The Bahamas - a Slice of Commonwealth Britain in Paradise

The Bahamas was a British colony from 1718 andhands of the Spanish and they had all but destroyed
later became an independent country in 1973, whilethe native population of Arawak Indians. The British
remaining a part of the Commonwealth of Nations.stopped a lot of the trouble when they made the
They retain Queen Elizabeth II as their monarch andislands a British Crown Colony.
still sing God Save the Queen as a national anthem.The islands are mostly Christian, with a heavy leaning
The main language is English though some speaktowards the Protestant church, other denominations
variants of English, Spanish and Portuguese.being present but in minority. A very small minority
The capital city is Nassau, which is located on thepractise Obeah and Voodoo, both similar to each
island New Providence, though Andros Island is theother, as spiritualistic folk beliefs.
largest in the group. The city was a haven for theThe Prime Minister of the Bahamas is Perry Gladstone
pirates that sailed the Caribbean, including the famousChristie, born 1944, and third Prime Minister of the
Blackbeard, and was fought over by several nations,nation. Christie has earned awards for his efforts in
notably Spain and England. The whole region wasurban renewal and community policing, though has
notorious in legend for pirate activity, and is used asalso been in scandal surrounding his political tactics.
a set for many books and films on the subject.The Bahamas' main industry is tourism, with the island
The pirates even disrupted the area's government atbeing a massive tourist spot for most western
one point by declaring an anarchic 'Privateer's Republic'countries. The tropical location and mysterious history
and ransacking Charlestown, which would latermake for an ideal spot and a popular place for
become Nassau. The islands had been through thecouples, families and partiers.