Which country does the Bahamas belong to? Useful information about the Bahamas

There is a lot to think about before heading to the famous beaches of the Bahamas archipelago. For example, about how long it will take to fly. Choosing a route is a responsible undertaking. It is important not only to successfully determine the time of departure and return, but also to consider the services of a reliable airline. You can only travel from Moscow to the Bahamas with a transfer, since the distance is too great for a non-stop flight. If you are traveling with children or elderly people, then every extra hour in the air matters, as does the length of time you wait for transfers at transit points.

What airports are there in the Bahamas?

There are a total of 60 airstrips in the country. But not all of them accept international flights; most cooperate with domestic airlines. Considering how popular the local beaches are with the powers that be, it is not surprising that it is much easier to see a private yacht or plane here than a car.

Russians have two options to choose from:

1. Lynden Pindling Airport on New Providence Island in Nassau. It is the largest and well-equipped with everything guests might need.
2. Airport on the island of Grand Bahama in the city of Freeport. It is inferior to its predecessor only in size, but otherwise no less comfortable.

You can go to any of these islands with transit stops in the USA or Europe. How long to fly from Moscow to the Bahamas depends on the decision made. It should be kept in mind that Russians do not require a visa to visit the local luxurious beaches. In 2018, you can travel to the islands freely by booking hotel rooms. But since you cannot do without intermediate stops, you will need either a Schengen or an American transit visa.

How long is the flight to the Bahamas from Moscow to Nassau?

If you choose the final destination of the airport named after. L. Pindling with transit through European countries, then in the end you can spend at least 15.5 hours on the flight (transfer in London). The waiting period at the transit airport is about 2.5 hours. This is the shortest option and the only one with 1 stop (it is also the most expensive). All other schemes require an additional landing in Miami, Atlanta, New York.

How long does it take to fly to the Bahamas from Moscow with intermediate stops at two points? It depends on the choice of transit airports and airlines. The duration of the journey varies within a small range. With a transfer in the following cities, the time required will be:

• Paris and Miami - 20 hours;
• Amsterdam and Atlanta - 20.5 hours;
• Barcelona and Atlanta - 21.5 hours;
• London and Miami - 22.5 hours;
• London and New York - 23 h;
• Frankfurt am Main and Miami - 19 h;
• Madrid and Miami - 22 hours;
• Zurich and Miami - 24 hours

There is a route with one transit connection in New York, but it requires a 16.5-hour connection and takes a total of 30.5 hours. If you choose Miami as an intermediate point, the total duration of the air trip will be 18.5 hours, since both flights are close adjacent to each other. You can choose the option that is more comfortable.

What if you fly to the Bahamas to Freeport?

This is the second most popular route. Knowing how long the distance (9074 km) separates the Bahamas and Moscow and how long it takes to fly by plane is of fundamental importance, especially when children are traveling with you.

• London and Nassau - 17.5 hours;
• London and Miami - 19 hours;
• Milan and Miami - 19.5 hours;
• Rome and Miami - 20 hours;
• New York and Fort Lauderdale - 26.5 hours.

From Freeport you can immediately take a ticket for a local flight to Nassau; at least 5 of them depart daily at approximately equal intervals.

What is useful for a tourist to know?

This is the second most popular route. Considering how large a distance separates the Bahamas and Moscow, it is important for passengers to know how long the flight is to the nearest hour. Not everyone, due to health reasons, can easily endure such a long flight, and on business trips, sometimes every minute counts.

Airport named after L. Pindling and Nassau are separated by 16 km. It is unrealistic to travel such a distance on foot with suitcases in hand. The cheapest taxi will cost $15 (about 860 rubles). It is more profitable to find where to take the bus. And if you have an international license, you can rent a car for about $45 per day (about 2,500 rubles).

In Freeport, the airport is almost within the city limits, so transport is required here only for delivery to the hotel chosen by tourists. A taxi ride will cost from $15. From here you can also choose any direction for further travel around the islands. For this purpose, air tickets for regular and private planes are sold on site. If you know how long it is to fly to the Bahamas from Moscow, you can plan your every step in advance immediately after landing at the airport.

2. History

Animal world

4. Population and society

Agriculture

Transport

Foreign policy

6. Political system

7. Kitchen Bahamas

8. Customs and traditions Bahamas

The Bahamas are

In January 1964, the Bahamas received internal self-government, and on July 10, 1973 they were proclaimed an independent state within the Commonwealth, led by Great Britain. In October 1973, the Bahamas was admitted to the UN. The economic prosperity of the country is greatly facilitated by its reputation as a major tourist, banking and financial center. Considerable income The processing and transportation of black gold also brings benefits.

The country's first prime minister (after independence) was the representative of the Progressive Liberal political party Linden Oscar Pindling; he retained his post until 19 August 1992, when he Political Party gave way to the Free National Democratic Movement, led by Hubert Ingraham. This Political Party received a majority of votes (34) in the 1997 parliamentary elections, which allowed H. Ingraham to form a one-party government. There are dozens of industry trade unions in the country, the largest trade union associations of enterprises - trade unions Commonwealth of the Bahamas and National congress trade unions.

Several large newspapers are published in the Bahamas: Nassau Guardian (founded in 1844, circulation 14.1 thousand copies), Nassau Daily Tribune (founded in 1903, 12 thousand copies), Freeport News (founded in 1961, 4 thousand copies). The government weekly Official Gazette is also published. Radio and television broadcasting is carried out by the government organization Broadcasting Corporation Bahamas.

Nature

The islands of the archipelago are areas of a vast submerged limestone plateau protruding above sea level. The thickness of the limestone deposits is approx. 4500 m. In the east, the plateau drops steeply towards the North American basin of the Atlantic Ocean. The archipelago is separated from the Florida Peninsula by the shallow Strait of Florida, and from the island of Cuba by the Old Bahama Strait. The water areas between the islands are shallow, but the surface of the underwater plateau is dissected by deep cracks, which are associated with fairways. Numerous coral reefs, as well as ferruginous layers in the limestones create an unusually colorful picture of the underwater world.

The islands are raised relative to ocean level from a few meters to about 60 m. The highest point of the country - Mount Alvernia (63 m) - is located on Cat Island. The relief of the islands is flat. On the shores facing the ocean, a series of marine terraces can be traced. The western coast of the islands is home to numerous salty lagoon lakes and mangrove swamps. In some places along the coast there is a strip of sandy beaches. Karst phenomena and landforms are widespread on the islands. Therefore, there are no rivers in the archipelago, but there are many karst lakes. There are very few sources of fresh water.

Climate

Climate- tropical trade wind. Winters, due to the influence of the Gulf Stream, are milder than on the North American continent. Average temperatures in winter months are 22-24° C, in summer - 29-30° C. Average annual precipitation is 1000-1500 mm (in some places in the east - only 750 mm). They fall mainly in May-June and September-October. Tropical hurricanes often occur. Since the islands are scattered over a large area, the destructive effects of hurricanes on each island occur on average once every 12 years.

In some places, limestones exposed to the surface are devoid of soil cover. In the depressions of the relief in the interior regions, solonchaks and saline soils are common, while in other areas fertile red-brown soils predominate.

Natural vegetation on the drier eastern islands is xerophytic, dominated by cacti and aloes. Most of the islands were originally dominated by tropical forests. Currently, many of them have been removed, and low-growing shrubs are growing in their place. Where forests have been preserved (on the islands of Andros, Great and Little Abaco, Grand Bahama), valuable broad-leaved tree species such as redwood (mahogany), logwood and ironwood, as well as Caribbean pine, are common. In broad-leaved forests, bougainvillea, jasmine, orchids and other plants with beautiful and delicately scented flowers grow in abundance. On some islands, artificial plantings of casuarina, mahogany and a number of tropical conifers have been created.

Animal world

The fauna of the Bahamas is poor. There are very few mammals, of which bats are the most numerous. Among the amphibians there are many frogs, and among the reptiles there are lizards and snakes. The most numerous birds in the fauna of the islands are birds, including migratory birds from North America (ducks, geese, etc.), which remain for the winter. In the swamps and within the lagoons there are flamingos (more than 50 thousand red flamingos nest in the national park on Great Inagua Island alone), pelicans, spoonbills, herons and other waterfowl. Termites, mosquitoes and other insects are abundant. In the coastal waters, near the reefs, there are many species of fish, including Atlantic sailfish, barracuda, mackerel, etc. There are sea turtles (on the island of Great Inagua there are oviposition sites for the green turtle), and numerous mollusks and sponges. The Exuma Keys National Park contains protected marshes, mangroves, and coral reefs.

Thanks to its mild, warm climate, sandy beaches, clear coastal waters and unlimited spearfishing opportunities, the Bahamas has become an internationally recognized winter destination.

Population and society

Population: 309 thousand (estimated as of July 2009).

Annual growth - 0.5%.

Immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection rate is 3% (2007 estimate).

Ethno-racial composition: growthmdash; blacks and mulattoes, 12% - whites, 3% - Asians and Hispanics.

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

Literacy - 96%.

Religions: Baptists 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%, others 0.8% (according to the 2000 census).

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

In 2003, 297.48 thousand people lived in the Bahamas, more than half of them on New Providence Island. 28.8% of the population belongs to the age group under 15 years, 65.4% is from 15 to 65 years old and 5.8% is over 65 years old. The birth rate is estimated at 18.57 per 1000 population, mortality - 8.68 per 1000, emigration - 2.67 per 1000. Population growth in 2003 was 0.77%, infant mortality - 26.21 per 1000 births. Due to the spread of AIDS in the islands, there is an upward trend in mortality, lower life expectancy and lower population growth rates. In 1999, an estimated 6,900 people in the Bahamas were infected with AIDS, and 500 people died from the disease.

A growing component of the emerging Bahamian nation is African Americans and mulattoes, constituting more than 3/4 of the total population. There are diasporas of immigrants from the Republic of Haiti, Jamaica and from the Turks and Caicos Islands. The share of Europeans and North Americans is small. This is mainly a contingent of wealthy elderly citizens from the USA, Canada, and England who settled in the Bahamas after retirement.

Protestants predominate among believers, including Baptists, Anglicans, Methodists, ca. 19% are Roman Catholics, part of the population adheres to African cults.

The Bahamas has introduced free and compulsory education for children aged 5 to 14 years. The number of educational institutions has increased significantly in recent years, and on the larger islands most children have the opportunity to attend secondary school. About 20% of school graduates receive vocational training in several vocational schools, pedagogical and technical colleges. The Bahamas does not have its own higher education institutions, but since 1964 the government has established ties with the University of the West Indies on Jamaica and a year later opened its correspondence department in Nassau. Some Bahamians pursue higher education at US universities, Britain and Canada. 98% of the population of the Bahamas is literate.

Healthcare is at a high level. Local doctors managed to completely defeat most tropical diseases. In 1965, the government launched a low-income housing project and approved a mortgage system Sales cheap housing. State benefits are paid only to elderly people (old age pensions) and disabled people.

State structure. The Commonwealth of the Bahamas achieved limited internal self-government in 1964 and full self-government in 1969. On July 10, 1973, the independence of the Bahamas was declared within the Commonwealth, led by Great Britain. According to the Basic Law of the State of 1973, the Head of State is the Queen England, which is represented by the Governor General.

Legislative Power has a bicameral parliament consisting of the House of Congress and the House of Assembly. 16 members Houses of the American Congress appointed by the Governor General (9 - on the recommendation of the Prime Minister, 4 - by the leader of the opposition and 3 - by agreement between the leaders of the ruling and opposition parties). US Senate has the right to delay acceptance Laws(except for those related to finances). House of Assembly agreement 3 40 members elected by popular vote. The term of office of both chambers is 5 years, but early dissolution of parliament is possible. Executive Power belongs to the government headed by the Prime Minister - usually the leader of the Political Party that has a majority in Parliament. The government is responsible to the House of Assembly.

The structure of Imports is dominated by raw materials, in particular Oil(mainly from Saudi Arabia) for its further processing, food, consumer goods, cars, electronics. Main partners for Import- USA, Japan, Denmark.

The Bahamas is a transit point for drug trafficking to the United States and Europe.

Budget and monetary circulation. The majority of government revenue comes from Customs duties, casino revenues, Sales land, postal fees and utilities. There is no Income Tax in the Country. State budget expenditure items include education, social security and public Works. Currency - Bahamian Dollar= 100 cents.

Political structure

The Head of State is the Queen of Britain, represented by the Governor General. Legislative power is exercised by Parliament, consisting of the House of the American Congress (16 members appointed by the Governor General on the recommendation of the Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition for a five-year term) and the House of Assembly (41 members elected By popular vote for a five-year period). Executive Power belongs to the Cabinet of Ministers, headed by the Prime Minister.

Political parties:

Free National Movement (23 members of parliament)

The Bahamas are located in the western Atlantic Ocean, at the latitude of the Northern Tropic, near the American continent (100 km from the Florida Peninsula).

These are about 700 islands, with a total area of ​​13.9 thousand sq. km., and only 30 of them are inhabited. Most of the islands are coral reefs. From the east, the Bahamas are washed by the warm Gulf Stream. The islands are raised relative to sea level from a few meters to approximately 60 meters. Highest point - 63 m, located on Kat Island. The relief of the islands is flat. On the shores facing the ocean, a series of marine terraces can be traced. On the west coast there are many salty lagoon lakes, as well as karst lakes and swamps. In some places along the coast there is a strip of sandy beaches. There are no rivers in the archipelago.

CLIMATE

The climate here is subtropical, very mild. The influence of the warm Gulf Stream, as well as the constantly blowing southeast wind from the equator (trade wind), is felt. Throughout the year, average monthly temperatures do not fall below +20 degrees. The coolest month is January, when the temperature drops to +17 degrees at night and reaches +25 degrees during the day. The hottest time of the year is July and August. The average minimum temperature at this time drops to +24 degrees, the maximum reaches +32 degrees. The driest months are February and March, with monthly precipitation of about 40 mm. The rainiest time of the year is the period from May to October, in which the monthly rainfall ranges from 150 to 220 mm. At this time, tropical hurricanes are possible, characteristic of the entire Caribbean region. Water temperature in coastal parts from August to October it warms up to +30 degrees, in the remaining months it stays at +25...+27 degrees.

Best time to visit:
The most favorable time to visit the Bahamas is from November to May. At this time there is the least amount of precipitation and it is not so hot.

TYPES OF TOURISM

Beach holiday.

Most tourists go to the Bahamas to simply lie on sandy beaches that stretch for hundreds of kilometers and are protected from cold winds by coral reefs, swim in the clear waters of the ocean, and enjoy the greenery of coconut palms. The most popular resorts are located on the islands of New Providence, Paradise and Grand Bahama.

Diving.

Diving is suitable for divers of all skill levels. Visibility is 18-37 m. Most of the islands offer divers shallow reefs from 3 m to 15 m, as well as reefs at great depths from 30 m. In the ocean depths south of the Bahamas, the Gulf Stream originates, which rushes to the north, carrying with it the sea life from the Caribbean to the Atlantic. The Gulf Stream is a barrier protecting the Bahamas from river sediment and runoff from Florida. Thanks to it and the ocean trenches, in the depths of which sediment is deposited, excellent visibility is ensured. You can get acquainted with various types of underwater inhabitants on the Bahama Bank, rising from the depths of the ocean in some places up to 6 m from the surface. These are sharks, dolphins, stingrays, reef fish, angelfish, moray eels.

Scuba divers are also attracted here by the so-called “blue holes”. These places get their name because they appear dark blue when viewed from above. The array of underwater tunnels, passages and coral reefs, as well as Civil War shipwrecks containing lobsters and octopuses, allows for a combination of reef diving and cave diving, and is also of interest to underwater photographers. On the islands located further south, due to higher temperatures, night diving is common, and you can admire sleeping sharks.

The best season for diving on the islands is November - May.

Popular places for active recreation are: the islands of Andros, Berry, Bimini - fishing, described by E. Hemingway (“Islands in the Ocean”); Abacos Islands, Eleuthera - diving in coral reefs; Exuma Islands, Long Island - yacht trips; Inagua Island - swimming with dolphins and watching exotic iguanas and pink flamingos.

Fishing - thanks to the Gulf Stream, the catches here are record-breaking.

The excursion program is not of great interest. The main attractions of the Bahamas are sandy beaches, tropical vegetation and a rich underwater world. Among the attractions of the country's capital are the parliament building and the courthouse, and the Government House (built in 1801) - the official residence of the governor general. Tourists are also attracted by the “sea gardens”, Fort Charlotte (1789), Fort Fincastle (1793), the Adastra Gardens botanical garden, where many tropical and subtropical plants are presented, Jambi Village - a reconstruction of a British settlement of the 18th century.

The Bahamas is a major gambling center. All casinos are open 24 hours a day. The largest casino in the Caribbean is also located here.

VISAS, ENTRY RULES, CUSTOMS RULES

Russian citizens need a visa to visit the Bahamas.

Tourists traveling in transit can stay in the Bahamas without a visa for 3 days, if they have a ticket to the country of destination.

The visa is issued at the British Consulate General. There is a fee of approximately 70 GBP.

To obtain a visa, you must provide:

- completed and signed forms;

-valid passport. It must be valid for at least 6 months after the visa is issued;

-2 photographs 3X4;

- booking confirmation , or an invitation.

- documents confirming the availability of funds.

Russian tourists are not required to make a written customs declaration. The following are not subject to customs duties: personal belongings 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars, or 1 pound (~0.450 kg) of tobacco, 1 liter of alcoholic beverages.

The import of Bahamian dollars is prohibited; export must not exceed $70.

WHAT TO SEE

, organized for tourists, are mainly related to getting to know the islands of the archipelago, their pristine nature, flora and fauna, as well as the rich underwater world of the Atlantic Ocean.

In addition, you can get to know the capital of the Bahamas, Nassau, on a sightseeing tour. around town. This is the historical part of the city, where Fort Charlotte and Parliament Square are located, ancient buildings and buildings of recent years, in includes a walk through the straw market. You can visit the Atlantis complex - one of the largest open-air aquariums.

Of great interest are excursions to the Adastra Gardens botanical garden, the Garden of the Grows, the Rand Memorial Park, the Preacher's Cave and an excursion to the international bazaar in Freeport.

A trip to an artificial coral island will leave a lot of impressions, because this is a real marine reserve.

Good for relaxation along the coastal waters and lagoons of New Providence Island. There are trips to uninhabited nearby islands where you can swim, sunbathe, snorkel, etc.

STORY

Back in 1492 The great navigator Christopher Columbus discovered the Bahamas. At that time they were inhabited by Arawak Indians. However, the Spaniards took them out and used them as labor. Until the 17th century, the islands were deserted, only pirates found this place an excellent hiding place. In 1787 The Bahamas became a British colony. Black slaves were brought here. For three centuries the territory belonged entirely to the British Empire. In 1964, the Bahamas received internal self-government. On July 10, 1973, the independence of the Bahamas was declared as part of the Commonwealth, led by Great Britain. The Bahamas is a member of a number of international organizations: the UN, the Organization of American States, the Caribbean Community.

EMBASSY

Bahamas, embassy in Moscow
Smolenskaya embankment 10

Tel.: (+7 095) 956-7200

Fax: (+7 095) 956-7420

Bahamas, embassy website: http://www.britemb.msk.ru/

Bahamas, Russian Embassy in :
Immigration Department: P.O. Box N-831, Nassau, The Bahamas.

RELIGION

Protestants predominate among believers, including Baptists, Anglicans, Methodists, ca. 19% are Roman Catholics, part of the population adheres to African cults.

TRANSPORT

In the capital of the Bahamas - Nassau - there is a shuttle bus . , motorcycle, scooter and even a bicycle can be rented. To rent a vehicle (except a bicycle), you must have a driver's license with you. Driving experience must be at least one year, and the driver must be at least 21 years old. Driving on the islands is on the left. Ferries and boats ply between the islands.

FLORA AND FAUNA

Tropical vegetation predominates on the islands. There are redwood and ironwood trees, colorful orchids and jasmine.

The Bahamas are famous for their beautiful flamingo birds. Many reptiles live here. Coastal waters are replete with various species of fish. Turtles lay eggs here.

MINERALS

The Bahamas is home to the world's largest deposit of aragonite.

BANKS

Banks are open throughout the working week: from Monday to Thursday until 15:00, on Friday until 17:00.

MONEY

The official currency is the Bahamian dollar. Its value is equal to the American dollar.

1 Bahamian dollar = 100 cents. In circulation are banknotes in denominations of 1, 3, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 dollars and coins in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 15, 25 and 50 cents and 1, 2 and 5 dollars.

It is better to change currency in banks. It is advisable to take American dollars with you on a trip; they circulate freely here.

POLITICAL CONDITION

On July 10, 1973, the independence of the Bahamas was declared as part of the Commonwealth, led by Great Britain. According to the 1973 constitution, the head of state is the Queen of Great Britain, who is represented by the Governor General. Legislative power is exercised by a bicameral parliament consisting of the Senate and the House of Assembly. The government is headed by a prime minister - usually the leader of the party with a majority in parliament.

POPULATION

In 2003, 297.48 thousand people lived in the Bahamas, more than half of them on New Providence Island. The bulk of the Bahamian nation are blacks and mulattoes, making up more than 3/4 of the total population. There are diasporas of people from Haiti, Jamaica and the Turks and Caicos Islands. The share of Europeans and North Americans is small. This is mainly a contingent of wealthy elderly citizens from the USA, Canada, and Great Britain who settled in the Bahamas after retirement.

Language:
The official language of the Bahamas is English. It is spoken by almost the entire population of the country.

KITCHEN

A large part of the Bahamian cuisine menu is made up of all kinds of seafood. Among the first courses, fish soup made from sea bass, delicious turtle soup, and conch clam chowder are in demand. In general, conch shellfish are used to prepare both first courses, salads, pates, appetizers and main courses. There are even conk burgers. Another sea creature whose meat is widely used in Bahamian cuisine is the spiny lobster. Dishes made from it are not cheap.

But the local menu is famous not only for seafood delicacies. A dish of peas and rice with spicy sauce is very popular here. Chefs have borrowed dishes made from various types of meat from the cuisines of other countries.

A local delicacy is guava pudding. This is a favorite dessert. There is also a varied selection of fruits.

Rum is the most popular drink. All kinds of cocktails are made from it.

CONNECTION

Telephone, fax, telegraph and telex communications are possible with the whole world.

The international dialing code for the Bahamas is 1242.

EMERGENCY PHONES

The general telephone number for the police and fire department is 919.

Ambulance in Nassau - 322-21-21.

USEFUL THINGS
To use electrical appliances brought with you from Europe, as well as to recharge cameras, you need an adapter, which is almost impossible to buy in the Bahamas. Therefore, it is better to worry about this in advance.

Spearfishing is prohibited in the Bahamas, but sport fishing is allowed, for which you have to pay.

THE SHOPS
The center of trade is world-famous Bay Street. Here you can buy watches of famous brands, jewelry, porcelain, crystal, leather bags, and perfumes at a good price. All these goods are exempt from taxes (duty free).

TIPS
Service personnel in It is customary to tip around 1-2 Bahamian dollars per day. In restaurants, their size ranges from 15 to 20% of the amount indicated on the bill.

NATIONAL PECULIARITIES
The traditional culture of the Bahamas is far removed from the heavily American-influenced urban centers of Nassau and Freeport. The island's folk art is reflected in a large number of fairy tales, natural medicine, music and religious rituals brought here by slaves from Africa. Despite the fact that the Bahamas has not yet produced writers who are gaining worldwide fame, and visual art is also developing slowly, the islands have formed a distinctive musical culture. In this Several traditional forms of music developed, with a distinctive guitar sound, accordion and rattles made from the pods of the poinciana tree.

Bahamian children enjoy playing basketball. They literally live on the basketball court, and most towns have their own small basketball court with makeshift baskets. The Bahamas follow American basketball (and baseball) teams with great zeal.

ELECTRICITY
127V, 50Hz;

HEALTHCARE
No vaccinations are required to enter the Bahamas, but medical . Providing medical care in emergency cases is free. Doctors are highly qualified. Hospitals are located in Nassau, Freeport and Out Island.

The Commonwealth of the Bahamas (Bahamas) is a state on the islands of the same name north of the Caribbean Sea and Cuba, southeast of the Florida Peninsula. The archipelago includes about 700 islands (of which only 30 are inhabited) and 2,000 coral reefs.

Country Summary

Finance

The currency is the Bahamian dollar (B$), but the US dollar is equally used in the country. 1 B$ = 1 US$.

What money to take with you The Bahamian dollar is strictly pegged to the US dollar, but the exchange rate at different institutions can vary quite a lot. The most stable exchange rate is in the offices of international banks in Nassau and Freeport; changing money in tourist areas is most unprofitable. Where to change Money is better to change in banks. Opening hours: Monday to Thursday - from 9.30 to 15.00, Friday - from 9.30 to 17.00. Credit Cards Credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, AmericanExpress, Diners Club, etc.) are accepted in many places. Traveler's checks are also widely accepted. To avoid additional exchange transactions, take checks in US dollars. Shopping The shopping center of the Bahamas is the world famous Bay street. There you can buy everything at very competitive prices - watches of famous brands, jewelry, porcelain, crystal, leather bags, perfumes. All of these purchases are tax-deductible. Tipping The country has adopted a system of “tipping” for services provided. The receptionist expects to receive $1 for each suitcase delivered to the room; you can pay the maid $2 a day for additional services, for example, for a washed and ironed shirt or blouse. In most cases, “tips” to taxi drivers, waiters, and servants amount to 15% of the cost of services. Cost of food Local delicacies: charcoal-grilled shells of all kinds, seafood salads, spiny lobsters and shrimp, charcoal-grilled crabs and red snapper fillets, etc.
The most popular non-alcoholic drinks are tea and coffee. The islands produce classic rum, the best variety of which is Nassau Royal, and imported alcohol is also sold everywhere. Local beer "Kalik" is sold everywhere on the islands. Taxi services Taxi is almost the only way to get around on the small islands. Public transport Communication between the islands is carried out by boats and ferries. Many of the ferries are quite comfortable.
Public transport, represented by bus routes, is available only in Nassau and Freeport. The fare starts from 5 cents. Car rental The cost of rental at Budget Rent-a-Car ranges from 42 to 54 dollars per day, depending on the class of car and type of transmission.
A foreign driver's license is valid for 3 months.
Necessary requirements:
The driver's age is at least 21 years;
availability of an international driver's license;
driving experience of at least one year.

customs control

The Bahamas is perhaps the most democratic country in terms of duties and customs control. Firstly, there are no restrictions on the import/export of currency. Secondly, you do not need to fill out a declaration. Thirdly, almost all duties have been abolished. The only thing you cannot transport without special permission is drugs and explosives, weapons, and items of historical value.

Transport

Communication between the islands occurs by boats and ferries. Many of the ferries are quite comfortable.
Public transport, represented by bus routes, is available only in Nassau and Freeport. The fare starts from 5 cents. Taxi is almost the only way to get around on the small islands.

Telecommunications

The Bahamas has excellent telecommunications capabilities. There is a possibility of direct telephone connection with most countries of the world. A new telex system has been implemented and an underground fiber link exists to West Palm Beach, Florida. Postal and courier services also provide their services.

Telephony Payphones that allow you to make international calls are located everywhere and operate using calling cards, which are sold at post offices, telephone company offices, hotels and supermarkets. You can also make a call from a payphone through an operator. As a rule, the cost of a call from a hotel is 10-15% more expensive than from a pay phone. You can also call another country from a post office. Calls to Russia Tel. code 8-10-1-242 (city code + tel.) Calls from Russia Telephone code: 1809377 Long-distance calls International dialing code of the Bahamas: +1242 To call from a landline phone, dial: 8 - 10 - 1242 - - City codes Cities do not have their own telephone codes. Useful phones
Police, firefighters - 919,
Ambulance - 322-21-21 or 352-26-89.

National cuisine

Bahamian cuisine is truly national, as it borrowed a lot from Caribbean, American, British, European and African cuisines, but they adapted all the recipes to local conditions and opportunities, which together makes up Bahamian cuisine.

Work of institutions

Banks in Nassau, Freeport, and many islands are open from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday. On Fridays, banks are open from 9.30 to 17.00. Opening times may vary from island to island.

Holidays and non-working days

New Year's Day (January 1), Good Friday (at various times), Second Day after Easter (at various times), Spiritual Day (seven weeks after Easter), Labor Day (first Friday in June), Independence Day (July 10), Emancipation (first Monday in August), American Discovery Day (October 12), Christmas Day (December 25), Boxing Day (December 26).
One of the most colorful celebrations that coincides with the celebration of Christmas and New Year is the Junkanoo festival. This is a carnival, a theatrical procession, and a folk festival at the same time. Participants show off fantastic costumes that delight the audience. Great attractions include the regatta, held annually in April in Elizabeth Harbor on Family Island, and The Goombay Summer Festival, which is held for tourists in June.

Customs and orders

The traditional culture of the Bahamas is far removed from the heavily American-influenced urban centers of Nassau and Freeport. The island's folk art is reflected in a large number of fairy tales, natural medicine, music and religious rituals brought here by slaves from Africa. Despite the fact that the Bahamas has not yet produced writers who are gaining worldwide fame, and visual art is also developing slowly, the islands have formed a distinctive musical culture. The country gave birth to several traditional forms of music, including goombay, a fusion of calypso, soca and English folk songs, as well as a working-class scratch-and-scratch style, with its distinctive guitar sound, accordion and rattles made from the pods of the poinciana tree.

Precautionary measures

Holidays in the Bahamas are quite safe, but petty crimes are common: theft in hotel rooms and pickpocketing.
Spearfishing using underwater guns and other devices is prohibited on the islands. Sport fishing is allowed, but for one trip to the sea you must pay a fee of up to 20 USD, provided that the vessel has no more than six reels of fishing line installed. Independent archaeological work on sunken ships is also prohibited. Violation of these rules may result in a fine and deportation from the country.

In the Atlantic Ocean, the famous archipelago is the Bahamas, which is located between Florida and Cuba. This archipelago consists of 700 islands and 2,500 reefs. Only thirty islands are considered inhabited. The Bahamas are washed by the warm waters of the Gulf Stream. For a long time, a holiday in the Bahamas has been called a luxurious pastime. The Bahamas have also been called a major offshore center, which is considered the richest state in this region. There are more than 400 banks and casinos on the islands. It is worth remembering the countless kilometers of snow-white beaches, clear coastal waters and coral reefs, which are a delight for diving enthusiasts. and its attractions, see here.

It’s not for nothing that the Bahamas are called a real earthly paradise. This archipelago is located in the Atlantic Ocean. The main attractions of the Bahamas are the azure waves, white sand and palm trees. It is through tourism that the islands receive 60 percent of their gross income. The subtropical and tropical climate, warm weather, and low precipitation make it ideal to relax in the Bahamas, as well as engage in active recreation and fishing. Guests of the Commonwealth come here to play golf or visit the casino. Look at .

Features of the Bahamas

The most popular resorts in the Bahamas are located on islands such as: Eleuthera, Andros, New Providence, Grand Bahama, Mayaguana, Great Abaco, Long Island. Everywhere you can see luxury tourist complexes that offer tourists beauty services, clean secluded beaches, entertainment programs and various 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 on this island is in full swing around the clock. As a rule, tourists come here for shopping, as there are many duty free shops, and bars, discos and restaurants are open 24 hours a day. By the way, the casino here is especially popular among Americans. What does it look like? Look at here.

The best attractions of the Bahamas include the amazing underwater world and coral reefs. This gives vacationers the opportunity to try a variety of pastimes, such as sailing, diving, surfing, kiting, liveaboards and recreational diving. The wrecks in the Bahamas deserve special attention.

The beauty of the underwater world is easily rivaled by the nature of the Bahamas. Proof of this is the Rand Memorial Park, the famous Preacher's Cave and the Garden of the Groves. And an underwater observatory was built on a real large coral island. Of course, Nassau is the most popular resort in the Bahamas, and it is also the largest city. A large underwater aquarium and a water tower were built especially for tourists. The shopping street Bay Street allows you to get to know the capital better, because the seat of government is located next to it. You can also go and see the 18th century fortress.

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

Resorts of the Bahamas

Great Abaco is famous among yachtsmen of the world. The sailing season begins in spring and continues until autumn. The vast coastal waters are home to a variety of fish. In addition, here tourists are offered to engage in any kind of water sports, fish, and go shopping. Marsh Harbor is considered the largest city on the island. Tourists hardly visit Long Island. But this is in vain, because it 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 there is Cape Santa Maria, which is famous for its long snow-white beach. By the way, this is one of the most beautiful islands on the western 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 there are two large islands to the south - Little and Great Exuma. The entire local civilization is located here. Yachtsmen call this archipelago a paradise for them, because these places are considered one of the most beautiful places on the planet. Coastal shallows constantly change their depth, ebb and flow occur regularly, all this makes the sea especially beautiful. Diving adepts relax here according to the full program.

Tourist safety

Almost all famous tourist areas are safe for tourists. Sometimes petty crimes like theft occur in hotel rooms. Pickpocketing is common in this region. At night, tourists should refrain from walking alone, especially for women. Please note that spearfishing with various devices, such as spear guns, is prohibited in the Bahamas. You can engage in sport fishing, you just need to pay for going out to sea, one exit costs up to twenty dollars. In addition, it is prohibited to conduct independent archaeological work on sunken ships. If these rules are violated, the tourist will be required to pay a substantial fine or be deported from the country.

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

Memo for tourists

The Bahamas has a large variety of hotels, including large high-rise complexes, as well as small cozy places to stay. It is noteworthy that in the Caribbean, the Bahamian all-inclusive system is considered the best. Therefore, it is up to the tourist to choose a suitable hotel. Some locals rent out their homes on the seaside, 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 the fun atmosphere of nightlife. Countless stores allow you to easily buy a large number of souvenirs for your loved ones. In addition, you should set aside an entire day to enjoy the natural beauty of the Bahamas.

Bahamas Photos

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