 | |
| Continent | North America |
|---|---|
| Region | Atlantic Ocean |
| Coordinates | 24°15′N 76°00′W / 24.250°N 76.000°W |
| Area | Ranked 155th |
| • Total | 13,878 km2 (5,358 sq mi) |
| • Land | 72.12% |
| • Water | 27.88% |
| Coastline | 3,542 km (2,201 mi) |
| Borders | None |
| Highest point | Cat Island 63 metres (207 ft) |
| Lowest point | Atlantic Ocean 0 m |
| Exclusive economic zone | 654,715 km2 (252,787 sq mi) |
The Bahamas are a group of about 700 islands and cays in the western Atlantic Ocean, of which only between 30 and 40 are inhabited. The largest of the islands is Andros Island, located north of Cuba and 200 kilometres (120 miles) southeast of Florida. The Bimini islands are to its northwest. To the North is the island of Grand Bahama, home to the second-largest city in the country, Freeport. The island of Great Abaco is to its east. In the far south is the island of Great Inagua, the second-largest island in the country. Other notable islands include Eleuthera, Cat Island, San Salvador Island, Acklins, Crooked Island, and Mayaguana. Nassau is the capital and largest city, located on New Providence. The islands have a tropical savannah climate, moderated by the Gulf Stream. The total size is 13,878 km2 (5,358 sq mi). Due to the many widespread islands it has the 41st largest Exclusive Economic Zone of 654,715 km2 (252,787 sq mi).
The islands are surface projections of two oceanic Bahama Banks - the Little Bahama Bank and the Great Bahama Bank.[1] The highest point is only 63 metres (207 feet) above sea level on Cat Island; the island of New Providence, where the capital city of Nassau is located, reaches a maximum elevation of only thirty-seven meters. The land on the Bahamas has a foundation of fossil coral, but much of the rock is oolitic limestone; the stone is derived from the disintegration of coral reefs and seashells.[1] The land is primarily either rocky or mangrove swamp.[1] Low scrub covers much of the surface area.[1] Pineyards are found on four of the northern islands: Grand Bahama, Great Abaco, New Providence, and Andros.[1] On some of the southern islands, low-growing tropical hardwood flourishes.[1] Although some soil is very fertile, it is also very thin.[1] Only a few freshwater lakes and just one river, located on Andros Island, are found in the Bahamas.[1]
- ^ a b c d e f g h Sullivan, Mark P. (1987). "The Bahamas: Geography". In Meditz, Sandra W.; Hanratty, Dennis M. (eds.). Islands of the Commonwealth Caribbean: a regional study. Washington, D.C.: Federal Research Division, Library of Congress. pp. 525–526. OCLC 49361510.
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.{{cite encyclopedia}}: CS1 maint: postscript (link)
