The Bahamas is comprised of 700 islands spread over 100,000 square miles of ocean starting just 50 miles off the coast of Florida. The archipelago is an ecological oasis featuring 2,000 breathtaking islands and cays and boasts the clearest water on the planet. The majority of Bahamians live on New Providence Island, home of the capital city, Nassau. Most locals are of West African descent whose ancestors were enslaved and brought to the Bahamas to work on cotton plantations.

* Read more: Bahamas

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Capital: Nassau

Population: 319,000 (est. 2015)

Religion: Protestant (67%), Baptist, Anglican, Roman Catholic

Language: English, Creole

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3 Interesting facts:

1. On July 10, 1973, The Bahamas became a free and sovereign country, ending 325 years of peaceful British rule. The Bahamas remains a member of the Commonwealth of Nations and July 10th is the Bahamian Independence Day.
2. The Bahamas takes in more than three billion dollars annually from nearly four million tourists. International banking and investment management augment the economy, with more than 400 banking institutions from 36 countries.
3. The Bahamas is one of richest countries of the Caribbean with a GDP of $9.093 billion.  Over 50% of its labor force is employed with the tourism sector.

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See more on Bahamas:

• Nassau
• Sandals Royal Bahamian Resort