The Bahamas is an archipelago situated in the southwest of the Atlantic Ocean and southeast of Florida. It is about 700 miles consisting of 700 low-lying islands. In fact, the highest point in the country is only roughly 63m known as Mount Alvernia in Cat Island. Approximately 2,400 islets and cays are not habitable and only around 30 islands are populated. A lot of the islands in the Bahamas are filled with trees and are swampy. But for the islands that are inhabited, these are the breath-taking and gorgeous islands which are mostly the reason why tourists visit the area. The Bahamas is known for its turquoise, clean and shallow water that surrounds the archipelago. The name “Bahamas” was actually derived from the Spanish word “baja-mar”, which means shallow water. But the country is not all about beaches like what other perceived it to be. Commercial or business centers with modern buildings can be found in the capital of the Bahamas, Nassau, which is located in the island of New Providence.
Considering that the country is an archipelago, it is expected that generally the weather is nice with mild temperature. It can be rainy between June to November but destructive hurricane could also occur, just like in 2004 when two hurricanes caused a great deal of damage throughout the country. Temperature in the islands situated in the south is very high during summer season compared to those islands located in the north and west.
In the approximately 30 islands that are inhabited, the population of the country is roughly a little more than 300,000 as of 2007, with a population density of 20 per square km. The majority of the people living in the area are freed slaves descendants of African origins, mostly from the tribe of Yoruba. The other locals are with European ancestry, while others are descents of British loyalists who left the U.S.
Because of the locals mixed descendants, the African and British cultures are very evident. But considering the location of the Bahamas, which is very near the U.S., strong American influences are also clearly manifested. For example high-end resorts or islands somehow demand a dress code. Even if you are in the islands of the Bahamas where you usually expect a very relax outfit, it is understood that beachwear should only be worn in the beach and smart-casual clothes is somehow required at night. In addition, the locals are English speaking and majority of them are Christians in religion.