Volunteer in the Bahamas, a tropical paradise of 700 islands surrounded by clear, turquoise waters!
Paradise Island, Nassau, Bahamas. Photo credit: Ruth Peterkin, Shutterstock
About the Bahamas
The Bahamas is an archipelago of over 700 islands, located north of Cuba and to the southwest of the US state of Florida, in the Atlantic Ocean. The country has a small population; 377,000 people, most of whom reside in the nation’s capital city, Nassau, on the island of New Providence. Its official language is English and the currency is the Bahamian dollar.
The Bahamas is known for its extensive reef systems and some of the clearest waters in the world, with visibility of over 60 meters! The island of San Salvador, where Christopher Columbus famously first set foot in the New World, is also located here.
Highlights
- Dive or snorkel on one of the country’s many coral reefs and marvel at the incredible marine wildlife!
- Relax on some of the most beautiful tropical beaches on Earth!
- Enjoy a spot of shopping at Port Lucaya Marketplace.
Climate and Geography
The Bahamas has a tropical maritime climate with humidity being high, especially during the summer months.
The country’s archipelago is made up of more than 700 islands that are spread across over 100,000 square kilometres of ocean. There are no rivers on the islands, which are made up entirely of calcium carbonate, a compound produced or precipitated by organisms that inhabit coral reefs. The highest point in the Bahamas is Mount Alvernia on Cat Island. The world’s longest known underwater cave and cavern system is also found in the Lucayan National Park on Grand Bahama Island.
- Map of North America depicting the Bahamas. Image credit: d-maps.com
Culture and Religion
Bahamian culture is rich in beliefs, traditions, folklore and legend. Indeed, many traditional festivals take place throughout the year, for example Junkanoo, a traditional street parade of music, dance and art held in Nassau every Boxing Day and New Year’s Day. Traditional crafts, such as basketry made from palm fronds, have also been carried down through the generations, especially in the less developed outer islands.
The majority of Bahamians are members of various Protestant Christian denominations.
Wildlife and Environment
The Bahamas archipelago is a haven for marine life, with its clear waters and numerous coral island ecosystems. It’s not surprising then that 5% of the world’s coral can be found in Bahamian waters, as well as the planet’s third largest barrier reef! Iconic marine species, such as Humpback Whales, Blue Whales, Leatherback Sea Turtles and Whale Sharks (to name but a few) can all be found here. But the biodiversity of the Bahamas isn’t just about marine life. The archipelago also attracts a diverse array of bird life, with 109 species breeding on the islands. Indeed, Inagua has the world’s largest population of breeding West Indian Flamingos!
