11 Things You Didn’t Know About The Bahamas

The Bahamas is best known as a Caribbean tourist destination but actually, it’s not, see No.6 on this list.  In sports, in international relations,  in its wildlife, and geography The Bahamas is unique. Don’t believe me?  Keep reading to see what I mean.   Here are 11 facts that you probably didn’t know:

Satellite photo of The Bahama Island (Photo: Courtesy of Wikimedia)                                                

1. The Underground Railroad

It has recently been discovered that The Bahamas actually served as the southern end of the Underground Railroad.  Slaves were smuggled from the slave-holding states of the US to The Bahamas which as a British colony had outlawed slavery in 1834.

2. The Olympics

The Bahamas has won the Olympics on several occasions.  Medal count at the Games means little since some countries have large pools of people from which to produce athletes.  Another method (more preferable to smaller countries) is to divide the total number of medals by the number of people in the population.  Using that standard, The Bahamas has won every Olympics from Athens in 2000 to Beijing 2012.  

3. World Record

The Central Bank of The Bahamas created the world’s largest denomination coin not subject to hyperinflation.  The face value is $2,500 and it is made from one pound of 22 carat gold.

$2,500 Gold Coin – Photo: Coinfacts Wiki

4. International Affairs

The Nassau Agreement was signed by US President John F. Kennedy and Harold McMillan, Prime Minister of Great Britain on the 21st of December 1962.  After three days of negotiation, the US agreed to replace the Air-launched Skybolt nuclear missile with the submarine-launched Polaris missile in Britain’s arsenal. While this is called the Nassau Agreement it was actually completed in Lyford Cay, a community about 14 miles west of the capital city of Nassau.

A Polaris missile lifts off after being fired from the submerged British submarine HMS REVENGE   – Photo: Wikipedia

5. The International Stage

Speaking of agreements that had international implications, The Nassau Accord of 1985 was signed at the 8th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). The Commonwealth of Nations is a group of 53 countries that are former British colonies containing one-third of the world’s population.  The group met, along with Queen Elizabeth II, in Nassau, Bahamas and the majority of representatives signed the accord which placed economic sanctions on South Africa for its policy of Apartheid. Much of the meetings were led by former  Bahamian Prime Minister, Sir Lynden Oscar Pindling.  Nelson Mandela visited The Bahamas in 1994.

In this picture published on January 5, 1994, African National Congress President Nelson Mandela visited Resorts International’s Paradise Island and lunched with Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham. Shown L to R: Barry Farrington VP Resorts International, Nelson Mandela, Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham MP and Michael Williams VP Resorts International. Photo: The Tribune.

6. The Caribbean

Famous for its sun, sand, and sea as well as its proximity to the United States, The Bahamas is not actually part of the Caribbean.  Caribbean countries comprise those islands that surround the Caribbean Sea. The Bahamas actually sits in The Atlantic Ocean.  The Bahamas is the country most immigrated to in the region.  The result is a population explosion greater than any other nearby country.  There were 153,000 residents in 1967 which was less than the population of Barbados. Today, there are almost 400,000 residents which is greater than the population of Iceland.

7. Government

The Bahamas has had representative legislative government longer than The United States.  The first Parliament convened in 1729. 

Statue of first Royal Governor of The Bahamas, Sir Woodes Rodgers.  (He is reaching for his gun) Photo: Wikipedia

8. James Bond

Ever wondered why the underwater scenes in James Bond movies are so clear?  You Only Live Twice, The Spy Who Loved Me, For Your Eyes Only and The World Is Not Enough all had their underwater scenes filmed in The Bahamas.

Plus, The best and coolest James Bond EVER, lived here. Sir Sean Connery resided in Lyford Cay.

Sir Sean Connery at his villa in Lyford Cay – Bahamas
Photo: jamesbondlifestyle.com

 9. Wildlife

Do you love shark week on The Discovery Channel? Who doesn’t? Look closely and you’ll see that much of the footage is shot in The Bahamas where over 40 species of sharks are protected. Shark bites are rare but American tourists are bitten more often than Bahamian residents. This is probably because Bahamians are taught from childhood that a step into the water is a step down the food chain. Please don’t let that discourage you from visiting!   The Bahamas has several terrestrial species that are also protected, such as the flamingo, the hutia and the recently discovered Silver Boa.  

10. Freediving mecca

Dean’s Blue Hole on Long Island is a freediving mecca.   The blue hole is one of the deepest in the world, plunging to 663 feet and it is easily accessed from the shore, which is why it is so popular among competitive free divers.  It’s easy accessibility also makes it deadly. Dean’s Blue Hole has claimed the lives of five people in the last 10 years.

11. Christopher Columbus

Columbus,  never actually set foot in what is now called, the Americas.  He first landed on an island in the archipelago, he named San Salvador.  

Columbus Monument San Salvador – Photo: James St. John

Conclusion

Like I said at the beginning, we are unique.  If you found anything really surprising and need more information, ask me in the comments and I’ll answer.