2017 Edition

Background

Lucayan Indians inhabited the islands when Christopher COLUMBUS first set foot in the New World on San Salvador in 1492. British settlement of the islands began in 1647; the islands became a colony in 1783. Piracy thrived in the 17th and 18th centuries because of The Bahamas close proximity to shipping lanes. Since attaining independence from the UK in 1973, The Bahamas has prospered through tourism, international banking, and investment management. Because of its location, the country is a major transshipment point for illegal drugs, particularly shipments to the US and Europe, and its territory is used for smuggling illegal migrants into the US.

Area

13,880 sq km 10,010 sq km 3,870 sq km

land

10,010 sq km

total

13,880 sq km

water

3,870 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly smaller than Connecticut

Climate

tropical marine; moderated by warm waters of Gulf Stream

Coastline

3,542 km

Elevation

NA lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Alvernia on Cat Island 64 m

elevation extremes

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

highest point

Mount Alvernia on Cat Island 64 m

mean elevation

NA

Environment - current issues

coral reef decay; solid waste disposal

Environment - international agreements

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands none of the selected agreements

party to

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified

none of the selected agreements

Geographic coordinates

24 15 N, 76 00 W

Geography - note

strategic location adjacent to US and Cuba; extensive island chain of which 30 are inhabited

Irrigated land

10 sq km (2012)

Land boundaries

0 km

Land use

1.4% arable land 0.8%; permanent crops 0.4%; permanent pasture 0.2% 51.4% 47.2% (2011 est.)

agricultural land

1.4%

forest

51.4%

other

47.2% (2011 est.)

Location

chain of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, southeast of Florida, northeast of Cuba

Map references

Central America and the Caribbean

Maritime claims

12 nm 200 nm

exclusive economic zone

200 nm

territorial sea

12 nm

Natural hazards

hurricanes and other tropical storms cause extensive flood and wind damage

Natural resources

salt, aragonite, timber, arable land

Population - distribution

most of the population lives in urban areas, with two-thirds living on New Providence Island where Nassau is located

Terrain

long, flat coral formations with some low rounded hills

Age structure

22.55% (male 37,760/female 36,667) 16.4% (male 27,415/female 26,703) 44.14% (male 73,016/female 72,626) 9.16% (male 13,647/female 16,567) 7.75% (male 9,843/female 15,744) (2017 est.)

0-14 years

22.55% (male 37,760/female 36,667)

15-24 years

16.4% (male 27,415/female 26,703)

25-54 years

44.14% (male 73,016/female 72,626)

55-64 years

9.16% (male 13,647/female 16,567)

65 years and over

7.75% (male 9,843/female 15,744) (2017 est.)

Birth rate

15.3 births/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Death rate

7.2 deaths/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Dependency ratios

40.8 29.1 11.7 8.5 (2015 est.)

elderly dependency ratio

11.7

potential support ratio

8.5 (2015 est.)

total dependency ratio

40.8

youth dependency ratio

29.1

Drinking water source

urban: 98.4% of population rural: 98.4% of population total: 98.4% of population urban: 1.6% of population rural: 1.6% of population total: 1.6% of population (2015 est.)

rural

1.6% of population

total

1.6% of population (2015 est.)

urban

1.6% of population

Education expenditures

NA

Ethnic groups

black 90.6%, white 4.7%, black and white 2.1%, other 1.9%, unspecified 0.7% (2010 est.)

Health expenditures

7.7% of GDP (2014)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

3.3% (2016 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

8,200 (2016 est.)

Hospital bed density

2.9 beds/1,000 population (2011)

Infant mortality rate

11.3 deaths/1,000 live births 11.4 deaths/1,000 live births 11.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)

female

11.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)

male

11.4 deaths/1,000 live births

total

11.3 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

English (official), Creole (among Haitian immigrants)

Life expectancy at birth

72.6 years 70.2 years 75.1 years (2017 est.)

female

75.1 years (2017 est.)

male

70.2 years

total population

72.6 years

Major urban areas - population

NASSAU (capital) 267,000 (2014)

Maternal mortality rate

80 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)

Median age

32 years 30.9 years 33.2 years (2017 est.)

female

33.2 years (2017 est.)

male

30.9 years

total

32 years

Nationality

Bahamian(s) Bahamian

adjective

Bahamian

noun

Bahamian(s)

Net migration rate

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

31.6% (2016)

Physicians density

2.72 physicians/1,000 population (2008)

Population

329,988 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, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2017 est.)

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, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2017 est.)

Population distribution

most of the population lives in urban areas, with two-thirds living on New Providence Island where Nassau is located

Population growth rate

0.81% (2017 est.)

Religions

Protestant 69.9% (includes Baptist 34.9%, Anglican 13.7%, Pentecostal 8.9% Seventh Day Adventist 4.4%, Methodist 3.6%, Church of God 1.9%, Brethren 1.6%), Roman Catholic 12%, other Christian 13% (includes Jehovah's Witness 1.1%), other 0.6%, none 1.9%, unspecified 2.6% (2010 est.)

Sanitation facility access

urban: 92% of population rural: 92% of population total: 92% of population urban: 8% of population rural: 8% of population total: 8% of population (2015 est.)

rural

8% of population

total

8% of population (2015 est.)

urban

8% of population

Sex ratio

1.03 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female 0.81 male(s)/female 0.62 male(s)/female 0.96 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

0-14 years

1.03 male(s)/female

15-24 years

1.03 male(s)/female

25-54 years

1 male(s)/female

55-64 years

0.81 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.62 male(s)/female

at birth

1.03 male(s)/female

total population

0.96 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.94 children born/woman (2017 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

30.8% 29.6% 32.2% (2012 est.)

female

32.2% (2012 est.)

male

29.6%

total

30.8%

Urbanization

83% of total population (2017) 1.21% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

rate of urbanization

1.21% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

urban population

83% of total population (2017)

Administrative divisions

31 districts; Acklins Islands, Berry Islands, Bimini, Black Point, Cat Island, Central Abaco, Central Andros, Central Eleuthera, City of Freeport, Crooked Island and Long Cay, East Grand Bahama, Exuma, Grand Cay, Harbour Island, Hope Town, Inagua, Long Island, Mangrove Cay, Mayaguana, Moore's Island, North Abaco, North Andros, North Eleuthera, Ragged Island, Rum Cay, San Salvador, South Abaco, South Andros, South Eleuthera, Spanish Wells, West Grand Bahama

Capital

Nassau 25 05 N, 77 21 W UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC, during Standard Time) +1hr, begins second Sunday in March; ends first Sunday in November

daylight saving time

+1hr, begins second Sunday in March; ends first Sunday in November

geographic coordinates

25 05 N, 77 21 W

name

Nassau

time difference

UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Citizenship

no at least one parent must be a citizen of The Bahamas no 6-9 years

citizenship by birth

no

citizenship by descent only

at least one parent must be a citizen of The Bahamas

dual citizenship recognized

no

residency requirement for naturalization

6-9 years

Constitution

previous 1964 (preindependence); latest adopted 20 June 1973, effective 10 July 1973; amended many times, last in 2016 (2016)

Country name

Commonwealth of The Bahamas The Bahamas name derives from the Spanish "baha mar," meaning "shallow sea," which describes the shallow waters of the Bahama Banks

conventional long form

Commonwealth of The Bahamas

conventional short form

The Bahamas

etymology

name derives from the Spanish "baha mar," meaning "shallow sea," which describes the shallow waters of the Bahama Banks

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador (vacant); Charge d' Affaires Lisa A. JOHNSON (since 9 July 2014) 42 Queen Street, Nassau, New Providence local or express mail address: P. O. Box N-8197, Nassau; US Department of State, 3370 Nassau Place, Washington, DC 20521-3370 [1] (242) 322-1181, 328-2206 (after hours) [1] (242) 356-7174

chief of mission

Ambassador (vacant); Charge d' Affaires Lisa A. JOHNSON (since 9 July 2014)

embassy

42 Queen Street, Nassau, New Providence

FAX

[1] (242) 356-7174

mailing address

local or express mail address: P. O. Box N-8197, Nassau; US Department of State, 3370 Nassau Place, Washington, DC 20521-3370

telephone

[1] (242) 322-1181, 328-2206 (after hours)

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Dr. Eugene Glenwood NEWRY (since 3 December 2013) 2220 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 319-2660 [1] (202) 319-2668 Atlanta, Miami, New York

chancery

2220 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador Dr. Eugene Glenwood NEWRY (since 3 December 2013)

consulate(s) general

Atlanta, Miami, New York

FAX

[1] (202) 319-2668

telephone

[1] (202) 319-2660

Executive branch

Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General Dame Marguerite PINDLING (since 8 July 2014) Prime Minister Hubert MINNIS (since 11 May 2017) Cabinet appointed by governor general on recommendation of prime minister the monarchy is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition usually appointed prime minister by the governor general; the prime minister recommends the deputy prime minister

cabinet

Cabinet appointed by governor general on recommendation of prime minister

chief of state

Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General Dame Marguerite PINDLING (since 8 July 2014)

elections/appointments

the monarchy is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition usually appointed prime minister by the governor general; the prime minister recommends the deputy prime minister

head of government

Prime Minister Hubert MINNIS (since 11 May 2017)

Flag description

three equal horizontal bands of aquamarine (top), gold, and aquamarine, with a black equilateral triangle based on the hoist side; the band colors represent the golden beaches of the islands surrounded by the aquamarine sea; black represents the vigor and force of a united people, while the pointing triangle indicates the enterprise and determination of the Bahamian people to develop the rich resources of land and sea

Government type

parliamentary democracy (Parliament) under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm

Independence

10 July 1973 (from the UK)

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt

International organization participation

ACP, AOSIS, C, Caricom, CDB, CELAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, LAES, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, Petrocaribe, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer)

Judicial branch

Court of Appeal (consists of the court president and 4 justices, organized in 3-member panels); Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and a maximum of 11 and a minimum of 2 justices) as of 2008, the Bahamas was not a party to the agreement establishing the Caribbean Court of Justice as the highest appellate court for the 15-member Caribbean Community (CARICOM); the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (in London) serves as the final court of appeal for The Bahamas Court of Appeal president and Supreme Court chief justice appointed by the governor-general on the advice of the prime minister after consultation with the leader of the opposition party; other Court of Appeal and Supreme Court justices appointed by the governor general upon recommendation of the Judicial and Legal Services Commission, a 5-member body headed by the chief justice; Court of Appeal justices appointed for life with mandatory retirement normally at age 68 but can be extended until age 70; Supreme Court justices appointed for life with mandatory retirement normally at age 65 but can be extended until age 67 Industrial Tribunal; Stipendiary and Magistrates' Courts; Family Island Administrators

highest resident court(s)

Court of Appeal (consists of the court president and 4 justices, organized in 3-member panels); Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and a maximum of 11 and a minimum of 2 justices)

judge selection and term of office

Court of Appeal president and Supreme Court chief justice appointed by the governor-general on the advice of the prime minister after consultation with the leader of the opposition party; other Court of Appeal and Supreme Court justices appointed by the governor general upon recommendation of the Judicial and Legal Services Commission, a 5-member body headed by the chief justice; Court of Appeal justices appointed for life with mandatory retirement normally at age 68 but can be extended until age 70; Supreme Court justices appointed for life with mandatory retirement normally at age 65 but can be extended until age 67

note

as of 2008, the Bahamas was not a party to the agreement establishing the Caribbean Court of Justice as the highest appellate court for the 15-member Caribbean Community (CARICOM); the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (in London) serves as the final court of appeal for The Bahamas

subordinate courts

Industrial Tribunal; Stipendiary and Magistrates' Courts; Family Island Administrators

Legal system

common law system based on the English model

Legislative branch

bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (16 seats; members appointed by the governor general upon the advice of the prime minister and the opposition leader to serve 5-year terms) and the House of Assembly (39 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve 5-year terms); note - the government may dissolve the parliament and call elections at any time last held on 10 May 2017 (next to be held by May 2022) percent of vote by party - FNM 57%, PLP 36.9%, other 6.1%; seats by party - FNM 35, PLP 4

description

bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (16 seats; members appointed by the governor general upon the advice of the prime minister and the opposition leader to serve 5-year terms) and the House of Assembly (39 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve 5-year terms); note - the government may dissolve the parliament and call elections at any time

election results

percent of vote by party - FNM 57%, PLP 36.9%, other 6.1%; seats by party - FNM 35, PLP 4

elections

last held on 10 May 2017 (next to be held by May 2022)

National anthem

"March On, Bahamaland!" Timothy GIBSON adopted 1973; as a Commonwealth country, in addition to the national anthem, "God Save the Queen" serves as the royal anthem (see United Kingdom)

lyrics/music

Timothy GIBSON

name

"March On, Bahamaland!"

note

adopted 1973; as a Commonwealth country, in addition to the national anthem, "God Save the Queen" serves as the royal anthem (see United Kingdom)

National holiday

Independence Day, 10 July (1973)

National symbol(s)

blue marlin, flamingo, Yellow Elder flower; national colors: aquamarine, yellow, black

blue marlin, flamingo, Yellow Elder flower; national colors

aquamarine, yellow, black

Political parties and leaders

Democratic National Alliance or DNA [Branville MCCARTNEY] Free National Movement or FNM [Hubert MINNIS] Progressive Liberal Party or PLP [Philip "Brave" DAVIS]

Political pressure groups and leaders

Friends of the Environment [Wynsome FERGUSON] trade unions

other

trade unions

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

citrus, vegetables; poultry

Budget

$2 billion $2.5 billion (2016 est.)

expenditures

$2.5 billion (2016 est.)

revenues

$2 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-5.6% of GDP (2016 est.)

Central bank discount rate

4.5% (1 January 2014) 4.5% (31 December 2012)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

4.8% (31 December 2016 est.) 4.75% (31 December 2015 est.)

Current account balance

$-1.126 billion (2016 est.) $-1.203 billion (2015 est.)

Debt - external

$17.56 billion (31 December 2013 est.) $16.35 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Economy - overview

The Bahamas has the second highest per capital GDP in the English-speaking Caribbean with an economy heavily dependent on tourism and international banking. Tourism accounts for approximately 75-80% of GDP and directly or indirectly employs half of the archipelago's labor force. Financial services constitute the second-most important sector of the Bahamian economy, accounting for about 15% of GDP. Manufacturing and agriculture combined contribute less than 7% of GDP and show little growth, despite government incentives aimed at those sectors. On January 1, 2015, the Government introduced a 7.5% Value Added Tax (VAT) on most goods and services, a measure designed to strengthen the fiscal balance sheet. In August 2016, Moody’s downgraded the Bahamas’ bond and issue ratings to Baa3 from Baa2 with a stable outlook, maintaining that rating in its February 2017 review. In December 2016, S&P downgraded the country to BB+ (speculative grade) from BBB- (investment grade) with a stable outlook based on projections of slow economic growth and the pace of debt accumulation. The Bahamas is the only country in the Western Hemisphere that is not a member of the World Trade Organization.

Exchange rates

Bahamian dollars (BSD) per US dollar - 1 (2016 est.) 1 (2015 est.) 1 (2014 est.) 1 (2013 est.) 1 (2012 est.)

Exports

$444.3 million (2016 est.) $520.6 million (2015 est.)

Exports - commodities

Rock lobster, aragonite, crude salt, polystyrene products

Exports - partners

US 53.4%, Namibia 31.4% (2016)

Fiscal year

1 July - 30 June

GDP - composition, by end use

66.1% 16.8% 26.8% 1% 37.1% -47.9% (2016 est.)

exports of goods and services

37.1%

government consumption

16.8%

household consumption

66.1%

imports of goods and services

-47.9% (2016 est.)

investment in fixed capital

26.8%

investment in inventories

1%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

2.2% 7.6% 90.1% (2016 est.)

agriculture

2.2%

industry

7.6%

services

90.1% (2016 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$24,500 (2016 est.) $24,800 (2015 est.) $25,500 (2014 est.) data are in 2016 dollars

note

data are in 2016 dollars

GDP - real growth rate

-0.3% (2016 est.) -1.7% (2015 est.) -0.5% (2014 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$8.717 billion (2016 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$9.017 billion (2016 est.) $8.926 billion (2015 est.) $8.98 billion (2014 est.) data are in 2016 dollars

note

data are in 2016 dollars

Gross national saving

13.4% of GDP (2016 est.) 13.6% of GDP (2015 est.) 9.3% of GDP (2014 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

1% 22% (2007 est.)

highest 10%

22% (2007 est.)

lowest 10%

1%

Imports

$2.594 billion (2016 est.) $2.954 billion (2015 est.)

Imports - commodities

machinery and transport equipment, manufactures, chemicals, mineral fuels; food and live animals

Imports - partners

US 81.8% (2016)

Industrial production growth rate

1.5% (2016 est.)

Industries

tourism, banking, oil bunkering, maritime industries, transshipment and logistics, salt, aragonite, pharmaceuticals

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

0.8% (2016 est.) 1.9% (2015 est.)

Labor force

196,900 (2013 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

3% 11% 49% 37% (2011 est.)

agriculture

3%

industry

11%

other services

37% (2011 est.)

tourism

49%

Market value of publicly traded shares

$2.78 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Population below poverty line

9.3% (2010 est.)

Public debt

66.9% of GDP (2016 est.) 64.5% of GDP (2015 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$1.002 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $895.5 million (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of broad money

$6.622 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $6.239 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$9.1 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $8.922 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$2.461 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $2.087 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

22.4% of GDP (2016 est.)

Unemployment rate

12.2% (2016 est.) 15.8% (2013 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

4.1 million Mt (2013 est.)

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2017 es)

Electricity - consumption

1.681 billion kWh (2015 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

99.8% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

0% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0.2% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

577,000 kW (2015 est.)

Electricity - production

1.807 billion kWh (2015 est.)

Electricity access

100% (2016)

electrification - total population

100% (2016)

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2009 es)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

24,000 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

922.7 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

26,330 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Broadcast media

The Bahamas has 4 major TV providers that provide service to all major islands in the archipelago; 1 TV station is operated by government-owned, commercially run Broadcasting Corporation of the Bahamas (BCB) and competes freely with 3 privately owned TV stations; multi-channel cable TV subscription service is widely available; there are 31 licensed broadcast (radio) service providers, 28 are privately owned FM radio stations operating on New Providence, Grand Bahama Island, Abaco Island, and on smaller islands in the country; the BCB operates a multi-channel radio broadcasting network that has national coverage; the sector is regulated by the Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority (2017)

Internet country code

.bs

Internet users

261,853 80.0% (July 2016 est.)

percent of population

80.0% (July 2016 est.)

total

261,853

Telephone system

modern facilities totally automatic system; highly developed; the Bahamas Domestic Submarine Network links all of the major islands; Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) privatized in 2011, but the government reacquired 51% share in 2014 country code - 1-242; landing point for the Americas Region Caribbean Ring System (ARCOS-1) and two additional fiber-optic submarine cables that provide links to South and Central America, parts of the Caribbean, and the US; satellite earth stations - 2 (2017)

domestic

totally automatic system; highly developed; the Bahamas Domestic Submarine Network links all of the major islands; Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) privatized in 2011, but the government reacquired 51% share in 2014

general assessment

modern facilities

international

country code - 1-242; landing point for the Americas Region Caribbean Ring System (ARCOS-1) and two additional fiber-optic submarine cables that provide links to South and Central America, parts of the Caribbean, and the US; satellite earth stations - 2 (2017)

Telephones - fixed lines

121,088 37 (July 2016 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

37 (July 2016 est.)

total subscriptions

121,088

Telephones - mobile cellular

360,200 110 (July 2016 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

110 (July 2016 est.)

total

360,200

Airports

61 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

7 (2017)

1,524 to 2,437 m

13

2,438 to 3,047 m

2

914 to 1,523 m

7 (2017)

over 3,047 m

2

total

24

Airports - with unpaved runways

17 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

4

914 to 1,523 m

16

total

37

under 914 m

17 (2013)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

C6 (2016)

Heliports

1 (2013)

Merchant marine

1,160 barge carrier 1, bulk carrier 238, cargo 170, carrier 2, chemical tanker 87, combination ore/oil 8, container 57, liquefied gas 71, passenger 102, passenger/cargo 26, petroleum tanker 225, refrigerated cargo 97, roll on/roll off 13, specialized tanker 2, vehicle carrier 61 1,069 (Angola 6, Australia 1, Belgium 6, Bermuda 15, Brazil 1, Canada 96, Croatia 1, Cyprus 23, Denmark 69, Finland 8, France 15, Germany 30, Greece 225, Guernsey 6, Hong Kong 3, Indonesia 2, Ireland 3, Italy 1, Japan 88, Jordan 2, Kuwait 1, Malaysia 13, Monaco 8, Montenegro 2, Netherlands 23, Nigeria 2, Norway 186, Poland 34, Saudi Arabia 16, Singapore 7, South Korea 1, Spain 6, Sweden 11, Switzerland 1, Thailand 4, Turkey 3, UAE 23, UK 18, US 109) 6 (Panama 6) (2010)

by type

barge carrier 1, bulk carrier 238, cargo 170, carrier 2, chemical tanker 87, combination ore/oil 8, container 57, liquefied gas 71, passenger 102, passenger/cargo 26, petroleum tanker 225, refrigerated cargo 97, roll on/roll off 13, specialized tanker 2, vehicle carrier 61

foreign-owned

1,069 (Angola 6, Australia 1, Belgium 6, Bermuda 15, Brazil 1, Canada 96, Croatia 1, Cyprus 23, Denmark 69, Finland 8, France 15, Germany 30, Greece 225, Guernsey 6, Hong Kong 3, Indonesia 2, Ireland 3, Italy 1, Japan 88, Jordan 2, Kuwait 1, Malaysia 13, Monaco 8, Montenegro 2, Netherlands 23, Nigeria 2, Norway 186, Poland 34, Saudi Arabia 16, Singapore 7, South Korea 1, Spain 6, Sweden 11, Switzerland 1, Thailand 4, Turkey 3, UAE 23, UK 18, US 109)

registered in other countries

6 (Panama 6) (2010)

total

1,160

National air transport system

587,516 172,730 mt-km (2015)

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers

172,730 mt-km (2015)

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers

587,516

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers

16

number of registered air carriers

4

Ports and terminals

Freeport, Nassau, South Riding Point Freeport (1,116,272)(2011) Nassau

container port(s) (TEUs)

Freeport (1,116,272)(2011)

cruise port(s)

Nassau

major seaport(s)

Freeport, Nassau, South Riding Point

Roadways

2,700 km 1,620 km 1,080 km (2011)

paved

1,620 km

total

2,700 km

unpaved

1,080 km (2011)

Military branches

Royal Bahamas Defense Force: Land Force, Navy, Air Wing (2011)

Royal Bahamas Defense Force

Land Force, Navy, Air Wing (2011)

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age for voluntary male and female service; no conscription (2012)

Disputes - international

disagrees with the US on the alignment of the northern axis of a potential maritime boundary

Illicit drugs

transshipment point for cocaine and marijuana bound for US and Europe; offshore financial center

Refugees and internally displaced persons

11 (2016)

stateless persons

11 (2016)