The Bahamas
The Bahamas are a country on the continent of North America
Brief History
As early as 300 to 400 AD, people from Cuba migrated to The Bahamas and lived on seafood. Then from around 900-1500 AD, the Lucayan people settled on the islands. When Christopher Colombus arrived in the New World in 1492, there were about 40,000 Lucayans residing in The Bahamas. Within 25 years after Columbus arrived, all of the Lucayans were wiped out due to the slavery, diseases, and hardships they were faced with. Later in 1649, English Puritans known as the Eleutheran Adventurers came to what is now The Bahamas in search of religious freedom. During the late 1600’s and early 1700s, many privateers and pirates came to the islands to bury treasure and steal from merchant ships. American colonists loyal to Britain came to The Bahamas during the late 1700s. On July 10th, 1973, The Bahamas became a free and sovereign country. After 350 years of peaceful British reign, The Bahamas became a member of The Commonwealth of Nations.
National Flag
The national flag of the Bahamas consists of a black triangle located on the left side, and three bands, the top and bottom being aquamarine and the middle one being gold. The black represents the strength and willpower of the people, the gold represents the sun and sand, and the blue represents the Caribbean sea.
Geography
The Bahamas are an island nation located in the Caribbean sea. It is located 80km (50 miles) southeast of Florida, and north of Cuba. The Caribbean island group contains about 700 islands, nearly 2,500 small islets or cays, and more than 2,000 coral reefs. The Bahamas have mainly long, flat coral formations with some hills. It is known for its beaches and clear, Caribbean water.
World Land Mass Ranking: 160th
Highest Mountain: Mount Alvernia, 63 meters (2017 ft) above sea level
Longest River: No major rivers
Main Languages
English (official), Bahamian Creole
Bahamas Population: 392,528 (as of 2020)
Capital City: Nassau
Capital City Population: 266,100 (as of 2016)
Climate
The climate in The Bahamas is mostly tropical savannah. There are two seasons, a wet season and a dry season. Summers are usually 27-32 degrees Celsius (80-85 degrees Fahrenheit), while the average temperature during the winter is 21-27 degrees Celsius (70-78 degrees Fahrenheit). The nice temperatures year-round make The Bahamas a popular tourist destination.
Key People
Cuisine
Bahamian cuisine takes from the surrounding resources, so seafood, tropical fruit, rice, and peas are all staple foods in The Bahamas. The national food is conch (a large tropical mollusk with firm, white flesh), which can be prepared in many different ways. The other most popular seafood is lobster, fish, and crab. Fresh fruits such as avocados, bananas, coconuts, grapefruits, Persian lime, mango, orange, and pineapple are all grown and eaten in The Bahamas. The most common meats are pork, chicken, and goat.
Below is a picture of Conch Salad.
Sports
The national sport of The Bahamas is cricket. It is considered the oldest sport in The Bahamas, and has been played there since 1846. Although cricket is the national sport of The Bahamas, basketball is actually the most popular. It is one of the most common spectator sports along with baseball, and American football, which became popular due to influence from the United States. A variety of other sports are also played in The Bahamas: tennis, volleyball, squash, bowling, racquetball, rugby, and football. The most popular sports for visitors are swimming, snorkeling, boating, fishing, sailing, scuba diving, and golf.
Below is a picture of the Bahamas National Women’s Basketball Team
Culture
The Bahamas has a distinct culture that has developed over generations. It is influenced by a mix of primarily African, European, and American cultures. Music is a key part of Bahamian culture. The Bahamas has three indigenous forms of music and dance: Goombay, Rake ‘n’ Scrape, and Junkanoo. Other Caribbean such as calypso, Trinidadian soca, and Jamaican reggae are also popular. Visual art is also important in The Bahamas. The most popular forms of visual art are straw weaving, canvas art, and coral and stone art. The primary religion in The Bahamas is Christianity, with the population being 95% Christian. Bahamians are known for being easy-going, friendly, and hospitable.
The picture is a picture of Junkanoo, a Bahamian parade with music, dance, and costumes held on Boxing Day.
Download questions about the The Bahamas here: The Bahamas (answers are on this page)
For further reading and more info on the Benin visit https://kids.kiddle.co/The_Bahamas
10 facts about The Bahamas
1. The blue marlin is the national fish of The Bahamas.
2. Only 30 of the 700 islands in The Bahamas are inhabited.
3. The world’s deepest blue hole is found in The Bahamas.
4. It is is one of the best places in the world for cave diving.
5. There is no sales or income tax in The Bahamas.
6. There is a beach in The Bahamas where you can swim with pigs.
7. The Bahamas has the world’s third-largest ship registry.
8. “Bahamas” is derived from Spanish, and means “shallow sea.”
9. The Bahamas is one of two countries that start with “The”
10. The Bahamas is home to a pink beach.
Q&A Corner
