The Bahamas are made up of 700 islands. Phone code and domain name of the Bahamas. Entertainment and attractions of the Bahamas

IN Atlantic Ocean the famous archipelago is the Bahamas, which are located between Florida and Cuba. This archipelago consists of 700 islands and 2500 reefs. Only thirty islands are considered inhabited. The Bahamas are washed by the warm waters of the Gulf Stream. For a long time holidays in the Bahamas have been called a luxurious pastime. Also, the Bahamas was named a major offshore center, which is considered the richest state in the region. There are more than 400 banks and casinos on the islands. It is worth remembering the countless kilometers of white sand beaches, clear coastal waters and coral reefs, from which lovers of diving are delighted. and its sights, look here.

It's not for nothing that the Bahamas are called real earthly paradise. This archipelago is located in the Atlantic Ocean. The main attractions of the Bahamas are azure waves, white sand and palm trees. It is thanks to tourism that the islands receive 60 percent of their gross income. subtropical and tropical climate, warm weather, low rainfall allow you to ideally relax in the Bahamas, as well as do outdoor activities and fishing. Commonwealth guests come here to play golf or visit the casino. Look at .

Features of the Bahamas

The most popular resorts of the Bahamas are located on such islands as: Eleuthera, Andros, New Providence, Grand Bahama, Mayaguana, Great Abaco, Long Island. Everywhere you can see luxurious tourist complexes that offer tourists cosmetic services, clean isolated beaches, entertainment program and a variety of water sports options. Travelers call the Bahamas the second Switzerland. After all, economic life is in full swing in this territory. New Providence is called the center of business activity; life is in full swing on this island around the clock. As a rule, tourists come here for shopping, as there are many shops duty free and bars, discos and restaurants are open around the clock. By the way, the casino here is especially popular among Americans. What does it look like. Look at here.

The best sights of the Bahamas include an amazing undersea world and coral reefs. This gives vacationers the opportunity to try different activities such as sailing, diving, surfing, kiting, dive safari and recreational diving. special attention deserve sunken ships in the Bahamas.

The nature of the Bahamas calmly competes with the beauty of the underwater world. This is evidenced by: Rand Memorial Park, famous cave Preacher and Garden of the Groves. And on a real big coral island built an underwater observatory. Of course, Nassau is the most popular resort in the Bahamas, it is also the largest city. Especially for tourists, a large underwater aquarium and a water tower were built. The Bay Street shopping street allows you to get to know the capital better, because next to it is the seat of government. You can also go and see the fortress of the 18th century.

It is impossible to get to the Bahamas from Russia by direct flight - you will need to transfer in London. The flight duration is approximately thirteen hours. In addition, there is the option of flying through the United States. Only in this case it is necessary to take care of an American transit visa. It is noteworthy that Russians in the Bahamas can live 90 days without a visa.

Resorts in the Bahamas

Big Abaco is famous among the yachtsmen of the world. In spring, the sailing season begins, which continues until autumn. There are many fish in the vast coastal waters. In addition, here tourists are offered to do any kind of water sports, fish, go shopping. The largest city on the island is Marsh Harbor. Tourists hardly visit Long Island. Only this is in vain, because he is the most picturesque island among all the Bahamas. It has the most beautiful flora and many places untouched by civilization.

In the north of the island is Cape Santa Maria, which is famous for its long white sandy beach. By the way, this is one of the most beautiful islands from the west side. The main city of the island is Stella Maris, although it is small, it is a fairly modern settlement. Fishing and diving expeditions depart from here. The Exuma island chain consists of more than 360 small islands, although in the south there are two large islands - Little and Great Exuma. Here is the entire local civilization. Yachtsmen call this archipelago a paradise for them, because these places are referred to as the most beautiful places on the planet. Coastal shallows constantly change their depth, ebb and flow occurs regularly, all this makes the sea especially beautiful. According to the full program, diving adherents rest here.

Tourist safety

Almost all famous tourist areas are safe for tourists. Sometimes petty crimes like theft happen in hotel rooms. Pickpocketing is not uncommon in this region. At night, it is better for tourists to refrain from single walks, especially for women. Note that spearfishing with various devices, such as spearguns, is prohibited in the Bahamas. You can engage in sport fishing, you just need to pay for going out to sea, one way costs up to twenty dollars. In addition, it is forbidden to conduct independent archaeological work on sunken ships. In case of violation of these rules, the tourist will be obliged to pay a hefty fine or be deported from the country.

The Bahamas has very strict drug laws. Here you can get a long prison term for the sale or use of drugs. There are no restrictions on the export and import of foreign currency on the territory of the islands. Only the export of local currency is limited, for this it is necessary to obtain permission from the local Central Bank. It is allowed to import duty-free two hundred cigarettes or fifty cigars, about one liter of wine and other strong alcoholic beverages.

Reminder for the tourist

There are a large number of various hotels in the Bahamas, among them large high-rise complexes, as well as small cozy places residence. It is noteworthy that in the territory Caribbean the Bahamian all-inclusive system is considered the best. Therefore, only the tourist is left with the choice of a suitable hotel. Some locals rent their houses for sea ​​coast which can be very convenient for family travel.

Arriving in the Bahamas, you should definitely see the famous coral reefs, swim in the azure sea and bask on the golden sand. And in the evenings, plunge into a cheerful atmosphere nightlife. Countless shops allow you to easily buy a large number of souvenirs for your loved ones. In addition, you need to set aside a whole day to enjoy natural beauties Bahamas.

Photos of the Bahamas

islands

The Bahamas is an independent country that is part of the Commonwealth, which is led by the United Kingdom. The second name of the state is the Commonwealth of the Bahamas. It is located on the archipelago of the same name, washed by the Atlantic Ocean. The Florida Straits border the Bahamas with Florida and the Old Bahamas with Cuba. Now, I think, it has already become clear to everyone where the Bahamas are located. Land borders, as you've probably guessed by now, the Bahamas simply don't.

By the way, since 2009, Russians no longer need a visa to travel to the Bahamas. But when buying tickets, it is still worth really evaluating your knowledge in English. After all official language here it's English, and most vacationers are from the neighboring United States. Therefore, taking good English courses and improving your knowledge of the language will not be superfluous at all.

Is it really beautiful?

The archipelago extends in a northwest direction and slightly southeast for 1500 km, the area of ​​\u200b\u200ball the islands of the state of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas is 13,940 square meters. km, and inhabited islands - about 11,400 square meters. km. It consists of about 700 islands and 2000 coral reefs. Of the seven hundred islands, only thirty are inhabited. The capital of the Bahamas is the port city of Nassau. It is Nassau that takes over the first wave of vacationers, since it is here that ship-hotels moor, bringing here numerous tourists from all over the world. There is no shortage of vacationers, so the prices for tours are in a fairly wide range. The currency of the Bahamas is the Bahamian dollar (BSD).

Bahamas on the world map, map in Russian

The Bahamas are famous for their excellent beaches, beautiful underwater world and original culture. The archipelago includes about 700 islands, of which only 40 are inhabited. local resorts are perfect both for a leisurely vacation in complete unity with nature, and for extreme diving, because there are many underwater tunnels and blue holes.

Information about the Bahamas

The Bahamas have an official name - the Commonwealth of the Bahamas. The state is located in the Atlantic Ocean on an archipelago stretching for 1500 km, and is separated from Cuba by the Old Bahama Strait, and from the United States by the Gulf of Florida. The total area of ​​the islands is about 14 thousand square meters. km. The largest of them are Andros, Great Abaco, Grand Bahama, Great Inagua, New Providence, Great Exuma, Eleuthera and several others.

Capital: Nassau.

Population: 377,374 (2013 data)

State structure: A constitutional monarchy headed by the Queen of Great Britain, represented in the Bahamas by a Governor General.

Language: English, Patois (Creole) is common among immigrants from Haiti.

Religion: Most of the population are Christians, mostly Baptists (35%). Folk beliefs also have a distribution ("obea").

Time: 8 hours behind Moscow in summer and 9 hours in winter. On the last Sunday in March, time is set forward one hour (valid until the first Sunday in November).

Climate

The climate in the Bahamas can be described as subtropical (in the south) and trade winds (in the north). In summer, the air temperature here reaches +32 °С, in winter - +22 °С. In the central part of the archipelago it is always cooler than in southern islands. The water temperature in the resorts of the Bahamas is about +27 ° C in summer and +23 ° C in winter.

Most of the precipitation on the islands falls from May to October, during the same months strong storms and hurricanes are possible. Based on this, the best time to relax in the Bahamas is the period from late October to early May.

Average daily temperature in the resorts of the Bahamas, °C

Bahamas map

Nature

The Bahamas are limestone plateaus protruding above the ocean. Its underwater part has deep cracks and ferruginous layers, thanks to which the underwater world of the Bahamas looks very picturesque. Numerous coral reefs add beauty to it, blue holes and long tunnels connecting deep underwater caves. All this makes the islands of the archipelago very attractive for divers.

Previously, the entire territory of the Bahamas was covered rainforests, but today they are preserved only on the islands of Grand Bahama, Abaco and Andros. On their territory you can see valuable species of wood - red iron and logwood, Caribbean pines, as well as various types of exotic flowers - orchids, jasmine, bougainvillea, etc. Often on the islands you can find artificial plantations with coniferous trees, casuarina and mahogany.

The fauna in the Bahamas is not very diverse. The most common are bats, frogs, snakes, lizards, as well as birds - red flamingos, pelicans, herons, etc. Numerous species of fish are found near the coasts - mackerel, barracuda, Atlantic sailboat, etc. Thanks to this, fishing in the Bahamas is very exciting class.

Another feature of the nature of the Bahamas is the beautiful sandy beaches with fine sand, which attracts many travelers who want to soak up the sun and swim in the purest coastal waters.

The main feature of the Bahamians is slowness; it is not customary to rush anywhere on the islands. Local residents are generally calm and friendly, but sometimes they can express their emotions quite violently.

The dress code on the islands is unofficial. In most cases, a shirt and long trousers will suffice for men. IN resort areas shorts are also quite suitable; frankly beachwear should be avoided in cities. In the evening and on holidays, a long dress with ethnic patterns is considered good form for women, and a light suit for men.

Concerning culinary traditions, then in the Bahamas they are closely associated with seafood. Barbecued shells, crabs, shrimp, fish cakes, seafood salads, various variations of dishes with conch snails, reef perch in tomato or anchovy sauce, soup with lime juice, celery, meat and onions - these delicacies can be found in the menu of almost all restaurants in the archipelago. Big influence British colonizers had a hand in the cuisine of the Bahamas, so traditional English dishes prepared with local characteristics are also common here. Desserts include Caribbean coconut pies, rice puddings and fruit salads. In the bar menu you will definitely see Nassau Royal rum, the famous Bahamian beer Kalik, as well as various imported drinks.

The culture of the Bahamas was influenced by Africans, residents neighboring islands Caribbean and colonists. An important part of the national folklore is obea rituals, which are reminiscent of Santeria rites in Brazil and Cuba, as well as voodoo from Haiti. The practice involves turning to white and black magicians, communication with departed ancestors and spirits of the underworld, etc. Followers of both believe that evil spirits live in silk cotton, and with a special skill, their power can be controlled. Voodoo rituals are also common in the Bahamas, especially among immigrants from Cuba, Haiti, Jamaica and the Dominican Republic.

Another bright side of the culture of the Bahamas is music, which combines the traditions of the colonizers and African slaves. Especially popular are down-home styles (music is performed on accordions, guitars and maracas) and gumbay, which combines English folk songs with calypso melodies.

dance art also common in the Bahamas. In special halls or on the street, you can see real dance performances, which combine ritual African dances, classical ballet and modern choreography in a bizarre way.

There are also architectural sights in the Bahamas. Most of them belong to the period of colonization and are located in the capital of the state - the city of Nassau.

Main currency

The main currency on the islands is the Bahamian dollar, equal to 100 cents. Both coins and banknotes of various denominations are in circulation. US dollars are freely circulating. Credit cards of international systems are accepted almost everywhere.

You can exchange currency in the Bahamas in shopping centers, hotels and banks, which usually work on weekdays until 15:00. Most favorable exchange rate exchange - in international banks located in Freeport and Nassau. There are a lot of ATMs in popular tourist areas, which cannot be said about the peripheral islands, where it is quite problematic to withdraw money. For cashing traveler's checks hotels, restaurants and exchange offices can charge a fairly large commission, so before using their services, find out about all the conditions. It is best to use traveler's checks in US dollars.

It is impossible to fly from Russia to the Bahamas using a direct flight. Most the best option- flight british airways with a change in London (five times a week), taking about 13 hours. You can also fly to the United States, and from there, with the help of American airlines, to the capital of the Bahamas - Nassau. The disadvantage of this option is that you need an American transit visa for such a trip. From the US to the Bahamas can also be reached by ferry (the trip takes about 5 hours).

Mains voltage - 110V, 60 Hz. Sockets american style.

To rent a car in the Bahamas you need driver license international standard, passport and credit card. The driver must be at least 21-23 years old (depending on the rental company). Car rental offices are located at airports, large hotels and in central urban areas.

The tourist areas of the Bahamas are quite safe, but you should follow the usual precautions: do not walk around the outskirts at night, keep an eye on your wallet, and leave valuables in a safe.

You do not need to do any vaccinations to enter the country - they will only be needed if you arrive in the Bahamas from a focus of infectious diseases. It is advisable to get immunized against tuberculosis, diphtheria and hepatitis B. You should also avoid swimming in local fresh water.

Tap water in the main cities is safe, although it tastes salty, so bottled water is recommended. Water outside the popular tourist areas can be polluted and should not be drunk. Dairy products, meat, poultry, vegetables and fruits can be eaten safely - their safety is controlled.

To protect from the sun, you should use special creams, because the level of insolation in the Bahamas is very high. It is advisable to wear light clothing that covers the shoulders on the tour.

Basic moments

The long archipelago covers an area of ​​250,000 km² and consists of 2,700 islands and coral reefs, occupying only 13,878 km². Humans inhabit thirty of them. island territory united in the state - the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, in which 391,232 people live (2016). The most populated island is New Providence, where the capital of the country is located - the city, and the island of Grand Bahama. The population of 3/4 consists of African Americans and mulattos. A small proportion of the Bahamians are elderly wealthy North Americans and Europeans who settled on the islands after retirement.

Among believers in the Bahamas, most of all are Christians - Protestants, Methodists, Baptists and Roman Catholics. Some locals, and especially the descendants of African American slaves, adhere to African cults.

The Bahamas are popular with travelers from all over the world, and the economy of the islands is heavily dependent on tourism. They come here for beach holiday. In addition, the Bahamas attract diving, surfing and yachtsmen.

IN last years medical tourism is actively developing in the Bahamas. The level of medical care here is based on the standards adopted in the United States, and is highly valued. More than twenty modern medical institutions have been opened on the islands, whose specialists work in all types of healthcare. Most popular destinations are joint surgeries, heart surgery and plastic surgeries.

History of the development of the Bahamas

The first to settle on the tropical islands were the Native Americans, the Lucayans (Arawaks), who sailed here in the 5th century with Antilles, Cuba and Hispaniola (now it is the territory of the Republic of Haiti). In 1492, the expedition of Christopher Columbus landed in the Bahamas. Three years later, Spanish colonists settled on the archipelago. For 30 years, the locals have practically died out. The reasons for this were diseases and slavery brought by Europeans. A large number of the colonists took the Lucayans to Hispaniola for pearling and work in the mines.

Soon the Spaniards also left the Bahamas, and for about 130 years this region remained unclaimed. Then British settlers from Bermuda came to Harbor Island. In addition to them, pirate bases arose on several islands, where sea corsairs rested and repaired their ships. Only in 1718, thanks to the British army, the pirates were driven out of the Bahamas. Since then, the islands have been assigned the status of a British colony.

The local population began to grow rapidly from the end of the XVIII century. The reason for this was the eviction of eight thousand loyalists from the United States to the Bahamas, with whom their slaves arrived. The new settlers tried to establish cotton plantations on the islands in the manner of those they were forced to leave behind in America. However, due to infertile soil, this venture failed. In 1807, the slave trade was banned in Great Britain, and the Royal Navy freed the slaves in the Bahamas.

A major influx of money into the islands occurred in 1920. At this time, Prohibition was passed in the United States. Smuggling began to grow in the Bahamas, and the city was turned into a warehouse of rum. During the Second World War, the American military spent vacations in the Bahamas, and in the post-war period, the tourism industry began to develop on the islands.

Since 1973, there has been a democratic political regime in the island state, the Constitution is in force. According to the form of government of the Bahamas, it is a parliamentary monarchy, when the British Queen is considered the head of state, and her interests on the islands are represented by the Governor General. Legislative functions are performed by a bicameral parliament, and the executive power is exercised by the government. Administratively, the Bahamas are divided into 31 districts.

Attractions of the Bahamas

All attractions Bahamas

Climate features

It is no coincidence that the Bahamas are called a paradise. Their Northern part lies in the zone of tropical trade wind climate, and the southern one - in the zone of subtropical climate. average temperature in summer months it is from +26°С to +32°С, and in winter - from +18°С to +22°С. Summer in the south is warmer than in the central part of the archipelago, and in winter it is cooler in the northwestern part of the Bahamas.

Sea water is suitable for swimming all year round. Its temperature, depending on the season, ranges from +23°С to +27°С.

It is believed that it is best to come to the Bahamas from September to May, when it is cooler here. At this time of the year, there is almost no rain, and if precipitation does occur, it falls in the form of strong short showers, after which the sun immediately comes out. From May to mid-November, the tropical storm and hurricane season begins in the Bahamas. It rains heavily on the islands, and in coastal zone big waves rise.

The nature of the islands

The land area in the Bahamas covers an area of ​​10,070 km². All islands are composed of coral limestones. The surface is mostly flat, but there are also karst landforms. The highest part is on Cat Island. This is Alvernia Hill, which rises 63 meters above sea level.

Frequent hurricanes and soils poor in mineral salts have caused the Bahamas to lack lush vegetation. Here you can find thickets of evergreen thorny shrubs and savannas. Coconut palms grow in abundance on the coast, and pine forests further from the sea.

The Bahamas are home to many birds, iguanas, bats and agoutis. In the Great Inagua Island National Park, there is the largest flamingo colony on the planet, in which over 50,000 birds have found shelter. The coastal waters surrounding the islands are inhabited by various fish, crustaceans and mollusks.

Today, more than 25 protected areas have been created in the Bahamas with rich flora and fauna. In local national parks x can be seen rare birds and animals. Among nature lovers, the most popular island is Big Inagua, the northeastern part of North Andros, as well as Embrister Creek on Cat Island.

Beaches

Almost every island in the archipelago has excellent beaches. Clean white sand, convenient entry into the water and warm water attract millions of travelers to the Bahamas.

The most luxurious are the beach areas of New Providence, especially Cable Beach. Here you can sunbathe and swim. If you wish, you can look into the local casino or cross the original bridge to Paradise Island.

Grand Bahama offers vacationers surrounded by coconut palms Gold Rock Beach, Paradise Bay and Tiger Beach. On the outlying islands, many beaches are adjacent to fishing villages. They attract lovers of a more secluded holiday, as well as fans of diving and sea fishing. The beaches of Andros Island are often used for wedding ceremonies. Marriages in the national style are popular here, and hotels on the island offer special "wedding packages".

Bahamas for outdoor activities

Not only fans of a measured beach holiday come to the Bahamas. Most sports centers and places to do water sports Sports, located on New Providence, Harbor Island and Grand Bahama. There are places for golf and tennis, as well as for motorcycle trips. From sea activities, windsurfing, surfing, kiting, water skiing and scooters.

Sea fishing lovers go to the islands of Bimini, Berry and Andros, and those who want to feel the power sea ​​waves and explore the coast from the board of the yacht, to the islands of Long Island and Exuma. These places are considered a real paradise for yachtsmen, and the sailing season here lasts most of the year.

The clear waters of the Atlantic and the rich underwater world attract diving enthusiasts to the Bahamas. On most islands there are dive centers that organize training for beginners and underwater expeditions for experienced divers. Diving on coral reefs is practiced on the islands of Eleuthera and Abaco. In many places travelers can swim with dolphins and even participate in shark feeding.

Cities and resorts of the Bahamas

Most of the inhabitants of the Bahamas inhabit the capital of the archipelago - the city - 274,400 people (2016), which is built on the island of New Providence. This city has a large sea ​​port. Many come for the lively nightlife, shopping and picturesque examples of colonial architecture. Tourists like to visit the “straw market” of the city, where they sell interesting handicrafts made from straw. Not far from the center there is a unique corner of tropical nature - the luxurious gardens of Adastra and the zoo.

Grand Bahama is often called tropical paradise. The island is covered with lush thickets of Cuban pine, and it houses three national parks at once. Travelers come here to see beautiful big caves with stalagmites and rare tropical flowers.

Long Island got its name from its elongated shape. It stretches for almost a hundred kilometers with a width of up to 5 km. Long Island is covered with low hills. It has beautiful beaches and steep capes that break right into the sea.

Eleuthera is known as a place elite vacation. The most luxurious hotels, beaches and clubs in the Bahamas are concentrated in the resorts of this island.

Island restaurants and local cuisine

There are many excellent restaurants and bars in the Bahamas. Most places offer tourists British, North American or Caribbean cuisine. Lunch in a budget cafe costs $12-15, and in a reputable restaurant - $30-35. Fast food establishments are represented by world famous brands - McDonalds and KFC.

Animal husbandry is poorly developed on the archipelago, so the daily menu of local residents is dominated by rice, shrimp, fish with cereal porridge, potatoes and macaroni and cheese. Fishing for the islanders is the main craft, and Bahamian cuisine rich in gifts from the ocean. Previously, turtle soup was considered a specialty on the islands. But time passed, the number of turtles decreased, environmentalists sounded the alarm, and this soup is no longer cooked here.

Bahamian delicacies include seafood salads, grilled shells, crab and shrimp, and red grouper patties. Be sure to taste boiled lobsters and reef perch fillets, which are fried or baked in tomato sauce by chefs.

Restaurant menus include meat dishes, as a side dish to which rice or peas are used. Everywhere they serve bacon with scrambled eggs, steaks, schnitzel with onions, fried chicken and French fries. A mixture of rice and peas forms the basis of most local soups. A separate place in the island menu is occupied by soup, which is made from meat, water acidified with lime juice, onions, peppers and celery. This popular soup is cooked very quickly and tastes good.

For dessert in the Bahamas it is customary to eat tropical fruits or a pudding made from guava. Coconut crumble cakes, Caribbean johnny cakes and gingerbread are also popular among locals and tourists.

From soft drinks on the islands they drink English-style tea, as well as strongly brewed Brazilian or Colombian coffee. In addition, they consume a lot of fruit juices and different types carbonated water.

In the Bahamas, you can try the local Nassau Royal rum. It tastes good and is inexpensive. A large amount of rum is produced at the Bacardi plant, which is located south of the capital of the Bahamas. The local beer "Kalik" is also popular. It is produced in three types. Light beer "Kalik Light" contains a small amount of alcohol. "Kalik regular" is valued for its refreshing mild taste. And Kalik Gold is the strongest of all varieties, the amount of alcohol in it reaches 7%.

Transport

Bahamasair planes fly between the major islands of the Bahamas. Flight prices are quite high, so it is often more profitable to hire a small aircraft privately.

New Providence has the longest and most extensive road network - 1000 km. There are 209 km of roads on Eleuthera and 156 km on Grand Bahama. In the cities of Freeport and passengers are brought up by private fixed-route taxis.

There is no public transport system, so travelers use taxi services or rent cars, motorcycles or bicycles. To move between the islands or along the coast, you can rent a boat or a boat.

In the Bahamas, left-hand traffic and heavy traffic. In densely populated areas, traffic jams occur every now and then. In addition, the road network is often flooded during floods. There are no sidewalks along some roads, people walk right on the side of the road, so those who rent cars or bikes should be extremely careful.

Safety

The Bahamas are considered safe for travelers, and created there tourist centers enjoy a good reputation. However, there are cases of pickpocketing and theft from hotel rooms. All tourists, and especially women, are advised to refrain from walking alone in the suburbs of cities, and even more so at night.

If tourists go sport fishing, they must pay a fee of $20. At the same time, the boat should not have more than six spools of fishing line. In the Bahamas, it is not allowed to conduct spearfishing with any devices. Prohibitions also apply to the independent conduct of underwater archaeological research. Heavy fines are imposed for these violations, up to expulsion from the country.

Especially strictly in the Bahamas, the use and distribution of drugs is punished. Local laws in this area are even more severe than European or North American ones, so those who are convicted of drug crimes always receive long terms conclusions.

Special threats in the Bahamas may arise in connection with natural disasters. Bahamas - part Caribbean and are in the zone of passage of hurricanes and typhoons. Those travelers who are in the Bahamas from June to November are advised to follow the weather forecasts. Hurricanes are usually accompanied by floods. It should also be borne in mind that during strong typhoons in the Bahamas, airports are closed, and tourists are unable to leave the country.

Although tap water in the Bahamas is considered safe for health, you should not drink from the tap. Every resort in the Bahamas sells bottled water. Due to the possibility of contracting infectious diseases on the islands, it is not recommended to swim in freshwater reservoirs. The exception is hotel pools, the water in which is regularly disinfected.

For traveling around the Bahamas, it is worth issuing medical insurance providing for the payment of air evacuation. the most qualified medical care available in New Providence and Grand Bahama. On small islands There are few hospitals and they do not work every day. True, on most inhabited islands, you can use the first responder services, which are supervised by volunteers. With the help of such services, the sick person is quickly transported to the nearest hospital.

Cancellations of currency and settlements

Bahamian dollar (BSD) - local currency, in which all calculations on the islands take place. It is firmly pegged to the US dollar, however the exchange rate may vary depending on the hotel or bank. In addition, American dollars are accepted for payment anywhere in the Bahamas.

You can exchange currency in many places - in hotels, bank branches and large shopping centers. Traveler's checks are also cashed here. As is usually the case, the most unfavorable rate is offered in areas where most foreign tourists stay. It is most convenient to change currency at bank branches in the capital of the country and the city of Freeport. From Monday to Thursday they start work at 9.00-9.30 and finish at 15.00. On Friday, bank branches are open until 17.00. It should also be taken into account that in remote places, banks may not serve customers every day.

IN large hotels and shopping centers accept cards for payment. In other places, cash payments are preferred.

Tipping is accepted in the Bahamas. As a rule, hotel doormen, guides and porters expect $1 from a grateful visitor, and room maids - $1-2. In most establishments, the tip is up to 15%, and they are immediately included in the bill. In addition, many hotels add an additional government tax of 8-10% to the bill.

Useful information for tourists

• To visit the Bahamas, Russian citizens do not need to apply for a visa. This rule applies if the trip is in the nature of a private visit and does not exceed 90 days.
• When passing through customs, there are no restrictions on the import and export of the currency of another country. It is allowed to import duty-free to the Bahamas 200 cigarettes or 0.45 kg of tobacco, as well as up to 0.94 liters of strong alcohol and the same amount of wine.
• In order to take agricultural products from the islands, any plants or wood carvings will require a special permit.
• Huge hotel centers and small cozy hotels operating on an all-inclusive basis have been built to accommodate tourists in the Bahamas. Some travelers prefer to rent rooms and rooms in guesthouses from the local population.
• The center of shopping is known outside the Bahamas Bay street. All goods sold there are exempt from taxes.

How to get there

There are no direct flights from Russia to the Bahamas. The best option counts as a flight with a stopover in London. Without taking into account the transplant itself, this will take about 13 hours. Another option is to fly across the US. In this case, you need to apply for a transit American visa.

Bahamas- a state located on the archipelago of the same name in the Atlantic Ocean, 90 km southeast of Florida and about the same distance northeast of Cuba. It extends for 970 km from the northwest to the southeast, covering an area of ​​about 259 thousand square meters. km (land area about 13.9 thousand sq. km). The capital is Nassau (New Providence Island).

The archipelago includes about 700 islands (of which only 30 are inhabited) and more than 2,000 coral reefs.

Climate

The climate is tropical trade winds in the north and subtropical in the south. The average summer temperature is +26..+32°C. In winter, the average temperature is +18..+22°C, the coolest is in the northwestern islands. The average water temperature is usually +27°C in summer and around +23°C in winter.

The best time to visit the country is the cool season from September to May.

IN winter period rain is rare, usually in short but powerful showers. From May to November, hurricanes and tropical storms are possible, bringing heavy rainfall and hurricane-force winds.

Population

Population of the Bahamas- 307,552 people (2009). Over 80% of the population of the islands are Africans and mulattoes, up to 12% are of European origin, and about 3% are immigrants from other countries of the Caribbean and Asia.

Composition: Baptist 35.4%, Anglicans 15.1%, Catholics 13.5%, Pentecostals 8.1%, Church of God 4.8%, Methodists 4.2%, other Christians 15.2%, atheists and undecided 2.9%, other 0.8% (2000 census).

Some, especially in the south and eastern islands practice bothah, a religion similar to voodoo. Voodoo itself is practiced exclusively by immigrants from Haiti, Cuba, the Dominican Republic and Jamaica.

The official language is English, immigrants from Haiti use their own dialect (based on French).

Currency

The Bahamian dollar (B$, BSD), which is equal to 100 cents, is rigidly pegged to the US dollar.

In circulation there are banknotes of 100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 3 and 1 dollars (in total there are more than 40 different denominations of all denominations in circulation), as well as coins of 1 and 2 dollars, 50, 20, 15, 10 and 5 cents.

American coins and banknotes also circulate freely.

Currency can be exchanged at bank offices, hotels and large stores. The Bahamian dollar is firmly pegged to the US dollar, but exchange rates can vary quite a lot between institutions. The most stable exchange rate is at the offices of international banks in Nassau and Freeport; changing money in tourist areas is the most unprofitable.

All types of credit cards are accepted for payment. Traveler's checks can be cashed in the same place where you can change currency - at bank offices, hotels and large stores. Some hotels, restaurants, and money changers charge high commissions for cashing checks, so it's always best to find out the terms and conditions in advance.

Communication and communications

Telephone code: 1 - 242.

Internet domain: .bs

Rescue service: 911.

How to call

To call from Russia to the Bahamas, you need to dial: 8 - beep - 10 - 1 - 242 - subscriber's number.

To call from the Bahamas to Russia, you need to dial: 011 - 7 - area code - subscriber number.

Fixed line

The communication system on the islands is quite modern and well developed. Payphones for making international calls are ubiquitous and work with telephone cards from the national telephone company Batelco, which are sold at post offices, telephone company offices, hotels and supermarkets. You can also make a call from a payphone through an operator.

Many hotels provide a telephone in every room from which you can make an inexpensive local call (seven-digit numbers) or get through the operator to international line(usually the cost of a call from a hotel room is 10-15% more expensive than from a pay phone).

International calls can also be made from the post office.

mobile connection

Cellular communication of the GSM 900 standard covers all the islands and is well developed. The operator Batelco (Bahamas Telecommunications Company Ltd) - www.btcbahamas.com - provides full coverage of the country. Handsets of foreign operators must be registered with Batelco.

Internet

Network technologies and means of their service are developing quite intensively on the islands. The BaTelNet provider - www.batelnet.bs - provides almost all types of network services. in the capital and others major cities Internet cafes can be found on the island of Grand Bahama (usually open seven days a week). The cost of connection is usually about $5 per hour.

Mail

Only Bahamian postage stamps are valid in the Bahamas. To Nassau and Freeport post offices open on weekdays from 8.30 to 17.30, on Saturday - until 12.30. Post office hours may be shorter on the outer islands. The main post office in Nassau, which is located on East Hill Street, has a philatelic office.

Mail, however, travels slowly from the Bahamas, so use the services of international commercial postal services for prompt delivery of correspondence.

shopping

The country has canceled all duties on the import and export of perfumes, leather goods, jewelry, watches, photographic equipment, porcelain, and so on. Therefore, the prices for the mentioned goods are lower than in the USA by 25-50%. And in many areas that have the status of free trade zones, their cost is another 15 percent lower, so the Bahamas are considered one of best zones for shopping in the mid-Atlantic.

Shops are usually open from Monday to Saturday from 09.00 to 13.00 and from 15.00 to 17.00. Many shops close for lunch at 12.00 and open their doors again only at 14.30-15.00. Even though the government insists on opening shops on Sundays, very few establishments follow this rule. Therefore, Sunday is usually a day of calm in trade.

The Trade Center of the Bahamas is the world-famous Bay street. There you can very favorable prices buy everything - watches of famous brands, jewelry, porcelain, crystal, leather bags, perfumes.

Where to stay

The hotels are very diverse: there are large high-rise complexes, and small but cozy establishments. The local all-inclusive system is recognized as the best in the Caribbean.

Sea and beaches

The beaches in the Bahamas are municipal, free. However, certain sections of the beach are assigned to the hotels, which are diligently guarded.

Story

The first settlers in the Bahamas are considered to be the Lucayans, a branch of the Arawak tribe, who arrived here around the 9th century. The islands were discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1492. One of the islands of the archipelago - Watling Island (San Salvador) - the first land of the New World, discovered on October 12, 1492. Three years later, the first Spanish colonists settled in the archipelago.

It is believed that by the time the islands were discovered by Europeans, up to 40 thousand people lived here, who settled the islands in the period from the 7th to the 12th centuries. The Spaniards took the locals to Hispaniola (Haiti) as slaves, and after 25 years almost all the Indians died, and the Spaniards left the settlement.

For another century, the islands remained sparsely populated and unclaimed, until King Charles I of England handed them over to the Attorney General. In 1650, a few English settlers from Bermuda arrived here and set up settlements on the island of Eleuthera. At the same time, pirates began to settle in the Bahamas, creating their bases for rest and repair of ships on several islands of the archipelago. Pirates were expelled from the Bahamas by the British in 1718.

The Bahamas became a British colony in 1718, but remained sparsely populated until about 8,000 loyalists arrived here at the end of the 18th century, deported to the islands along with their slaves from the proclaimed independence of the United States (from New York, Florida and North and South Carolina). After the American War of Independence, English Loyalists began to bring thousands of people to the islands and in three years greatly increased the population. In addition, they contributed to the appearance of slaves and cotton on the islands, which shaped the future of the islands. American-style plantations were built here, but since the soil was not so good, most of the plantations ceased to exist in the very first years.

In 1781, the islands were captured by Spain, and returned to Great Britain in 1783.

When the slave trade was banned in Great Britain in 1807, the Royal Navy began to intercept slave ships and free slaves in the Bahamas. Many loyalists left the Bahamas after the abolition of slavery, often leaving their lands to former slaves who began to lead a meager existence without their masters, mainly engaged in fishing and agriculture. Although equality and political rights were conditional, power on the islands belonged to the white minority. In the 19th century, a share of smuggling emerged in the agrarian economy. Also important for the future of the islands was the fact that rich people appeared in the United States, ready to spend money on vacations in a tropical paradise. By the end of the 19th century, Florida became a tourist region and the Bahamas received little additional income.

In 1920, money poured into the country like a river, after the adoption of Prohibition in the United States, and smugglers became more active in Nassau. The Bahamas were the perfect platform for illicitly supplying the United States with alcohol, and Nassau soon became a huge warehouse for rum. The city invested a lot of money in construction, a huge number of hotels appeared.

The repeal of Prohibition in the United States in 1933 brought the Bahamas into the Great Depression.

Just like in the US, World War II marked the end of the economic downturn. During the war, the mass of the American military came to the islands for recreation, which significantly improved the economy of the Bahamas.

After the war, wealthy Americans began to come to the islands for recreation, encouraged by the governor and his wife, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor. The Duke and Duchess made a great contribution to the development of tourism, as they believed that this great way to pull the Bahamas out of post-war devastation, and after the Cuban Revolution in 1959, the islands were in a favorable position, due to the fact that many Western travelers were forced to abandon the resorts of Cuba. An American Air Force base has been expanded in Nassau to receive international flights, the port was updated and an active advertising campaign began. The rise in prosperity provoked the development of party politics and the aggravation of ethnic tensions, since the white elite received huge incomes from tourism, while the black majority remained below the poverty line.

In 1964, in accordance with the new Constitution, the islands were granted internal self-government.

The black-backed Progressive Liberal Party came to power in 1967 and ended white dominance. The country has embarked on the path of gaining independence.

On July 10, 1973, the Bahamas became an independent state within the British Commonwealth.

Attempts to reform the PLP led to a decrease in the value of real estate and the cessation of economic growth. Party leaders were mired in corruption, some of them involved in the international drug trade.

After aid provided by the United States to stop the drug trade in the 1980s. and the election of an administration representing the interests of the business community, the Bahamas began to gradually revive.

In 1999, Hurricanes Dennis and Floyd tore through the islands, destroying houses, roads, reefs and resorts. By 2001, the damage had been repaired, and the Bahamas again attracted the attention of tourists.

Spearfishing with the use of spearguns and other devices is prohibited on the islands. Sport fishing is allowed, but a fee must be paid for one trip to the sea - provided that no more than six reels of fishing line are installed on the vessel. Independent archaeological work on sunken ships is also prohibited. Violation of these rules can result in a hefty fine and deportation from the country.

In addition, local laws regarding drug trafficking are very strict: for the sale and even simple use of drugs, it is quite possible to get a long prison term.

A separate danger is represented by regular outbreaks of conjunctivitis, which, although easily treated, still causes a lot of inconvenience in the local climate.

Tap water is usually chlorinated and relatively safe, although often brackish, so bottled water is recommended. Drinking water outside the main cities may be contaminated and not recommended for consumption.

The pace of local life, despite the strong American influence, is leisurely and calm. Even numerous entertainment establishments are famous for their calm atmosphere and clear work schedule.

The Bahamas is the center of the gambling business. All casinos are open 24 hours a day. The largest casino in the Caribbean is also located here (in the Atlantis hotel).

How to get to the Bahamas

There are no direct flights from Russia. The best time-consuming travel option is a flight by British Airways with a change in London (flights five times a week, travel time from 13 hours).

Another possibility is a flight to the US, with a subsequent transfer to American airlines in Nassau. However, this option requires an American transit visa. The flight from Miami to Nassau will take about 35 minutes, from New York - 2.5 hours, from Philadelphia - 2 hours 45 minutes, from Toronto (Canada) - 3 hours.

Another means of connecting the United States with the Bahamas are ferries departing daily from Fort Lauderdale, Florida (journey time 5 hours).

The Bahamas also have air links with other Caribbean countries, including Cuba (Aeroflot's direct flight from Moscow to Havana is operated five times a week, travel time is about 13 hours).