The Bahamas is not part of the United States, but it is a Commonwealth country, which means that Queen Elizabeth II is head of state. The island nation gained independence from Great Britain in 1973 after nearly 250 years of British rule.
Geography of the Bahamas
Bahamas is a member of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), established in 1973 to promote the development and well-being of Caribbean nations. The country has an area of 13,880 square kilometres and is located in the westernmost region of North America. It consists of 700 islands, with about 50 inhabited.
The islands are divided into two main groups: those that form part of the Grand Bahama Bank, which includes New Providence Island (the capital city Nassau) and Paradise Island, and those that form part of the Great Bahama Bank, which include Bimini Island, Cat Cay, and San Salvador Island. The Turks and Caicos Islands are also part of this group but are geographically closer to Cuba than to Florida or South Carolina.
What is the Relationship Between the Bahamas and the USA?
The Bahamas and the United States have a long history of friendly relations. The two countries have cooperated on issues ranging from trade and tourism to security and defense.
The relationship between the Bahamas and the United States has been particularly close since 1984, when a Treaty of Friendship, Commerce, and Navigation was signed. This document, which is still in effect today, allows citizens of both countries to move freely without visas or other restrictions. It also allows for the exchange of goods, services, labor, and capital between them.
The U.S.-Bahamas Business Council was later established to promote trade between the two countries. The council sponsors an annual trade mission and organizes events like seminars on topics such as entrepreneurship and exporting. In addition, it arranges meetings between US investors and Bahamian government officials to discuss business opportunities in The Bahamas.
Why Are Bahamians Black?
The answer to this question lies in the history of the Bahamas. The Bahamas are populated by Africans who were brought here as slaves. They were brought to the Bahamas from Jamaica, Barbados, and other Caribbean islands, where they worked as slaves on plantations. When slavery was abolished in 1834, many freed slaves stayed in the Bahamas because they liked it here, and had nowhere else to go. They also didn’t want to leave their families behind either, so they stayed put!
Over time, these formerly enslaved people intermarried with other Blacks who had already been living in The Bahamas for some time before them (including escaped slaves from America), and this is how their culture became so diverse today!
Bahama’s Culture
The Bahamas has been inhabited by different peoples throughout history. The Lucayans were the first known inhabitants of the Bahamas, but they disappeared before Europeans arrived in 1492. After that, other indigenous peoples lived on the islands until 1648, when they were replaced by African slaves who were brought over to work as laborers on plantations. Slavery was abolished in 1834, but many Bahamians still have some African ancestry today.
Food and Drinks
The Bahama’s culture is a great blend of many different cultures. The island nation has been populated by people from all over the world, who have brought their own traditions, cuisine, and drinks with them.
The Bahamian diet varies from group to group, depending on where in the Bahamas they live. Those living on San Salvador Island eat mostly seafood, while those living on Andros Island prefer land animals such as goats and chickens. The residents of Cat Island prefer rabbits and pigs over fish. Many foods are prepared using coconut oil or other vegetable oils instead of animal fat, so vegetarians will find plenty of options. Food is served with hot sauces that come in various flavors, including hot pepper sauce made with Scotch bonnet peppers or mango chutney mixed with ginger and lime juice to make a sweet-and-sour condiment known; as “pickapeppa.”
Foods Grown in the Bahamas
The Bahamas has a tropical climate that makes it ideal for growing fruit, vegetables, and flowers. Many fruits grow naturally in this area because they are native to the region. These include mangoes, pineapples, papayas, and plantains. Other fruits that were introduced by early settlers include coconuts and citrus fruits such as oranges, lemons, and limes.
There are several types of vegetables grown on Bahamian farms today. Many farmers grow sweet potatoes because they are easy to cultivate in sandy soil with little rainfall. Yams can also be grown easily in this environment since they need less water than other crops such as corn or wheat do. Other common vegetables grown in Bahamian farms include tomatoes, eggplant, and okra.
What Religion is Bahamas
Bahamians are generally very religious people, although there is no official religion in the Bahamas. The Bahamas is a Christian country, but it has a lot of freedom of religion. The Bahamian constitution provides for freedom of conscience and the free profession and practice of religion.
The Anglican Church of the Bahamas is the official state church. According to a 2012 Pew Research Center report, 85% of Bahamians are Christians (40% being Anglican). However, there are also other Christian denominations in the country, including Roman Catholics and Presbyterians. There is also a small Jewish community on the islands, although they have had no synagogue for quite some time.
Cost of Living in the Bahamas
The Bahamas is a beautiful country with a great climate and friendly people. Its cost of living is comparable to the US, but it still has some low-cost options that can save you money each month.
Here are some tips on how you can live comfortably in The Bahamas on an average salary:
Rent or buy a home?
Renting an apartment in Nassau or Freeport will run about $1,500 per month for a one-bedroom apartment. If you are looking for an apartment in downtown Nassau, expect to pay closer to $2,500 per month for an equivalent property. Buying a home may be more affordable than renting because mortgage payments are tax deductible in the Bahamas.
Health Care Costs
Health care is free for Bahamians but not for visitors. Residents pay less than $100 per year for health insurance coverage (most employers offer this benefit). Visitors must pay out-of-pocket until they have been there long enough to qualify as residents. Most employers include health insurance coverage as part of their benefits package and typically offer plans with international andand local coverage within The Bahamas and other Caribbean islands.
Food Cost
The cost of food in the Bahamas is generally very reasonable because most things are imported from the USA or Europe. It is possible to get some local produce if you look around, but it is not widely available. There are also supermarkets where you can stock up on basic items such as bread, milk, and fruit juice, but these are often more expensive than shops such as Walmart.
How to Get a Job and Work in the Bahamas
If you want to work in the Bahamas, there are many ways to start your career there. One way is through an internship program that can help pay for your education while giving you valuable work experience. Professional networking organizations like Rotary International offer internships and scholarships that can help pay for your education and give you experience working with professionals who know how things work in this area of business or industry.
Another way to get a job in the Bahamas is through online job search websites like Monster or CareerBuilder, where employers post their jobs for free along with other information about their company, including its location(s) of operation and phone number(s).
Common Jobs in the Bahamas
There are plenty of jobs available in the Bahamas. However, if you want to work in your field, you may have to relocate there permanently or temporarily. The following are some of the most common jobs found in this island nation:
Airport Staff:
Airports are one of the most important locations in the country. It is where many people come and go, so it is vital that they are well managed. They must also have a good staff to deal with any problems.
Hotel Managers:
Hotels are another common place for people to work in The Bahamas. Hotels provide accommodation for tourists and locals, and there needs to be someone who can ensure everything runs smoothly and that guests are happy with their stay.
Retail Shop Operators:
We are all familiar with retail shops here in the UK, but what about The Bahamas? Well, there are a lot of them! Retail shops are needed in every city so that people can buy things like food and clothing.
Teacher
Public schools need teachers for all grades and subjects. It is also possible to find private schools that offer teaching positions. A college degree is required for most teaching positions, and teaching certificates may be necessary depending on the subject taught.
Tourist Guide
Tour guides are needed to lead groups through historical sites and other tourist attractions such as museums and art galleries. Tour guides must know about the history and culture of their country as well as its geography and climate conditions so that they can answer questions from tourists without difficulty. Tour guides should also have good communication skills so they can work with visitors from around the world efficiently and effectively, especially if they speak different languages than their native tongue.
Monthly Temperatures & Common Type of Clothing in the Bahamas
The Bahama Islands have a tropical climate with little temperature variation between seasons. Temperatures rarely fall below 60 degrees Fahrenheit (15 degrees Celsius), even at night during the winter months. Summers are warm and humid, with average highs in the mid-80s Fahrenheit (26-30 degrees Celsius). Hurricanes are a risk during hurricane season from June through November, but they are most frequent from August through October.
The warmest city in The Bahamas is Nassau, which has an average high temperature of 85 degrees Fahrenheit (29 degrees Celsius) in July and an average low temperature of 75 F (23 C). The coolest city is Freeport/Lucaya on Grand Bahama Island, where average daily temperatures range from 70 F to 77 F (21 C to 25 C).
Common Types of Clothing in the Bahamas
So, being a tropical paradise, it’s no surprise that people in the Bahamas prefer very relaxed clothing. Most people wear shorts and T-shirts during the day, and when they go out at night, they’re often dressed up with nice shirts, pants, and skirts.
However, the Bahamas has a diverse population, with many different cultures represented on the islands. As a result, there are many different types of clothing that can be found in the country.
But most commonly, men wear shorts, jeans, and T-shirts. Many men also wear sandals or flip-flops because of the warm weather in the Bahamas. Men who want to dress up for work or social events will usually wear a suit or other formal attire such as button-down shirts and slacks. Women typically wear casual clothes like skirts or dresses during the daytime but may also choose to wear more formal attire for events like weddings or dinners at restaurants.
Typical Bahamas Words & Phrases to Learn
The Bahamas is a unique Caribbean Island country, a popular tourist destination and a great place to live. It’s one of the most English-speaking countries in the world, but you might be surprised by how different it is from the UK or US.
The following list includes some typical words and phrases to learn:
- “Yuh” – You (plural)
- “Dem” – Them (plural)
- “Ain’t got nothing” – I don’t have anything
- “Inna di bed” – In bed
- What’s Up? – What’s Up (WSU) / Wutsup? (WSUP)
- How You Doin? – How You Doin’? (HWDYIN)? / How You Doon’? (HWDYUN)
- All Right – All Right (ALRIGHT) / Ahright! (AHRIGHT) / Good Enough! (GE)
What Amazing Things is the Bahamas Best Known for?
The Bahamas is known for many things, but there are a few that stand out. Some of these include:
- Pristine white sand beaches — The Bahamas has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Visitors can enjoy swimming in crystal clear water and relaxing on soft white sand.
- Turquoise waters — The clear blue water surrounding many of the islands makes it easy for visitors to see their surroundings from above or below the surface.
- The swimming pigs of Exuma — Pigs were brought to Exuma by sailors who wanted them for food during long voyages; now, they swim around freely in the ocean! Visitors can swim with these pigs at Big Major Cay (a private island) or during tours run by locals.
- The Bahama Mama cocktail originated here as well. A drink made from rum, coconut cream, pineapple juice, and lime juice. It’s said that if you drink enough of them, you will feel like a true Bahama Mama!
- There is also plenty of history to explore on this beautiful island chain. There are many museums where you can learn about the history of pirates, such as Blackbeard, who used to hide out there while he was plundering ships off the coast of North America.
Conclusion
Despite their closest location to the United States, there’s a lot more you need to know and learn about the Bahamas. There’s truly something for everyone, and if you do visit the Bahamas, you are sure to go back home with a sense of relaxation and peace which is something we all need in our busy lives. If you like to snorkel, the Bahamas has some of the best snorkeling in the world. If you want off-the-beaten-path adventures, there are so many different things to do on this island.
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