The Bahamas are an archipelago of about 700 islands and over 2,000 uninhabited islets and cays lying approximately 50 miles off the east coast of Florida. They extend for about 760 miles (1,223 km). Only about 30 of the islands and cays are inhabited; the most important is New Providence. New Providence is economically the most important island of the Bahamas, home to its capital Nassau, the seat of government. Nassau is a sophisticated, charming old town built on a sun-splashed hillside overlooking the sea. It was founded in 1670 and rapidly grew as the centre of commerce for the islands due to its protected harbour with fine anchorages. Within its 80 square miles live over 170,000 people – about 60 % of the Bahamian people. Other islands include Grand Bahama, Abaco, Eleuthera, Andros, Cat Island, and San Salvador. All the islands of the archipelago are composed of coraline limestone, mostly lie only a few feet above sea level, and are generally flat.

The Arawak Indians were the first inhabitants of the Bahamas. Columbus' first encounter with the New World on October 12 1492 was the Bahamian island of San Salvador. The British first built settlements on the islands in the 17th century. In the early 18th century, the Bahamas were a favourite pirate haunt. The Bahamas were a crown colony from 1717 until they were granted internal self-government in 1964. The islands moved toward greater autonomy in 1968 after the overwhelming victory in general elections of the Progressive Liberal Party, led by Prime Minister Lynden O. Pindling, over the predominately white United Bahamians Party. With its new mandate from the 85% black population, Pindling's government negotiated a new constitution with Britain under which the colony became the Commonwealth of the Bahama Islands in 1969. On July 10 1973, the Bahamas became an independent nation.