The Bahamas - A slice of commonwealth Britain in paradise

The commonwealth of the Bahamas is in the Westanarchic 'Privateer's Republic' and ransacking
Indies. The country is made up of an archipelago inCharlestown, which would later become Nassau. The
the Atlantic Ocean. This means that it is comprised ofislands had been through the hands of the Spanish
a series of islands, which connect to the mainland,and they had all but destroyed the native population
thus the pluralized name. The Bahamas was a Britishof Arawak Indians. The British stopped a lot of the
colony from 1718 and later became an independenttrouble when they made the islands a British Crown
country in 1973, while remaining a part of theColony. The islands are mostly Christian, with a heavy
Commonwealth of Nations. They retain Queenleaning towards the Protestant church, other
Elizabeth II as their monarch and still sing God Savedenominations being present but in minority. A very
the Queen as a national anthem. The main language issmall minority practise Obeah and Voodoo, both
English though some speak variants of English,similar to each other, as spiritualistic folk beliefs. The
Spanish and Portuguese. The capital city is Nassau,Prime Minister of the Bahamas is Perry Gladstone
which is located on the island New Providence,Christie, born 1944, and third Prime Minister of the
though Andros Island is the largest in the group. Thenation. Christie has earned awards for his efforts in
city was a haven for the pirates that sailed theurban renewal and community policing, though has
Caribbean, including the famous Blackbeard, and wasalso been in scandal surrounding his political tactics.
fought over by several nations, notably Spain andThe Bahamas' main industry is tourism, with the island
England. The whole region was notorious in legend forbeing a massive tourist spot for most western
pirate activity, and is used as a set for many bookscountries. The tropical location and mysterious history
and films on the subject. The pirates even disruptedmake for an ideal spot and a popular place for
the area's government at one point by declaring ancouples, families and partiers.