Eleuthera

This article is about the Bahamian island. For the medicinal plant, see Eleuthero. For the ancient Greek city, see Eleutherae.
Eleuthera
Map showing the main island of Eleuthera and its associated smaller islands (Russel, Royal, Harbour, and Windermere Islands and associated Cays), other geographical features, and concentrations of population
Map
Geography
Coordinates25°06′N 76°08′W / 25.100°N 76.133°W / 25.100; -76.133
ArchipelagoBahamas
Adjacent toNorth Atlantic Ocean
Major islandsEleuthera and Harbour Island
Area457.4 km2 (176.6 sq mi)
Length180 km (112 mi)
Width1.6 km (0.99 mi)
Highest elevation61 m (200 ft)
Administration
DistrictsNorth Eleuthera, Central Eleuthera, South Eleuthera
Demographics
Population12,716[1] (2022)
Ethnic groups85% black (esp. West African), 12% European, 3% other[not verified in body]
Additional information
Time zone
 • Summer (DST)
ISO code
  • BS-CE
  • BS-NE
  • BS-SE

Eleuthera (/ɪˈljuːθərə/) refers both to a single island in the archipelagic state of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas and to its associated group of smaller islands.[2] Eleuthera forms a part of the Great Bahama Bank.[2] The island of Eleuthera incorporates the smaller Harbour Island. "Eleuthera" derives from the feminine form of the Greek adjective ἐλεύθερος (eleútheros), meaning "free".[3] Known in the 17th century as Cigateo, it lies 80 km (50 miles) east of Nassau. It is long and thin—180 km (110 miles) long and in places little more than 1.6 km (1.0 mile) wide. At its narrowest point, the Glass Window Bridge, which has been called the narrowest place on earth,[4] Eleuthera stands 30 feet wide.[5] Its eastern side faces the Atlantic Ocean and its western side faces the Great Bahama Bank. The topography of the island varies from wide rolling pink sand beaches to large outcrops of ancient coral reefs and the highest elevation point is 200 feet (61 m). The population is approximately 11,000 and the principal economy of the island is tourism.

  1. ^ "Census population and housing" (PDF). Bahamas Gov. Retrieved 17 April 2023.
  2. ^ a b "Eleuthera". Bahamas National Trust. Retrieved 21 February 2017.
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference Telegraph was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ "Bahamas Bridge the 'Narrowest Place on Earth' - Videos from The Weather Channel". The Weather Channel. Retrieved 2023-11-07.
  5. ^ "Glass Window Bridge - Eleuthera & Harbour Island in The Bahamas". The Islands of The Bahamas. Retrieved 2023-11-07.