Travel & Vacation in the Bahamas

If you're traveling to or planning a vacation in theNew Providence, and Andros. On some of the
Bahamas you might be interested in knowing a littlesouthern islands, low-growing tropical hardwood
about the area.flourishes.
The Commonwealth of the Bahamas is anAlthough some soil is very fertile, it is also very thin.
independent English-speaking nation in the WestOnly a few freshwater lakes and just one river,
Indies. Where in the world are they? The Bahamaslocated on Andros Island, are found in the Bahamas.
are located in the Atlantic Ocean, east of Florida inThe climate in the Bahamas is semitropical. They have
the US, north of Cuba and the Caribbean, and westonly two seasons, summer and winter.
of the British dependency of the Turks and CaicosDuring the summer, which extends from May through
Islands.November, the climate is dominated by warm, moist
The Bahamas are a group of about 700 islands in thetropical air masses moving north through the
western Atlantic Ocean, of which only between 30Caribbean. Midsummer temperatures range from
and 40 are inhabited. That may sound like a large70° to 93° F with a relative humidity of
place but on a comparison basis, the Bahamas are60- 100%.
only slightly smaller than the state of Connecticut.In winter months, extending from December through
The largest of the islands is Andros Island, locatedApril, the climate is affected by the movement of
120 miles south-east of Florida. The Bimini islands arecold polar masses from North America. Temperatures
to its northwest. To the North is the island of Grandduring the winter months range from 59° to
Bahama, home to the second largest city in the75° F.
country, Freeport, Bahamas.Yearly rainfall averages 52 inches annually and is
The island of Great Abaco is to its east. In the veryusually concentrated in the May-June and
south is the island of Great Inagua, the secondSeptember-October periods. Rainfall often occurs in
largest island in the country.short-lived, fairly intense showers accompanied by
A few facts and figures: Nassau is the capital andstrong gusty winds.
largest city, located on New Providence. The islandsWinds are predominantly easterly throughout the
have a subtropical climate, moderated by the Gulfyear but tend to become northeasterly from
Stream. Most people are ethnic Christians, and EnglishOctober to April and southeasterly from May to
is the official language.September. These winds seldom exceed 15 mph per
The islands are surface projections of three oceanichour except during hurricane season.
banks, the Little Bahama Bank, the Great BahamaAlthough the hurricane season officially lasts from
Bank and the westernmost Cay Sal Bank. TheJune to November, most hurricanes in the Bahamas
highest point is only 2480 inches (just less than half aoccur between July and October. The last hurricane
mile) above sea level on Cat Island; the island of Newto strike was Hurricane David in September 1979.
Providence, where the capital city of Nassau isDamage was estimated at US$1.8 million and mainly
located, reaches a maximum elevation of only 1,457affected agricultural products. The most intense
inches.twentieth-century hurricane to strike the Bahamas
The land on the Bahamas has a foundation of fossilwas in 1929. Winds of up to 140 mph were recorded.
coral, but much of the rock is oolitic limestone; theMany lives were lost, and there was extensive
stone is derived from the disintegration of coral reefsdamage to buildings, homes, and boats.
and seashells. The land is primarily either rocky orDon't let the hurricanes and heat scare you. The
mangrove swamp. Low scrub covers much of theBahamas are a wonderful place to vacation, any time
surface area. Timber is found in abundance on fourof the year. Pick up your sunglasses, find your swim
of the northern islands: Grand Bahama, Great Abaco,suit and call your travel agent today!