Representing a rich culture and lifestyle that is changing rapidly, this book presents The Bahamas" history from the time of Columbus 500 years ago and rediscovers the unique features of each one of its islands. Stretching 600 miles from Inagua in the south to Walkers Cay in the north, and nearly as far along the Tropic of Cancer from San Salvador in the east to Cay Sal in the west, The Bahamas is the largest of all island chains in the Caribbean. Its 700 islands, with their numerous rocks and small cays, are surrounded by large banks. Over half the population of 250,000 lives on the main island of New Providence where the glamorous capital of Nassau sits overlooking the harbour and adjacent Paradise Island. The remainder of the population is spread in small and large communities in all the other islands. While Nassau and Freeport are at the commercial heartbeat of The Bahamas, providing its people with an economic and political structure, most of its inherent customs, traditions and ways of life are found in the other islands.