The Bahamas
Mission Trips

The Bahamas, officially known as the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, is an island country consisting of more than 700 islands in the Atlantic Ocean. Originally a British colony, the Bahamas became an independent nation in 1973. As a result of the slave trade brought in by colonizers, similarly to other Caribbean islands, the population is 85% African, with the other 15% being European, Asian, and Latin. 

Unlike most other Caribbean islands, the Bahamas are flat, with the highest point of the islands at 207 feet above sea level. The climate is tropical and the islands are lush with beautiful, colorful vegetation and flowers. The Bahamas is known mostly for its white sand beaches and crystal clear water, drawing tourists and cruise ships from all over the world. 

Between the tourism and banking industries, and those that service these industries, there is a wide wealth gap, with the average income at $23,000/year. The population of all islands combined is roughly 383,000, with about 255,000 living in Nassau alone.

Climate

Warmed and cooled by the trade winds, the weather in the Bahamas is always perfect for a tropical getaway, with temperatures lingering between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit.

Language
English is the official and predominant spoken language in the Bahamas. In addition, many locals have their own dialect and slang use of the language.

Safety
All who travel need to take necessary precautions and be reminded to be aware of their environment. The Bahamas has its share of crime, but generally, it is confined to the urban areas amongst the locals. On your mission trip, PPM staff and partners have your team's safety as top priority.

The Bahamas’ economy relies heavily on tourism, as it not only accounts for over 60% of the Bahamian GDP, but provides jobs for more than half the country's workforce. The financial sector accounts for another 15% of the GDP. The Bahamian dollar is the local currency (B$ or $BSD), and the exchange rate is 1:1 with the US dollar. US currency is accepted in all areas as well.

Bahamian cuisine reflects Caribbean, African, and European influences. It includes seafood such as fish, shellfish, and conch, as well as tropical fruits, rice, peas, potatoes, and pork. Popular seasonings commonly used in dishes include chilies (hot pepper), lime, cilantro, tomatoes, onions, garlic, allspice, cinnamon, and coconut.

The national sport in the Bahamas is sloop sailing, but most US sports are widely popular given the close proximity to the US mainland. You’ll find interest in basketball, American football, and baseball, as well as soccer and the British sport of cricket, which is found in most former British territories.

Originally inhabited by the Taino people, the Bahamas were the site of Columbus' first landfall in the New World in 1492. The Spanish did not colonize the Bahamas, but they transplanted the natives to Hispaniola as slaves. The islands were then mostly deserted from 1513 until 1648, when English colonists from Bermuda settled in the islands.

In 1718, the British colonized the Bahamas as they fought against piracy. The British then brought American loyalists after the American War of Independence, who in turn brought their slaves and settled onto plantations. Slavery in the Bahamas was abolished in 1834. Today, the descendants of slaves and free Africans make up nearly 90% of the population; issues related to the slavery years are part of society.

The Bahamas became an independent Commonwealth realm in 1973, retaining Queen Elizabeth II as its monarch.

More than 91% of the population of the Bahamas professes a religion, and most attend services regularly. The varied religions reflect the country's diversity. Protestant Christian denominations including Baptists, Anglicans, Pentecostals, Church of God, Seventh-Day Adventists, and Methodists are in the majority, but there are also significant Roman Catholic and Greek Orthodox populations. Smaller Jewish, Baha'i, Jehovah's Witness, and Muslim communities also are active. A small number of Bahamians and Haitians, particularly those living in the Family Islands, practice Obeah, a form of African shamanism. A small number of citizens identify themselves as Rastafarians, while some members of the Guyanese and Indian populations practice Hinduism and other South Asian religions.