Overseas Property Consultants - Bahamas Investment Property Country Guide

The Commonwealth of The Bahamas is an English speaking nation consisting of two thousand cays and seven hundred islands that form an Archipelago. It is located in the Atlantic Ocean, east of Florida and the United States, north of Cuba and the Caribbean and northwest of the British overseas territory of the Turks and Caicos Islands. Geographically, The Bahamas are not part of the Caribbean archipelago which starts at Trinidad in the South East and ends at Cuba, but the islands are part of CARICOM.

Bimini is located about 50 miles (80 km) east of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and is the closest point in the Bahamas to the mainland United States. The island is best known for fishing, and the surrounding ocean is considered by many to be one of the world's top fishing spots. Because Bimini is only about 50 miles (80 km) east of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, many American anglers go to the island by boat to fish, or to enjoy the local nightlife. Scuba diving and snorkeling are also popular activities, as there are many shipwrecks in the area.

The Abaco Islands, (population 13,000) lie in the northern Bahamas and comprise the main islands of Great Abaco and Little Abaco, together with the smaller Wood Cay, Lubbers Quarters Cay, Green Turtle Cay, Guana Cay, Gorda Cay, Castaway Cay, Elbow Cay, Man-o-War Cay, Stranger's Cay, Umbrella Cay, Walker's Cay and Moore's Island. The first European settlers were Loyalists fleeing the American Revolution, who arrived in 1783, as was also the case at Cat Island. The islands are a noted base for sailing activities in the Bahamas as well as resort tourism.

Andros Island is the largest island of the Bahamas and the fifth largest island in the West Indies at roughly 2300 square miles (6,000 kms) in area and 104 miles by 40 miles at its widest point. It is composed of three major islands: North Andros, Mangrove Cay, and South Andros. The island has the world's third largest barrier reef, which is over 140 miles long. It is affectionately known by Bahamians as the "Big Yard". During the 1700s pirates occupied the island. Morgan's Bluff and Morgan's Cave on North Andros are named after the famous privateer-pirate, Henry Morgan. Andros Island's port of Fresh Creek was once a popular hangout for the "Rat Pack", including Sammy Davis Junior.

Unlike most of the Bahamian islands, Andros's interior has been largely free of commercial development for the tourism industry, preserving much of its natural beauty. Current Bahamian tourism efforts refer to it as the least-explored island in the chain. There are currently efforts being made by the Bahamas National Trust and the Nature Conservancy to establish a national park on the island.

Eleuthera is an island in the Bahamas, lying 50 miles (80 km) east of Nassau. It is very long and thin—110 miles (180 km) long and in places little more than a mile wide. The population is 8,000 (2000 census). The name "Eleuthera" is derived from the Greek word for "free." Some people think that Chistopher Columbus may have come to Eleuthera before any other islands in the West Indies.

Long Island (population approx 3,600) is a sixty-mile (nearly 100km) long island in the Bahamas that is split by the Tropic of Cancer. The island is only about four miles (6km) wide. Long Island is about 150 miles or 240 kms southeast of Nassau. Long Island is one of the Districts of the Bahamas Part of the economy is based on tourism and fishing, but farming dominates the economy. The inhabitants grow peas,corn, bananas and pineapples, and they raise small livestock. Tourists enjoy sailing, fishing, scuba diving, snorkeling and relaxing on fabulous beaches and exploring its distinctive landscapes, comprised of rugged hills and crashing waves along the Atlantic east coast, with more tranquil waters on the west coast.

Exuma is a district of the Bahamas, consisting of over 360 islands cays. The largest of the cays is Great Exuma, which is 37 mi (60 km) in length. The largest city in the district is George Town (permanent population 1,000). The Tropic of Cancer runs through the city. The entire island chain is 130 mi (209 km) long and 27 sq. mi (72 km²) in area. The islands are a popular spot for yachting, sailing , diving and Coral reef and cave exploring. Much of the unnamed beaches and coves of the island, including extensive offshore reef areas, are part of the protected Exuma National Land and Sea Park of the Bahamas National Trust.

Some of the islands on which there are permanent residents and resorts include Staniel Cay (home of the Staniel Cay Yacht Club, a fixture in the Exumas), Fowl Cay, Musha Cay and Iguana Cay. Thunderball Grotto, located just a few hundred yards off Staniel Cay, is one location where the James Bond film Thunderball was filmed. Sandy Cay, just a short boat ride from Great Exuma was the location used for filming the Pirates of the Caribbean beach scenes. Many famous celebrities also own islands in Exuma such as Nicolas Cage.

New Providence is an island, and the most populous, in the Bahamas. Since 1960, New Providence has become an American vacation destination with many tourist facilities, including a deepened harbor for short-visit cruise ship visitors and hotels offering gambling. Two-thirds of the 300,000 Bahamians live on New Providence.

Nassau is the capital city and commercial centre of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas. The city has a population of 210,832 (2000 census), nearly 70 percent of the entire population of the Bahamas. It has an attractive harbour, a colourful blend of old world and colonial architecture and a busy port. The tropical climate and natural beauty of the Bahamas has made Nassau a popular tourist destination, with a reputation for relaxing days and an exciting nightlife.