The Bahamas is made up of more than 700 islands and cays located in the Atlantic Ocean. The islands are home to raised coral reefs, marine life, and shallow waters. Many of the beaches are covered in white sand, and the surrounding sea supports ecosystems that include fish, turtles, and other sea creatures.
The Bahamas also has a long history, with cultural influences from Africa, Europe, and Indigenous peoples. Visitors can explore its natural formations, learn about its past, and take part in activities on land and in the water.
| Key Facts About The Bahamas | Details |
| Population(2025) | 403,033 |
| Official Language | English |
| Currency | Bahamian Dollar |
| Capital | Nassau |
| Area | 5,358 sq. miles (13,878 sq. km.) |
| Main Religion | Christianity |
In this article, you’ll learn 13 fun facts about the Bahamas that will bring this island to life.
13 Fun Facts About the Bahamas
- The Bahamas archipelago is over 700 islands
- The name “Bahamas” has a Spanish origin
- Dean’s Blue Hole is the deepest blue hole in the world
- The Bahamas has a rich history in pirates and parrots
- Paradise Island is a luxurious resort destination
- The Bahamas boasts pink sand beaches on Harbour Island
- The Bahamas is a popular filming location for Hollywood
- The Bahamas was the first place Columbus set foot in the New World
- The Bahamas is home to Big Major Cay, famous for its swimming pigs
- The Bahamian dollar is pegged to the U.S. Dollar for convenience
- The Bahamas gained status as an independent country in 1973
- The Bahamas comprises a combined land area smaller than Connecticut
- The Bahamas is known for its Junkanoo Festival
1. The Bahamas archipelago is over 700 islands
The Bahamas archipelago is more than 700 islands, and 2,400 cays located in the North Atlantic Ocean, northeast of Cuba and southeast of southern Florida. Only 30 of the 700 islands are inhabited.
Related: Everything You Need to Know About Cuba
The largest of the Bahamian islands is Andros Island, while New Providence Island is home to the capital Nassau and the main hub of activity.
What are the 10 biggest islands on The Bahamas?
| Rank | Island Name | Land Area (sq miles) | Notable Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Andros Island | 2,300 | Andros Island is the largest island of the Bahamas, known for its blue holes and biodiversity. |
| 2 | New Providence Island | 80 | New Providence is the most populated island in The Bahamas with more than 70% of the total population and the capital city, Nassau. |
| 3 | Grand Bahama Island | 530 | Grand Bahama Island is in the northernmost part of the Bahamas, and proximate to the east coast of the United States. Cruise ships dock at Freeport, the island’s largest city. |
| 4 | Abaco Islands | 655 | Abaco Islands include Great Abaco and Little Abaco, famous for sailing. |
| 5 | Eleuthera Island | 180 | Eleuthera Island is famous for pink sand beaches. |
| 6 | Long Island | 130 | Visit Long Island for cliffs and blue holes. |
| 7 | Exuma Islands | 370 | Exuma Island is a group of islands famous for swimming pigs. |
| 8 | Cat Island | 150 | Cat Island is home to Mount Alvernia, the highest point in the Bahamas. |
| 9 | San Salvador Island | 63 | San Salvador Island was Christopher Columbus’ first landing spot in the New World. |
| 10 | Bimini Island | 23 | Bimini Island is close to Miami, and famous for fishing and diving. |
2. The name “Bahamas” has a Spanish origin
The name “Bahamas” comes from the Spanish phrase “baja mar,” meaning “shallow sea,” reflecting the shallow waters near the islands.
3. Dean’s Blue Hole is the deepest blue hole in the world
Dean’s Blue Hole, located near Long Island in the Bahamas, is the deepest blue hole in the world, plunging to a depth of 663 feet (202 meters). Long Island is also known for being bisected by the Tropic of Cancer.
What is a blue hole?
A blue hole is a big underwater hole or cave that is open at the surface that forms in limestone rock or coral reefs. The water inside can be fresh, salty, or brackish, depending on the tide and time of day. Blue holes are very deep and can connect to underwater caves.
Visiting Dean’s Hole
- Address: 4X4R+GGH, Clarence Town, Bahamas
- Hours: Monday – Friday 8 AM – 6 PM
4. The history of the Bahamas is tied up in pirates and parrots
The Bahamas Islands became a pirate haven in the late 1600s and early 1700s, earning a reputation as the ‘Pirate Republic.’ Pirates like Blackbeard and Calico Jack used Nassau as their base for raiding ships across the Caribbean. The British ended the pirate era in 1718.
Additionally, the Bahama Parrot, native to the islands, plays a vital role in the local ecosystem, especially in the pine forests and coastal areas
5. Paradise island is a posh resort destination for American travelers
Paradise Island is a luxurious destination, famous for resorts, including Atlantis. Located just off New Providence Island, it was originally known as Hog Island.
The property was transformed into a paradise for travelers seeking an upscale vacation experience. The hotels, water parks and beaches at Paradise Island attract millions of visitors annually.
7. The Bahamas boasts pink sand beaches on Harbour Island
Harbour Island is part of the Out Islands and famous for its pink sand beaches. The pink hue comes from tiny coral organisms called foraminifera, whose shells combine with the sand to create this unique color.
Because of its pink colored sand, Pink Sands Beach is the most photographed beaches in the entire region.
8. The Bahamas is a popular filming location for Hollywood
The Bahamas is a popular filming location for Hollywood, thanks to its turquoise waters and white sandy beaches. Movies like Pirates of the Caribbean and James Bond’s Thunderball used the Bahamas as a backdrop.
9. The Bahamas was the first place Columbus set foot in the New World
Christopher Columbus first set foot in the New World on San Salvador Island in the Bahamas.
10. The Bahamas is home to Big Major Cay, famous for its swimming pigs
Big Major Cay is famous for its friendly swimming pigs. This uninhabited island is located in the Exumas, also known as Pig Beach.
11. The Bahamian dollar is pegged to the U.S. Dollar for convenience
The Bahamian dollar (BSD) is pegged to the U.S. dollar, which makes transactions easy for American tourists. The Bahamas is one of the only countries in the Caribbean region with this exchange system.
12. The Bahamas gained status as an independent country in 1973
The Bahamas gained independence from British rule on July 10, 1973. The Bahamian flag, with its aquamarine, gold, and black colors, symbolizes the country’s bright future, natural resources, and the strength of its people.
Today, the Bahamas is a proud independent country, attracting millions of visitors annually with its culture and many beaches.
13. The Bahamas comprises a combined land area smaller than Connecticut
The entire country of the Bahamas has a combined land area that slightly smaller than the state of Connecticut.
14. The Bahamas is known for its Junkanoo Festival
The Bahamas’ Junkanoo festival is a celebration of music, dance and culture. Junkanoo originated during slavery in the 19th century when enslaved Africans used their days off at Christmas to honor their traditions through parades and elaborate costumes.
Junkanoo was included in UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2023. The festival showcases intricate costumes, rhythmic music, and storytelling and unites Bahamians of all ages.
Junkanoo is celebrated on Boxing Day (December 26) and New Year’s Day (January 1), and other times during the year too.