The History of the Bahamas

When traveling to the Bahamas it helps to get a good sense of the history of the Bahamas. Over the years this nation has evolved into its own independent group. In fact, many of the dates in Bahamas history are highly revered, and a great tour of history can be taken when at the Bahamas.

The Bahamas are among the many islands that make up the archipelago. This is a settlement of hundreds of islands and cays that were populated by all sorts of different people in history. Indigenous people were well populating the area, but English settlers, Spanish explorers and Americans from the nearby United States would also live here. However, not everything here was friendly between all of these people, as there were instances of piracy and other activities that were dangerous through the history of the land.

The indigenous people of the Bahamas were originally from Cuba. They lived on the area beginning at around the fourth century. Some historians believe that these indigenous residents were originally from South America though.

In the tenth century the Arawaks, Caribs and Lucayans moved to the Bahamas Island. This was a move that was especially important for the Lucayans because they became more experienced in agriculture and craftsmanship at the time. This was very important for the building of the civilization.

As the Europeans looked to find western routes through the world the life of the Lucayans was significantly damaged. Spanish explorer Christopher Columbus made an impact when he landed on the western part of the Bahamas during one of his many travels.

English settlers went to the Bahamas in the seventeenth century. They settled in the area in the hopes of achieving freedom of religion. However, it was difficult among these people in that fighting and starvation was happening around the land when they first came to the Bahamas.

In the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries pirates came around the Bahamas. Edward Teach, who was better known as Blackbeard, was the most famous of the pirates. These people used Nassau as a major base for their works but Spanish forces burned into the revolution throughout this time.

The United States did make an impact on the history of the country too. In the late eighteenth century the growing country had helped the economy and life of the people on the land.

In 1969 the Bahamas would become an official nation. It would become an independent nation on July 10, 1973.

When traveling to the Bahamas it is great to get a good idea of the history of the Bahamas. Not only can it help with planning a great historical tour but it also helps to give a greater appreciation to the land.

Hurricane Gustav no threat to Bahamas (The Nassau Guardian)

Fears that Hurricane Gustav may land in The Bahamas were somewhat alleviated yesterday as the forecasted path of the storm shifted slightly, taking the category one system farther away from the country, according to forecasters.

Reverse mortgage may find home in Bahamas (The Nassau Guardian)

A retired banker believes the increasingly popular reverse mortgage would not work in The Bahamas, even as a new U.S. housing bill raises the amount seniors can borrow against their homes using that income vehicle.

Workers at Bahamas' Morton Salt plant end strike (INO News)

(AP:NASSAU, Bahamas) The Bahamian government says a two-week strike at the Morton Salt plant has been resolved. The strike comes at a busy time for the company, which harvests about 7,000 tons (6,400 metric tons) of salt each day on Inagua island.

Bahamas ambassador to talk business, tourism with Detroiters (Crain's Detroit Business)

Cornelius Smith, ambassador of the Bahamas to the U.S., will meet with Detroiters in the tourism, real estate and construction industries Friday at two Booker T. Washington Business Association events.

Tropical Storm Gustav moving near Bahamas (The Nassau Guardian)

Another storm is brewing in the Caribbean and may be headed for The Bahamas, according to meteorologist Arnold King, who warned Bahamians in the southeastern part of the country to pay close attention to the latest advisories.