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Communications

Broadcast media [time series]

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 [time series]

.bs

Internet users (Internet hosts) [time series]

20,661 (2012) country comparison to the world: 117

Internet users [time series]

115,800 (2009) country comparison to the world: 156

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

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)

Telephones - fixed lines (Telephones - main lines in use) [time series]

133,000 (2011) country comparison to the world: 140

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

298,800 (2011) country comparison to the world: 173

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

citrus, vegetables; poultry

Budget [time series]

revenues: $1.5 billion expenditures: $1.8 billion (2012 est.)

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-) [time series]

-3.6% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 117

Central bank discount rate [time series]

4% (31 December 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 68 5.25% (31 December 2010 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate [time series]

5.5% (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 156 5.06% (31 December 2011 est.)

Current account balance [time series]

-$1.139 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 117 -$1.091 billion (2011 est.)

Debt - external [time series]

$16.68 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 81 $14.93 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

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. Prior to 2006, a steady growth in tourism receipts and a boom in construction of new hotels, resorts, and residences led to solid GDP growth but since then tourism receipts have begun to drop off. Financial services constitute the second-most important sector of the Bahamian economy and, when combined with business services, account for about 36% of GDP. However, the financial sector currently is smaller than it has been in the past because of the enactment of new and stricter financial regulations in 2000 that caused many international businesses to relocate elsewhere. Manufacturing and agriculture combined contribute approximately a 10th of GDP and show little growth, despite government incentives aimed at those sectors. The Bahamas since 2008 has been hard hit by the global economic crisis; the economy contracted in 2008 and 2009 and growth remains slow.

Exchange rates [time series]

Bahamian dollars (BSD) per US dollar - 1 (2012 est.) 1 (2011 est.) 1 (2010 est.) 1 (2008) 1 (2007)

Exports [time series]

$790 million (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 164 $834.9 million (2011 est.)

Exports - commodities [time series]

mineral products and salt, animal products, rum, chemicals, fruit and vegetables

Exports - partners [time series]

Singapore 28.2%, US 26.9%, Dominican Republic 11.7%, Ecuador 8.6%, Switzerland 5.1% (2011)

Fiscal year [time series]

1 July - 30 June

GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]

$8.249 billion (2012 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP (purchasing power parity)) [time series]

$11.04 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 151 $10.77 billion (2011 est.) $10.6 billion (2010 est.) note: data are in 2012 US dollars

GDP - composition, by sector of origin (GDP - composition by sector) [time series]

agriculture: 2.1% industry: 7.1% services: 90.8% (2012 est.)

Real GDP per capita (GDP - per capita (PPP)) [time series]

$31,300 (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 42 $30,900 (2011 est.) $30,800 (2010 est.) note: data are in 2012 US dollars

Real GDP growth rate (GDP - real growth rate) [time series]

2.5% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 132 1.6% (2011 est.) 0.2% (2010 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: 27% (2000)

Imports [time series]

$2.882 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 150 $2.966 billion (2011 est.)

Imports - commodities [time series]

machinery and transport equipment, manufactures, chemicals, mineral fuels; food and live animals

Imports - partners [time series]

US 25.8%, India 18.6%, South Korea 14.3%, Venezuela 9.6%, Singapore 7.7%, China 4.1% (2011)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

NA%

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

2.5% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 51 3.2% (2011 est.)

Labor force [time series]

184,000 (2009) country comparison to the world: 173

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

agriculture: 5% industry: 5% tourism: 50% other services: 40% (2005 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares [time series]

$NA

Population below poverty line [time series]

9.3% (2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold [time series]

$1.095 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 132 $1.07 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of broad money [time series]

$6.482 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 120 $6.104 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of domestic credit [time series]

$9 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 102 $8.511 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of narrow money [time series]

$1.436 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 137 $1.435 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Taxes and other revenues [time series]

18.2% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 172

Unemployment rate [time series]

14.2% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 140 8.7% (2008 est.)

Energy

Carbon dioxide emissions (Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy) [time series]

5.573 million Mt (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 120

Crude oil - exports [time series]

0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 82

Crude oil - imports [time series]

0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 159

Crude oil - production [time series]

0 bbl/day (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 111

Crude oil - proved reserves [time series]

0 bbl (1 January 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 109

Electricity - consumption [time series]

1.808 billion kWh (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 141

Electricity - exports [time series]

0 kWh (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 163

Electricity - from fossil fuels [time series]

100% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 8

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants [time series]

0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 160

Electricity - from nuclear fuels [time series]

0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 48

Electricity - from other renewable sources [time series]

0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 110

Electricity - imports [time series]

0 kWh (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 160

Electricity - installed generating capacity [time series]

493,000 kW (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 136

Electricity - production [time series]

1.945 billion kWh (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 136

Natural gas - consumption [time series]

0 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 120

Natural gas - exports [time series]

0 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 159

Natural gas - imports [time series]

0 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 160

Natural gas - production [time series]

0 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 102

Natural gas - proved reserves [time series]

0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 113

Refined petroleum products - consumption [time series]

36,300 bbl/day (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 113

Refined petroleum products - exports [time series]

41,610 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 65

Refined petroleum products - imports [time series]

70,990 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 57

Refined petroleum products - production [time series]

0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 125

Geography

Area [time series]

total: 13,880 sq km country comparison to the world: 161 land: 10,010 sq km water: 3,870 sq km

Area - comparative [time series]

slightly smaller than Connecticut

Climate [time series]

tropical marine; moderated by warm waters of Gulf Stream

Coastline [time series]

3,542 km

Elevation (Elevation extremes) [time series]

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Alvernia on Cat Island 63 m

Environment - current issues [time series]

coral reef decay; solid waste disposal

International environmental agreements (Environment - international agreements) [time series]

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

Geographic coordinates [time series]

24 15 N, 76 00 W

Geography - note [time series]

strategic location adjacent to US and Cuba; extensive island chain of which 30 are inhabited

Irrigated land [time series]

10 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries [time series]

0 km

Land use [time series]

arable land: 0.58% permanent crops: 0.29% other: 99.13% (2005)

Location [time series]

chain of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, southeast of Florida, northeast of Cuba

Map references [time series]

Central America and the Caribbean

Maritime claims [time series]

territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Natural hazards [time series]

hurricanes and other tropical storms cause extensive flood and wind damage

Natural resources [time series]

salt, aragonite, timber, arable land

Terrain [time series]

long, flat coral formations with some low rounded hills

Total renewable water resources [time series]

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

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

Capital [time series]

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

Constitution [time series]

10 July 1973

Country name [time series]

conventional long form: Commonwealth of The Bahamas conventional short form: The Bahamas

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d' Affaires John DINKELMAN 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

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant) chancery: 2220 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 319-2660 FAX: [1] (202) 319-2668 consulate(s) general: Miami, New York

Executive branch [time series]

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 2011) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the prime minister's recommendation (For more information visit theWorld Leaders website) 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

Flag (Flag description) [time series]

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

Government type [time series]

constitutional parliamentary democracy and a Commonwealth realm

Independence [time series]

10 July 1973 (from the UK)

International law organization participation [time series]

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt

International organization participation [time series]

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)

Judicial branch [time series]

Privy Council in London; Courts of Appeal; Supreme (lower) Court; Magistrates' Courts

Legal system [time series]

common law system based on the English model

Legislative branch [time series]

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 (41 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 29, FNM 9

National anthem(s) (National anthem) [time series]

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)

National holiday [time series]

Independence Day, 10 July (1973)

National symbol(s) [time series]

blue marlin; flamingo

Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]

Free National Movement or FNM [Hubert MINNIS]; Progressive Liberal Party or PLP [Perry CHRISTIE]

Political parties (Political pressure groups and leaders) [time series]

Friends of the Environment other: trade unions

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age; universal

Introduction

Background [time series]

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 and 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.

Military

Manpower available for military service [time series]

males age 16-49: 85,568 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service [time series]

males age 16-49: 63,429 females age 16-49: 64,645 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually [time series]

male: 2,829 female: 2,750 (2010 est.)

Military and security forces (Military branches) [time series]

Royal Bahamas Defense Force: Land Force, Navy, Air Wing (2011)

Military expenditures [time series]

0.7% of GDP (2009) country comparison to the world: 150

Military service age and obligation [time series]

17 1/2-25 years of age for voluntary male and female service; no conscription (2012)

People and Society

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 24% (male 38,483/ female 37,373) 15-64 years: 69.5% (male 108,364/ female 111,340) 65 years and over: 6.5% (male 7,891/ female 12,731) (2012 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

15.95 births/1,000 population (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 126

Death rate [time series]

6.91 deaths/1,000 population (July 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 134

Education expenditure (Education expenditures) [time series]

Ethnic groups [time series]

black 85%, white 12%, Asian and Hispanic 3%

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]

3.1% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 24

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

fewer than 500 (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 81

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS [time series]

6,600 (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 114

Health expenditure (Health expenditures) [time series]

7.2% of GDP (2009) country comparison to the world: 73

Hospital bed density [time series]

3.1 beds/1,000 population (2008)

Infant mortality rate [time series]

total: 13.09 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 127 male: 12.9 deaths/1,000 live births female: 13.29 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)

Languages [time series]

English (official), Creole (among Haitian immigrants)

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 71.44 years country comparison to the world: 139 male: 69.04 years female: 73.91 years (2012 est.)

Literacy [time series]

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 95.6% male: 94.7% female: 96.5% (2003 est.)

Major urban areas - population (Major cities - population) [time series]

NASSAU (capital) 248,000 (2009)

Maternal mortality ratio (Maternal mortality rate) [time series]

47 deaths/100,000 live births (2010) country comparison to the world: 111

Median age [time series]

total: 30.5 years male: 29.4 years female: 31.7 years (2012 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Bahamian(s) adjective: Bahamian

Net migration rate [time series]

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 75

Physician density (Physicians density) [time series]

1.05 physicians/1,000 population (1998)

Population [time series]

316,182 (July 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 178 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

Population growth rate [time series]

0.904% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 123

Religions [time series]

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)

Sanitation facility access [time series]

improved: urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) [time series]

total: 12 years male: 12 years female: 12 years (2006)

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.62 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

1.98 children born/woman (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 133

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) (Unemployment, youth ages 15-24) [time series]

total: 18.9% country comparison to the world: 62 male: 16.7% female: 21.7% (2007)

Urbanization [time series]

urban population: 84% of total population (2010) rate of urbanization: 1.3% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international [time series]

disagrees with the US on the alignment of the northern axis of a potential maritime boundary

Illicit drugs [time series]

transshipment point for cocaine and marijuana bound for US and Europe; offshore financial center

Transportation

Airports [time series]

61 (2012) country comparison to the world: 81

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 22 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 13 914 to 1,523 m: 5 (2012)

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

total: 39 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 15 under 914 m: 20 (2012)

Heliports [time series]

1 (2012)

Merchant marine [time series]

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 (Ports and terminals) [time series]

Freeport, Nassau, South Riding Point

Roadways [time series]

total: 2,717 km country comparison to the world: 169 paved: 1,560 km unpaved: 1,157 km (2002)

Bahamas, The