The Bahamas
comprises an archipelago of more than 700 islands, of which about
30 are populated, lying to the east and southeast of Florida in
the USA, and extending in an arc southwards towards the Greater
Antilles in the Caribbean. The area of The Bahamas is 13,939 sq.
km (5,382 sq. miles). The capital city is Nassau on the island
of New Providence. The population is 304, 913 (2000 estimate),
and the people are descended from Africans, who account for around
85% of the population, Europeans, Hispanics and Asians. The official
language is English.
