Much of The Bahamas history can be credited back to geography. In 1492 when Christopher Columbus first landed in the New World on the island of San Salvador in the eastern of the Bahamas, he gave the name “Baja Mar” which meant shallow water or sea because of the observed shallow sea around the island, throughout centuries the name evolved to The Islands of the Shallow Sea, Islands of the Bahamas, and The Bahamas which is now the commonly used name.
The Islands of the Bahamas caught a lot of attention for explorers, settlers, invaders, and traders since it was a well-traveled shipping channel and was located near Florida. All these people formed part in the rich Bahamas history that made the country what it is today.
As indicated in current archaeological excavations, people lived as early as 300 to 400 AD in the Bahamas Islands. These residents may have came from Cuba and relied mainly on the ocean for food. The Bahamas history tells that during the 10th century, a subgroup of the Arawaks called the Lucayans settled in the Bahamas islands. They had left the Lesser Antilles to keep away from their enemies, the Carib Indians, who were known to be cannibals and fierce warriors. The Lucayans were a peaceful group of farmers who lived in thatch huts with their own made pottery and used stone tools. This group was socially, politically and religiously advanced. Upon the arrival of Christopher Columbus on the island in 1492, there were about forty thousand Lucayans living in the Bahamas islands. The Lucayans being gentle natured were taken advantage of by Spanish slave traders who later captured native Lucayan and shipped them off to Hispaniola to work in gold mines. Within the twenty five years from Columbus’ arrival, all Lucayan perished.
A group of Puritan religious refugees know as the Eleutheran Adventurers founded the first permanent European settlement in the Bahamas and gave Eleuthera Island its name. Similar groups of colonizers formed governments in the Bahamas, but the secluded cays protected pirates and wreckers throughout the 17th century, these were the golden age for pirates among most well known was Sir Francis Drake and Blackbeard.
More than a century later, another major arrival of American loyalists landed in Eleuthera bringing with them slaves, money, Colonial building skills, agricultural and shipbuilding expertise, and the cotton industry which all became key influences in Eleutheran life. From 1861 until 1865 was the Bahamas’ boom on its economy which was benefited greatly from the U.S. Civil War. When the civil war ended, it ended the prosperity for the Bahamas islands too until 1919 when the U.S passed the 14th amendment prohibiting alcohol which brought back smuggling to the island. With the prohibition ending in 1934, a collapse in the economy brought devastation to the Bahamas islands. Tourism industry began in the mid-19th century from the governments support for constructing hotels and financially supported steamship service.
Each island of the Bahamas has its own story that greatly contributes to the rich and vibrant Bahamas history that has brought it to its fame and popularity today. The wealthy marine life, beautiful clear waters, endless white sand beaches, rich culture, all adds up to a great Bahamas history.
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Bahamas Flag
... entry was chosen though but instead several entries were combined to create the new flag. The Bahamas Flag overall colors are aquamarine blue, gold, and black. Much symbolism is associated with colors according to ancient and heraldic traditions. The Bahamas flag gold color represents the sands of the nation, blue representing the waters that surround the Bahamas, and the black triangle stands for unity. From the left half of the flag (viewer's left side) is called the Hoist that pictures a black equilateral triangle that comes in from the left edge of the flag. The flag's facial appearance is of three equal horizontal bands of aquamarine blue (top), gold (center), and aquamarine blue (bottom). The Bahamas Flag etiquette is very firm and is necessary that Flag protocols...
Bahamas Honeymoon Packages
Caribbean vacations are very popular, as people love white, sandy beaches, palm trees and clear blue ocean. Going there to get married or to have a honeymoon is even better. There can be no more romantic prospect than a Bahamas honeymoon. This Bahamas History area has the best of accommodation and amenities and several resorts run packagers for honeymooners, looking for a memorable experience.... More on : Bahamas Honeymoon Packages
Bahamas Cruise
... get the best deals. Most cruise ships that travel to the Bahamas depart from port Canaveral or Miami. Usually Bahamas Cruise last three or four nights but would really depend on the package that you would be getting and what the cruise liner is offering. Here are some of the Bahamas Cruise Packages that you can avail o from different cruise liners: Carnival Cruise Line, Fantasy This is a five-day Bahamas cruise from Port Canaveral (Orlando). It departs from Port Canaveral at 4:00 pm with stops in Aty Sea, Grand Turk, half Moon Cay, and Nassau. Rates start from $372, price is per person double occupancy and price Bahamas History includes all port charges and taxes for an inside cabin. Oceanview specials are also available. 2006 Sails: July 3, July 17, July 31, Aug 14, Aug 28, Sept 11, Sept 29, and Oct 9 Norwegian Cruise Line Bahamas - Norwegian Dawn This is a seven-day Bahamas cruise that departs from New York at 4:00 pm...
Bahamas Yacht Charters
... that expensive luxury yacht cruise that is worth every penny or the smaller sailing vessels that are more in line with normal vacation when it comes to price, the option of the prices is yours. To top the reasons for Bahamas yacht charters is the new experiences you won't get on shore. Imagine Bahamas History the whole new world of the sea and outdoor activities you can do, fishing, watching the underwater wildlife, swimming right along with them, sunbathing on a deck with the gentle breezes and salted misty air that can perfect your tan, and being away from all those hustle and bustle on shore. Here are two of some Bahamas yacht charters: Bahamas Boat This Bahamas yacht charter is a crewed and bareboat yacht charter specialist in the Bahamas and Caribbean. They can help you plan private and luxury yacht charters that will fit your taste and budget. They...
Freeport Lucaya And The Bahamas Snorkeling
... being a special customs zone with favorable customs regulation. The Bahamas Freeport is one kind of free trade zone. It is a city on the island of Grand Bahamas located approximately 100 mi (160 km) east-northeast of Fort Lauderdale, South Florida and gives its name to a district of the Bahamas. The Bahamas Freeport is accessible by any vessel. It has a cruise terminal, a container port, a private yacht and ship maintenance facility. Tourism is the major industry in Bahamas Freeport, with over a million visitors each year. Its beaches are popular spots for snorkeling and diving. Since the majority of the tourism industry operators are from the suburbs of Lucaya, the Bahamas Freeport is often promoted as Freeport Lucaya. Freeport is a type of city that...
Bahamas Vacation
... with the beautiful wildlife underwater, sit back, relax and take a sip of the islands famous drink. Dreaming of this? Well this place is not at all a dream, just over the Straits of Florida lays this amazing place of your dreams, The Bahamas Islands. Yes, this incredible island of wonders is real. Sun, sand, and sea are just borders of the Islands of the Bahamas, at its core you'll find open arms, big heart and a way of life that is both ageless and new. So go ahead and plan that Bahamas vacation you've been Bahamas History dreaming of, all it takes is the right planning, preparations, and the perfect Bahamas vacation package to save you a great deal. For your...
Bahamas Snorkeling Vacation And Bahamas Snorkeling
Deadman's Reef remained intact. Now that the resort has finalized all repairs, Paradise Cove and Deadman's Reef is once again open for every Bahamas snorkeling vacation. Two bedroom villa for $195/day or $1225/week Fully equipped and just a step away to the beach P.O. Box F-42771 Freeport, Grand Bahamas Island The Bahamas Tel: 242-349-2677 Fax: 242-349-2003 Email: pcove@batelnet.bs Website: www.deadmansreef.com Bishop's Bonefishing Lodge Bishop's Bonefish Resort has everything you need for an exhilarating Bahamas snorkeling vacation. Located on a Luxurious and secluded beach with 14 miles of pristine white sand and crystal blue waters, it is often enough just to gaze at the wonder and beauty of it all. But it's not skin deep. Bonefish resort is perfect for any Bahamas snorkeling vacation. Single person room is 379 per 3 nights...
Bahamas Food
... some unique species and ingredients at restaurants in Bahamas islands as chefs themselves pride on Bahamas food never being ordinary. Saying 'unique' species and ingredients for Bahamas food is actually literal. Meat from the Conch mollusk is a favorite Bahamas food and is served in almost every way possible, including conch salad, conch fritters, conch burgers, conch chowder, scotched conch, and the ever exotic scorched conch where it is served raw and just washed with seawater and lime juice then rubbed with hot pepper, topped with fresh tomato and onion slices, served on a knife or skewer. So if you're getting that feel of Bahamian lifestyle and spirit, try these Bahamas food to complete a once in a lifetime experience of Bahamian cooking: Souse You may want to start your...
Bahamas Music
... unending blast of all Bahamian beat, sounds, and music. Bahamas music has been decreasing recognition throughout the 20th century partly because of the great influence of American Culture. The Bahamas' proximity to Florida's TV and radio Bahamas History stations, whose signals can be picked up in the Bahamas, has lessened the popularity of Bahamas music, not to mention the arrival of other musical forms such as reggae, soca, and calypso from Jamaica, Cuba and Trinidad among other Caribbean islands. Tourism has also much say in this decreased popularity of the Bahamas music, Japanese, European and North Americans forms of cultural expression with music has been brought into the Bahamian music world. However, Bahamian performers like Joseph Spence have become underground stars playing Junkanoo, Christian hymns, and ant'ems of...
Bahamas
... square miles of the Atlantic Ocean between South Florida and Hispaniola. Most of these islands are uninhabited with its own unique qualities that welcome a degree of opportunities for adventure and seclusion. The islands have much to offer tourism which includes not only the beauty of the islands itself but the local customs and traditions of the Bahamians. The breathtaking emerald and turquoise waters of the Bahamas forms amazing beaches for activities or simply isolation. Limitless winding miles of white or pink sand meets the ocean and lets you experience genuinely endless possible rewards of awe and relaxation. The Bahamas has one of the world's clearest waters with visibility of up to over two hundred feet. Beaches, boating, sailing, snorkeling, diving, fishing, ecotours and water sports are...
Great Adventure In Bahamas Travel And Tours Packages
... the guts, you can watch from the boat, which I would prefer! The SUB adventure in Bahamas travel and tours offers you a submarine experience of a lifetime. This 5-hour trip begins with a submarine orientation by a professional SUB guide, wherein you will learn the basic piloting skills and easy operating and communication procedures. Right after, you will board on the comfortable custom-built 55' support vessel that will take you to one of the famous reefs. A seahorse-shaped submarine propels you at a depth of 15' around a coral reef and together with colorful fish at a speedy two knots. All throughout your submarine adventure, a team of professional SUB guides will supervise and escort you and your friends around an extravagant coral reef, feeding the fish...
Bahamas Resorts
... lot of rooms have balconies with pool or ocean views. The room also includes refrigerators, cable TV, and in-room safes. Room rates start at $112.00. Viva Wyndham Fortuna Beach This three-star all inclusive resort on Grand Bahama's south side sits on a beach of nearly white sand. Two miles from the hotel are the Garden of the Groves, with its botanical Bahamas History gardens, waterfalls, and wildlife. The resort also includes complimentary water sports rentals. They have a beachfront pool and sundeck with poolside bar. You can also available of snorkeling in the coral reef offshore. The two hundred seventy six air-conditioned guestrooms have private balconies with tropical garden views. The resort is all-inclusive that includes various amenities in the room price. Room rates start at $188.00. These are just some of the popular Bahamas resorts that...
Nassau Bahamas
... for adults and 50 cents for children. Arawak Cay This Bahamian 'Fish Fry' locations is on the harbor across from Fort Charlotte, and offers cultural 'goodies' sold by vendors. This place is popular among the locals who usually gather there in the evening especially on weekends. Straw Market For souvenirs you may want to purchase native items and crafts which is located on Bay Street in downtown Nassau. Straw hats, dolls, straw mats, straw baskets, as well as t-shirts can be bought here and they are open from early morning till evening. Queen's Staircase The staircase is 102 feet high and was named in honor of sixty five years of Queen Victoria's reign; this is one of Nassau's most often visited attractions and has just been recently renovated. Other places that you may...
Bahama Mama
... the island of the Bahamas you can never do away with having a try on this drink. It's a combination of an alcohol fruity taste drink that's totally out of this world as well as refreshing and tangy. Who knows you may even want to have more when you get a taste of it. But you don't really need to be in the Bahamas to take a sip on this drink, all you need is its various recipes, and you're on your way to getting that feel of the Bahamian spirit. Here are some Bahama Mama recipes: Bahama Mama (Original Recipe) oz 151 Proof rum oz Coffee liqueur oz Dark rum oz Coconut...
Atlantis Bahamas
... years ago making you wonder and discover how this amazing mythical civilization may have mastered underwater survival when they were sunken into the sea never to be seen again. The Atlantis Bahamas is a majestic palace Bahamas History that rises up out of thirty four acres of waterscape, alluring you into a world of waterfalls, pools, slides, exciting water rides, saltwater habitats and marauder infested lagoons complete with stingrays, barracudas, sharks, and an underwater viewing tunnel. Not putting aside the miles of white sandy beach and the sea. When it comes to food at the Atlantis Bahamas, you have a choice from eighteen restaurants which includes 'Fathoms' offering fresh, luscious seafood from around the world, and 'Five Twins' that offers exotic pacific rim cuisine with sushi and sate...