Scattered in the warm waters of the Atlantic Ocean, the Bahamas have long been a symbol of luxury and first-class vacations. Christopher Columbus first set foot on this land at the end of the 15th century, and in 1783 the islands became a British colony. When the Bahamas gained independence in 1973, tourism began to develop rapidly here. Today, these are no longer islands lost in the sea, but the richest country in the Caribbean region and the largest offshore center (there are about 400 banks in the Bahamas), as well as the largest resort area in the Western Hemisphere.

Geography of the Bahamas

According to best-medical-schools, the archipelago of the Bahamas consists of more than 700 islands and 2,500 reefs, of which only 30 are inhabited. The Bahamas lie 90 km south of Florida in the Atlantic Ocean. The territory of the state is almost 260 thousand square meters. km, of which the land occupies only 14 thousand square meters. km.

Capital

Nassau

Area

The area of the Bahamas is 13.878 km. sq., occupies the 160th place in the world by area.

Population

330,000

Currency

The official currency is the Bahamian dollar (BSD).

Language

The official language is English.

Visa to the Bahamas

If the period of stay in the country does not exceed three months, and the purpose of being on the islands is not to make a profit, then you do not need to obtain a visa. In other cases, you need to apply for a visa at the consular section of the British Embassy. At the border point, you must present a valid passport, return tickets and evidence that you have sufficient funds for living.

Weather in the Bahamas

The climate of the islands varies from north to south, from tropical to subtropical. In summer, the temperature is kept within +26 +32 C, it is worth noting that in the central part of the country it is a little cooler than in the southern islands. Sometimes the temperature here reaches +40 C. It is also warm in the Bahamas in winter, very rarely the temperature drops to +15, usually +18 +22 C. The amount of precipitation is not too large, up to 800 mm falls a year, and the rainy season is not too stands out. Most of the precipitation falls during hurricanes, which occur between May and November. In summer, the water temperature is +27 C, and a little lower in winter – +23 C. In the cool period from September to May, it is most comfortable on the islands, at this time the amount of precipitation is no more than 150 mm.

Currency exchange in the Bahamas

As of October 2011, the national currency rate is 1 USD = 1 BSD. The national currency is the Bahamian dollar. From Monday to Thursday, Bahamian banks are usually open from nine in the morning to 15.00, and on Fridays – longer (until 17.00). In addition to banks, you can change currency in shops and hotels. Despite the fact that the Bahamian dollar is highly pegged to the US dollar, the exchange rate can change quite a lot in different institutions. In tourist areas, the exchange rate is not always favorable, it is best to exchange money at Nassau International Bank and Freeport Bank. In some places you can freely pay with the US dollar. You can pay with a credit card in almost any part of the country, and there are ATMs on most of the islands, although they are less common on remote and sparsely populated ones. Some restaurants and shops.

Electricity

110V/60Hz (American style sockets).

Religion

Great Britain has had its impact on religion, now the majority of the population here is Christians (Baptists, Catholics and Anglicans). A small number of people professing the folk religion “obea” remained.

Security

At the end of the 20th century, the Bahamas, and especially the capital, had serious security problems related to the drug trade. Now this problem has been solved and it is quite safe in tourist areas. But petty crime still exists, most often it is theft from hotel rooms and pickpocketing. After dark, it is not recommended to go far from the tourist areas.

Health

The healthcare system is based on American standards, so the level of medical services provided is quite high. In such a small area there are 20 modern hospitals capable of providing medical care of any kind. Also, most hotels have their own doctors. Due to the high cost of medical services, it is recommended to have international health insurance.