Sunday, April 18, 2010

Facts About Bahamas

Bahamas is a North American country, which comprises of an archipelago of 700 islands. The English-speaking nation is situated in the Atlantic Ocean, spreading over an astounding area of 13,878 km2. All the islands of the archipelago are low lying, with flat surface. The highest point in the country is Mount Alvernia, also known as Como Hill and has an altitude of 63 m. Bahamas is also quite prone to hurricanes, which have ravaged the island shores a number of times. This has left life stranded to an extent that it is still recovering to this day. Given below are some more interesting and fun facts about Bahamas.

Interesting & Fun Facts about Bahamas


    * The official name of the country is the Commonwealth of the Bahamas. It is an archipelago, consisting of more than 700 islands.
    * The capital city of Bahamas is Nassau. The two other big cities of the country are Nassau and Freeport.
    * The name of the country comes from the Spanish word ‘bajamar’, meaning ‘shallow water’. The official language spoken in the country is English and the currency, the Bahamas-Dollar is at par with the US-Dollar.
    * Bahamas was a British colony until 1973 and is now an independent nation. The Duke of Windsor was the Royal Governor of The Bahamas during from 1940 to 1945.
    * There is no income tax or corporate tax levied in Bahamas. Around 50 percent of the national GDP is generated by tourism. It is one of the wealthiest countries in the Caribbean. After tourism, financial services constitute the second-most important sector of the Bahamian economy
    * Eighty percent of Bahamian natives are of African descent. Two-thirds of the population lives in the New Providence Island (the location of Nassau).
    * The largest immigrant community in the Bahamas is that of the Haitians. 30,000-50,000 of the residents are concentrated in the New Province, Abaco and Eleuthera islands, including the legal and illegal residents.
    * School attendance in Bahamas is compulsory between the ages of 5 to16. Out of the 210 primary schools run in the country, 158 are operated by the government.  The remaining 52 schools are operated by private owners. Higher education is also offered by many non-Bahamian colleges in the country.
    * The Bahamas is enrolled as an independent member of the Commonwealth of Nations. The political and legal traditions of Bahamas closely follow the British ones, owing to their commonwealth membership. 
    * The country has a parliamentary form of democracy and regular elections are held. The Bahamian senate consists of 16 members, who are appointed by the Governor-General. The Governor-General also appoints the Chief Justice on the advice of the Prime Minister. The Privy Council of the United Kingdom serves as the highest appellate court.
    * The local government districts in Bahamas elect local councils for town planning, business licenses, traffic issues and maintenance of government buildings. Lower level town councils are also accorded minor responsibilities in some large districts.
    * Another interesting fact about the country is that the Bahamas women's 4x100 relay team won a silver medal at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta.




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If I would really got the chance to go to Bahamas I would visit all of it's island and explore many things. I really love Bahamas because it resembles the weather in my country, summertime is the best time to go to beaches and bond with my loved ones.

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Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Bahamas Weather - Best and Worst Months to Go

Heavy rain in the fall months is a predictable part of Bahama island weather, but it doesn't stop Caribbean vacationers from flocking there.

The islands are the most popular tourist destination in the region - mainly because of the large number of cruise visits embarking from various U.S. ports along the Gulf of Mexico and the east coast.

Bahamas weather is cooler and rainier than most other places in the region.

The average monthly high temperature is about 84 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the World Meteorological Organization. The average monthly low temperature is 69.5 degrees. Temperatures are among the lowest in the region in part because the Bahamas lie north of all other Caribbean destinations.

The average monthly rainfall is among the highest at 4.6 inches a month. The average monthly rain days is nearly 12 per month, also among the highest.

The average monthly high temperatures peak at about 89 degrees in July, August and September and bottom at less than 80 degrees from December through March.

Rain averages about 7.4 inches a month from June through October with a yearly high of 9.3 inches and 19 rain days in August. Rainfall is only 1.9 inches a month from December through March.

Anyone planning to visit the Bahamas who wants to enjoy ocean swimming will want to avoid December through March because of cool weather. Visitors also should avoid June through October - and especially June and August - because of rain. The best weather months to visit are April, May and November.




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Bahamas is one of the most beautiful places in the world and they have wonderful summer climate. If you want to relax and splurge in vacation, Bahamas is waiting for you. Have fun!

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Saturday, April 3, 2010

Top Twelve Celebrities Who Own Islands and Mansions in the Bahamas

The Bahamas are a great place for anyone to visit - especially celebrities. But the cost of islands are through the roof. Only the most rich and famous can afford actual islands. Some of them merely own mansions. Life must be rough.

See if you can identify the locations of the following celebrity island homes!

James Bond

OK, so James Bond is technically not a resident of the Bahamas. But many Bond movies have been filmed on location in the Bahamas, including Thunderball, Casino Royale, and the upcoming Quantum of Solace.

Bahamas visitors are welcome to take a water taxi ride to see the Thunderball filming location; however, as these rides are not operated by hotels but rather independent owners, there are no guarantees when it comes to personal safety on the taxi or the location of your drop-off point, which may be miles away from your original destination!

No word yet as to whether James Bond has actually applied for dual citizenship in the Bahamas.

Nicolas Cage


Nicolas Cage owns not one, but two islands, in the Bahamas. He purchased his first island in the territory of the Exuma Islands back in 2000 and in 2006 acquired a 40-acre island near Paradise Island for a cool $3 million. Apparently the latter was mostly a gift for his wife, Alice.

Sean Connery


Maybe James did apply for dual citizenship after all.

Sean Connery, James Bond numero uno, cut back on acting to go golfing. And what better place to go golfing than his home in the Bahamas? He has mentioned that he would quit the Bahamas and return to Scotland if she were granted independence, but that has yet to be seen. So Sean lives out his days playing golf, sipping martinis, and bothering his neighbors in his home near New Providence island.

Johnny Depp

Apparently, good old Captain Jack fell in love with the Bahamas so much whilst filming Pirates of the Caribbean 1,2, and 3, that he simply had to buy his slice of the Bahamian pie. So he purchased Little Halls Pond Cay island, which is about 60 miles away from Nassau, for a sweet $3.6 million. He now juggles his time between France and the Bahamas with Vanessa Paradis and their two children.

Bill Gates

No multi-billionaire's life would be complete without a hunk of Bahamian island. Bill Gates' portion is situated on Harbour Island near North Eleuthera, Bahamas.

Michael Jordan

Did you ever wonder what Mike did with all that dough he got from Nike? Yes, he too, bought property near Paradise Island in the Bahamas. As we recall, his mansion is in the vicinity of Oprah's and Chuck Norris'.

Tim McGraw and Faith Hill

This crooning country couple also live in the Bahamas. Their little piece of paradise is near Nicolas Cage's second island - only they were there first.

Eddie Murphy - owns island

Eddie Murphy's island was within viewing distance from the Atlantis Resort. He owns Rooster Cay (also known as Long Cay), which is about fifteen minutes away from Nassau - depending on who's driving. We almost got a look at his mansion while we were jet skiing.

Chuck Norris

A man of Chuck Norris' kicking talent needs to have wide open spaces to work out... the Bahamas must be about perfect for him. He lives near Oprah and Michael Jordan on the same strip of island - unless he owns more that I'm not aware of...

Oprah

As aforementioned, the empress of daytime talk shows owns a piece of heaven in the Bahamas, a pristine, white mansion all to herself. She's also been rumored to have rented other Bahamian islands for $300,000.00 a week. But maybe that's just talk...

Shakira


The hip songbird from Colombia owns a home - and recording studio - right in the Bahamas. Talk about nice! But apparently it wasn't as good as her studio in Uruguay, where she is working on her upcoming album.

John Travolta

He owns his own Boeing 707 - why wouldn't he own Bahamian property? Yes, even John Travolta has taken up residency in the Bahamas. Presumably his portion of island strip is big enough to accommodate his jet.




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Wow! That's interesting. Most of the Hollywood stars have their own mansions in Bahamas. Now wonder why they chose Bahamas because of it's beautiful beaches and weather.

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