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Bahama Island's Holidays for 2008, 2009

Commonwealth of the Bahamas, an independent country composed of an archipelago of some 700 islands and 2,000 cays (keys), or islets, and innumerable reefs, scattered over 760 miles (1,220 km) of the Atlantic Ocean southeast of the United States. The archipelago extends from about 50 miles (80 km) east of the southern coast of Florida past the northern coast of Cuba to within about 70 miles (110 km) of Haiti. The climate is subtropical, averaging about 20° C from November to May and rarely above 30° C in summer.

Nassau - is the capital, largest city, and commercial centre; is located on the New Providence Island (210,832 - population). Official language – English. Government – Parliamentary democracy and Constitutional monarchy. The Bahamas had been a British colony, became independent member in 1964.

The currency is the Bahamian dollar (BSD). Canadian and U.S. dollars are accepted almost. Exchange rates: Bahamian dollars per US dollar = 1 (2007). Fiscal year – 1 July - 30 June. Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.4% (2007 est.) Time zone: EST (UTC -5), summer EDT (UTC-4).

Human Development Index 2007/2008 rankings for Bahamas is 0.958, (49th). GDP (official exchange rate): $6.449 billion (2007 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $22,700 (2007 est.) Labor force: 181,900 (2006).

Main industries: tourism, banking, aragonite, pharmaceuticals, transshipment of crude oil, salt, manufacture of alcoholic beverages (especially rum), cement, spiral-welded steel pipe.

"Business Day" refers to Monday through Friday (Weekend: Saturday and Sunday). Holidays falling on a Saturday or Sunday are usually celebrated on the following Monday.