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The islands of
the Bahamas lie in the Atlantic
Ocean, just of the south eastern
coast of the United States. This
archipelagic nation has over 700
islands and 3000 cays, which are
sprinkled in some of the most
beautiful waters in the world.
Geography played a part in
Bahamian history. In 1492,
Christopher Columbus made his
first landfall in the New World
on the island of San Salvador in
the eastern Bahamas. After
observing the shallow sea around
the islands, he said "baja mar"
(low water or sea), and
effectively named the area The
Bahamas, or The Islands of the
Shallow Sea. Since it was
located close to Florida and
well-travelled shipping
channels, The Islands Of The
Bahamas caught the attention of
explorers, settlers, invaders
and traders. These people shaped
the colourful history of The
Bahamas and made the country
what it is today.
The natural beauty of the
Bahamas shines in it's pristine
white beaches, aquamarine
waters, and lush vegetation.
These natural features, coupled
with a sunny climate, have made
it a premier warm weather
destination, and the nation
welcomes in excess of three
million visitors per year.
The original inhabitants of the
Bahamas were the Lucayan
Indians, who were destroyed by
the Spanish after Columbus
visited the Bahamas in 1492.
Over the centuries, the Bahamas
has welcomed inhabitants from
all over the world, and this
unique mix of cultures has
resulted in a strong Bahamian
culture, which has been able to
successfully withstand the
neighboring influences of other
more powerful nations. Many of
the islands of the Bahamas have
distinctive sub cultures, which
delight the visitor in search of
a cultural experience.
By far the strongest cultural
influence in the Bahamas is
African, which originates in the
influx of slaves to these
islands. Of the traditions
passed down through the
centuries, none is as vibrant
and dynamic as Junkanoo.
Once a British colony, the
Bahamas became independent in
1973. This young nation is a
unique blend of the modern and
its past legacy, The
Bahamas....it just keeps getting
better!
Renowned world- wide for sunny
climate, white sand beaches and
crystal clear waters, the
'island's The Bahamas dot the
Atlantic Ocean in a graceful arc
stretching from just off the
coast of Florida to within miles
of the island of Cuba. The
friendly people who inhabit
these islands welcome millions
of visitors to their shores each
year. The warm hospitality of
Bahamians is equally matched by
their creative and artistic
abilities, which re displayed in
magnificent style each year at
Christmas time, in the Bahamian
festival of Junkanoo.
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