Bahamas General Information
To Know Before You Go

Bahamas General Information - The Bahamas comes from the Spanish words “baja mar” meaning shallow sea, and is an archipelago of over 700 islands stretching over 100,000 square miles in the Western Atlantic Ocean. The Bahama Islands became the free and sovereign Commonwealth of The Bahamas on 10th July 1973 ending 325 years of British rule(but remains part of the Commonwealth).

Official Name - Commonwealth of the Bahamas.
Capital - Nassau (on New Providence Island). Other chief islands are known as “out islands” or “family islands.”
Currency - The national currency of the Bahamas is the Bahamian dollar. Both U.S. and Bahamian dollars are accepted interchangeably throughout the islands.
Population - 301,790
Languages - English is the official language of The Islands Of The Bahamas.
Area Code - The area code for The Bahamas is 242.
Time Zone - Eastern Standard Time is used within The Islands of The Bahama. April to October is Eastern Daylight Time, in conjunction with US summer hours.
Geography - The Bahamas, a wide-spread archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean located off the eastern coastlines of Florida and Cuba, includes over 700 islands, along with dozens of cays and hidden coves. The Bahamas has the world's third longest barrier reef. 5% of the world's coral can be found in the waters of The Bahamas. Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Connecticut. Geographic coordinates: 24 15 N, 76 00 W.
Water Clarity - The Bahamas has the clearest waters in the world with visibility of over 200 feet.
Crime - While the Bahamas has a relatively low crime rate, visitors should exercise caution and good judgment. Although most criminal incidents take place in a part of Nassau not usually frequented by tourists (the "over-the-hill" area south of downtown), crime and violence has moved into more upscale tourist and residential areas. Criminals may also target restaurants and nightclubs frequented by tourists.
Medical Facilities and Health Information High quality medical care is generally available, but expensive, in Nassau and Freeport. Medical care is limited outside of Nassau and Freeport. Bahamian doctors and hospitals do not usually accept U.S. medical insurance policies and typically expect immediate cash payment for professional services.

Travelers with Disabilites - For information about accessible hotels in the Bahamas call the Bahamas Association for the Physically Disabled at (242)-322-2393.

Entry Requirements - Passport. The U.S. Department of State has initiated new Travel Document Requirements under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative. For an up-to-date country-by-country listing of passport requirements around the world, go to the "Foreign Entry Requirement" Web page of the U.S. State Department at www.travel.state.gov.