods are exempt from taxes (duty free).
TIPS
service personnel in
It is customary to tip around 1-2 Bahamian dollars a day. In restaurants, their size ranges from 15 to 20% of the amount indicated on the bill.
NATIONAL FEATURES
The traditional culture of the Bahamas is far removed from the heavily American-influenced urban centers of Nassau and Freeport. Folk island creativity is reflected in a large number of fairy tales, natural medicine, music and religious rites brought here by slaves from Africa. Despite the fact that the Bahamas does not yet give birth to writers who are gaining world fame, and the visual arts are also slowly developing, the islands have formed a distinctive musical culture. In this
Several traditional forms of music developed, with a distinctive guitar sound, accordion, and rattles made from the pods of the poinciana tree.
Bahamian children enjoy playing basketball with great pleasure. They literally live on the basketball field, and most towns have their own small basketball court with makeshift baskets. The Bahamas follow the American basketball (and baseball) teams with great zeal.
ELECTRICITY
127V, 50Hz;
HEALTH CARE
No vaccinations are required to enter the Bahamas, but a medical certificate is required.
. Providing medical assistance in emergency cases is free. Doctors are highly qualified. Hospitals are located in Nassau, Freeport and Out Island.
Before heading to the famous beaches of the Bahamas, there are many things to think about. For example, about how long it will take to fly. Route selection is a responsible event. It is important not only to correctly determine the time of departure and return, but also to consider the services of a reliable airline. You can only go from Moscow to the Bahamas with a transfer, as the distance is too long for a non-stop flight. If you are traveling with children or the elderly, then every extra hour in the air matters, as does the length of time you wait for transfers at transit points.
What airports are there in the Bahamas?
In total, there are 60 airstrips in the country. But not all of them accept international flights, most cooperate with domestic airlines. Considering how popular the local beaches are with the powers that be, it is not surprising that it is much easier to see a private yacht or plane here than a car.
Russians have two options to choose from:
- Linden Pindling Airport on the island of New Providence in Nassau. It is the largest and well-equipped with everything that guests may need.
- Airport on the island of Grand Bahama in the city of Freeport. It is inferior to its predecessor only in size, but otherwise it is no less comfortable.
You can go to any of these islands with transit stops in the US or Europe. How long to fly from Moscow to the Bahamas depends on the decision made. It should be borne in mind that Russians do not need a visa to visit the local luxurious beaches. In 2018, you can go to the islands freely by booking hotel rooms. But since you cannot do without intermediate stops, you will need either a Schengen or an American transit visa.
How long is the flight to Bahamas from Moscow to Nassau?
If you choose the final destination of the airport. L. Pindling with transit through European countries, then in the end you can spend at least 15.5 hours on the flight (change in London). The waiting time at the transit airport is about 2.5 hours. This is the shortest option in terms of time and the only one with 1 stop (it is also the most expensive). All other schemes require an additional landing in Miami, Atlanta, New York.
How long does it take to fly to the Bahamas from Moscow with intermediate stops at two points? It depends on the choice of transit airports and airlines. The duration of the trip varies in a small range. With a transfer in the following cities, the time spent will be:
- Paris and Miami - 20 hours;
- Amsterdam and Atlanta - 20.5 hours;
- Barcelona and Atlanta - 21.5 hours;
- London and Miami - 22.5 hours;
- London and New York - 23 hours;
- Frankfurt am Main and Miami - 19 hours;
- Madrid and Miami - 22 hours;
- Zurich and Miami - 24 hours
There is a route with one transit change in New York, but it requires a 16.5-hour connection and takes a total of 30.5 hours. If you choose Miami as an intermediate point, the total duration of the air travel will be 18.5 hours, since both flights adjoin each other. You can choose the option that is more comfortable.
And if you fly to the Bahamas in Freeport?
This is the second most popular route. Knowing how far (9074 km) separates the Bahamas and Moscow, how much to fly by plane is of fundamental importance, especially when children are traveling with you.
- London and Nassau - 17.5 hours;
- London and Miami - 7 p.m.;
- Milan and Miami - 19.5 hours;
- Rome and Miami - 20 hours;
- New York and Fort Lauderdale - 26.5 hours
From Freeport, you can immediately take a ticket for a local flight to Nassau, at least 5 of them depart daily at approximately equal intervals.
What is useful for a tourist to know?
This is the second most popular route. Considering how far the Bahamas and Moscow are separated, it is important for passengers to know how much to fly by plane to the nearest hour. Not everyone, for health reasons, can freely endure such a long flight, and on business trips, sometimes every minute counts.
Airport them. L. Pindling and Nassau are separated by 16 km. Walking such a distance with suitcases in your hands is unrealistic. The cheapest taxi will cost $15 (about 860 rubles). Finding the best place to take the bus. And if you have an international driving license, you can rent a car for about $45 per day (about 2,500 rubles).
In Freeport, the airport is almost within the city, so here transport is required only for delivery to the hotel chosen by tourists. A taxi ride will cost from $15. From here you can also choose any direction for further travel around the islands. To do this, tickets for regular and private jets are sold on the spot. If you know how much to fly to the Bahamas from Moscow, you can plan ahead of time every step you take immediately after landing at the airport.
Bahamas- a state located on the archipelago of the same name in the Atlantic Ocean, 90 km southeast of Florida and about the same distance northeast of Cuba. It extends for 970 km from the northwest to the southeast, covering an area of about 259 thousand square meters. km (land area about 13.9 thousand sq. km). The capital is Nassau (New Providence Island).
The archipelago includes about 700 islands (of which only 30 are inhabited) and more than 2,000 coral reefs.
Climate
The climate is tropical trade winds in the north and subtropical in the south. The average summer temperature is +26..+32°C. In winter, the average temperature is +18..+22°C, the coolest is in the northwestern islands. The average water temperature is usually +27°C in summer and around +23°C in winter.
The best time to visit the country is the cool season from September to May.
In winter, rain is rare, usually in the form of short but powerful downpours. From May to November, hurricanes and tropical storms are possible, bringing heavy rainfall and hurricane-force winds.
Last changes: 06/18/2010Population
Population of the Bahamas- 307,552 people (2009). Over 80% of the population of the islands are Africans and mulattoes, up to 12% are of European origin, and about 3% are immigrants from other countries of the Caribbean and Asia.
Composition: Baptist 35.4%, Anglicans 15.1%, Catholics 13.5%, Pentecostals 8.1%, Church of God 4.8%, Methodists 4.2%, other Christians 15.2%, atheists and undecided 2.9%, other 0.8% (2000 census).
Some, especially in the southern and eastern islands, practice bothah, a religion similar to voodoo. Voodoo itself is practiced exclusively by immigrants from Haiti, Cuba, the Dominican Republic and Jamaica.
The official language is English, immigrants from Haiti use their own dialect (based on French).
Currency
The Bahamian dollar (B$, BSD), which is equal to 100 cents, is rigidly pegged to the US dollar.
In circulation there are banknotes of 100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 3 and 1 dollars (in total there are more than 40 different denominations of all denominations in circulation), as well as coins of 1 and 2 dollars, 50, 20, 15, 10 and 5 cents.
American coins and banknotes also circulate freely.
Currency can be exchanged at bank offices, hotels and large stores. The Bahamian dollar is firmly pegged to the US dollar, but exchange rates can vary quite a lot between institutions. The most stable exchange rate is at the offices of international banks in Nassau and Freeport; changing money in tourist areas is the most unprofitable.
All types of credit cards are accepted for payment. Traveler's checks can be cashed in the same place where you can change currency - at bank offices, hotels and large stores. Some hotels, restaurants, and money changers charge high commissions for cashing checks, so it's always best to find out the terms and conditions in advance.
Last changes: 06/18/2010Communication and communications
Telephone code: 1 - 242.
Internet domain: .bs
Rescue service: 911.
How to call
To call from Russia to the Bahamas, you need to dial: 8 - beep - 10 - 1 - 242 - subscriber's number.
To call from the Bahamas to Russia, you need to dial: 011 - 7 - area code - subscriber number.
Fixed line
The communication system on the islands is quite modern and well developed. Payphones for making international calls are ubiquitous and work with telephone cards from the national telephone company Batelco, which are sold at post offices, telephone company offices, hotels and supermarkets. You can also make a call from a payphone through an operator.
Many hotels provide a telephone in every room from which you can make an inexpensive local call (seven-digit numbers) or go through an operator to an international line (usually the cost of a call from a hotel room is 10-15% more expensive than from a pay phone).
International calls can also be made from the post office.
mobile connection
Cellular communication of the GSM 900 standard covers all the islands and is well developed. The operator Batelco (Bahamas Telecommunications Company Ltd) - www.btcbahamas.com - provides full coverage of the country. Handsets of foreign operators must be registered with Batelco.
Internet
Network technologies and means of their service are developing quite intensively on the islands. The BaTelNet provider - www.batelnet.bs - provides almost all types of network services. Internet cafes can be found in the capital and other major cities of Grand Bahama (usually open seven days a week). The cost of connection is usually about $5 per hour.
Only Bahamian postage stamps are valid in the Bahamas. In Nassau and Freeport, post offices are open on weekdays from 8.30 to 17.30, on Saturday - until 12.30. Post office hours may be shorter on the outer islands. The main post office in Nassau, which is located on East Hill Street, has a philatelic office.
Mail, however, travels slowly from the Bahamas, so use the services of international commercial postal services for prompt delivery of correspondence.
Last changes: 06/18/2010shopping
The country has canceled all duties on the import and export of perfumes, leather goods, jewelry, watches, photographic equipment, porcelain, and so on. Therefore, the prices for the mentioned goods are lower than in the USA by 25-50%. And in many areas that have the status of free trade zones, their cost is another 15 percent lower, so the Bahamas are considered one of the best areas for shopping in the central part of the Atlantic.
Shops are usually open from Monday to Saturday from 09.00 to 13.00 and from 15.00 to 17.00. Many shops close for lunch at 12.00 and open their doors again only at 14.30-15.00. Even though the government insists on opening shops on Sundays, very few establishments follow this rule. Therefore, Sunday is usually a day of calm in trade.
The Trade Center of the Bahamas is the world-famous Bay street. There you can buy everything at very competitive prices - watches of famous brands, jewelry, porcelain, crystal, leather bags, perfumes.
Last changes: 06/18/2010Where to stay
The hotels are very diverse: there are large high-rise complexes, and small but cozy establishments. The local all-inclusive system is recognized as the best in the Caribbean.
Sea and beaches
The beaches in the Bahamas are municipal, free. However, certain sections of the beach are assigned to the hotels, which are diligently guarded.
Last changes: 01.09.2010Story
The first settlers in the Bahamas are considered to be the Lucayans, a branch of the Arawak tribe, who arrived here around the 9th century. The islands were discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1492. One of the islands of the archipelago - Watling Island (San Salvador) - the first land of the New World, discovered on October 12, 1492. Three years later, the first Spanish colonists settled in the archipelago.
It is believed that by the time the islands were discovered by Europeans, up to 40 thousand people lived here, who settled the islands in the period from the 7th to the 12th centuries. The Spaniards took the locals to Hispaniola (Haiti) as slaves, and after 25 years almost all the Indians died, and the Spaniards left the settlement.
For another century, the islands remained sparsely populated and unclaimed, until King Charles I of England handed them over to the Attorney General. In 1650, a few English settlers from Bermuda arrived here and set up settlements on the island of Eleuthera. At the same time, pirates began to settle in the Bahamas, creating their bases for rest and repair of ships on several islands of the archipelago. Pirates were expelled from the Bahamas by the British in 1718.
The Bahamas became a British colony in 1718, but remained sparsely populated until about 8,000 loyalists arrived here at the end of the 18th century, deported to the islands along with their slaves from the proclaimed independence of the United States (from New York, Florida and North and South Carolina). After the American War of Independence, English Loyalists began to bring thousands of people to the islands and in three years greatly increased the population. In addition, they contributed to the appearance of slaves and cotton on the islands, which shaped the future of the islands. American-style plantations were built here, but since the soil was not so good, most of the plantations ceased to exist in the very first years.
In 1781, the islands were captured by Spain, and returned to Great Britain in 1783.
When the slave trade was banned in Great Britain in 1807, the Royal Navy began to intercept slave ships and free slaves in the Bahamas. Many loyalists left the Bahamas after the abolition of slavery, often leaving their lands to former slaves who began to lead a meager existence without their masters, mainly engaged in fishing and agriculture. Although equality and political rights were conditional, power on the islands belonged to the white minority. In the 19th century, a share of smuggling emerged in the agrarian economy. Also important for the future of the islands was the fact that rich people appeared in the United States, ready to spend money on vacations in a tropical paradise. By the end of the 19th century, Florida became a tourist region and the Bahamas received little additional income.
In 1920, money poured into the country like a river, after the adoption of Prohibition in the United States, and smugglers became more active in Nassau. The Bahamas were the perfect platform for illicitly supplying the United States with alcohol, and Nassau soon became a huge warehouse for rum. The city invested a lot of money in construction, a huge number of hotels appeared.
The repeal of Prohibition in the United States in 1933 brought the Bahamas into the Great Depression.
Just like in the US, World War II marked the end of the economic downturn. During the war, the mass of the American military came to the islands for recreation, which significantly improved the economy of the Bahamas.
After the war, wealthy Americans began to come to the islands for recreation, encouraged by the governor and his wife, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor. The Duke and Duchess made a big contribution to the development of tourism, as they believed that this was a great way to pull the Bahamas out of the post-war devastation, and after the Cuban Revolution in 1959, the islands were in an advantageous position, due to the fact that many Western travelers were forced to abandon resorts in Cuba. In Nassau, the American Air Force base was expanded to receive international flights, the port was renovated and an active advertising campaign began. The rise in prosperity provoked the development of party politics and the aggravation of ethnic tensions, since the white elite received huge incomes from tourism, while the black majority remained below the poverty line.
In 1964, in accordance with the new Constitution, the islands were granted internal self-government.
The black-backed Progressive Liberal Party came to power in 1967 and ended white dominance. The country has embarked on the path of gaining independence.
On July 10, 1973, the Bahamas became an independent state within the British Commonwealth.
Attempts to reform the PLP led to a decrease in the value of real estate and the cessation of economic growth. Party leaders were mired in corruption, some of them involved in the international drug trade.
After aid provided by the United States to stop the drug trade in the 1980s. and the election of an administration representing the interests of the business community, the Bahamas began to gradually revive.
In 1999, Hurricanes Dennis and Floyd tore through the islands, destroying houses, roads, reefs and resorts. By 2001, the damage had been repaired, and the Bahamas again attracted the attention of tourists.
Last changes: 06/18/2010Spearfishing with the use of spearguns and other devices is prohibited on the islands. Sport fishing is allowed, but a fee must be paid for one trip to the sea - provided that no more than six reels of fishing line are installed on the vessel. Independent archaeological work on sunken ships is also prohibited. Violation of these rules can result in a hefty fine and deportation from the country.
In addition, local laws regarding drug trafficking are very strict: for the sale and even simple use of drugs, it is quite possible to get a long prison term.
A separate danger is represented by regular outbreaks of conjunctivitis, which, although easily treated, still causes a lot of inconvenience in the local climate.
Tap water is usually chlorinated and relatively safe, although often brackish, so bottled water is recommended. Drinking water outside the main cities may be contaminated and not recommended.
The pace of local life, despite the strong American influence, is leisurely and calm. Even numerous entertainment establishments are famous for their calm atmosphere and clear work schedule.
The Bahamas is the center of the gambling business. All casinos are open 24 hours a day. The largest casino in the Caribbean is also located here (in the Atlantis hotel).
Last changes: 07.03.2013How to get to the Bahamas
There are no direct flights from Russia. The best time-consuming travel option is a flight by British Airways with a change in London (flights five times a week, travel time from 13 hours).
Another possibility is a flight to the US, with a subsequent transfer to US airlines in Nassau. However, this option requires a US transit visa. The flight from Miami to Nassau will take about 35 minutes, from New York - 2.5 hours, from Philadelphia - 2 hours 45 minutes, from Toronto (Canada) - 3 hours.
Another means of connecting the United States with the Bahamas are ferries departing daily from Fort Lauderdale, Florida (journey time 5 hours).
The Bahamas also have air links with other Caribbean countries, including Cuba (Aeroflot's direct flight from Moscow to Havana is operated five times a week, travel time is about 13 hours).
Last changes: 04/10/2017The full name of the state is the Commonwealth of the Bahamas. The state consists of more than 3,000 islands, reefs and islets. The Bahamas are located north of Cuba and Haiti and not far from Florida.
Originally inhabited by Lucayans, originally from the Arawak tribe, the Bahamas became the first stop of Christopher Columbus back in 1492. Although the Spanish never colonized the Bahamas, they sent the Lucayans into slavery in Haiti, with the result that the islands were almost empty by 1513. In 1648, English colonists from Bermuda landed on Eleuthera Island, and in 1718 the Bahamas became a crown colony.
Today, the constitutional monarchy remains the form of government in the state, Queen Elizabeth II is represented by the Governor General. The Bahamas has a parliamentary system of government, in which power is in the hands of a bicameral Parliament.
Capital |
Nassau |
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Form of government |
A constitutional monarchy |
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Bahamian dollar |
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Timezone |
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Internet domain zone |
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Electricity |
The religious composition of the population of the Bahamas is diverse: 35.4% are Baptists, 15.1% Anglicans, 13.5% Catholics, 15.2% of the population belong to other Christian denominations, another part represent Methodists, Pentecostals, the Church of God, are atheists or undecided.
The economy of the state is based on tourism. It accounts for more than 60% of GDP. In addition, the tourism sector provides employment for more than half of the country's working population.
Climate and weather
The north of the Bahamas is in the zone of a tropical trade wind climate, and in the south the climate is subtropical. It is formed by the warm current of the Gulf Stream, the influence of which is dangerous, as it provokes hurricanes in summer. Precipitation falls as rain from May to October.
The temperature in summer fluctuates between +26…+32 °C. On the southern islands, the temperature can reach +40 ° C, but thanks to the trade winds, the heat is easily tolerated. In winter, the temperature is within +18…+22.
You can go on vacation to the Bahamas at any time of the year, but in summer it can be very hot on the southern beaches.
Nature
Geologically, the Bahamas is a limestone plateau. The average height above sea level is 30 m, and the highest point of the Bahamas is Mount Alvernia on Ket Island, rising 63 meters above sea level. Many of the islands have mangrove swamps, salty lagoons and sandy beaches due to the salt-laden limestone coming to the surface. There are practically no rivers on the islands, so there is very little fresh water.
The flora of the Bahamas is not very diverse and is represented by undersized shrubs, cacti, and aloe. Grow orchids, jasmine.
The fauna is also not very diverse. There are snakes, frogs, bats in the Bahamas, flamingos in swamps and salt lagoons. In addition, a large number of migratory birds flock here to spend the winter.
But the underwater world of the Bahamas is simply amazing. In the corals at the bottom of the ocean, there are many types of fish that divers love so much. Mackerel and barracuda can be found in lagoons and backwaters. There are sea turtles. A huge number of corals, mollusks, sponges live on the reefs.
Attractions
The Bahamas are considered the richest country in the region. On each island of the archipelago there is a highlight that will attract any tourist.
There are many interesting places in the Bahamian capital of Nassau. For example, you can walk along Bay Street - a street with numerous shops, boutiques; or visit the Adastra Gardens, the Retreat Gardens, an underwater aquarium or the famous Cable Beach - an area of sandy beaches, hotels, casinos. The heart of the city is the central square with the buildings of the Supreme Court, the Parliament, the Colonial Administration. The hallmark of the city is the Atlantis Hotel. The most visited places by tourists are the old water tower with a beautiful view of the city and the Queen Victoria stairs with 66 steps carved into the rock.
The city of Freeport is suitable for lovers of water sports, outdoor activities, golf and tennis. It is also worth visiting the Garden of the Groves, the monuments of the ancient culture of the Arawak Indians, the Rand Memorial Park.
In the city of New Bight on Ket Island, there is a unique architectural monument - the Hermitage, built on top of Mount Alvernia. The Hermitage was built by an apostate priest in 1939. The work of Father Jerome belongs to the Church of the Savior on the same island and many beautiful monasteries and temples built on other islands of the archipelago.
Nutrition
Seafood is the basis of Bahamian cuisine. The national ingredient of the Bahamians is the conch sea snail. All kinds of salads, snacks, soups are prepared from this snail.
It is impossible to imagine the local cuisine without rice and pea dishes. Spiny lobster is the most expensive dish. A variety of dishes and sea turtle soup were popular for a very long time, which led this species of reptiles to extinction. It is worth trying the sea bass dish, which is served with a sauce of mushrooms, onions, spices and white wine.
Dessert is usually served with fruits (melons, pineapples, papayas, mangoes), drinks, the key ingredient of which is rum, as well as the famous Bahamian johnny cake buns. From non-alcoholic drinks, tea, coffee, Pepsi-Cola are found here.
Bahamian cuisine borrowed a lot from British, American and African, but adapted it to local conditions and opportunities.
In large cities there are a large number of restaurants, cafes and bars. On average, the bill for one person in an inexpensive cafe will be $10-15. At the height of the tourist season, many cafes and restaurants are crowded, so you should take care in advance not to stay, for example, without dinner.
Accommodation
In the Bahamas, there is no classification system for hotels and inns, so the assignment of a "star" level here is made either by the owner of the rented premises or by the tour operator. Holidays in the Bahamas are considered very prestigious and expensive, so most hotels work on an all-inclusive basis.
As a rule, guesthouses are located on the coast, which are mainly rented out to divers and surfers. Service in guesthouses may not always be at the highest level, but it corresponds to its prices.
There are also hotel complexes consisting of bungalows. There are eco-hotels that use only natural products for food and take electricity from solar panels.
If staying at a hotel is not included in the tourist's plans, there is always the opportunity to rent a room from the local population.
Entertainment and recreation
Most people go to the Bahamas for a beach holiday, diving and surfing. The coastal zone of the archipelago is replete with beautiful sandy beaches, the most famous and popular of which is Pink Beach on Harbor Island. The most expensive beach holiday destination is Eleuthera Island.
A large number of shallow reefs attract beginner divers. Under water there is something to see - sunken ships, underwater caves. Underwater feeding of sharks on the islands of Abaco, New Providence, Long Island is very popular. Fans of less extreme recreation will be offered swimming with dolphins.
Most hotels include water sports in the price, while some offer them for a fee. New Providence, Harbor Island and Grand Bahama have a large number of water sports centers.
The Jonkonu festival is held twice a year in the Bahamas. Colorful processions are accompanied by musical performances and fireworks. Freeport hosts the National Windsurfing Championship every January. The Music Fest takes place in the last week of May. July 10 is Independence Day. At the end of September, the Bahamas Wine and Cooking Festival is held.
Nassau and Freeport have a large number of bars, restaurants, clubs for lovers of nightlife.
Purchases
Shops in the Bahamas are open Monday through Saturday from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm, followed by a lunch break and reopening from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm.
The world-famous Bay Street shopping street is located in the old part of Nassau, and next to it is the Straw Market. In these places you can buy a variety of goods, ranging from fashionable clothes of world brands to exquisite jewelry, accessories and handmade souvenirs.
The second popular place for shopping is the small island of Paradise. Here, avid shopaholics will find everything their heart desires at affordable prices.
Shopping is best done in the morning of a weekday, as at this time they are the least crowded.
Prices for goods in the Bahamas are commensurate with American ones. Lovers of a beautiful life will have to shell out about $ 200 a day. Those who are more modest in needs will meet $ 70-150 per day. And don't forget that the Bahamas has a duty-free system.
Transport
The Bahamas has two major international airports, Lindel Pindling International Airport in Nassau and Grand Bahama International Airport in Freeport. In addition to these main ones, there are about 60 smaller airports in the Bahamas. Nassau, Freeport and Matthew Town have seaports.
There is no rail connection, as well as public transport, in the Bahamas. The movement is carried out on cars, motorcycles, bicycles, which can be rented. There is a taxi in the capital. The fare is regulated by the government. So, the cost for a quarter mile when traveling in a taxi will cost $ 2, then the fare will be 30 cents per quarter mile.
Communication between the islands is carried out by ferries and boats.
The length of motor roads is 2,700 km, half of which is paved.
Connection
The communication system in the archipelago is well developed. Payphones are found everywhere, you can make international calls from them, and payment is made using a phone card. The rooms of almost every hotel have a telephone from which you can make local calls or make an international call through the operator, although this will be 10-15% more expensive than from a payphone.
Mobile communications are also well developed. Local telecom operators provide 100% coverage of the territory of the state.
Internet provider BaTelNet provides almost all types of services. The connection cost is on average $5 per hour.
Safety
Going to the Bahamas, it is not necessary, but it is advisable to be vaccinated against hepatitis B, diphtheria and tuberculosis. The high prevalence of HIV and AIDS in this region should also be taken into account.
Customs control is quite democratic. There is no restriction on the import and export of foreign currency, but the export of local funds in excess of $ 70 must be accompanied by permission from the Central Bank of the Bahamas. The import ban applies to drugs, explosives, weapons (without special permission).
The local population is quite friendly and ready to help if needed. However, there are some restrictions and prohibitions. Fishing with the use of underwater guns and other devices for these purposes is not allowed.
Local authorities are waging a tough fight against drug trafficking: even for use, imprisonment can be threatened.
In the Bahamas, petty crimes such as pickpocketing and theft are quite common, so you need to be careful. It is undesirable for girls and women to take walks alone after dark.
There is practically no state supervision over local firms offering services in active sports, which leads to frequent accidents and deaths during underwater fishing, diving, and surfing.
Traffic in the Bahamas is on the left.
Business climate
The Bahamas are considered a paradise for businessmen. It is possible to register any offshore companies here. But it should be borne in mind that the purchase of real estate imposes a ban on doing business. However, it is very profitable to invest in business real estate. There are benefits for hotel owners.
There is no income tax, corporate tax, inheritance tax, property tax in the Bahamas.
Real estate
Foreign citizens have the right to purchase in the Bahamas both building land and other types of real estate: villas, apartments, townhouses. There is a restriction on the area of real estate purchased by foreign citizens - it should not exceed 2 hectares, otherwise a special permit is required. An application for obtaining a permit to acquire real estate must contain information about the buyer and seller, a description of the object and the purpose of its acquisition. After selecting an object in writing, a purchase offer is made and an advance payment is made.
It is best to entrust the registration of real estate to a lawyer. The presence of the parties is not required. Purchased real estate is subject to mandatory insurance and registration with the Investment Council.
The average cost of 1 sq.m. comfortable housing in the Bahamas is $ 7,000. Buying a bungalow will cost $300,000-500,000, villas $500,000 or more, and a penthouse $1,000,000-3,000,000.
To travel to the Bahamas, you need to apply for a visa at the British Embassy. A visa is issued for a period of up to 90 days, unless it concerns employment.
Despite the high cost of services, you can save money in the Bahamas. Many hotels offer guests discount cards to enter nightclubs for $5. This is a very advantageous offer, given that on weekends the entrance to the club costs from $50.
Prices for imported spirits are very high, so if you want to save on alcohol, it is better to order local drinks, such as rum and beer.
Keep in mind that tips in the Bahamas range from 10 to 15%, and some restaurants and hotels include them in the bill in advance.
a state in the West Indies. Located on 700 small islands and islets and two and a half thousand coral reefs, stretching from the southeast coast of Florida to the east coast of Cuba. About 40 islands are inhabited.
The name of the country comes from the Indian name "island" - "bahama" and the name "island" - "bahama".
Official name: Commonwealth of the Bahamas (Bahamas)
Capital: Nassau
The area of the land: 13.9 thousand sq. km
Total population: 310 thousand people
Administrative division: The state is divided into 21 districts.
Form of government: A constitutional monarchy.
Head of State: The Queen of Great Britain, represented by the Governor General.
Composition of the population: 85% - blacks and mulattoes, 12% - whites (British, Canadians, Americans), 3% - Asians and Hispanics.
Official language: English. The Bahamians speak with a local accent and use a number of words from the Arawak Indians as well as African languages.
Religion: 32% - Baptists, 20% - Anglicans, 19% - Catholics, 6% - Methodists.
Internet domain: .bs
Mains voltage: ~120 V, 60 Hz
Phone country code: +1-242
Climate
The climate here is subtropical, very mild. The influence of the warm current of the Gulf Stream, as well as the constantly blowing southeast wind from the equator (trade wind) affects.
Throughout the year, the average monthly temperatures do not fall below +20 degrees. The coolest thing is in January, when at night the temperature drops to +17 degrees, in the daytime it reaches +25 degrees. The hottest time of the year is July, August. The average minimum temperature at this time drops to +24 degrees, the maximum reaches +32 degrees.
The driest months are February and March, with a monthly rainfall of about 40 mm. The rainiest time of the year is the period from May to October, in which the monthly amount of precipitation ranges from 150 to 220 mm. At this time, tropical hurricanes are possible, characteristic of the entire Caribbean region.
The water temperature in the coastal parts of the country from August to October warms up to +30 degrees, in the rest of the months it stays at +25 ... +27 degrees.
Geography
The Bahamas are located in the west of the Atlantic Ocean, at the latitude of the Northern Tropic, near the American continent (100 km from the Florida peninsula). These are about 700 islands, with a total area of 13.9 thousand square kilometers, and only 30 of them are inhabited. Most of the islands are coral reefs.
From the east, the Bahamas are washed by the warm current of the Gulf Stream. The islands are raised relative to the ocean level from a few meters to about 60 meters. The highest point of the country - 63 m, is located on the island of Cat. The relief of the islands is flat.
On the shores facing the ocean, a series of marine terraces can be traced. On the west coast there are many salty lagoons, as well as karst lakes and swamps. In places, a strip of sandy beaches stretches along the coast. There are no rivers in the archipelago.
Flora and fauna
Vegetable world
Coconut palms, bananas, agave, oranges, pineapples grow on the islands. The natural vegetation on the drier eastern islands is xerophytic, dominated by cacti and aloes.
Most of the islands were originally dominated by tropical forests. At present, many of them have been reduced, and undersized shrubs grow in their place. Where forests have been preserved (on the islands of Andros, Greater and Lesser Abaco, Grand Bahama), such valuable broad-leaved tree species as red (mahogany), logwood and iron trees, as well as Caribbean pine, are common.
In the broad-leaved forests, bougainvillea, jasmine, orchids and other plants with beautiful and delicately scented flowers grow in abundance. On some islands, artificial plantings of casuarina, mahogany and a number of tropical conifers have been created.
Animal world
The fauna of the Bahamas is poor. There are very few mammals, of which bats are the most numerous. From amphibians there are many frogs, from reptiles - lizards and snakes.
In the fauna of the islands, birds are most numerous, including those migratory from North America (ducks, geese, etc.), which remain for the winter. In the swamps and within the lagoons there are flamingos (only in the national park on the island of Great Inagua more than 50 thousand red flamingos nest), pelicans, spoonbills, herons and other waterfowl. Termites, mosquitoes and other insects are abundant.
In the coastal waters, near the reefs, there are many species of fish, including the Atlantic sailfish, barracuda, mackerel, etc. There are sea turtles (on the Big Inagua Island there are green turtle egg-laying places), mollusks and sponges are numerous.
Attractions
Scattered over a vast area, washed by the warm waters of the Gulf Stream, the Bahamas have long been considered a symbol of luxury and relaxation.
Christopher Columbus first set foot on the islands of San Salvador in 1492. British settlers began to settle the islands in 1647 and already in 1783 the islands became a colony. With independence in 1973, the Bahamas began to intensively develop tourism and banking.
One of the richest countries in the region, as it is often called - "Caribbean Switzerland", a large offshore center (more than 400 banks are located on the islands), today the Bahamas are one of the largest resort areas in the Western Hemisphere.
Banks and currency
The official currency is the Bahamian dollar. It is equal in value to the US dollar.
1 Bahamian dollar = 100 cents. Banknotes in denominations of 1, 3, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 dollars and coins in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 15, 25 and 50 cents and 1, 2 and 5 dollars are in circulation.
Banks are open throughout the working week: from Monday to Thursday until 15:00, on Friday until 17:00.
It is better to change currency in banks. It is advisable to take American dollars with you on your trip, they have free circulation here.
Useful information for tourists
The traditional culture of the Bahamas is far removed from the heavily American-influenced urban centers of Nassau and Freeport. Folk island creativity is reflected in a large number of fairy tales, natural medicine, music and religious rites brought here by slaves from Africa. The islands have formed an original musical culture.
The country has adopted a system of tips for the services provided. The receptionist expects to receive $ 1 for each suitcase Delivered to the room, $ 2 per day you can pay the maid for an additional service, for example, for a washed and ironed shirt or blouse. In most cases, tips for taxi drivers, waiters, servants are 15% of the cost of services (in the most luxurious restaurants - 20%).
