Surface: 13.878 km²
Population: 259.000 inhabitants
Density of population: 18 inhabitants/km²
Capital: Nassau (192.000 inhabitants)
Official language: English
Official currency: Bahamian Dollar
Imported products: petroleum
Brut Intern Product: 11.420 $/inhabitant
State type: Monarchy
Geographical Characteristics
The country is a coral archipelago formed of 700 islands. Only 29 of them are populated. It is extended on 1.000 km on both sides of the North Tropic. The vegetation is luxurious. The Caribbean pine dominates and on the coast the mangroves.
Climate
The climate is tropical with medium temperatures of 23° C and an amount of rainfall of 1.000 mm per year. The rains are frequent especially between May and October. Flowing waters are only on Andros Is
land, which is the biggest and has 4.144 km².
Population and Cities
The country has 259.000 inhabitants. The capital of the country is Nassau which has 192.000 inhabitants. The birth rate is 19.6% and the death rate is 5.3%. 60% of the population lives in cities. There are 87% black people and mulattos and 12% Europeans, especially British. The population is concentrated in proportion of 80% in the New Providence Island. There is the capital of the country and Grand Bahama. In the others there are small groups of fishermen, agricultures or employees working in the North American tourist residences. The most important religions are: Protestantism (Baptism 29%, Anglicans 21%, Methodists 7%) and Catholicism (26%).
State
The country is a constitutional monarchy according to the Constitution. The legislative activity is exerted by the Bicameral Parliament formed of the Senate and Assembly Room and the executive by a council governed by the president of the majority party. The political parties are: Liberal Progressive Party, National Free Movement and Democratic Force of People.
Economy
The country doesn't have many mineral deposits. The agriculture contributes with 5% of the Brut Intern Product. It is practiced on 1% of the country's surface. The industry is dependent of the petroleum import and concentrated in Freeport city on the Grand Bahamas Island. The main economical activity is tourism. This is favored by the natural characteristics and the nearby of USA from where come over 60% people.
Surface: 13.878 km²