PROFILE

OFFICIAL NAME:
Commonwealth of The Bahamas

Geography
Area: 13,939 sq. km. (5,382 sq. mi.); slightly larger than Connecticut and Rhode Island combined.
Cities: Capital--Nassau, New Providence. Second-largest city--Freeport, Grand Bahama.
Terrain: Low and flat.
Climate: Semitropical.

People
Nationality: Noun and adjective--Bahamian(s).
Population (2004): 318,000.
Annual growth rate (2004): 1.4%.
Ethnic groups: African 85%, European 12%, Asian and Hispanic 3%.
Religions: Baptist (32%), Roman Catholic, Anglican, Evangelical Protestants, Methodist, Church of God, Rastafarian, Traditional African.
Language: English (official); Creole.
Education (2003): Years compulsory--through age 16. Attendance--92%. Literacy--95.5%.
Health (2005): Infant mortality rate--19.0/1,000. Life expectancy--70.5 years.
Work force (2004): 176,330; majority employed in the tourism, government, and financial services sectors.

Government
Type: Constitutional parliamentary democracy.
Independence: July 10, 1973.
Branches: Executive--British monarch (nominal head of state), governor general (representative of the British monarch), prime minister (head of government), and cabinet. Legislative--bicameral Parliament (40-member elected House of Assembly, 16-member appointed Senate). Judicial--Privy Council in U.K., Court of Appeal, Supreme Court, and magistrates' courts.
Political parties: Free National Movement (FNM), Progressive Liberal Party (PLP), Coalition for Democratic Reform (CDR).
Suffrage (2002): Universal over 18; 144,758 registered voters.

Economy
GDP (2004): $5.7 billion.
Growth rate (2004): 3%.
Per capita GDP (2004): $17,883.
Natural resources: Salt, aragonite, timber.
Tourism (2004): 40% of GDP.
Government spending (2004): 20% of GDP.
Financial services (2004): 15% of GDP.
Construction (2004; 10% of GDP): Products--largely tourism related.
Manufacturing (2004; 8% of GDP): Products--pharmaceuticals, rum.
Agriculture and fisheries (2004; 3% of GDP): Products--fruits, vegetables, lobster, fish.
Trade (2004): Exports ($469.3 million)--salt, aragonite, chemicals, fishing, fruits, vegetables, beverages. Markets by main destination--U.S. (77.5%), E.U. (17.8%), Canada (1.6%), Mexico (0.4%). Imports ($1.82 billion)--foodstuffs and manufactured goods; vehicles and automobile parts; hotel, restaurant, and medical supplies; computers and electronics. Suppliers by main origin--U.S. (83.3%), Venezuela (5.5%), Netherlands Antilles (2.6%), E.U. (2.1%), Japan (1.2%).