Common wealth of the Bahamas

Political Status: Independent member of the Commonwealth since July 10, 1973.

Area: 5,380 sq. mi. (13,935 sq. km).

Population: 355,406 (2012E—UN); 316,182 (2012E—U.S. Census).

Major Urban Center (2005E): NASSAU (227,000).

Official Language: English.

Monetary Unit: Bahamian Dollar (market rate November 5, 2012: 1.00 dollar = $1US).

Sovereign: Queen ELIZABETH II.

Governor General: Sir Arthur FOULKES; appointed on April 13, 2010, following the resignation of Arthur Dion HANNA.

Prime Minister: Perry G. CHRISTIE (Progressive Liberal Party); served as prime minister 2002–2007; returned to office on May 8, 2012, as a successor to Hubert A. INGRAHAM (Free National Movement), following election of May 7.

The Country

The Commonwealth of the Bahamas encompasses a group of about 700 flat, coral islands stretching from the western Atlantic near Florida to the Caribbean Sea. Geomorphically an ...