The Bahamas

The Bahamas is a country made up of a large group of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean. Officially known as the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, the country is located between the U.S. state of Florida and the island nation of Cuba. It is part of the wider Caribbean region and the Lucayan Archipelago, alongside the Turks and Caicos Islands.

The total land area of the Bahamas is about 5,380 square miles. The country consists of about 700 small and medium-sized islands and more than 2,000 cays, with Andros Island being the largest. Nassau, the capital and largest city, is located on the island of New Providence and serves as the main administrative, legislative, commercial, cultural, and educational center of the country.

Although the islands are spread across a very large maritime area of the Atlantic Ocean, only around 30 to 40 of them are inhabited. Most of the islands are low-lying and relatively flat, with very few hills. The Bahamas has a low average elevation, and its highest point is Mount Alvernia (also known as Como Hill), which rises about 206 feet above sea level on Cat Island.

Administratively, the country is divided into several districts, including New Providence, where Nassau is located. Major cities and towns in the Bahamas include Freeport, Lucaya, West End, Cooper’s Town, George Town, High Rock, Clarence Town, and others.