Country of the World Bahamas

About the country Bahamas, its location, size, population, leaders and rulers.

NATIONS AND THEIR RULER

BAHAMAS

Size: 5,382 sq. mi. (13,939 sq. km.).

Population: 220,000.

The Bahamas, an archipelago of 700 islands and over 2,000 cays and rocks, spread themselves across 700 mi. of the Atlantic Ocean southeast of Florida. Nearly all of the islands are coral, low and flat, with varied and colorful plant and animal life, including huge colonies of flamingos. The waters are warm and blue. Because the islands' major businesses include casino gambling, ship registration, and a convenient tax haven, the U.S. has a particular interest in Bahamian affairs. Mafia dealings, nefarious "suitcase companies," and outright meddling in Bahamian politics are just a few of the U.S. operations on the islands.