The Bahamas

The Commonwealth of The Bahamas is an archipelagic state located in the North Atlantic Ocean, southeast of Florida and northeast of Cuba. Although technically outside the Caribbean Sea, it is culturally and politically part of the Caribbean community (CARICOM). Known worldwide for its turquoise waters, coral reefs, and luxury tourism, The Bahamas has evolved into a high-income economy dominated by tourism, financial services, and maritime trade. It maintains close relations with both the United Kingdom and the United States, reflecting its historical and geographic links to the Atlantic world.

Historical Background and Political Development

The earliest known inhabitants of The Bahamas were the Lucayans, an Arawakan-speaking people who settled the islands around 600 CE. When Christopher Columbus arrived in the New World in 1492, his first landfall was in the Bahamian archipelago. Within decades, the Lucayan population was decimated by enslavement and European-introduced diseases.
British colonisation began in 1647 with settlers from Bermuda, who sought greater religious and economic freedom. The islands’ location along major Atlantic shipping lanes made them a strategic hub for maritime trade—and, at times, piracy. By 1783, the Bahamas were formally recognised as a British colony, providing a refuge for Loyalists fleeing the American Revolution, who brought enslaved Africans and plantation agriculture.
During the 17th and 18th centuries, Nassau became infamous as a base for pirates such as Blackbeard, whose activities flourished amid the region’s fragmented governance. The colonial economy revolved around shipping, salt production, and limited agriculture, but over time shifted toward commerce and finance.
The 20th century saw major constitutional reforms, expanded suffrage, and the rise of nationalist movements. The Bahamas gained full independence on 10 July 1973, joining the Commonwealth of Nations while retaining the British monarch as head of state. It adopted a parliamentary democracy modelled on the Westminster system, with a Governor-General representing the Crown and an elected Prime Minister as head of government.
Since independence, The Bahamas has enjoyed sustained political stability and economic growth, though it faces challenges such as income inequality, hurricane vulnerability, and transnational narcotics trafficking. Through Operation Bahamas, Turks and Caicos (OPBAT), the nation works closely with the United States to combat maritime smuggling and drug transit activities.

Geography and Environment

The Bahamas comprises around 700 islands and 2,400 cays, of which approximately 30 are inhabited, extending across 13,880 square kilometres. The land area totals 10,010 sq km, with 3,870 sq km of inland and coastal waters, and a coastline of 3,542 km. It is slightly smaller than the U.S. state of Connecticut.
The terrain is low-lying and coralline, with gentle hills and shallow banks. The highest elevation—Mount Alvernia (64 m) on Cat Island—illustrates the country’s vulnerability to sea-level rise. The tropical marine climate, moderated by the Gulf Stream, delivers warm temperatures year-round, though hurricanes and tropical storms pose recurring risks of flooding and wind damage.
Natural resources include salt, aragonite, timber, and small tracts of arable land. Forests cover about 51% of the territory, while agriculture occupies 1.3%. The Bahamas’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ) extends 200 nautical miles, providing extensive maritime rights over fishing and seabed resources.
Environmental issues include:

• Coral reef degradation due to pollution and warming seas
• Coastal erosion from hurricanes and rising tides
• Waste management challenges in densely populated islands

The Bahamas is a signatory to the Paris Climate Agreement, the Convention on Biological Diversity, and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), demonstrating its commitment to environmental stewardship and marine conservation.

Population, Society, and Culture

The Bahamas’ population is estimated at 410,862 (2024), with a gender distribution of 54% female and 46% male. The median age of 30.7 years and growth rate of 1.07% reflect a youthful but gradually maturing society. Roughly two-thirds of Bahamians live on New Providence Island, home to the capital, Nassau.
The population is predominantly of African descent (90.6%), reflecting the legacy of the transatlantic slave trade. Whites (4.7%), mixed-heritage groups, and Haitian migrants make up the remainder. English is the official language, while Bahamian Creole and Haitian Creole are commonly spoken.
Religion plays a defining social role:

• Protestants: 69.9% (Baptist 34.9%, Anglican 13.7%, Pentecostal 8.9%)
• Roman Catholic: 12%
• Jehovah’s Witnesses and others: 5%
• Non-religious: increasing but minor proportion

Key demographic indicators (2024):

• Life expectancy: 76.7 years (male 75.1; female 78.4)
• Infant mortality: 9.4 per 1,000 live births
• Fertility rate: 1.44 children per woman
• Urbanisation: 83.6%
• Literacy rate: above 95%

Healthcare expenditure equals 7.1% of GDP, with 1.9 physicians per 1,000 inhabitants. Education is compulsory between ages 5 and 16, though spending (2.8% of GDP) is below regional averages.

Government and Political Structure

The Bahamas operates under a parliamentary constitutional monarchy, with King Charles III as head of state, represented by Governor-General Cynthia A. Pratt (since 2023). The Prime Minister, Philip Edward Davis of the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP), has led the government since 2021.
The bicameral Parliament comprises:

• House of Assembly (lower house): 39 directly elected members (five-year term).
• Senate (upper house): 16 appointed members (nine by the Prime Minister, four by the Leader of the Opposition, and three on joint advice).

Following the 2021 elections, the PLP holds 32 seats, and the Free National Movement (FNM) holds 7.
The judicial system follows English common law, with the Privy Council in London as the final court of appeal. The Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, and magistrates’ courts oversee domestic justice, while the Bahamas upholds a strong record of judicial independence.

Economy and Development

The Bahamian economy is high-income and service-based, with tourism and financial services generating about 85% of GDP. The nation’s proximity to North America, stable political environment, and attractive tax regime support robust inflows of investment.
Economic indicators (2024 est.):

• GDP (nominal): $15.83 billion
• GDP per capita (PPP): $36,200
• GDP growth: 3.4%
• Inflation: 0.4%
• Unemployment: 8.5% (youth 17.8%)
• Public debt: 73.7% of GDP

Sectoral structure:

• Services: 77.2%
• Industry: 9.6%
• Agriculture: 0.5%

Major exports include refined petroleum, ships, aluminium, and seafood, while imports—mainly refined fuels, food, and consumer goods—come chiefly from the United States (60%).
The Bahamas also maintains one of the world’s largest open shipping registries, generating substantial maritime revenue. Economic diversification initiatives focus on renewable energy, agriculture, digital services, and infrastructure modernisation. Despite high per capita income, inequality remains marked, and hurricane recovery costs frequently burden the national budget.

Infrastructure, Energy, and Communication

Electricity coverage is universal, though generation depends on fossil fuels (99.1%). Solar energy (0.9%) is expanding under renewable transition plans. Per capita energy use is 104 million Btu, one of the highest in the Caribbean.
Telecommunications are modern and extensive:

• Mobile penetration: 99 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
• Internet access: 95%
• National domain: .bs

The Bahamas possesses 54 airports, 9 heliports, and an advanced port system. Nassau, Freeport, and Clifton Pier serve as major shipping and cruise terminals. Its merchant marine fleet (1,274 vessels, 2024) is among the world’s largest, primarily for international registry rather than domestic use.

Defence and Security

The Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF), established in 1980, is responsible for maritime defence, border control, and disaster response. The RBDF includes naval, air, and commando units, with approximately 1,700 personnel. Military expenditure equals 0.7% of GDP, reflecting a non-aggressive security posture.
The Bahamas collaborates with the United States, United Kingdom, and regional partners on training, counter-narcotics operations, and disaster relief. Its membership in CARICOM and the Regional Security System (RSS) reinforces regional security cooperation.

National Identity and Culture

The national flag, comprising aquamarine, gold, and black, symbolises the sea, the sun, and the strength of the Bahamian people. The coat of arms features a flamingo and marlin supporting a shield with a pink conch shell, green palms, and Columbus’s Santa Maria, reflecting land, sea, and heritage. The national anthem, “March On, Bahamaland!”, was adopted upon independence in 1973.