The Bahamas is a Caribbean archipelago of 700 islands and 2,400 cays just off usa-state/florida/" data-it-autolink="1">Florida's coast, famous for turquoise shallows, the swimming pigs of Big Major Cay, and offshore finance.
Geography & landscape
Bahamas sits in Caribbean, in the northern hemisphere of North America. With an area of approximately 13,943 km², it is a smaller nation, set in the northern hemisphere and exposed to the sub-tropical climate band typical of its latitude. Its capital, Nassau, lies near coordinates 24.25°, -76°.
The country shares the cultural and geographic context of North America, with neighbouring states and trade routes shaped by its position in the wider Caribbean region. Topography, watersheds and coastline (where present) define the practical realities of agriculture, settlement and transport across Bahamas.
People & society
The population of Bahamas is around 410K. Communities, dialects and customs vary by region, and the country’s sense of identity is shaped by its history, its borders and the everyday rhythms of its towns and cities.
The official language is English, used in government, education and most public life. Regional dialects, minority languages and immigrant communities add further linguistic texture.
Government & politics
Bahamas is structured as a constitutional monarchy. Political authority is exercised through institutions based primarily in Nassau, with the head of state and head of government performing constitutional roles defined by the country’s legal framework. Domestic policy, foreign relations and the administration of public services all flow from this constitutional core.
Economy & currency
The official currency of Bahamas is the Bahamian Dollar (BSD). Monetary policy, banking, taxation and trade are managed nationally, often in coordination with regional and international institutions. Major economic activity tends to cluster around Nassau and other principal urban centres, with secondary economies built on the country’s natural resources, manufacturing capacity and service industries.
Culture & everyday life
The cultural footprint of Bahamas shows up in cuisine, music, sport, religious life, festivals and design. National holidays mark the country’s historical pivots; family meals, café culture and street life follow patterns rooted in geography and tradition. International audiences usually meet Bahamas through its sport, its music, its food, or the global diaspora that carries those things abroad.
Travel essentials
The capital, Nassau, is the natural starting point for first-time visitors. International dialling uses the country code +1-242, and clocks are set to the EST (UTC-5) time zone. ISO standards identify Bahamas as BS (alpha-2) and BHS (alpha-3) — useful when booking flights, decoding number plates, or matching customs paperwork. The flag, 🇧🇸, appears at every border post and on every passport.
By the numbers
Sort or filter the table below to compare key metrics at a glance.
| Metric | Value | Unit / Note |
|---|---|---|
| Capital city | Nassau | — |
| Continent | North America | — |
| Sub-region | Caribbean | — |
| Population | 410K | people |
| Area | 13,943 | km² |
| Currency | Bahamian Dollar (BSD) | — |
| Calling code | +1-242 | international dialling |
| Time zone | EST (UTC-5) | standard time |
| Government type | Constitutional monarchy | — |
| ISO 3166 alpha-2 | BS | 2-letter code |
| ISO 3166 alpha-3 | BHS | 3-letter code |
| Latitude | 24.25 | degrees |
| Longitude | -76 | degrees |
Did you know?
The Bahamas' Dean's Blue Hole is the world's deepest known underwater sinkhole at 202 metres deep.
