This island nation is heavily covered with trees, therefore wood is its major export. Lack of rivers hampers a better use of good-weather conditions in agriculture, mostly devoted to growing such crops as sisal, citrus fruits and cotton
Wood is the main export, as well as pharmaceuticals, chemical, distilled oil fuel, hormones, crabs and rum.
Life expectancy is 69.8 years for men and 71.7 for women. Daily calorie intake: 2 575. Annual growth: 5% (1985-94). Comsumer Price Index: 100 in 1990; 106.3 in 1994. Children per woman: 4.5 (1992).
Staples and commodities are the main imports. Tourism, a sector that generated over 65% of the country’s GNP, plunged 10% in 1992, as the banking system lost part of its clients to its competitors in the Cayman Islands. Finally, the government failed to increase agricultural production. The island nation was supposed to import 80% of all foodstuffs.
Industries are few and far between and are limited to oil transfer and refining process, steel pipes, pharmaceuticals, salt, rum and shellfish. Tourism is the country’s major economic activity with a hub in New Providence. The impact of overseas industrial development, the increase of sea temperature and a greater number of tropical hurricanes and cyclones hitting the islands each passing year are ever-growing threats to the islands’ environment.
The nearest allures are the seaside gardens -in the easternmost tip of the country- a number of colonial fortresses built in the 18th century, the Ardastra Gardens -teeming with oddities in terms of tropical and subtropical plants, and the Jumbey Village, a replica of a Bahamian community built in the 18th century, The Bahamas College (1974) is also located here.
The Bahamas Archipelago counts on 20 airports and wharves, many of them offering service seven days a week. Cabs are cozy, air-conditioned pickup trucks. Buses are available with a daily service until 8:00pmBicycles and bikes are available for one-day rental.
