Capital: Nassau
Location:
Caribbean, chain of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, southeast of Florida (slightly smaller than Connecticut).
Registration Embassy and Consulate:
Americans living in or visiting The Bahamas are encouraged to register at the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Nassau and obtain updated information on travel and security within The Bahamas. The U.S. Embassy is located next to McDonald's restaurant on Queen Street in downtown Nassau; telephone (242) 322-1181, after hours: (242) 328-2206. The Consular Section hours are 9:00 a.m. - 12 noon and 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m., Monday - Friday, except local and U.S. holidays. The U.S. Embassy is also responsible for consular services in the Turks and Caicos Islands, an overseas territory of the United Kingdom. The Consular Information Sheet for the British West Indies provides additional information on the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Background:
Since attaining independence from the UK in 1973, The Bahamas have prospered through tourism and international banking and investment management. Because of its geography, the country is a major transshipment point for illegal drugs, particularly shipments to the US, and its territory is used for smuggling illegal migrants into the US.
Ethnic Groups:
black 85%, white 12%, Asian and Hispanic 3%
Language:
English, Creole (among Haitian immigrants)
Currency:
BSD
Bahamian dollar (BSD)
Bahamian dollars per US dollar - 1.000 (fixed rate pegged to the dollar)
Climate:
Tropical marine; moderated by warm waters of Gulf Stream
Population:
297,852
note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2001 est.)
Religion:
Baptist 32%, Anglican 20%, Roman Catholic 19%, Methodist 6%, Church of God 6%, other Protestant 12%, none or unknown 3%, other 2%
Medical:
Medical care is generally good in Nassau and Freeport, but is limited in other areas. Persons with serious or life-threatening conditions normally must be airlifted to hospitals in the United States for treatment.
There is a chronic shortage of blood at Princess Margaret Hospital in Nassau, where most emergency surgery is performed. Travelers with rare blood types should know the names and location of possible blood donors should the need arise
The Department of State strongly urges Americans to consult with their medical insurance company prior to traveling abroad to confirm whether their policy applies overseas and whether it will cover emergency expenses such as a medical evacuation. U.S. medical insurance plans seldom cover health costs incurred outside the United States unless supplemental coverage is purchased. Further, U.S. Medicare and Medicaid programs do not provide payment for medical services outside the United States. However, many travel agents and private companies offer insurance plans that will cover health care expenses incurred overseas including emergency services such as medical evacuations When making a decision regarding health insurance, Americans should consider that many foreign doctors and hospitals require payment in cash prior to providing service and that a medical evacuation to the U.S. may cost well in excess of $50,000. Uninsured travelers who require medical care overseas often face extreme difficulties, whereas travelers who have purchased overseas medical insurance have, when a medical emergency occurs, found it life-saving. When consulting with your insurer prior to your trip, ascertain whether payment will be made to the overseas healthcare provider or whether you will be reimbursed later for expenses you incur. Some insurance policies also include coverage for psychiatric treatment and for disposition of remains in the event of death.
Useful information on medical emergencies abroad, including overseas insurance programs, is provided in the Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs brochure, Medical Information for Americans Traveling Abroad, available via the Bureau of Consular Affairs home page or autofax: (202) 647-3000.
Information on vaccinations and other health precautions may be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's hotline for international travelers at 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747); fax 1-888-CDC-FAXX (1-888-232-3299); or via CDC's Internet site at http://www.cdc.gov.
Safety:
The water sports industry in The Bahamas is not carefully regulated, and visitors should rent equipment only from reputable operators. Ask about the operator's insurance coverage and insist on sufficient training before using the equipment. A number of Americans have been killed or injured by the improper use of jet-skis and other personal watercraft
Traffic Safety:
While in a foreign country, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the U.S. The information below concerning The Bahamas is provided for general reference only, and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance.
Safety of Public Transportation:
Good
Urban Road Conditions/Maintenance:
Good
Rural Road Conditions/Maintenance:
Fair
Availability of Roadside Assistance:
Fair
Road conditions throughout Nassau and Freeport are generally adequate but drivers should be alert for construction zones, which are not always properly marked. Road travel in other parts of The Bahamas is limited. Some rural roads are narrow, winding, and in poor repair. All drivers, especially those on mopeds, must remember to drive on the left side of the road. Travel by moped or bicycle is very hazardous, especially in the heavy traffic conditions prevalent in Nassau and Freeport, and visitors should carefully consider whether such travel is worth the risk of a serious accident. Those who choose to ride a moped or bicycle should wear a helmet and drive defensively. Pedestrians also should be aware when stepping off curbs that vehicular traffic comes from the right. Death and serious injuries have occurred when visitors failed to adapt to unfamiliar rules of the road.
For additional general information about road safety, including links to foreign government sites, see the Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs home page at http://travel.state.gov/road_safety.html. For specific information concerning Bahamian driving permits, vehicle inspection, road tax and mandatory insurance contact The Bahamas National Tourist Organization offices in New York at.
