Bahamas on the world map

Summary

The location of the Bahamas on the world map

A collection of islands referred to as the Bahamas can be identified on a global map situated in the Caribbean Sea, in the southeastern region of North America. The Bahamas is positioned in the north Atlantic Ocean east of Florida, northeast of Cuba, and northwest of Hispaniola.

Map of Bahamas latitude and longitude

The Bahamas on the world map lies at a latitude of 25.0343° N and a longitude of 77.3963° W. The Bahamas can be found just south of the Tropic of Cancer.

Countries near the Bahamas map

Many countries surround the map of the Bahamas, including the Turks and Caicos Islands, Cayman Islands, Jamaica, Haiti, Dominican Republic, Honduras, Belize, Bermuda, Florida, and Cuba. There are maritime borders between the Bahamas and Cuba, Haiti, the United States, and the Turks and Caicos Islands (UK).

How large is the Bahamas

There are 13,943 square kilometers (5,383 square miles) of land covered by the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, which extends between southeast Florida and northern Hispaniola, a distance of 950 km south to north, and 298 km north to south. The Bahamas has many islands, including long islands such as Andros, Great Abaco, and Grand Bahama and small islands such as San Salvador Island, Exuma, Cat Island, Bimini Islands, Eleuthera Island, the Island of New Providence, and the smallest island called Ragged Island.

The largest island in Bahamas

Among nearly 700 islands in the Bahama Archipelago located in the Caribbean, Andros is the largest. The island is the fifth largest in the entire Caribbean. At its widest point, Andros stretches about 45 miles (70 km) from east to west and covers approximately 100 miles (160 km) from north to south. This island’s distinct but highly fragmented outline has many bays, inlets, lakes, cays, and channels, making it an archipelago.

Major cities in the Bahamas

Nassau is the capital and largest city in the Bahamas located on New Providence Island. Freeport, on Grand Bahama Island, is a popular destination for tourists with its resorts and duty-free shopping mall. Other major cities include Andros Town, Marsh Harbour, Exuma, and San Salvador. Each of these cities offers something unique to visitors with pristine beaches, nature preserves, and historical sites to explore.

More facts about the Bahamas

Population of Bahamas

The Island of the Bahamas currently has a population of 402,406 as of December 2022. Compared with the Caribbean average, the country is experiencing much higher population growth, largely as a result of immigration from the United States and other Caribbean countries. 

Language

The official language of the Bahamas is English, but locals speak the Bahamian dialect, which has created many unique slang phrases and words. Among Bahamians, English is the only native language. However, since Haitian immigrants have been arriving since the mid-20th century, French or its related Haitian Creole vernacular is also spoken. 

Climate and vegetation

One of the great attractions of the Bahamas is its mild climate throughout the year. There is an average temperature range of about 21°C during the winter and about 27°C during the summer, with extremes rarely falling below 16°C or exceeding 32°C. Summer months are the most popular times for rainfall, which averages 44 inches per year.

Northeastern winds cool a generally humid atmosphere in winter and southeasterly winds in summer. Temperatures in The Bahamas range from subtropical to tropical as Acklins has a wet and dry climate, and Crooked Island has a tropical savannah climate. The Gulf Stream, a warm current flowing in the North Atlantic Ocean, moderates the Bahamas’ climate.

New Providence, Grand Bahama, Abaco, and Andros islands have extensive and beautiful Caribbean pine forests. Some islands have hardwood forests as well. In other areas, shrubs and low trees dominate the woody vegetation.

Economy

Tourism and offshore banking are the two main economic drivers of the island nation. Approximately 15% of Bahamian GDP is derived from financial services, which are the second-largest sector of the economy. In terms of nominal GDP, the Bahamas ranks 14th in North America and the richest country in the West Indies. Currently, the Bahamas have a GDP per capita of 28,239.37 USD.