What are the islands in the Bahamas called?

The principal islands include Abaco, Acklins, Andros, Berry Islands, Bimini, Cat Island, Crooked Island, Eleuthera, Exuma, Grand Bahama, Harbour Island, Inagua, Long Island, Mayaguana, New Providence (where the capital, Nassau, is located), Ragged Island, Rum Cay, San Salvador and Spanish Wells.

What are the 3 main islands of the Bahamas?

Biggest Islands Of The Bahamas

Rank	Island	Area
1	North Andros	1,328 square miles
2	Great Inagua	596 square miles
3	South Andros	559 square miles
4	Great Abaco	442 square miles

•Jun 1, 2018

How are there 700 islands in the Bahamas?

The Bahamas are made up of more than 700 islands. It is believed that Christopher Columbus arrived on the Bahamian island of San Salvador in 1492. At the time, it was populated by Arawak Indians. The British first arrived in 1647, and the Bahamas officially became a colony in 1783.

What is the other name of Bahamas?

the Commonwealth of The Bahamas The Bahamas (/bəˈhɑːməz/ ( listen)), officially the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, is a country within the Lucayan Archipelago of the West Indies in the Atlantic.

How many islands are in Bahamas?

700 coral The Bahamas is an archipelago of nearly 700 coral islands. Around 30 of the islands are inhabited.

What is the main island in The Bahamas?

Great Harbor Cay Made up of islets and cays, there isn't much in terms of tourist facilities in the islands, and only about 700 people live on Great Harbor Cay, the main island. Great Harbor Cay is the largest island, and here you can find a marina, a golf course, waterfront townhomes, and more.

How many islands make up Bahamas?

700 coral The Bahamas is an archipelago of nearly 700 coral islands. Around 30 of the islands are inhabited. The Bahamas sits in the West Atlantic Ocean, 100 kilometres south-east of Florida in the United States and 80 kilometres north-east of Cuba. The islands are generally flat and low-lying.

What is the largest Bahama island?

Andros in Andros in The Bahamas – The Largest Island in The Bahamas.

Is a cay an island?

cay, also spelled key, small, low island, usually sandy, situated on a coral reef platform. Such islands are commonly referred to as keys in Florida and parts of the Caribbean. Sand cays are usually built on the edge of the coral platform, opposite the direction from which the prevailing winds blow.

Who owns Nassau Bahamas?

1898Tourism and Independence On July 10, 1973, The Bahamas became a free and sovereign country, ending 325 years of peaceful British rule. However, The Bahamas is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations and we celebrate July 10th as Bahamian Independence Day.

Why is it called The Bahamas?

The name Bahamas is of Lucayan Taino (Arawakan) derivation, although some historians believe it is from the Spanish bajamar, meaning “shallow water.” The islands occupy a position commanding the gateway to the Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean Sea, and the entire Central American region.

What is the main island in the Bahamas?

What is the largest island in the Bahamas?

Andros in Andros in The Bahamas – The Largest Island in The Bahamas.

What is the most beautiful place in The Bahamas?

The Most Beautiful Places in the Bahamas to Visit by Superyacht

Ocean Atlas, Nassau. …
Dean's Blue Hole, Long Island. …
Coco Plum Beach, Great Exuma, the Exumas. …
Tiger Beach, Grand Bahama. …
Pig Beach, near Big Major Cay, The Exumas. …
Green Turtle Cay. …
Greenwood Beach, Cat Island. …
Joulter Cay Beach, Andros.

What is the smallest Bahama island?

Smallest Inhabited Island In The Bahamas With an area of only 23 sq. km, the Ragged Island is ranked among the smallest inhabited Bahamas islands. The island forms a part of the Jumentos Cays and the Ragged Island Chain and has a population of only 72 people.

Which Bahama island is safest?

Eleuthera is known as one of the Bahamas Family or Out Islands, which are generally considered to be much safer than New Providence and the capital city of Nassau.

How is cay pronounced?

KEE “Cay” is usually pronounced the same way (KEE), but some dictionaries give an alternate pronunciation, KAY. “Quay” was originally pronounced KEE, and that's still the preferred pronunciation (it was once spelled “key”).

How many islands are in the Bahamas?

700 coral islands The Bahamas is an archipelago of nearly 700 coral islands. Around 30 of the islands are inhabited. The Bahamas sits in the West Atlantic Ocean, 100 kilometres south-east of Florida in the United States and 80 kilometres north-east of Cuba.

Was Nassau a pirate island?

It was Hornigold who declared Nassau a Pirate's Republic. At the time there were about 100 locals in the port town and roughly 1,000 pirates, and dozens of surrounding secluded cays provided the perfect home base for pirates looking to ravage the Caribbean.

Why are Bahamians black?

Afro Bahamians originally came by way of Bermuda with the Eleutheran Adventurers in the 17th century, many also came directly from Africa, during the 18th and 19th centuries, the loyalists migrated to the Bahamas bringing thousands of Africans with them from Georgia and South Carolina, since the 19th century many Afro- …

What is the safest island in the Bahamas?

Eleuthera is known as one of the Bahamas Family or Out Islands, which are generally considered to be much safer than New Providence and the capital city of Nassau.

What is the nicest beach in the Bahamas?

10 Best Beaches in The Bahamas

Big Major Cay (Pig Beach), Exuma. …
Cape Santa Maria Beach, Long Island. …
Great Guana Cay, Abaco. …
Kamalame Cay Beach, Andros. …
Pink Sands Beach, Harbour Island. …
Fernandez Bay, Cat island. …
French Leave Beach (aka Club Med Beach), Eleuthera. …
Cabbage Beach, Paradise Island.

What is the safest island in The Bahamas?

Eleuthera is known as one of the Bahamas Family or Out Islands, which are generally considered to be much safer than New Providence and the capital city of Nassau.

What is the safest island in The Bahamas to live?

As the capital and the largest city in The Bahamas, Nassau is the heart of the islands. This makes it one of the most populous, but also safest places to live, with easy access to transportation, healthcare, and a large community.

Can a US citizen live in Bahamas?

It has been estimated that there are 30,000 Americans living in the Bahamas. Living in the Bahamas is an ever-popular choice for American expats, on account of the laid back culture, the climate, the beautiful beaches, and, of course, the tax advantages.

What should I avoid in the Bahamas?

Avoid walking alone after sunset, especially around poorly-lit and deserted locations, such as streets and beaches. Nightclubs and music venues provide a chance to experience local culture, though tourists should stick to heavily populated areas and walk in a group.

Why are islands called cay?

The English word cay comes from the Spanish word cayo and this from the Taíno word cayo meaning "small island". The English words key and quay (which means wharf) come from the old French kai meaning "sand bank".

What is a synonym for cay?

Synonyms & Near Synonyms for cay. atoll, barrier reef, coral reef, key.

What is the best island in the Bahamas to go to?

New Providence is one of the best islands in The Bahamas – in fact, it's usually the first stop for most visitors to the archipelago. It's the place where you'll find Nassau, the capital of The Bahamas. This vibrant city is known for its impressive range of resort casinos, upscale restaurants, and unique museums.

What is Nassau called now?

The Bahamas Nassau (/ˈnæsɔː/ NASS-aw) is the capital and largest city of The Bahamas. With a population of 274,400 as of 2016, or just over 70% of the entire population of The Bahamas, Nassau is commonly defined as a primate city, dwarfing all other towns in the country….Nassau, Bahamas.

Nassau
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Area code(s)	242