Official Name The Commonwealth of the Bahamas

Location a chain of about 3,100 coral islands and reefs stretching from about 50 miles off eastern Florida to the northeastern tip of Cuba
Total Distance ~760 miles
Total Area 5,380 sq mi (13,935 sq km)
Comparative Area slightly smaller than Connecticut
Total Coastline 1,580 mi (2,543 km)
Largest Islands Abaco, Acklins, Andros, Berry, Bimini, Cat, Crooked, Eleuthera, Great Abaco, Grand Bahama, Great Exuma, Great Inagua, Harbour, Little Abaco, Long, Mayaguana, New Providence, Ragged, Rum Cay, San Salvador, Spanish Wells
Highest Point Mount Alvernia, on Cat Island; 206 ft (63 m)
Lowest Point sea level
Natural Resources salt, aragonite, timber, arable land

Population (2007 est) 305,665
Nationality Bahamian
Largest Cities Nassau
Ethnic Groups black, white, Asian, Hispanic
Languages English (official), Creole
Religions Baptist, Anglican, Roman Catholic, Pentecostal, Church of God, Methodist, other Christian

Capital Nassau
Form of Government constitutional parliamentary democracy
Present Constitution Adopted July 10, 1973
Chief of State Elizabeth II, Queen of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; represented by Governor General Arthur D. Hanna (since February 1, 2006)
Head of Government Prime Minister Hubert A. Ingraham (since May 4, 2007)
Cabinet Cabinet, appointed by the Governor General on the Prime Minister's recommendation
Legislature Parliament (16-member Senate; 41-member House of Assembly)
Judiciary Privy Council (London); Courts of Appeal; Supreme Court; magistrates courts
Local Administration 21 districts

Unit of Currency Bahamian Dollar
Per Capita Income $21,300
Principal Industries tourism, financial services, manufacturing, agriculture
Major Manufactures cement, food products, petroleum products, rum
Agricultural Products bananas, citrus fruits, cucumbers, pineapples, tomatoes; poultry
Principal Exports mineral products and salt, animal products, rum, chemicals, fruits and vegetables
Principal Imports machinery and transport equipment, manufactures, chemicals, mineral fuels, food and live animals

Independence Achieved July 10, 1973, from Great Britain
National Holiday Independence Day, July 10
National Anthem March On, Bahamaland

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