- about the Island of your Dreams:
The Bahamas
The climate of the Bahamas is subtropical to tropical, and is moderated significantly by the waters of the Gulf Stream, particularly in winter.
The closest island to the United States is Bimini, - also known as the gateway to the Bahamas. The island of Abaco is to the east of Grand Bahama. The most southeastern island is Great Inagua. Other notable islands include the Bahama's largest island, Andros Island, and Eleuthera, Cat Island, Long Island, San Salvador Island, Acklins, Crooked Island, Exuma and Mayaguana. Nassau, The Bahamas capital city, lies on island of New Providence..
Nassau, - capital city of The Bahamas
Nassau is the capital city and commercial centre of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas. The city has a population of 210,832, nearly 70 percent of the entire population of the Bahamas. Lynden Pindling International Airport, the major airport for the Bahamas, is located about 16 kilometres or 10 miles west of downtown Nassau, and has daily flights to major cities in the USA, Canada, the UK, and the Caribbean.
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Nassau was founded by the British in the mid-17th century as Charles Towne, which was burnt to the ground by the Spanish in 1684, but later rebuilt and renamed Nassau in 1695 to honor King William III (formerly Prince of Orange-Nassau)
During the 18th century, Nassau was a popular hideaway for pirates of the Caribbean, notably Blackbeard. So popular, in fact, that most upstanding citizens fled. Pirates dubbed Nassau the Privateer's Republic, and Blackbeard became its leader. With lawlessness rampant, the British appointed former privateer Woodes Rogers as Royal Governor and sent him to restore order. Rogers offered the pirates pardons from King George I, under the condition that they immediately mend their ways. Most of them accepted the deal, but Blackbeard and handful of other notorious pirates refused. By 1718, all the dissenters had either been driven out or killed.
Located on New Providence island, Nassau has an attractive harbour, a colourful blend of old world and colonial architecture and a busy port. The tropical climate and natural beauty of the Bahamas has made Nassau a popular tourist destination, with a reputation for relaxing days and an exciting nightlife.
Summertime temperatures rarely exceed 33 °C (92 °F) and the winter months have daytime temperatures between 20 and 26 °C (68 and 80 °F), - rarely falling below 10 °C or 50 °F.
Districts of the Bahamas
The Districts of the Bahamas provide a system of local government everywhere in The Bahamas except New Providence, whose affairs are handled directly by the central government. The districts are:
* Acklins
* Berry Islands
* Bimini
* Black Point (Exuma)
* Cat Island
* Central Abaco
* Central Andros
* Central Eleuthera
* City of Freeport (Grand Bahama)
* Crooked Island
* East Grand Bahama
* Exuma
* Grand Cay (Abaco)
* Harbour Island (Eleuthera)
* Hope Town (Abaco)
* Inagua
* Long Island
* Mangrove Cay (Andros)
* Mayaguana
* Moore's Island (Abaco)
* New Providence
* North Abaco
* North Andros
* North Eleuthera
* Ragged Island
* Rum Cay
* San Salvador
* South Abaco
* South Andros
* South Eleuthera
* Spanish Wells (Eleuthera)
* West Grand Bahama
- The Bahamas
The Bahamas is an independent country and a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. Political and legal traditions closely follow those of the United Kingdom.
The non-resident Queen of the Bahamas is the ceremonial head of state, represented by a Bahamian governor-general. The Prime Minister is the head of government and is the leader of the party with the most seats in the elected House of Assembly.
Constitutional safeguards include freedom of speech, press, worship, movement, and association. The Bahamas is a member of the Caribbean Community. The Judiciary is independent of the executive and the legislature. Jurisprudence is based on English common law.
In the less developed outer islands - islands outside the capital Nassau, known as the "Out Islands" or "Family Islands" - crafts include basketry made from palm fronds. This material, commonly called "straw", is also plaited into hats and bags that are popular tourist items today.
Regattas are important social events in many family island settlements. They usually feature one or more days of sailing by old-fashioned work boats, as well as an onshore festival.
Some settlements have festivals associated with the traditional crop or food of that area, such as the "Pineapple Fest" in Gregory Town, Eleuthera or the "Crab Fest" on Andros. Other significant traditions include story telling.
Abaco Bahamas Boat Rental
By Kenneth RisslerFor a great time on the water, rent a boat on Abaco Island in the Bahamas. Take command of your own power or sailboat in Marsh Harbour Abaco, Bahamas and cruise Abaco sound which stretches 20 miles north and 20 miles south making this one of the few places where the average person can get a taste of salt water in a safe and friendly location.
Many rental companies operate out of Marsh Harbour, which has a beautiful natural harbor where all the rental companies are located. The waters are calm and safe as Abaco sound is protected by a long string of barrier islands which make the inside calm and peaceful most of the time. The closest and easiest is a short cruise from Marsh Harbour to Elbow Cay where Hopetown is located. Hopetown is a perfect natural harbor with a very small entrance that opens up into a large anchorage that is usually full of boats riding on their moorings. The shore in the harbor is lined with dock after dock belonging to the local houses and business. Upon entering just keep to the left and you will come to the government dock where you may dock for free while visiting the delightful village of Hopetown. If you chose, you many dock at one of the several restaurants that are on the water while you are dining. You can usually leave your boat there while you take a walk around the town. Remember to take a few photos of the famous Hopetown Lighthouse or if you have time, climb to the top for a fantastic 360 degree view of the Abaco sound, the harbour and Atlantic Ocean in the distance.
After leaving Hopetown Harbour entrance just keep left and follow the coastline south to Tahiti Beach for a swim on one of the most photographed beaches in all the Bahamas. The beach here is lined with extremely tall coconut palms reminiscent of the south pacific islands of Tahiti.
From here it is a short ride back to Marsh Harbour where your hotel room will be waiting. You will have the satisfaction of completing a day on the water as Captain.
Ken Rissler has been traveling the world many years since his first trip to Europe in 1971. He lived many years in Mexico and has traveled extensively throughout Europe, South and Central America. Currently he spends as much time as possible in the Bahamas where he maintains a vacation rental home.
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Weather Information for the Bahamas
 BBC - Weather Centre - Forecast for Nassau, Bahamas The by the BBC Weather Centre in association with the Met Office Sunday: sunny, Max Temp: 23°C (73°F), Min Temp: 21°C (70°F) Posted on 14 Mar 2010 at 8:10pm Max Temp: 23°C (73°F), Min Temp: 21°C (70°F), Wind Direction: W, Wind Speed: 19mph, Visibility: very good, Pressure: 1013mb, Humidity: 62%, Sunrise: 07:21EDT, Sunset: 19:17EDT Monday: sunny, Max Temp: 21°C (70°F), Min Temp: 21°C (70°F) Posted on 14 Mar 2010 at 8:10pm Max Temp: 21°C (70°F), Min Temp: 21°C (70°F), Wind Direction: WNW, Wind Speed: 20mph, Visibility: very good, Pressure: 1015mb, Humidity: 69%, Sunrise: 07:20EDT, Sunset: 19:18EDT Tuesday: cloudy, Max Temp: 21°C (70°F), Min Temp: 19°C (66°F) Posted on 14 Mar 2010 at 8:10pm Max Temp: 21°C (70°F), Min Temp: 19°C (66°F), Wind Direction: NNW, Wind Speed: 12mph, Visibility: very good, Pressure: 1016mb, Humidity: 67%, Sunrise: 07:19EDT, Sunset: 19:18EDT Thank you for visiting Bahamas.IslandOfMyDreams.com, - have a nice day and call back soon! |
