Location: Caribbean, chain of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, northeast of Cuba and southeast of Florida
Capital: Nassau
Tourist Attraction: Tropical climate, 700 islands, beautiful beaches, coral reefs and mangrove forests await you in The Bahamas. The ideal getaway for a scuba diving or snorkeling enthusiast, the Bahamas thrives on tourism and offshore banking. Popular with American holiday seekers, the Bahamas still has quiet places where you can get away from busy hotels to a serene cay (small island) and relax. A mixture of European, African and indigenous cultures and the rhythms of junkanoo music typify the culture of the Bahamas. Christopher Columbus is believed to have landed at San Salvador in the southern Bahamas in 1492. Watch out for hurricanes, which are an annual feature.
Access: The Bahamas has seven international airports, including the major hubs of Nassau International Airport and Freeport International Airport. There are regular flights from New York, Boston, Miami, Ft Lauderdale and Orlando. Cruise ships and yachts regularly halt at the Bahamas and rented cars provide transport within the larger islands.