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Description Bahamas, The by rbd.me
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Lucayan Indians inhabited the islands when Christopher COLUMBUS first set foot in the New World on San Salvador in 1492. British settlement of the islands began in 1647; the islands became a colony in 1783. Since attaining independence from the UK in 1973, The Bahamas have prospered through tourism and international banking and investment management. Because of its geography, the country is a major transshipment point for illegal drugs, particularly shipments to the US and Europe, and its territory is used for smuggling illegal migrants into the US.
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Location
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Caribbean, chain of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, southeast of Florida, northeast of Cuba
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Area - comparative
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slightly smaller than Connecticut
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Natural resources Bahamas, The
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long, flat coral formations with some low rounded hills
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Population Bahamas, The
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strategic location adjacent to US and Cuba; extensive island chain of which 30 are inhabited
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Religions Bahamas, The
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black 85%, white 12%, Asian and Hispanic 3%
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Languages
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Baptist 35.4%, Anglican 15.1%, Roman Catholic 13.5%, Pentecostal 8.1%, Church of God 4.8%, Methodist 4.2%, other Christian 15.2%, none or unspecified 2.9%, other 0.8% (2000 census)
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Education Bahamas, The expenditures
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English (official), Creole (among Haitian immigrants)
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Government Bahamas, The type
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3.6% of GDP (2000)
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Independence
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21 districts; Acklins and Crooked Islands, Bimini, Cat Island, Exuma, Freeport, Fresh Creek, Governor's Harbour, Green Turtle Cay, Harbour Island, High Rock, Inagua, Kemps Bay, Long Island, Marsh Harbour, Mayaguana, New Providence, Nichollstown and Berry Islands, Ragged Island, Rock Sound, Sandy Point, San Salvador, and Rum Cay
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Bahamas, The Economy - overview
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three equal horizontal bands of aquamarine (top), gold, and aquamarine, with a black equilateral triangle based on the hoist side; the band colors represent the golden beaches of the islands surrounded by the aquamarine sea; black represents the vigor and force of a united people, while the pointing triangle indicates the enterprise and determination of the Bahamian people to develop the rich resources of land and sea
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Investment Bahamas, The
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2.4% (2007 est.)
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Industries Bahamas, The
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NA%
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Airports Bahamas, The
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Freeport, Nassau, South Riding Point
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