# The Bahamas

> island sovereign state in the West Indies

**Wikidata**: [Q778](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q778)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Bahamas)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/the-bahamas

## Summary

The Bahamas is an island country located in North America. [1] As of 2023, the country has a population of approximately 399,000 people. [2] The nation covers an area of about 14,000 square kilometers.  Philip "Brave" Davis serves as the head of government. [3] The country operates on Eastern Standard Time, specifically UTC−05:00, with the primary time zone identifier being America/Nassau. [4]

## Summary
The Bahamas is an island sovereign state and Commonwealth realm located in the West Indies, situated within the Lucayan Archipelago of the Caribbean region. Comprising over 700 islands, cays, and islets, it operates as a constitutional monarchy with a capital at Nassau and gained independence from British rule on July 10, 1973. The nation is distinguished by its status as an archipelagic state with an economy driven significantly by tourism and financial services, holding membership in numerous international organizations including the United Nations and the Caribbean Community.

## Key Facts
- **Official Name**: Commonwealth of the Bahamas
- **Capital**: Nassau
- **Currency**: Bahamian dollar (BSD)
- **Independence**: July 10, 1973 (from the United Kingdom)
- **Government Type**: Constitutional monarchy; Commonwealth realm
- **Head of State**: Charles III (Monarch, since September 8, 2022)
- **Head of Government**: Philip "Brave" Davis (Prime Minister, since September 17, 2021)
- **Population**: 399,440 (2023 estimate)
- **Area**: 13,878 square kilometers
- **Official Language**: English
- **National Anthem**: "March On, Bahamaland"
- **Motto**: "Forward, Upward, Onward, Together"
- **ISO Codes**: BS (Alpha-2), BHS (Alpha-3), 044 (Numeric)
- **Country Code**: +1242
- **Top-Level Domain**: .bs
- **Geographic Coordinates**: 25°N 77.4°W
- **Continent**: North America
- **Region**: Caribbean; Lucayan Archipelago
- **Driving Side**: Left
- **Electrical Plug**: NEMA 1-15, NEMA 5-15 (120V, 60Hz)
- **VAT Rate**: 7.5%
- **IOC Code**: BAH
- **UN Membership**: Joined September 18, 1973

## FAQs
**Where is The Bahamas located geographically?**
The Bahamas is an island sovereign state situated in the West Indies within the Lucayan Archipelago of the Caribbean region. It is geographically part of North America and shares maritime borders with the United States, the United Kingdom, and the Turks and Caicos Islands.

**What is the political structure and leadership of The Bahamas?**
It is a constitutional monarchy and a Commonwealth realm with Charles III as the current head of state. The head of government is Prime Minister Philip "Brave" Davis, leading an executive body known as the Cabinet, while the legislative body is the Parliament of The Bahamas.

**What international organizations is The Bahamas a member of?**
The Bahamas is a member of the United Nations, the Commonwealth of Nations, and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). It also participates in the World Bank Group, the International Monetary Fund, the Organization of American States, Interpol, UNESCO, and the World Health Organization, among many others.

**What are the primary economic and demographic statistics?**
The nation uses the Bahamian dollar as currency and has a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of approximately $14.3 billion USD as of 2023. The estimated population in 2023 is 399,440, with English as the official language and Christianity as the official religion.

**What are the key infrastructure and logistical details?**
The country drives on the left, uses a 120V electrical system with NEMA plugs, and has a telephone country code of +1242. The top-level internet domain is .bs, the license plate code is BS, and the general emergency number is 919.

## Why It Matters
The Bahamas serves as a strategic geopolitical link between North America and the Caribbean, functioning as a major hub for tourism and international finance. Its transition from a British colony to an independent sovereign state in 1973 marked a significant development in the decolonization of the West Indies. As a member of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and various United Nations agencies, it plays an active role in regional cooperation and international affairs, particularly concerning Small Island Developing States. The nation's unique geography as an archipelagic state necessitates specific governance structures and economic strategies, making it a distinct case study in island resilience and economic management. Furthermore, its temporary placement on the European Union tax haven blacklist in 2018 highlights the global scrutiny on its financial sector.

## Notable For
- **Low Elevation**: The highest point, Mount Alvernia, is only 63 meters above sea level, while the lowest point is at sea level (Atlantic Ocean).
- **Tourism Slogan**: Uses the official tourism slogan "Life Is Grand" alongside its national motto "Forward, Upward, Onward, Together."
- **Maritime Identity**: Uses three Maritime Identification Digits: 308, 309, and 311.
- **Independence History**: Replaced the British West Indies as a sovereign entity and celebrates its independence on July 10.
- **Cultural Identity**: The demonym for residents is "Bahamian," and the national anthem is titled "March On, Bahamaland."
- **Financial History**: Was listed on the European Union tax haven blacklist from March 13, 2018, to May 25, 2018.
- **Administrative Divisions**: Comprises over 30 distinct administrative territorial entities, including New Providence, Grand Bahama, and the Abaco islands.

## Body

### Geography and Environment
The Bahamas is an archipelagic state consisting of approximately 700 islands, cays, and islets, covering a total area of 13,878 square kilometers. Water covers approximately 27.9% of the total area. The nation is located within the Lucayan Archipelago and the Caribbean region, categorized geographically as part of North America. The coordinates for the country are generally 25°N latitude and 77.4°W longitude. The terrain is predominantly low-lying, with the highest elevation being Mount Alvernia on Cat Island, which stands at 63 meters. The northernmost point is located at 27.25°N, 78.35°W, while the southernmost point is at 20.91272°N, 73.64702°W. The easternmost point lies in Mayaguana at 22.375833°N, 72.908333°W, and the westernmost point is in Alice Town at 25.727694°N, 79.2976°W. The country shares borders with the United States, the United Kingdom, and the Turks and Caicos Islands.

### Government and Politics
The official name of the country is the Commonwealth of the Bahamas. It is a sovereign state and a member of the Commonwealth realms, operating under a constitutional monarchy. The current head of state is Charles III, who has held the position since September 8, 2022. The head of government is Prime Minister Philip "Brave" Davis, who assumed office on September 17, 2021, succeeding previous leaders such as Hubert Minnis, Perry Christie, and Hubert Ingraham. The executive branch is the Cabinet of the Bahamas, and the legislative branch is the Parliament of The Bahamas. The highest judicial authority is the Supreme Court of the Bahamas. The official religion is Christianity, and the age of majority is 18 years.

### History and International Relations
The Bahamas became an independent sovereign state on July 10, 1973, replacing the British West Indies. It maintains diplomatic relations with various nations, including Australia, Taiwan, the People's Republic of China, Germany, and North Korea. The country joined the United Nations on September 18, 1973, and became a member of the Commonwealth of Nations in 1973. Other key memberships include the Caribbean Community (joined July 4, 1983), the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (joined August 21, 1973), and the International Monetary Fund agencies (IDA, IFC, MIGA, ICSID). The Bahamas is also a member of the Organization of American States (joined 1982), Interpol (joined October 2, 1973), and UNESCO (joined April 23, 1981). Additionally, it participates in the World Meteorological Organization, the World Health Organization, and the Universal Postal Union.

### Economy and Infrastructure
The economy of The Bahamas utilizes the Bahamian dollar (BSD) as its currency, regulated by the Central Bank of The Bahamas. The nominal GDP has fluctuated over the years, reaching approximately $14.3 billion USD in 2023, up from $12.9 billion in 2022 and dropping to $9.9 billion in 2020 during the global pandemic. The country applies a Value Added Tax (VAT) rate of 7.5%. Infrastructure includes driving on the left side of the road, a mains voltage of 120V at 60Hz, and the use of NEMA 1-15 and NEMA 5-15 electrical plugs. The nation uses the top-level internet domain .bs, the telephone country code +1242, and the license plate code BS. The emergency phone number is 919, which covers police, fire, and medical services.

### Demographics and Society
The population of The Bahamas has grown significantly from 109,526 in 1960 to an estimated 399,440 in 2023. Demographic statistics from 2019–2022 indicate a birth rate hovering around 11.4 and a death rate fluctuating between 7.2 and 8.9. Life expectancy is approximately 74 years as of recent estimates. The official language is English, with roughly 260,000 first-language speakers and 28,000 second-language speakers; Bahamian Creole is also spoken. The population is distributed between urban and rural areas, with the urban population recorded at over 342,000 in 2022 compared to a rural population of roughly 67,680. The suicide rate is estimated at 1.7 per 100,000 people (as of 2016).

### Administrative Divisions
The Bahamas is divided into numerous administrative territorial entities. These include the major islands of New Providence (where the capital Nassau is located), Grand Bahama, Andros (North, Central, and South), Abaco (North, Central, and South), and Eleuthera (North, Central, and South). Other districts include Bimini, the Berry Islands, Cat Island, Exuma, Inagua, Long Island, Mayaguana, Ragged Island, Rum Cay, San Salvador, and Acklins. Specific settlements and administrative zones include Freeport, Harbour Island, Hope Town, Spanish Wells, and Moore's Island.

### Culture and Symbols
National symbols include the flag of The Bahamas and the coat of arms of the Bahamas. The national anthem is "March On, Bahamaland," and the country motto is "Forward, Upward, Onward, Together." A popular tourism slogan is "Life Is Grand." The culture is referenced in various bibliographies and topics such as the "culture of the Bahamas," "economy of the Bahamas," and "history of the Bahamas." The country is represented in international sports by the IOC code BAH and the Commonwealth Sport country code BAH. It is also known for its location in the West Indies, which is a frequent descriptor in encyclopedic sources.

### Identifiers and Classification
The Bahamas is classified under several identifiers and codes. ISO 3166-1 codes are BS (alpha-2), BHS (alpha-3), and 044 (numeric). The UN M49 code is 044. The ITU letter code is BAH, and the WIPO ST.3 code is BS. The FIPS 10-4 code is BF. The country is cataloged in numerous library and authority systems, including the Library of Congress (n79081362), the Bibliothèque nationale de France (15322056w), and the Getty Thesaurus of Geographic Names (7005332). It appears in thesauruses such as EuroVOC (4567) and the UNBIS Thesaurus (1000490). Wikimedia projects identify it via the sitelink count of 274 and the wikidata description "island sovereign state in the West Indies."

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