The Archipelago
The Bahamian archipelago starts only 55 miles off the Florida coast less than an hour's flight from Miami. Consisting of more than 700 islands, 20 of which are inhabited, the Bahamas cover over 100,000 sq miles of the Atlantic. Long Island is in the south-central Bahamas.
Tourist Destinations
The main tourist destinations are New Providence Island (especially the capital Nassau) and Grand Bahama Island. Long Island is one of the quieter Out Islands, which are slower paced with peaceful beaches, and are reached by boat or plane from Nassau.
Other Information
Population of The Bahamas: 300,000
Languages: English, English Creole
Time Zone: Eastern Standard Time
Currency: The Bahamian Dollar. One Bahamian Dollar is roughly equivalent to one U.S. dollar. Travellers cheques and major credit cards are widely accepted.
Climate: The climate varies little during the year due to the refreshing presence of the Trade Winds that continually blow through the islands. Average temperatures from December to May are 70'-75'F rising to around 80'-85'F for the rest of the year. Entry Requirements: Passport. Visitors from North America may enter if they have a birth certificate and one piece of ID bearing a photograph.
Telecommunications: AT&T, MCI and Sprint long distance service cards are all recommended.
Internet: Broadband is available in some parts of The Bahamas, including Long Island
Electricity: Electricity is normally 120 volts AC. American appliances are fully compatible.
Vaccinations: A vaccination against yellow fever is required if you're arriving from an infected area. Otherwise, no special shots are required.
Economy: Tourism accounts for half of all revenues. The tourist industry employs 40% of the work force whilst the remainder is engaged in traditional fishing and agriculture or in administration. There is a burgeoning major international financial services sector focusing mainly on banking and insurance.
People: The population is a melting pot of cultures. There are many descendants of African slaves from the colonies and the U.S. as well as descendants of the original English settlers. There are other immigrant communities from Haiti, Syria, Greece and China. Over half the population lives on New Providence.