| Basic data | |
| Capital | Nassau |
| Population | 389 thousand |
| Language | English |
| Religion | Protestants (69.9%), Roman Catholics (12%), Other Christian Churches (13%), Other (5.1%) |
| State system | parliamentary constitutional monarchy |
| Head of State | British Queen Elizabeth II represented by Governor Sir Cornelius A. Smith |
| Head of government | Philip Edward Davis |
| Currency name | Bahamian dollar (BSD) |
| Travel | |
| Time shift | -6 hours |
| Economy | 2021 |
| Nominal GDP (billion USD) | 7.4 |
| Economic growth (%) | 5 |
| Inflation (%) | 1.7 |
| Unemployment (%) | ON |
The Commonwealth of the Bahamas is an island nation located southeast of Florida and northeast of Cuba. The Bahamas is a parliamentary constitutional monarchy with Queen Elizabeth II. as head of state represented locally by the Governor-General. The Bahamas is a stable strong economy, dependent on tourism and the provision of financial services. Tourism accounts for more than half of the GDP and provides work for more than two thirds of the working population. Financial services are the second most important sector of the Bahamian economy, accounting for approximately 15% of GDP. Manufacturing and agriculture together contribute less than 7% to GDP, despite government incentives aimed at these sectors. The Bahamas is the only country in the Western Hemisphere that is not a member of the World Trade Organization. The coronavirus pandemic contributed to the drop in GDP in 2020 by 19.5%., in
This Summary Territorial Information is processed for a country that is so-called accredited. The information is provided in a basic scope.
Basic information about the territory
Subchapters:
- System of governance and political tendencies in the country
- Foreign policy of the country
- Population
The system of governance and political tendencies in the country
Official name of the state: The Commonwealth of The Bahamas
Head of State: British Queen Elizabeth II. The Constitution of the Bahamas is based on the Westminster model. The country is headed by the British Queen Elizabeth II, who is represented by the Governor-General, who appoints the Prime Minister from the winning party of the election and acts on the recommendations of the Government. Sir Cornelius A. Smith has been the Governor-General since 28 June 2019. The Governor-General is appointed by the monarch on the proposal of the Prime Minister. As of September 17, 2021, the Prime Minister is Philip Edward Davis, who is also the Minister of Finance.
Power is divided into executive, legislative and judicial. Executive power is ensured by the government, which is composed of at least 9 ministers. A bicameral parliament consisting of a senate (16 senators) and a lower house (39 deputies) provides legislative power. Judicial power is exercised by the Supreme Court, which consists of the Chief Justice and a maximum of 11 and a minimum of 2 other judges. The country shows political stability. The last parliamentary election was held on 16 September 2021 and the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) defeated the ruling Free National Movement (FNM) in a snap election to win 32 of the 39 seats in the House. The Free National Movement (FNM) took the remaining seats. The next general election should be held in 2026.
Composition of the Government: Prime Minister and Minister of Finance: Philip Edward Davis
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism, Investment and Aviation: Isaac Chester Cooper
Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs: Frederick Audley Mitchell
Minister of Social Services and Urban Development: Obediah Hercules Wilchcombe
Secretary of Homeland Security: Wayne R. Munroe
Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources: Vaughn P. Miller
Minister for Transport and Housing: Jobeth Lillian Coleby-Davis
Minister for Economic Affairs: Michael Halkitis
Minister for Youth, Sport and Culture: Mario Keith Bowleg
Minister for Education and Technical and Vocational Training: Glenys Hanna-Martin
Minister of Agriculture and Marine Resources: Clay Glennford Sweeting
Minister of Health and Spas: Michael Ronald Darville
Minister of Labor and Utilities: Alfred Michael Sears
Minister of Labor and Immigration: Keith Ricardo Bell
Minister for Grand Bahama: Ginger Maria Moxey
Secretary of State in the Office of the Prime Minister: Myles Kentworth LaRoda
Secretary of State for Education and Technical and Vocational Training: Zane Enrico Lightbourne
Secretary of State for the Environment: Basil Walton McIntosh
Secretary of State for the Public Service: Pia Takita Glover-Rolle
Secretary of State for Legal Affairs: Jomo Chaka Campbell
Secretary of State for Human Services and Urban Development: Lisa Tammy Rahming
Attorney-General and Minister for Legal Affairs: Leo Pinder
Foreign policy of the country
The Bahamian government maintains close relations with the United States of America, which is the main trading partner of the Bahamas and a collaborator in the fight against illegal trafficking (drugs, weapons, immigration). The Bahamas has historical ties with Great Britain. China has also strongly established itself as a key partner of the Bahamas and has become a significant investor, particularly in the tourism and infrastructure sectors. Bilateral relations with Haiti are negatively affected by illegal immigration. The Bahamas opened an embassy in Brussels in November 2019, which will greatly facilitate direct communication with the EU. Bahamian nationals have been exempt from applying for Schengen visas since May 2009. Check themotorcyclers for Bahamas defense and foreign policy.
The Bahamas is a member of the United Nations. Regional integration is also of vital importance to the Bahamas, the main regional platform being CARICOM and the OAS. Since 1983, they have also been part of the Non-Aligned Movement.
Population
According to World Bank data from 2020, the Bahamas has a total population of 393,248 with an average annual increase of 0.84%.
Ethnic composition: blacks (90.6%), whites (4.7%), mixed race (2.1%), others (2.6%).
Religious composition: Protestants 69.9%, Roman Catholics 12%, other Christian churches 13%, others 5.1%.
Most of the population lives in urban areas, two-thirds live on New Providence Island, where the capital, Nassau, is located. The rate of urbanization reaches 83.2%.
