Discover Fascinating Bahamas Facts
Dive into the history, culture, and unique insights about Bahamas.
Bahamas
Background
๐ด The Bahamas has a rich history! The islands were first inhabited by the Lucayan Indians. When Christopher Columbus sailed into the New World in 1492, he set foot on these beautiful islands. ๐คฏ Fast forward to 1647, the British started settling here, and by 1783, The Bahamas became an official colony. ๐ฐ Independence came in 1973 from the UK, and since then, the country has flourished thanks to tourism, international banking, and investment management! ๐ฐ๐๏ธ
Year Christopher Columbus arrived
1492
Year British settlement began
1647
Year Bahamas became a colony
1783
Year Bahamas gained independence
1973
Exports - commodities
๐ด The Bahamas is known for its vibrant exports! In 2022, the country's top exported commodities included:
- Refined petroleum ๐
- Ships ๐ข
- Aluminum ๐๏ธ
- Postage stamps/documents ๐ญ
- Plastics โป๏ธ
These goods play a huge role in the Bahamian economy and help to keep its trade thriving! ๐
Export commodities listed
5
Exports - partners
๐ In 2022, the Bahamas had some interesting export partners! Hereโs how the exports were split among different countries:
- United States: 49% ๐บ๐ธ
- Cote d'Ivoire: 20% ๐จ๐ฎ
- Germany: 9% ๐ฉ๐ช
- Thailand: 7% ๐น๐ญ
- Poland: 4% ๐ต๐ฑ
This data shows that almost half of the Bahamas' exports go to the United States! That's a lot of trade! ๐ธ
Total Percentage Exports
100%
Highest Export Partner
United States with 49%
Lowest Export Partner
Poland with 4%
Exports Partners of Bahamas (2022)
Capital
The capital of the Bahamas is Nassau! ๐ด It's a vibrant city known for its beautiful beaches and rich history. Nassau serves as the primary hub for culture and commerce in the Bahamas. ๐๏ธโจ
Imports - commodities
The Bahamas has a colorful mix of imported commodities that help fuel its economy and meet the needs of its citizens! ๐ข๐ Here are the key imports for the year 2022:
- Refined Petroleum: Essential for transportation and energy.
- Ships: Important for trade and tourism.
- Cars: Vital for everyday commuting and transportation.
- Crude Petroleum: Raw material for energy production.
- Coal Tar Oil: A less common but still significant import.
These commodities play a critical role in keeping the Bahamian economy vibrant and lively! ๐ดโจ
Climate
The Bahamas has a tropical marine climate! ๐ด This means it's generally warm and has a lot of sunshine. The temperature is nicely moderated by the warm waters of the Gulf Stream. ๐ That makes it a great place for beach lovers! ๐๏ธ Enjoy the sunshine and warm breezes!
Executive branch
The Executive Branch of the Bahamas is an essential part of the country's government! ๐ง๐ธ Here are some key players at the top:
- Chief of State: King CHARLES III has been in charge since 8 September 2022. He is represented in the Bahamas by the Governor-General, Cynthia A. Pratt, who began her duties on 1 September 2023.
- Head of Government: The Prime Minister, Philip Edward Davis, has been leading since 17 September 2021.
These leaders work together to help guides the country and make important decisions that affect all Bahamians! ๐
Current Chief of State
King CHARLES III since 8 September 2022
Current Governor-General
Cynthia A. PRATT since 1 September 2023
Current Head of Government
Prime Minister Philip Edward DAVIS since 17 September 2021
Legislative branch
The Bahamas has a bicameral Parliament! ๐๏ธ This means that its legislative branch is made up of two parts: the Senate and the House of Assembly. ๐ The Senate has 16 seats while the House of Assembly boasts a total of 39 seats. Together, they play a crucial role in making laws and representing the people of The Bahamas! ๐ง๐ธ
Total Seats in Parliament
55
Number of Houses in Parliament
2
Seats in the Parliament of The Bahamas
Natural resources
๐๏ธ The Bahamas is blessed with a variety of natural resources! ๐ Here are some key resources found in the country:
- Salt: Used in cooking and preservation, salt is one of the valuable resources. ๐ง
- Aragonite: This natural mineral is used in various applications, including cement and construction! ๐๏ธ
- Timber: The forests in the Bahamas provide timber, which is essential for building and furniture. ๐ณ
- Arable land: This is the land available for cultivation, crucial for growing food and crops! ๐พ
Each resource plays a significant role in the country's economy and way of life. ๐
Natural resources identified
4
Economic overview
๐ด The Bahamas has a high-income economy that relies heavily on tourism and financial services. However, it's important to note that there is major income inequality among its residents. ๐ค The country maintains strong bilateral relations with the US, which fosters economic ties. Additionally, the government has implemented several tax relief programs aimed at boosting the economy. ๐ There is also targeted investment in various sectors including agriculture, energy, light manufacturing, and technology. This diversified approach is expected to enhance the country's economic development! ๐
Economic Reliance
High-income tourism and financial services
Income Inequality
Major income inequality
Bilateral Relations
Strong US bilateral relations
Tax Relief Programs
Several tax relief programs
Targeted Investments
Investments in agriculture, energy, light manufacturing, and technology
Government type
๐ด The Bahamas is known for its parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy! This means that the country has a good mix of democratic governance while also recognizing the symbolic role of a monarch. Additionally, being a Commonwealth realm connects it to other nations that share a rich history. This system helps ensure that the voices of the Bahamian people are heard loud and clear! ๐ข
Ethnic groups
In the beautiful Bahamas, the population is a colorful mix of different ethnic backgrounds! ๐ As of the 2010 estimates, a whopping 90.6% of the people are of African descent! The White population makes up 4.7%, while those who identify as mixed account for 2.1%. Additionally, there is 1.9% from other groups, and 0.7% remains unspecified. This vibrant diversity reflects the rich history and culture of the islands! ๐ง๐ธโจ
Percentage of African descent
90.6%
Percentage of White
4.7%
Percentage of Mixed
2.1%
Percentage of Other
1.9%
Percentage Unspecified
0.7%
Ethnic Groups in the Bahamas (2010 Est.)
Religions
In the sunny Bahamas โ๏ธ, the people observe a rich tapestry of faiths! Hereโs a breakdown of the different religions:
-
Protestant: A dominant faith, making up 69.9% of the population! ๐
- Within this, Baptists lead with 34.9%, followed by Anglicans at 13.7% and Pentecostals at 8.9%.
- Other notable denominations include Seventh Day Adventists with 4.4%, Methodists at 3.6%, and the Church of God having 1.9%.
- Thereโs also Plymouth Brethren (1.6%) and other Protestants (0.9%).
-
Roman Catholic: This group accounts for 12% of the Bahamian population. โช๏ธ
-
Other Christian: A little over 13% of the population identifies as another form of Christianity, including Jehovah's Witnesses at 1.1%.
-
Other Religions: Around 0.6% follow different faiths, while 1.9% say they have none, and 2.6% donโt specify their beliefs.
This colorful religious landscape shows the variety and vibrancy of beliefs among the Bahamian community! ๐
Percentage of Protestants
69.9%
Percentage of Roman Catholics
12%
Percentage of Other Christians
13%
Percentage of Other Religions
0.6%
Percentage of People with No Religion
1.9%
Percentage of Unspecified
2.6%
Distribution of Religions in Bahamas
Languages
The Bahamas is a vibrant mix of languages! ๐ The official language is English, which is spoken by everyone. You can also hear Creole, especially among the Haitian community. This diversity in language reflects the rich cultural tapestry of the Bahamas! ๐
Official Language
English
Common Language among Immigrants
Creole
Imports - partners
The Bahamas imports goods from various countries, and it's interesting to see which partners are the biggest contributors! ๐ง๐ธ Hereโs a look at the top countries that supply products to the Bahamas:
- United States: 59% of all imports ๐ฅณ
- South Korea: 6% ๐ฐ๐ท
- Germany: 6% ๐ฉ๐ช
- China: 5% ๐จ๐ณ
- Brazil: 4% ๐ง๐ท
From this data, we can see how heavily the Bahamas relies on the United States for its imports. Itโs a staggering amount, accounting for almost 60%! ๐ Meanwhile, other countries like South Korea, Germany, China, and Brazil play smaller but still important roles in supplying goods.
Letโs visualize this data with a pie chart to better understand the share of each partner's contribution! ๐
Total Import Percentage from US
59%
Total Import Percentage from South Korea
6%
Total Import Percentage from Germany
6%
Total Import Percentage from China
5%
Total Import Percentage from Brazil
4%
Imports Partners for Bahamas (2022)
Population
๐ด Population of Bahamas ๐ด
The Bahamas is home to a vibrant population of 410,862 people! This tropical paradise is not just about beautiful beaches and sunny weather; it's about the wonderful people who live here. ๐๏ธ๐จโ๐ฉโ๐งโ๐ฆ
Imagine the hustle and bustle of everyday life, rich culture, and warm smiles everywhere you go! The population contributes to the unique mix of traditions and lifestyles, making the Bahamas a great place to explore and enjoy. ๐
Total Population
410,862
Area
๐ The Bahamas is a beautiful country with a total area of 13,880 sq km! Here's how the land and water break down:
- Land Area: 10,010 sq km ๐๏ธ
- Water Area: 3,870 sq km ๐ง
This means that the country has a mix of stunning land and beautiful waters to explore!
Total Area
13880 sq km
Land Area
10010 sq km
Water Area
3870 sq km
Land vs Water Area in The Bahamas
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
The Bahamas has a fascinating economy, and we can see how its Real GDP has changed over the years! ๐ In 2023, the estimated Real GDP (purchasing power parity) reached a whopping $13.224 billion! But let's not forget about the previous years. In 2022, it was $12.884 billion, and in 2021, it stood at $11.63 billion. This shows a steady growth year after year! ๐ด๐ฐ
Real GDP in 2023
$13.224 billion
Real GDP in 2022
$12.884 billion
Real GDP in 2021
$11.63 billion
Real GDP Over the Years in Bahamas
Real GDP per capita
๐ด In The Bahamas, the Real GDP per capita has shown a steady rise over the past few years! Here's how it looks:
- 2021: $28,500 ๐ต
- 2022: $31,400 ๐ต
- 2023: $32,000 ๐ต
This increase signals a growing economy and better living standards for its citizens! Let's visualize this trend! ๐
GDP per Capita in 2023
32,000 USD
GDP per Capita Growth from 2021 to 2023
5650 USD
Real GDP per Capita in The Bahamas Over Time
Imports
๐ดโจ The Bahamas imports a lot of goods to keep its economy booming! ๐ Hereโs an overview of how much was imported over the last few years:
- 2020: $3.411 billion
- 2021: $4.947 billion
- 2022: $5.692 billion
As you can see, imports have been steadily increasing every year! ๐
Total Import Value in 2022
$5.692 billion
Total Import Value in 2021
$4.947 billion
Total Import Value in 2020
$3.411 billion
Bahamas Imports Over the Years
Exports
๐ด The Bahamas has seen some interesting changes in its exports over the years! ๐ Hereโs how the export values have looked for the years 2020 to 2022:
- 2020: $1.688 billion
- 2021: $3.33 billion
- 2022: $4.744 billion
As you can see, the exports have been on an upward trend! ๐ Let's dive a bit deeper into the numbers!
Exports in 2022
$4.744 billion
Exports in 2021
$3.33 billion
Exports in 2020
$1.688 billion
Exports of The Bahamas (2020-2022)
Population growth rate
The Bahamas is experiencing a population growth rate of 1.07% in 2024! ๐ This indicates that the number of people living in this beautiful island nation is steadily increasing. More people mean more vibrant culture, bustling communities, and continued development! ๐ด๐
Estimated Population Growth Rate (2024)
1.07%