Travel Destination - Bahamas
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The Bahamas consist
of 700 low-lying islands, mostly islets (cays or keys) and rocks.
The whole archipelago extends 500 miles southeastward from the coast
of Florida, surrounded by clear, colorful waters. The soil is thin,
but on the more developed islands, cultivation has produced exotic
flowers. On other islands are large areas of pine forest, rocky and
barren land, swamp, and unspoiled beaches. The Bahamas are divided
into two oceanic features, the Little Bahama Bank and the Great
Bahama Bank. The population is 305,000 (estimate for 2000).
The capital of The Bahamas, Nassau, is located on New Providence
Island. In the capital, tourists can shop in the bustling ‘straw
market’, where local vendors create unique straw goods on the spot,
or the more sophisticated shops in Bay Street. The 18th-century Fort
Charlotte, on West Bay Street has a moat, open battlements,
dungeons, and a magnificent view of the harbor. The nearby Ardastra
Gardens have tropical flowers and pink flamingoes. The Queen’s
Staircase, at the top of Elizabeth Avenue, is a 102-foot climb up
steps carved into the limestone leading to Fort Fincastle and the
Water Tower. Built in 1793, Fort Fincastle is in the shape of a
ship’s bow. The Water Tower is the highest point on the island, 216
feet above sea level. An elevator takes visitors to an observation
deck for panoramic views. Many bars, restaurants and discos can be
found along Cable Beach, a two-and-a-half mile stretch of golden
sand, located just three miles outside the city. Paradise Island
boasts some beautiful beaches, a 14-acre aquarium, the island’s
largest casino and a multitude of resorts. Sunbathing, diving,
fishing, and boating are the main daytime amusements on these
islands.
The main towns of Grand Bahama Island are Freeport/Lucaya,
which has an airport, and West End. The island offers wide white
sandy beaches, two casinos and good shopping facilities,
entertainment, and restaurants at the International Bazaar and Port
Lucaya. The Rand Memorial Nature Centre offers an excellent nature
walk and the Garden of the Groves has exotic flowers, waterfalls and
colorful birds.
The largest but probably the least well known of the bigger islands
is Andros. Laced with creeks and densely forested inland, the
interior is still largely untouched and natural. Off the eastern
shore is the 140-mile long coral barrier reef – the world’s third
longest. Beyond the reef, the ocean floor drops away steeply to a
depth of more than 1 mile; called the Tongue of the Ocean,
deep-water fishing here is a major attraction.
The Abacos is a crescent-shaped chain of islands to the north
of New Providence. Many of the towns here have the atmosphere of New
England fishing villages. The islands are particularly noted for
their tradition of shipbuilding, the original 200-year-old practice
of which can still be observed in Man-O-War Cay. Treasure Cay has an
excellent golf course and here, as in the other major islands, there
are excellent leisure facilities. Scuba divers are drawn to Pelican
Cay National Park, an underwater preserve where night dives can be
arranged.
Eleuthera is a narrow island 110 miles long but seldom more
than 2 miles wide. Attractions include the Ocean Hole, Glass Window
Bridge, Harbour Island, Spanish Wells, off the northern tip of the
island, Preacher’s Cave, and the underwater caves at Hatchet Bay.
The scuba diving from Eleuthera is particularly superb.
The waters surrounding the 100-mile chain of islands called the
Exumas have been described by yachtsmen as being the finest
cruising region in the world. There are also spectacular reefs
protected by the Exuma Land and Sea Park.
One of the eastern bulwarks of The Bahamas,
Cat Island has 200-foot cliffs (a rare height for The Bahamas),
dense natural forest and pre-Columbian Arawak Indian caves.
Lying between Andros and Florida, Bimini is widely regarded
as one of the best fishing centers in the world. Hemingway used to
live in Alice Town in Blue Marlin Cottage, and mementoes of his life
can be seen in the local museum.
Berry Island is popular with fishing enthusiasts and also
noted for its serene landscapes and white sand beaches. Great
Harbour Cay has a championship golf course and a marina. Scuba
divers can admire the underwater rock formations and 15-foot
staghorn coral reefs off Mamma Rhoda Rock.
Blue Lagoon Island is an exotic lagoon where visitors can
enjoy close encounters with friendly bottle-nosed dolphins. Regular
45-minute sessions include an educational talk and about 30 minutes
of swimming in the water with the dolphins.
Long Island certainly lives up to its name, being almost 60
miles long but rarely more than 3 miles wide. The landscape consists
of rugged headlands dropping sharply down to the sea, fertile
pastureland, rolling hills and sandy beaches washed by surf. At
Conception Island divers can explore over 30 shipwrecks and tours
are arranged from the Stella Maris resort complex at the north end
of the island.
San Salvador was Columbus’ first landing place in the New
World. Cockburn Town is the main settlement, which is not far from
the spot where Columbus is said to have landed, although other sites
also claim this distinction.
The Out Islands stretch across a huge area of clear ocean and
are fringed with hundreds of miles of white sandy beaches. The
islands have resort facilities for groups of up to 200 people and
are ideal for a relaxing holiday. Though secluded, the islands are
not isolated; they are served by Bahamasair from Nassau and
Freeport.
For more information, contact the travel experts
at Antietam Travel Service, Inc.
Source:
TAdge Destination
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