Bahamas
Bahamas
- Capital
- Nassau
- Population
- 393,248
- Region
- Americas
- Languages
- English
The Bahamas is home to the world's third longest underwater limestone cave system, located within the Lucayan National Park. This intricate network of tunnels was formed thousands of years ago during the ice ages when sea levels were significantly lower. Divers can explore distinct ecosystems within these caves, which have revealed fossils of extinct tortoises and unique species of blind shrimp. The park also serves as a vital research site for understanding the geological evolution of the Caribbean archipelago.
Currency
The official currency is the Bahamian Dollar, which carries the ISO code BSD. It is maintained at a fixed 1-to-1 exchange rate with the United States Dollar, making the two currencies used interchangeably throughout the islands. Historically, the Bahamas was the first Commonwealth country to introduce a square-shaped coin, the fifteen-cent piece, which remains a popular collector's item today.
Flag symbolism
The flag features a black equilateral triangle at the hoist, which represents the enterprise and determination of the Bahamian people to develop their land and sea. Three horizontal bands of aquamarine and gold run across the fly, with the gold center representing the sun and the natural resources of the islands. The aquamarine bands on the top and bottom symbolize the surrounding waters of the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. This design was adopted in 1973 to mark the nation's independence and move away from British colonial iconography.
Emblem history
The Bahamian coat of arms features a shield supported by a marlin and a flamingo, which are the national animals representing the sea and the land respectively. Atop the shield sits a traditional helmet and a conch shell, symbolizing the diverse marine life that has sustained the islands for centuries. The central shield protects an image of the Santa María, the flagship of Christopher Columbus, commemorating his 1492 landing in the islands. Below the shield, the national motto 'Forward, Upward, Onward Together' reflects the collective spirit of the nation since its official grant in 1971.