The Bahamas

• officially the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, is an island country consisting of more than 700 islands, cays, and islets in the Atlantic Ocean; north of Cuba and Haiti; southeast of the U.S. state of Florida and east of the Florida Keys. The Bahamas territory encompasses 180,000 square miles of ocean space.

• During the late 17th and early 18th centuries, piracy flourished in the islands because of their proximity to important shipping lanes.

• The Bahamas became a British Crown colony in 1718, when the British clamped down on piracy. After the American War of Independence, the Crown resettled thousands of American Loyalists in the Bahamas; they brought their slaves with them and established plantations on land grants. Blacks comprised the majority of the population from this period. The Bahamas became a haven for freed persons of African descent: the Royal Navy resettled Africans here liberated from illegal slave ships;

• American slaves and Black Seminoles escaped here from Florida; and the government freed American slaves carried on United States domestic ships that had reached the Bahamas due to weather. Slavery in the Bahamas was abolished in 1834. Today the descendants of slaves and free Africans make up nearly 90 percent of the population; issues related to the slavery years are part of society.

• Today The Bahamas has become one of the world's foremost vacation resorts. Nassau is the political capital and the commercial hub of The Bahamas. Tourism and international banking and investment management accounts for more than 55% of the country's gross domestic product.

• Like many Caribbean nations, seafood is prevalent in the homes and restaurants of the Bahamas. The country's national food is conch, a mollusk with a chewy texture and fishy flavor. It's often served breaded and fried, formed into balls or added to salads. Bahamians eat a wide range of seafood that includes grouper, rock lobster, bonefish, crab and turtle. Cooks prepare these in a number of ways, including fried, sauteed and curried.

• The cuisine of The Islands of The Bahamas is never, ever bland. Spicy, subtly and uniquely flavoured with local meats and produce, more than any other cuisine in the Caribbean, Bahamian cooking has been influenced by the American South. Although virtually every type of international food can be found in The Bahamas, you won't have any difficulty finding restaurants serving Bahamian cuisine and fresh local seafood at reasonable prices.

• In terms of gross domestic product per capita, the Bahamas is one of the richest countries in the Americas (following the United States and Canada). Its economy is based on tourism and finance.

The Bahamas has an estimated population of 382,825,

The islands are predominantly Christian, with Baptists representing 35.4% of the population, Anglican 15.1%, Roman Catholic 13.5%,

• Junkanoo is a traditional Bahamian street parade of music, dance, and art held in Nassau (and a few other settlements) every Boxing Day and New Year's Day. Junkanoo is also used to celebrate other holidays and events such as Emancipation Day

Junkanoo is also used to celebrate other holidays and events such as Emancipation Day

• 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.

The Salvation Army has been present in the Bahamas for more than 80 years

• The Bahamas is part of the Caribbean Territory

• Facilities and services include:• Community Centers• Feeding Centers for adults and children• Social Services—visually Handicapped Schools• Children’s school• Hostels and Shelters • Thrift Stores

• Divisional Commanders: • Lester & Beverley Ferguson

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• Well known for its work among the blind and visually impaired in the community, The Salvation Army has been at the forefront in championing the cause of the blind by providing employment, education and empowerment opportunities since 1948.

Women’s shelter

Children’s Feeding Program

Feeding Center

Thrift Stores