Page last updated on December 17, 2013

Introduction:
Background:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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. Since attaining independence from the UK in 1973, The Bahamas has prospered through tourism, 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 Europe, and its territory is used for smuggling illegal migrants into the US.
Geography:
Location:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
chain of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, southeast of Florida, northeast of Cuba
Geographic coordinates:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
24 15 N, 76 00 W
Map references:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Central America and the Caribbean
Area:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 13,880 sq km
country comparison to the world: 161
land: 10,010 sq km
water: 3,870 sq km
Area - comparative:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
slightly smaller than Connecticut
Land boundaries:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 km
Coastline:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3,542 km
Maritime claims:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
tropical marine; moderated by warm waters of Gulf Stream
Terrain:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
long, flat coral formations with some low rounded hills
Elevation extremes:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mount Alvernia on Cat Island 63 m
Natural resources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
salt, aragonite, timber, arable land
Land use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
arable land: 0.65%
permanent crops: 0.29%
other: 99.06% (2011)
Irrigated land:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
10 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0.02 cu km (2011)
Natural hazards:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
hurricanes and other tropical storms cause extensive flood and wind damage
Environment - current issues:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
coral reef decay; solid waste disposal
Environment - international agreements:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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
Geography - note:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
strategic location adjacent to US and Cuba; extensive island chain of which 30 are inhabited
People and Society:
Nationality:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
noun: Bahamian(s)
adjective: Bahamian
Ethnic groups:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
black 85%, white 12%, Asian and Hispanic 3%
Languages:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
English (official), Creole (among Haitian immigrants)
Religions:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Protestant 67.6% (Baptist 35.4%, Anglican 15.1%, Pentecostal 8.1%, Church of God 4.8%, Methodist 4.2%), Roman Catholic 13.5%, other Christian 15.2%, none or unspecified 2.9%, other 0.8% (2000 census)
Population:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
319,031 (July 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 179
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
Age structure:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0-14 years: 23.6% (male 38,174/female 37,066)
15-24 years: 17.5% (male 28,306/female 27,562)
25-54 years: 44.1% (male 70,093/female 70,608)
55-64 years: 8.1% (male 11,371/female 14,355)
65 years and over: 6.7% (male 8,233/female 13,263) (2013 est.)
population pyramid: "> Dependency ratios:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total dependency ratio: 40.9 %
youth dependency ratio: 30 %
elderly dependency ratio: 10.8 %
potential support ratio: 9.2 (2013)
Median age:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 30.8 years
male: 29.7 years
female: 32 years (2013 est.)
Population growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0.89% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 127
Birth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
15.81 births/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 126
Death rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
6.96 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 135
Net migration rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 77
Urbanization:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
urban population: 84% of total population (2010)
rate of urbanization: 1.3% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
Major urban areas - population:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NASSAU (capital) 254,000 (2011)
Sex ratio:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 0.99 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 0.79 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.62 male(s)/female
total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2013 est.)
Maternal mortality rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
47 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)
country comparison to the world: 112
Infant mortality rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 12.89 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 126
male: 12.9 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 12.88 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total population: 71.69 years
country comparison to the world: 141
male: 69.25 years
female: 74.19 years (2013 est.)
Total fertility rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.97 children born/woman (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 132
Health expenditures:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
7.7% of GDP (2011)
country comparison to the world: 67
Physicians density:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2.82 physicians/1,000 population (2008)
Hospital bed density:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3.1 beds/1,000 population (2010)
Drinking water source:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
improved:
unimproved:
Sanitation facility access:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
improved:
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3.1% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 24
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
6,600 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 114
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
fewer than 500 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 93
Obesity - adult prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
34.7% (2008)
country comparison to the world: 13
Education expenditures:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA
Literacy:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 95.6%
male: 94.7%
female: 96.5% (2003 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 12 years
male: 12 years
female: 12 years (2006)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 18.9%
country comparison to the world: 63
male: 16.7%
female: 21.7% (2007)
Government:
Country name:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
conventional long form: Commonwealth of The Bahamas
conventional short form: The Bahamas
Government type:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
constitutional parliamentary democracy and a Commonwealth realm
Capital:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
name: Nassau
geographic coordinates: 25 05 N, 77 21 W
time difference: UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC during Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins second Sunday in March; ends first Sunday in November
Administrative divisions:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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
Independence:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
10 July 1973 (from the UK)
National holiday:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Independence Day, 10 July (1973)
Constitution:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
previous 1964 (preindependence); latest adopted 20 June 1973, effective 10 July 1973; amended many times, last in 2002; note - in 2012, a constitutional commission was appointed to review and recommend constitutional changes (2013)
Legal system:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
common law system based on the English model
International law organization participation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
Suffrage:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General Sir Arthur A. FOULKES (since 14 April 2010)
head of government: Prime Minister Perry CHRISTIE (since 8 May 2012)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the prime minister's recommendation
(For more information visit the World Leaders website )
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
elections: the monarchy is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the governor general; the prime minister recommends the deputy prime minister
Legislative branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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 five-year terms) and the House of Assembly (38 seats; members elected by direct popular vote to serve five-year terms); the government may dissolve the parliament and call elections at any time
elections: last held on 7 May 2012 (next to be held by May 2017)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PLP 30, FNM 8
Judicial branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
highest court(s): The Bahamas Court of Appeal (consists of the court president and 4 justices, sitting in panels of 3 justices)
judge selection and term of office: Court of Appeal justices appointed by the governor-general on the advice of the prime minister and in consultation with the Judicial and Legal Services Commission; justices appointed for life with mandatory retirement at age 68-70
subordinate courts: Supreme Court; Industrial Tribunal; Stipendiary and Magistrates Courts; Family Island Administrators
Political parties and leaders:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Free National Movement or FNM [Hubert MINNIS]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Friends of the Environment
other: trade unions
International organization participation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
ACP, AOSIS, C, Caricom, CDB, CELAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITSO, ITU, LAES, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, Petrocaribe, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer)
Diplomatic representation in the US:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
chief of mission: Ambassador Dr. Eugene Glenwood NEWRY (since 3 December 2013)
chancery: 2220 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 319-2660
FAX: [1] (202) 319-2668
consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Miami, New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d' Affaires John DINKELMAN (since November 2011)
embassy: 42 Queen Street, Nassau, New Providence
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)
FAX: [1] (242) 328-2206
Flag description:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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
National symbol(s):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
blue marlin; flamingo
National anthem:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
name: "March On, Bahamaland!"
lyrics/music: Timothy GIBSON
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)
Economy:
Economy - overview:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
The Bahamas is one of the wealthiest Caribbean countries with an economy heavily dependent on tourism and offshore banking. Tourism together with tourism-driven construction and manufacturing accounts for approximately 60% 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 and, when combined with business services, account for about 36% of GDP. Manufacturing and agriculture combined contribute less than a 10th of GDP and show little growth, despite government incentives aimed at those sectors. The economy of The Bahamas shrank at an average pace of 0.8% annually between 2007-11, and tourism, financial services, and construction - pillars of the national economy - remained weak. These challenges, coupled with a growing public debt, increases in government expenditures, a narrow revenue base, and heavy dependence on customs and property taxes have led to prospects of limited growth for The Bahamas.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$11.04 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 153
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$8.039 billion (2012 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.8% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 143
GDP - per capita (PPP):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$31,300 (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 43
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
GDP - composition, by end use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
household consumption: 70.1%
government consumption: 14.9%
investment in fixed capital: 31.9%
investment in inventories: 1.3%
exports of goods and services: 44.8%
imports of goods and services: -62.9%
GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
agriculture: 2.1%
industry: 7.2%
services: 90.7% (2012 est.)
Agriculture - products:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
citrus, vegetables; poultry
Industries:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
tourism, banking, cement, oil transshipment, salt, rum, aragonite, pharmaceuticals
Industrial production growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA%
Labor force:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
192,200 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 173
Labor force - by occupation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
agriculture: 5%
industry: 5%
tourism: 50%
other services: 40% (2005 est.)
Unemployment rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
14% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 138
Population below poverty line:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
9.3% (2004)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
lowest 10%: 1%
highest 10%: 22% (2007 est.)
Budget:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
revenues: $1.54 billion
expenditures: $2.04 billion (2012 est.)
Taxes and other revenues:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
19.2% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 173
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
-6.2% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 178
Fiscal year:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1 July - 30 June
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 41
Central bank discount rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
4.5% (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 93
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
4.75% (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 157
Stock of narrow money:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$1.575 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 132
Stock of broad money:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$6.482 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 120
Stock of domestic credit:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$8.653 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 103
Market value of publicly traded shares:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$2.78 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
Current account balance:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$-1.424 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 126
Exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$984 million (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 157
Exports - commodities:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
crawfish, aragonite, crude salt, polystyrene products
Exports - partners:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Singapore 25.1%, US 20.6%, Dominican Republic 12.9%, Ecuador 9.4%, Canada 5.8%, Switzerland 4.1%, China 4.1% (2012)
Imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$3.386 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 141
Imports - commodities:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
machinery and transport equipment, manufactures, chemicals, mineral fuels; food and live animals
Imports - partners:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
US 30.1%, India 20.3%, Singapore 8.7%, South Korea 6.8%, China 5%, Colombia 4.5%, Canada 4.2% (2012)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$846.9 million (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 139
Debt - external:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$16.35 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 83
Exchange rates:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Bahamian dollars (BSD) per US dollar -
Energy:
Electricity - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.93 billion kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 137
Electricity - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.795 billion kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 142
Electricity - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 164
Electricity - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 161
Electricity - installed generating capacity:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
493,000 kW (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 139
Electricity - from fossil fuels:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
100% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 7
Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 46
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 158
Electricity - from other renewable sources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 156
Crude oil - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 153
Crude oil - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 84
Crude oil - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 159
Crude oil - proved reserves:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 107
Refined petroleum products - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 154
Refined petroleum products - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
36,300 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 112
Refined petroleum products - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
41,770 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 63
Refined petroleum products - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
64,600 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 61
Natural gas - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 103
Natural gas - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 119
Natural gas - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 64
Natural gas - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 159
Natural gas - proved reserves:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (1 January 2009 es)
country comparison to the world: 114
Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
4.734 million Mt (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 128
Communications:
Telephones - main lines in use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
137,000 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 141
Telephones - mobile cellular:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
254,000 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 176
Telephone system:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
general assessment: modern facilities
domestic: totally automatic system; highly developed; the Bahamas Domestic Submarine Network links 14 of the islands and is designed to satisfy increasing demand for voice and broadband Internet services
international: country code - 1-242; landing point for the Americas Region Caribbean Ring System (ARCOS-1) fiber-optic submarine cable that provides links to South and Central America, parts of the Caribbean, and the US; satellite earth stations - 2 (2007)
Broadcast media:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2 TV stations operated by government-owned, commercially run Broadcasting Corporation of the Bahamas (BCB); multi-channel cable TV subscription service is available; about 15 radio stations operating with BCB operating a multi-channel radio broadcasting network alongside privately owned radio stations (2007)
Internet country code:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
.bs
Internet hosts:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
20,661 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 117
Internet users:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
115,800 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 156
Transportation:
Airports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
61 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 79
Airports - with paved runways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 24
over 3,047 m: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 13
914 to 1,523 m: 7 (2013)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 37
1,524 to 2,437 m: 4
914 to 1,523 m: 16
under 914 m:
Heliports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1 (2013)
Roadways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 2,700 km
country comparison to the world: 170
paved: 1,620 km
unpaved: 1,080 km (2011)
Merchant marine:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 1,160
country comparison to the world: 10
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: 1,063 (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)
Ports and terminals:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
major seaport(s): Freeport, Nassau, South Riding Point
container port(s) (TEUs): Freeport (1,116,272)(2011)
cruise port(s): Nassau
Military:
Military branches:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Royal Bahamas Defense Force: Land Force, Navy, Air Wing (2011)
Military service age and obligation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
18 years of age for voluntary male and female service; no conscription (2012)
Manpower available for military service:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
males age 16-49: 85,568 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
males age 16-49: 63,429
females age 16-49: 64,645 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
male: 2,829
female: 2,750 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0.6% of GDP (2011)
country comparison to the world: 157
Transnational Issues:
Disputes - international:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
disagrees with the US on the alignment of the northern axis of a potential maritime boundary