Bahamas Geography

What is the terrain and geography like in Bahamas?

Overview

The Islands of the Bahamas lie between 20 and 27°N latitude and 72 and 79°W longitude. Separated from the North American Continent by the Florida Channel and cooled in the summer by the northeast trade winds. The Bahamas extends over 100,000 square miles of sea, with slightly less than half lying in the Tropics. The Tropic of Cancer crosses the lower part of Long Island. Contrary to popular belief, the Bahamas is not in the Caribbean but is in the Atlantic Ocean.

The Bahamas stretch over a distance of some 760 miles from northwest to southeast and includes 30 inhabited islands, 661 cays, and about 2,387 exposed reefs. The total land area is approximately 5,380 square miles, about the size of Wales or two‑thirds the size of Massachusetts. The largest island is Andros, with an area of 2,300 square miles and the smallest inhabited island is Spanish Wells, with an area of one-half mile. The highest point is 206-foot-high Como Hill on Cat Island. Some of the most beautiful beaches and lagoons in the world are located in the Bahamas.

Over 50 varieties of trees can be found here, including such exotic species as the African tulip, the casuarina, the cork tree, several varieties of palm trees, and about 40 varieties of fruit trees. In addition, large varieties of shrubs, climbers, vines, vegetables, and herbs are found here.

Geography - note

Strategic location adjacent to US and Cuba; extensive island chain of which 30 are inhabited

Climate

There are no significant seasonal changes requiring winter clothing or central heating in the Bahamas. The rainy season is from May to October with an average in Nassau of six inches per month. From November through April, the average rainfall is two inches per month. The hurricane season extends from June through November, the greatest risk being in August, September, and October.

In the winter, temperatures rarely fall below 60°F, and usually reach 77°F by mid-afternoon. During the summer, temperatures fluctuate between 85–90°F in the daytime and 75°F or less in the evening. Although humidity can reach about 80% (relative humidity for September is 82%), prevailing easterly winds lessen personal discomfort. Temperatures vary from a low of 76.7°F in January to a high of 89.1°F in August. Humidity causes mildew on leather and textile products, but homes equipped with central air‑conditioning or dehumidifiers neutralize the harmful effects.

Rainfall often occurs in the form of fairly intense showers, frequently accompanied by strong, gusty winds. These storms are usually short and are followed by clear skies. Weather conditions can change rapidly. Statistically, a hurricane can be expected to occur in some part of the Bahamas every nine years.

Bahamas Use of Natural Resources

Bahamas Environment

Climate:

Terrain:

Long, flat coral formations with some low rounded hills

Natural Resources:

Salt, aragonite, timber, arable land

Natural Hazards:

Hurricanes and other tropical storms cause extensive flood and wind damage

Irrigated Land:

4 Square Miles
10 Square Kilometers

Environmental Issues:

Coral reef decay; solid waste disposal

Environment - International Agreements:

Party To: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Bahamas Geography

Geographic Location	The Caribbean
Total Area	5,359 Square Miles 13,880 Square Kilometers
Land Area	3,865 Square Miles 10,010 Square Kilometers
Water Area	1,494 Square Miles 3,870 Square Kilometers
Irrigated Land	4 Square Miles 10 Square Kilometers
Coastline	2,201 Miles 3,542 Kilometers
Geographic Coordinates	24 15 N, 76 00 W
Terrain	Long, flat coral formations with some low rounded hills
Highest Point	63 Meters
Highest Point Location	Mount Alvernia, on Cat Island 63 m
Lowest Point Location	Atlantic Ocean 0 m
Natural Resources	Salt, aragonite, timber, arable land
Time Zone	UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Daylight saving time	+1hr, begins second Sunday in March; ends first Sunday in November

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