Bahamas Info Guide by BENCHMARK PUBLISHING CO.

BAHAMAS I N F O G U I D E

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The Commonwealth of The Bahamas Country Profile Constitution & Government The Senate Executive Authority The Cabinet The Judiciary The Legal System Public Order The People Recreation Sports & The Arts The Environment Employment Tourism & The Workforce Religion & Custom Manufacturing Education......and more

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The Commmonwealth OfThe Bahamas

he Bahamas are remembered as Columbusâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Landfall. By the Treaty of Tordessillais the Pope divided the New World between Portugal and Spain making the Bahamas a Spanish possession; containing no gold or other marketable commodity, was useless to them. Useful only to the devious and sinister designs of Sir Humphrey Gilbert and the British who annexed them in the early 1580â&#x20AC;&#x2122; s with little opposition, it remained British until July 10, 1973. Unfortunately British designs meant piracy and buccaneering for over a century. Between 1647- 1660 Captain William Sayle and the Puritan Scheme to create a Holy Republic based on their interpretation of the Christian gospel collapsed. Piety was no substitute for survival in a land with little agricultural potential. The failure of the Eleutheran Adventurers did not deter other Colonisers. On July 11, 1670, King Charles II granted the Bahamas to the Lords Proprietors of Carolina who sought to capitalise Captain Woodes Rogers on the prospective Colonisers. Colonisation began within the year but Piracy provided richer and quicker returns and the location and physical features contributed to Piracy. Motivated by commercial development, Captain Woodes Rogers, a celebrated

The Islands of The Bahamas

Privateer, arrived in 1718 and succeeded in exterminating the more notorious pirates and the Bahamas received its first Coat of Arms - “Piratis Expulsis Commercia Restituta” (Pirates expelled Trade restored). In his determination to exterminate piracy, Rogers expended all his shareholders’ funds for which he was arrested and imprisoned on his return to England. However, Rogers was able to use his influence to secure the appointment of the First Royal Governor in 1728. He arrived in pomp and splendour in August 1729 making the Bahamas a Crown Colony. Law and Order were established with the creation of a Judiciary. Representative Government was established with the creation of a House of Assembly and the Church of England was established. Decency, stability and the rule of Law were certainly needed.These alone were insufficient to make the Bahamas a commercial success as succeeding experiments crumbled. Between 1783-1793 the Loyalists Refugees from the United States sought to regain their losses in the Bahamas. A plantocracy was not achieved but the impact of the Loyalists still survives. fficially Slave Labour was introduced into the Bahamas by Roger Whetstone Rogers, a son of Captain Rogers in 1726 but, transient Slaves must have accompanied their European Masters on their many exploratory visits between 1629-1726. The institution of Slavery deprived the Black Majority of citizenship and participation. The Act for the Emancipation of Slavery in the Bahamas passed on August 4, 1834 and stipulated the freed slaves would become apprentices of their former masters for seven years. This system lasted three years only since the masters were unwilling and unable to pay wages. The Emancipation of Slavery took the form of a religious celebration of Thanksgiving for God’s Providence. The newly emancipated knew this was not an end in itself but merely a means to an end. The means were not always adequate or sufficient, and the end was sometimes lost sight of. On January 10, 1967, Majority rule was obtained. On July 10, 1973 Independence was achieved in a “Quiet Revolution”. These historical and monumental events occurred peacefully. Our history continues to unfold.

Bahamas Profile COUNTRY NAME:

The Commonwealt Of The Bahama Islands

CAPITAL: Nassau, New Providence Island POPULATION: 353,658 The people of The Islands Of The Bahamas are a unique mix of descendants of Eleutherian Adventurers, American colonial Loyalists and African freemen and slaves. The vast majority of the population is of African descent with sizable percentages of mixed and white descent. Though close to the United States, the culture in The Islands Of The Bahamas is not North American and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not Caribbean: Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bahamian! The pace of life in Bahamian societyis generally relaxed and leisurely, though the workforce is productive. The people are friendly, courteous, and respectful. The population of The Islands of The Bahamas was 303,611 during the 2000 census and had increased to 353, 658 at the end of the year 2010. Slightly more than two thirds of the people live in New Providence Island where the capital city of Nassau is located . ISLAND New Providence Grand Bahama Abacos Acklins Andros Bimini

POPULATION 248,948 51,756 16,692 560 7,386 1,717

ISLAND Berry Islands Cat Island Croked Island & Long Cay Eleuthera Harbour Island Inagua The Exumas Long Island Mayaguana Ragged Island Rum Cay San Salvador SpanishWells

POPULATION 798 1,503 323 9,110 1,702 969 7,314 3,072 271 70 99 930 1,537

All Bahamas

353,658

STATUS: Independent sovereign state GOVERNMENT TYPE: Parliamentary Democracy NATIONAL FLAG: A black triangle on aquamarine and gold background. The colours symbolize the people, the sea, and the sun. OFFICIAL LANGUAGE: English CURRENCY: Bahamian dollar, on par with U.S. dollar AREA OF LAND: 5,400 square miles

OCEAN AREA:

100,000 square miles

DISTANCES:

740 miles from northwest to southeast

TIME:

Eastern time zone; follows daylight saving time

PHONE AREA CODE:

242

LARGEST CITIES:

Nassau, New Providence Freeport/Lucaya, Grand Bahama

Most Visited:

1. New Providence Island 2. Grand Bahama 3. The Abacos 4. Eleuthera/Harbour Islands 5. Bimini

Largest Islands:

1. Andros 2. Abaco 3. Great Inagua 4. Grand Bahama Island

Highest Point:

Mt. Alvernia on Cat Island 206 feet above sea level.

Main Industries:

1. Tourism 2. Banking 3. Agriculture 4. Oil refining

ver 90 per cent of the population adheres to some form of Christianity. The Baptists are undoubtedly the largest Christian denomination comprising 34% of the general population. The Anglican/Episcopal (Church of England) and the Roman Catholic Churches equally share roughly 17% each, and the remaining 46% is made up of other Christian denominations. English is the official language of The Islands Of The Bahamas and the literacy rate is 98.2 percent. Education is free and compulsory up to age sixteen. Bahamians have their own way of speaking English, called dialect or Bahamianese. Listen closely and you will note British, Irish, and/or African influences. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be embarrassed to ask if you sometimes need a translation.

The Senate and House of Asembly, Parliament Square, Bay S t., Nassau. New Providence Island.

Constitution & Government

he Puritans under Captain William Sayle introduced the first known Constitution to the Bahamas. A unicameral dictatorship by 100 Elders ruling according to the Christian gospel only. Non Europeans were to be evangelised but Black people would be subjected to a period of servitude before they could be saved. The present Constitution of the Bahamas came into effect on July 10, 1973. The Bahamas is a Constitutional Monarchy following the BritishWestminster model. Attracted by its high standard of living and its political stability and maturity, not to mention its proximity to the United States of America, it is attractive to many migrants.As a small country with a rapidly increasing population the Constitution is quite liberal in deter-

mining who shall and shall not be citizens of the country. Under the Constitution the government of the day determines citizenship.All are guaranteed the normal basic fundamental rights and freedoms enjoyed by people in the rest of the western world. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Whereas every person in the Bahamas is entitled to the fundamental rights and freedoms of the individual, that is to say, has the right whatever his race, place of origin, political opinions, colour, creed or sex, but subject to respect the rights and freedoms of others and for the public interest, to each and all of the following, namely: (a) life, liberty, security of the person and the protection of the law; (b)freedom of conscience, of expression and of assembly and association, and (c) protection for the privacy of his home and other property and from deprivation of property without compensation.â&#x20AC;? The Head of State is Queen Elizabeth the Second who is represented by a Governor General whom she appoints at her pleasure to hold office during her pleasure. The Current Governor General is His Excellency Sir. Arthur Foulkes. It is mistakenly assumed that the Office of Governor General is no more than a symbolic and ceremonial decoration. Not according to the Constitution which invests the institution with grave responsibilities and duties and, whose functions are as time consuming as they are labour intensive. The Parliament of the Bahamas consists of: 1. The Governor General 2. The Senate or Upper House 3. The House of Assembly

The Senate The Senate, though not a House of Lords, provides checks and balances of the Legislation referred to it by the House of Assembly. The Senate consists of 16 appointed members who reflect the political balance of the Nation. The present House of Assembly consists of 40 elected members who reflect the political pulse of the Nation. The House of Assembly is presided over by the Speaker. The Senate is a modern successor of the Legislative Council. It is presided over by a President.

Executive Authority The Executive Authority is vested in Her Majesty the Queen. Subject to the provisions of the Constitution this Authority may be exercised on behalf of Her Majesty by the Governor General, either directly or through officers subordinate to her.

The Cabinet The Cabinet, consists of the Prime Minister and not less than eight other members (of whom one shall be the Attorney General), are responsible for the general direction and control of the Government. The Prime Minister and the Cabinet are collectively responsible to Parliament. The Governor General appoints both the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition. The Prime Minister is normally that member of the House of Assembly who is the leader of the Party which commands the support of the majority of the members of that House. The Leader of the Opposition is normally that member of the House of Assembly who, in the Governor Generalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s judgment, is best

able to command the support of the majority of the members of the House in opposition to the Government. The Royal executive authority is normally exercised by the Governor General directly or through officers subordinate to him/her.

The Judiciary

he Judicature consists of the Supreme Court and Justices of whom one may be appointed The Chief Justice by the Governor General on the recommenda tion of the Prime Minister after consultation with the Leader of the Opposition. The other Justices are similarly appointed but on the advice of the Judicial and Legal Service Commission. There are two Courts of Appeal; one local and the other the Judicial Committee of Her Majesty in Council commonly called Her Majestyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; s Privy Council. Appeals in certain murder cases have been made to other InternationalTribunals with a view to influencing public opinion against the death penalty . In the interest of the public good there are three Commissions which are advisory as well as disciplinary. They monitor and regulate their respective portfolios. These are the Public Service Commission, the Judicial and Legal Service Commission; and the Police Service Commission. The Royal Bahamas Police Force looks after internal security under the Command of a Provost Marshall or Commissioner of Police. The Royal Bahamas Defence Force evolved out of the Police Force and is charged with our external security; protecting our boundaries and fishing grounds. It works closely with the United States Government in intercepting illicit drugs and refugees.

The Legal System

he Legal System is based on English Common Law but there are also extensive Statute Laws. Prior to 1795, cattle and hogs were allowed to run free in the Town of Nassau and its residents did not have to enclose their premises with either walls or fences. In 1795 Statute Laws, prohibited cattle and hogs running loose in the Town and residents penalised for failure to enclose their premises. The Constitution is the supreme Law and it makes provisions for the following Courts with their respective personnel. It must be remembered that the Judiciary is totally indepen-

dent of the Governor General, the Prime Minister, the Government or anyone or anything else, because no one is above the Law. The Supreme Court is the highest legal tribunal in general, civil and criminal proceedings. The principal Justice (Chief Justice) is appointed by the Governor General on the advice of Prime Minister after consultation with the Leader of the Opposition. There are two Supreme Courts and two Justices in Grand Bahama who serve the Northern Bahamas. These Courts traditionally open on the second Wednesday in January and sit throughout the year without the periodical breaks or terms of previous years. The Jury System guarantees an accused person the right to trial by his/her peers.

he Lower Courts include the following. Magistrate Courts deal with the total spectrum of criminal matters. These Courts are presided over by a Chief Mag istrate ably assisted by circuit and stipendiary magistrates. They exercise summary jurisdiction. The Administrators in the Family Islands have summary jurisdiction in less serious civil and criminal matters which significantly relieves the Magistrates’ Court of some of their work load. There is also a Children’s Welfare Committee which is more disciplinary than judicial and is not considered as part of the Judiciary. This Committee may however send minors to The Simpson Penn Centre for Boys or the Williemae Pratt Centre for Girls which are both units of the Ministry of Housing and Social Development. These are not penal institutions. Since the Bahamas consists more of water than land its maritime affairs are regulated by adequate legal provisions and enforced by the Royal Bahamas Defence Force which often involves an amicable liaison with the U. S. government particularly in respect of drugs and illegal immigrants. The Right of Appeal is guaranteed any appellant. The Appeal Courts are - The Judicial Committee of Her Majesty’s Privy Council and The Bahamas Court of Appeal. An appeal from a decision of a Family IslandAdministrator lies to a Magistrate and an appeal from a decision of a Magistrate lies to the Supreme Court.

The People

he People may be said to be composed of two racially distinct peoples who, in spite of the co-mixture of a few other ethnic strains combined with the comixture of white and black the demographic balance remains the same. The present population cannot justifiably claim to be indigenous anymore than the original inhabitants, the Lucayans or Arawaks. When by sheer coincidence these South American Indians and Columbus met in 1492, these people were migrants. It is said that the Spaniards depopulated the original inhabitants and elected not to colonise the Bahamas. Towards the end of the seventeenth century the first permanent British Settlements were made by a motley crowd among whom were the good, the bad and the ugly. As is normal the latter two categories were motivated by profit. It remains to this and succeeding generations to reverse the bad reputation perpertrated by many of our first colonisers. Our motto: “Forward, Upward, Onward, Together” is a far cry from the Country’s first motto which is hardly flattering or encouraging - “Expulsis piratis Commercia restituta” (Piracy abolished Trade restored). The institution of Slavery existed for a century thereby creating an economy in which a slave could only expect the basic necessities of survival. If it took a century to be recognised as a human being it was going to take even longer before a black man would be accepted as an equal participant with his white fellow citizen. It is within the context of slavery that the two major players, the master and the slave, make their appearance on the Bahamian stage. Blacks outnumbered White 2-1 at the initial Settlement. The arrival of the Loyalist Refugees precipitated by theAmerican War of Independence quadrupled the Black population by the arrival of more slaves who were vital to the recovery of the Refugee’s lost fortunes in the United States. Among these Blacks were a significant proportion of Free persons which did not

serve the balance between Master and Slave. When Britain abolished the Slave Trade in its Empire in 1808, Slave ships were arrested and their cargoes emancipated and domiciled at the nearest British port. A significant proportion of these “Liberated Africans” were deposited in the Bahamas. The Bahamas refused to accommodate them for obvious reasons. They became the direct responsibility of the British Government and the Colonial Governor whose efforts to “humanize” them were legally and violently opposed by the Colonial government. Though legally free the American Free Blacks and the LiberatedAfrican or any other non-white person for that matter, were regulated and controlled by Statute laws which were rigidly enforced. These laws were so vulgarly dehumanizing in the Bahamas that the minority white population lived in constant fear of an uprising which did in fact occur on many occasions.

hen the British settled Virginia it is said that they re-located some trouble some Indians in North Eleuthera. The slave community in the Bahamas did in fact include some North American Indians but no one knows how many. Coincident with the arrival of the Loyalist was the arrival of some English and non-English inhabitants of San Andrea on the Mosquito Coast whose entourage of slaves did include Africans and Indians. Miscegenation was accepted among this group for which they were made to feel unwelcome in the Bahamas. They were unfairly treated. These people becarne the first inhabitants of Andros and their progeny have survived so also their names. Early in the nineteenth century a community of Seminole Indians out of Florida established a settlement at Red Bays, Andros. Their progeny and names survived.

Recreation Sports & The Arts

he official sport is cricket which has been played for more than a century. It would have died a natural death had not the expatriate community, especially the West Indians, saved it. Cricket associations in both Freeport and Nassau are experiencing renewed interest and it is being taught in some of the schools. Both Associations sponsor international good will tours which periodically compete with local teams. Baseball and Basketball are by far the most popular sports among Bahamians and some have succeeded in entering the Major Leagues in the United States. Consisting of more water than land, the Bahamas took Gold in star class sailing at the Olympic Games in 1948. They have continued to excel in International competition. An extra-ordinary development in sailing has been the Family Island Regattas competition of work boats. The first one was held in Exuma in the 60â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s. Today they are held in other Islands, including New Providence and are supported with much enthusiasm. In professional boxing we have also achieved international recognition. Beginning with the 1962 Commonwealth Games the Bahamas has made its presence felt in Track and Field. This presence continues and the current champions of the 2000 Olympics in the female 4x100 Relays are Bahamians who have been immortalized by the sporting community as the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Golden Girls.â&#x20AC;? In the 1998 French Tennis Open a Bahamian, along with his Canadian partner, Daniel Nestor, made it to the semi-finals. On January 26, 2002 Knowles and Nestor won the Doubles in the Australian Open in Melbourne. The successes in sports were unexpected as our opportuhities and facilities were limited by facilities and finances. Motivated by our athletic achievements, the Government wisely created a separate Ministry of Youth, Sports and Community Affairs which now invests a significant proportion of the budget in sports. It also regulates sports. In New Providence the centre of Sporting Activity is the Queen Elizabeth Sports

Centre, Tommy Robinson Stadium, and the Kendal G. L. Isaacs Gymnasium. These institutions are gradually expanding and extending its facilities to encompass the full spectrum of sporting activities. (At present a new sports stadium is under construction at the Queen Elizabeth Sports Centre). n Freeport, Grand Bahama, the Port Authority, Freeport City Council and the Grand Bahama Sports Council have built a state of the arts complex to accommo date a full spectrum of sporting and athletic activity. In addition to these, many of the schools have their own facilities and those without will be provided for. Other sporting facilities are provided by Hotels and private organisations. These are private but for a fee outside guests are welcome. The Performing Arts are showcased in the Bahamas by the Dundas Centre in New Providence and on Grand Bahama by the Regency Theatre. Performances consist of both local and international productions. The Regency Theatre and the Dundas are both quite small with 450 and 334 seats respectively. The Dundas is the older of the two. Open all year round the Dundasâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s main season is between January and May. Bahamian Art and Culture are further propagated by the following groups: James Catalyn and Friends (a private voluntary group which is always well received) the Bahamas National Youth Choir, National Dance Company of the Bahamas, and National Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Choir. Under the direction of the Director of Culture theYouth Choir has visited and performed in many countries. They have also produced several recordings. Other performing arts groups are the Bahamas Concert Orchestra, Nassau Operatic Society, Nassau Renaissance Singers, and the Diocesan Chorale (R.C.). The Band of the Royal Bahamas Police Force is traditionally well received locally and internationally. The Band of the Royal Defence Force is still in its infancy but with the standard set by the Police it should do well. There are other Bands in the Bahamas but they are private or religion affiliated. There are many Artists who produce work in all mediums - oil, wood, clay, etc. and many Art Museums both in Nassau and Family Islands where paintings may be viewed and purchased.

he National Art Gallery, housed at Villa Doyle, located on West Hill Street,Nassau, was established in 1996. The gallery is intended to become a greatly expanded museeum system which will include the National Library , the National Museum as well as the NationalArchives. The former Shirley Street Theatre in New Providence was bought by the Bahamas Government and renovated and refurbished at a cost of $4 million. It opened in 2001 as The National Centre for the Performing Arts. Last but not least Junkanoo is the premier cultural experience. The two official days are Boxing Day (Dec 26th) and New Years Day between the hours of 1:00am and 9:00am. If, however, the contestents have not completed the required laps of the parade route by 9:00am the hour may be extended accordingly.

The Environment

mall though it is the Bahamas is the largest archipelago in the Tropi-cal/subTropical Atlantic. It boasts a series of firsts: the most extensive ocean holes and limestone caves in the world, the Exuma Land and Sea Park was the first of its kind in the world under a single management (The Bahamas NationalTrust), the first ever marine fishery reserve in the Caribbean is found within the Exuma Land and Sea Park. The largest breeding ground of West Indian flamingoes (National Bird of the Bahamas), estimated to be about 60,000 pairs, are to be found in the Inagua National Park. It was saved from extinction by the Trust as one of its first efforts after its formation in 1959. The Bahamas has an Ambassador for the Environment. A peculiarly Bahamian creation and unprecedented elsewhere. The greatest and most precious natural resource is its Environment without which theTourist Industry would be

doomed and the quality of life of its residents seriously impaired. One need not be an environmental scientist to realize that the environment rests on a fragile infrastructure. The Trust is a private organisation depending on membership fees, endowment funds and grants. The Trust is dedicated to the conservation of historical, cultural and natural resources of the Bahamas. It enjoys an amicable and supportive working relationship with many local and international organisations. In the last fifty-one years the Trustâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s contribution to National development may be showcased in the following achievements: the supervision of 12 National Parks scattered over 320,000 acres and protected areas, on going efforts to save from extinction the Green Turtle, White Crowned Pigeon, the Bahamas Parrot and the Hutia (a rodent like creature). Another champion of the environment is theWild Life Conservation Unit of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, an arm of the Government. It controls and regulates the fisheries, birds, and flora and fauna of the Bahamas. The Unit is mandated to conserve and preserve the bio-diversity on which plant and animals depend for survival. Many species of plant and animal life in the Bahamas have become extinct over centuries of ignorance and neglect. Strenuous efforts are being made to reverse this destructive trend not only by official and semi-official agencies of the Government but by private environmental agencies as well. Since the environment belongs to all of us, the financial and moral support of the wider community is absolutely essential. The best way of achieving the public support is by adding conservation to the curriculum and a start in this direction has been made. As a pledge of the Governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s concern for the environment was the creation of the Bahamas Environment Science and Technology Commission (BEST) in the Office of the Prime Minister. The Chairperson has the official position of the Ambassador of the Environment.

Employment

he latest statistics reveal a labour force of 171,490. The Department of Statistics defines the working population as â&#x20AC;&#x153;all persons fifteen years of age and over, who are either working, or, are willing and able to work and actively looking for employment.â&#x20AC;? The statistics show that the workforce still follows traditional gender related positions for the most part. The disparity between male and female in the work place is being significantly narrowed. Statistics show that â&#x20AC;&#x153;The data on employed persons by Industrial Group reveal that the majority (20%) were employed in Craft and Related Workers, Plant & Machine Operators and Assemblers, followed by Service Workers & Shop And Market Sales Workers with 19%. The only groups not dominated by females in the work place are as follows-Craft And Related Workers, Plant & Machine Operators And Assemblers, Skilled Agricultural and Fishery Workers and Legislators & Senior Of ficials. Among Service Workers & Shop and Market Sales Workers females account for 26% of the work force to 14% for males. Clerks 26% female to 5% for males. Professionals, Technicians & Associate Professionals 20% females to 14% males. Among Legislators & Senior Officials females are significantly closing the gender barrier with 5% to 8%.

Tourism AndThe Workforce Tourism for many years has been considered the number one industry in the Bahamas, hence the 1990 Census attempted to measure the extent to which the labour force participated in the Industry. The responses were based on how individuals viewed their jobs in relation to Tourism. 33% of all employed persons felt their job to some degree was Tourism related; of these persons 14.5% felt their job was totally related to Tourism. On the other hand, 66% of all employed persons, claimed their job was not at all related to Tourism. Eighty-five percent employed in the Restaurant and Hotel Industry felt their job was somewhat related to Tourism - service workers and shop and market sales workers represented the highest with 35%.

Religion And Custom

t is said that when Christopher Columbus landed at San Salvador (Guanahani/ Watlings Island) a Catholic priest offered the first prayers in the New world. Though Columbus received the blessing of the Church before setting out on his voyage of discovery no one expected to see him again, not even the clergy. Though technically a Spanish possession by virtue of its discovery by Columbus Roman Catholicism made no initiatives in the Bahamas until the latter part of the nineteenth century. The Church of England was established by law in 1729 and one of the Royal Instructions directed that sympathy be shown to all denominations of Christians â&#x20AC;&#x153;except Papists.â&#x20AC;? The Church of England was for at least a century the only religion in the Bahamas. Other denominations of Christians (the Presbyterians, Methodist and Baptists) arrived with the Loyalists Refugees between 1783-1787. The Presbyterians shared the facilities of Christ Church (Anglican) until able to erect their own Kirk. The first Methodists in the Bahamas called themselvesAfrican Methodist Episcopal (an American version of Wesleyan Methodism). Division and rivalry amongst the leadership created a split which drove some of them into the Anglican Church under the leadership of a Free Black - Joseph Paul. Wesleyan Methodism was introduced into the Bahamas by a white Barbadian through the British Methodist Society.

The Baptist Church was also led by Free Black Loyalists. They multiplied by division- a state of affairs which still occurs to the present day. The British Baptists via the London Baptist Society entered the Bahamas in 1835. Baptists in the Bahamas may trace their origins to the United States and Britain as well as a Native Baptist community which evolved out of the original strains. In spite of its ability to multiply by division the Baptist denomination, has achieved unity in diversity. It is the largest Christian denomination in the Bahamas comprising 34 % of the population. The predominance and popularity of the Baptist Churches in the Bahamas is easily explained. The first Baptist missionaries had themselves been slaves so they, including some of the white Baptist missionaries were empathetic to the conditions of slavery. Both the Church of England and the Presbyterians were established by law and a part of the establishment which condoned slavery. British Methodism, like the Baptist, at first empathized and sympathized with slavery but eventually acquiesced with the Presbyterians and the Church of England at the pastoral neglect of black people.

he Church of England through the instrumentality of the Missionaries of the United Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts made some attempts to correct the sins of the past but, alas, it was too late in the day to reverse the pastoral thrust of the Baptists. The Presbyterian did and does not pursue missionary endeavours, except for one attempt at Exuma during the nineteenth century which did not succeed. With the exception of the Anglicans, Presbyterians, Baptists, British Methodists, Judaism and the Roman Catholics, all the other denominations entered the mission field during the twentieth century. These are as follows: Assemblies of God, Brethren, two separate Churches of God, Greek Orthodox, Seventh Day Adventists, Pentecostal, Lutheran and Jehovahâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Witnesses. The five major Christian denominations of the Bahamas are as follows:Baptist, Anglican, Roman Catholic, Methodist and the Churches of God.

During Slavery the Christian religion was the only humanizing force available which offered deliverance and the hope of better things to come hence the practice of religion and church attendance became habit. A way of life which is as characteristic of the Bahamian majority today as it was then. Even though being religious does not a Christian make superficially the Bahamas may be described as a Christian nation. The contribution of the Christian religion to the abolition and emancipation of Slavery in the Bahamas is reflected in the preamble to the Constitution: â&#x20AC;&#x153;And whereas the People of this Family of Islands recognise that the preservation of their Freedom will be guaranteed by a national commitment to Self-discipline, Industry, Loyalty, Unity and an abiding respect for Christian values and the Rule of Law.â&#x20AC;?

Manufacturing

anufacturing is beset by many obstacles. There is nothing that we can produce which cannot be produced faster, better and cheaper elsewhere. Bahamian labour is not cheap. Composed of more water than land, our natural resources are limited. Raw materials have to be imported to sustain the manufacturing industry. Situated next door to one of the greatest manufacturing giants, the U.S.A., Bahamians are satisfied to be importers rather than exporters. Sixty-five percent of the economy is based on Tourism and Financial Services. In an effort to broaden and diversify this base, the Government in 1970, passed the Industries Encouragement Act to provide incentives for the manufacture of approved products, including tax and duty exemptions for the importation of machinery and raw materials. The Act was amended to require a 7% Stamp tax on persons registered under the Act. The Commonwealth Brewery Ltd. (CBL), owned jointly by Heineken International and a Bahamian company known asAssociated Bahamian Distillers and Brewers (ABDAB), produce the national beer of the Bahamas. Kalik beer is named after the sound of the cowbell in the bi-annual Junkanoo parade. CBL has a brewing capacity of 2.5 million cases per annum. Besides being the top locally sold beer, it won the Monde Selection Gold Medal for the third time in 1992. The International Institute for Quality Selection also awarded Kalik theTrophy for High Quality. Pursuing a dynamic sales promotion CBL already supplies Royal Caribbean Cruise Line’s ‘Sovereign of the Seas’ and exports to the S tate of Florida, Georgia and North and South Carolina. Grand Bahama and Andros are currently the only other Islands where local manufacturing occurs. Androsia, a batik fabric featuring Bahamian designs and colours, was established as a cottage industry in 1973, using imported cotton.

There are about 11 international companies in Grand Bahama involved with the production of pharmaceuticals. These are all oil-based and involve the import of raw materials. The only company dealing primarily with indigenous material is Bahama Rock, they quarry and crush limestone for export. Grand Bahama also exports fruits and vegetables. Aragonite is mined in the Bimini area. Traditionally straw-work and boat-building are entrenched in the Bahamas.Almost every visitor will purchase straw-work which is easily accessible to them at strategic locations. Boat building is an industry that has been passed down from father to son. Salt is exported from Inagua by the Morton Salt Company. The following are manufactured in New Providence: Shell crafts, Art, wood carvings, ceramics, condiments, beverages, water, audio-recordings via cassettes and CDâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; s, bleach, soaps, paint, paper products, gold and native jewelry (made from locally available raw materials), handcrafted furniture, mattresses, shoes, leather products, and fragrances. The following are manufactured in Grand Bahama: polystyrene beads, and medical devices.

Education

he first teacher in the Bahamas is said to have been Botham Squire, who, in 1718, taught reading, writing, arithmetic and the “ Catechism” gratis!An Act of 1734 provided elementary education for New Providence, Harbour Island and Eleuthera long before a similar Act was passed in England. An Academy for boys was established in 1804 but aborted due to the physical disability of the Principal. In 1795, an Act of Parliament created elementary education throughout the inhabited islands. A Board of Public Instruction was created in 1836 to supervise, control and regulate elementary education. A public school, The King’s College School was also established. In 1844, the

Church of England’s control of education ended and the Board of Education came into existence following a liberal inter-denominational system in contrast to the inflexible denominational system pursued by the State Church. Religious Knowledge is the only subject mandated by law to be taught in Ministry of Education’s Schools to the present day. While he “Ministry” succeeded both earlier Boards and is mandated to provide policy and the whole spectrum of educational requirements of the nation, the recently created “Department of Educatation” complete with its own Director, has responsibility for the management of the public schools, at the operational level.

n the implementation of its duty it is complemented and complimented by indepen dent religious and private authorities. These authorities are in turn subsidised by government grants since they, too, facilitate and enhance the public good and so contribute to national development. In September, 1998 The Eugene Dupuch Law School was established in Nassau as a fully accredited institution. Bahamians are now spared the expense and inconvenience of having to travel abroad for legal studies. The College of the Bahamas opened in 1973 and offers internationally recognised degrees in the following areas: Business, Social Science, Natural Science, Humanities, Education, Technology, Nursing and Health. In 1998, the College commenced a full four year bachelors degree programme. It has campuses in some of the Family Islands. The University of the West Indies is involved in advanced teacher training and the Bahamas HotelTraining College and awards its own degrees and certification. Catering mainly to Tourism and the Culinary Arts the Hotel College is regulated and controlled by the Government, U.W.I. and the Hotel Industry through a Trade Union. (In 2000 the Bahamas Hotel Training College was assimilated and incorporated into The College of The Bahamas which is a significant milestone in the Bahamian educational system).

The Bahamas Technical & Vocational Institute is the flag-ship of its area. It has a main campus in New Providence and a campus in Grand Bahama with more on the drawing board. Some international universities offer degree programmes locally. The increasing numbers of academic institutions represented, are due to a demand for tertiary education, especially by females. All academic institutions have to be accredited by the Ministry of Education. Secondary education was until about 1922 selective and discriminatory. The Bahamas Government High School, established in 1925 for any one who could pass the entrance examination. In 1947, the Anglican Church opened St. Johnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s College to accommodate the demand for secondary education. Secondary graduates wrote examinations set by the University of Cambridge. Today secondary students write the Bahamas General Certificate of Secondary Education (BGCSE) which Cambridge assisted in creating to be more compatible and sensitive of National requirements. Private, Independent and Denominational schools share the responsibility of providing education in the Bahamas. The Ministry of Education subsidizes these institutions.

East Street South Clinic, New Providence

Health

he Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), a division of The World Health Organization (WHO), is represented in the Bahamas. PAHO’S most recent fourth annual two volume report, Health in the Americas describes the efforts being made to improve the health of the Bahamas. It defines health as “a state of complete physical, mental and social well being.” However statisticians still measure health as the absence of disease and infirmity. The life expectancy at birth for males and females in 1998 was 68.3 % and 75.3 % respectively.’ Of the six causes of death related to lifestyles four are directly related to nutrition. These statistics illustrate and

demonstrate the pertinency of WHO’s definition of health. They also reflect an overall improvement in health during the past ten years. The Ministry of Health and the Environment is mandated to provide the bulk of the health needs and facilities. The Ministry controls and regulates its 3 major hospitals, medical practitioners and other health care professionals. It is responsible for health information, research, and education. The Department of Public Health operates under the umbrella of the Ministry of Health but is a separate and distinct entity within itself. It controls Community Health Clinics in New Providence and the Family Islands. It provides public health district nurses who visit patients who cannot attend clinic. Though not a part of the Health Ministry or Public Health, the Department of Environmental Health Services complements and compliments the delivery of “a state of complete physical mental and social well being.” Through an Inspectorate, Environmental Health Services monitors the environment, assesses risks to it, supervises the collection of solid waste and its disposal. The Princess Margaret Hospital with 436 private and public beds offers state of the art medical care for average health requirements. It enjoys a liaison with Health Authorities in the U.S.A., especially Florida, for the express purpose of meeting needs not locally available. A new Princess Margaret Hospital with twice the amount of beds and improved facilities and services is expected to be completed within five years. The Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre was established in 1956 with 352 beds, it provides the requisite social, medical, psychological and psychiatric services for residential and out patients. The institution’s facilities are currently being expanded. The Geriatric Hospital, with 130 beds, was established in 1965 to provide a comprehensive medical care for elderly people whose nursing needs could not be met at home or in the general hospital. It admits, subject to space, persons of any age. The Rand Memorial Hospital is the only facility owned and controlled by the Ministry of Health found outside New Providence.Additionally district clinics are found throughout Grand Bahama. In the event of a community having an emergency where no health facilities are provided the Ministry will fly a patient to the nearest facility in New Providence or Freeport.

The private sector is adequately provided for in health services.Doctors Hospital is a privately operated hospital. It serves the need of those who can afford to pay or whose insurances will pay. The Lyford Cay Hospital/Bahamas Heart Institute is a smaller version of Doctors Hospital with 12 beds. It is the home of the Bahamas Hyperbaric Centre. The only recompression facility in New Providence is found here. It is affiliated with the Cleveland Clinic, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida; Duke Medical Centre, Durham, North Carolina; and the Miami Heart Institute, Miami, Florida. The Stat Care Medical & Emergency Centre provides comprehensive emergency services in New Providence with a team of consultants and specialist. Though an out-patient facility it can receive inpatients if necessary . Grand Bahamas boasts the following private clinics: Sunrise Medical Centre, and Lucayan Medical Centres.

Social Welfare

he Ministry of Housing and Social Development’ is the government’ s agency mandated to provide affordable housing and social welfare for its citizens. Con scious of the importance of a healthy mind in a healthy body to national development, the Ministry receives a substantial proportion of the budget to achieve its objectives. These objectives are implemented by the Department of Social Welfare. The Department is sub-divided into nine sections to deliver affordable housing and effective and timely social services to the public - ChildWelfare; Family Services; Elderly; Community Support; Family Island Services; School Welfare; Health Social Services; Disabled and Disadvantaged and Research. The Department’s hub of operation is New Providence where there are four subservice centres; three Senior Citizens Centres; one ChildWelfare Centre and two Senior Citizens Homes. There are offices and sub-service centres in the following Islands: Abaco, Andros, Crooked Island, Grand Bahama, Eleuthera, Exuma and Long Island. An Officer from Headquarters supervises and co-ordinates these. In spite of its own immediate social responsibilities and work load the Department lends an ever extending helping hand to some of the private and denominational organizations in the field. Non-governmental organizations compliment and complement the work of the Department of Social Services. Being private charities they are dependent on the generosity of the public for funds which are almost always insufficient. The Ministry therefore provides some subsidies to assist non-governmental social outreach services and there is mutual cooperation and sharing. The Bahamas Red Cross is the oldest overall social welfare organisation in the Bahamas. Some of the others are Ranfurly Home for Children; The Salvation Army; Crippled Children’s Committee; Young Women’s Christian Association; Persis Rodgers Home for theAged”; Abilities Unlimited’; Alcoholics Anonymous; Al-Anon; Bahamas Council onAlcoholism; Bahamas Association for Social Health;

Drug Action Service; Narcotics Anonymous; Teen Challenge; The Crisis Centre; and the Christian Counselling Centre. On Grand Bahama the following SocialWelfare organizations have offices: The Red Cross Centre, The Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Home, Narcotics Anonymous, Northern Bahamas Council for the Disabled, Operation Hope (Drug Abuse Hotline) and Operation Outreach Teen Centre.

Land, Public Works & Utilities

o build, alter , change, re move or demolish any building whatsoever, a per mit is required by the Ministry of Public Works. The cost of building permits are determined proportionately to the size and extent proposed by private or commercial builders. The construction of walls, fences, or any boundary fixtures require permits. So also the removal of pre-existing utility fixtures, reclaiming land, and the building of private docks and swimming pools. Some building projects may require approval of the Department of Physical Planning. E.g. Land excavation and removal of protected trees. Private docks require approval of the Docks Committee of the Port Authority.3 Appli-

cations for building permits require deposits which range from $5.00 for up to 500 ft. to 10 % of total fee for over 1,500 sq. ft. Regulations on building in Freeport are similar to those in the rest of the Bahamas. The Bahamas Government promotes affordable housing so its lower income families can purchase a home through a mortgage insured programme.

The Bahamas Mortgage Corporation5 will ensure that persons who would not normally be eligible for a mortgage at a bank are able to obtain mortgages at less than current interest rate and for as long as thirty years. A guaranteed mortgage does not limit the borrower to building in earmarked low cost housing developments. The Ministry is currently involved with several such projects in both New Providence and in Grand Bahama.

Broadcasting

he Broadcasting Corporation of the Bahamas is a government owned corpora tion operating on its own revenue out of studios at Third Terrace East, Centreville, Nassau, and at the BTC Building, Freeport, Grand Bahama. They operate AM and FM Radio Stations and a television station. In 1993, legislation allowed private broadcasting in the nation. There are now several FM stations in existence. In 1994 the Government granted a 15 year exclusive licence for the installation and operation of Cable TV throughout the Bahamas to a Company comprised of Cable 2000 Inc. of Canada and Bahamian shareholders. Cable Bahamas purchased CATV in Grand Bahama in l995 giving it a monopoly for cable TV services in the Bahamas. Grand Bahama CATV Ltd provided cable TV in Grand Bahama twenty years before they were acquired by Cable Bahamas.

Electricity The Bahamas Electricity Corporation (BEC) generates and distributes electricity in almost all of the Islands of the Bahamas except Grand Bahama. Distribution is categorised under 5 distinct headings the cost of which is determined by the purpose for which it is used. The overall cost of Electricity is determined by a fuel surcharge related to the cost per barrel of automotive diesel oil and Bunker â&#x20AC;&#x153;Câ&#x20AC;? fuel oil. On Grand Bahama electricity is generated and distributed by the Grand Bahama Power Co., which is jointly owned by the Grand Bahama Port Authority and Southern Electric Inc. of the U. S. A. It distributes to all of Grand Bahama Its costs are similar to BEC.

Bahamas Telecommunications Co. Telecommunication systems in the Bahamas are equal with the U. S. and Canada. Direct digital switching allows direct distance dialling to more than 100 countries. Though operating at its own expense BTC is owned by the Government. It has authority over a wide range of services, including telex, cellular and telephone services.

Water & Sewerage The Water and Sewerage Corporation distributes water to its customers who are connected to its supply system by way of meters to determine water consumed. Many customers are connected to the Corporationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; s supply for emer gency purposes only but use their own private wells for the bulk of their needs. In the Family Islands the majority have only a well though the Corporation is gradually being able to supply piped water from its resources for a fee. Water charges are based on the imperial gallon (277.274 cu in). Water in Freeport and some other communities in Grand Bahama is supplied by the Grand Bahama Utility Co.

Transportation

ublic Transportation in the Bahamas is controlled by the Ministry of Transport, Aviation and Local Government exclusive ofAir Transportation which falls within the portfolio and jurisdiction of the Department ofAviation. Formerly headquartered at Nassau’s International Airport in Western New Providence the Department of Civil Aviation is now located at Crawford Street, Oake’s Field, in the former Custom’s Building. There are two major InternationalAirports in the Bahamas. Thhe Sir Linden Pindling International Airport (LPIA) in Nassau’s and The Freeport International Airport on Grand Bahama. Smaller international airports are to be found on the major islands of The Bahamas and there are many air-strips of varying dimensions throughout the archipelago. Bahamasair is the National Flag carrier. It is subsidized by the Bahamas Government for non-popular routes. There are many private charter air services available both within and without the Bahamas. The Bahamas is served by a significant number of Internationally scheduled and chartered airlines. Bahamasair also provides scheduled services to the United States. Mail boats are subsidised by the Government to carry mail but they also carry freight and passengers. Beginning and ending in Nassau, the experience can be educationally rewarding and eventful at relatively little cost to passengers. The price of land transportation is controlled by the Government and enforced by the Department of Road Traffic. For taxis, the first quarter mile is $3.00 for two passengers, each additional mile is 40 cents; additional passengers, after the first two, pay $3.00 per person.; accompanied children under five years of age are free. All Taxis are required to have working meters for the benefit of passengers who may request a schedule of rates at any time.. Taxi waiting charges are 30 cents per minute unless it is

hired by the hour. There is a bus system-”Jitneys”-which provides an inexpensive transportation system in New Providence. For $1.00, a circuitous route to one’s destination can be enjoyed during business working hours. Traditional horse drawn Surrey rides cost $10.00 per person for a 25 minute tour of Nassau. Rental cars, tour buses and limousines, motor scooters and cycles and bicycles are all available at competitive prices. Tourists may use their home drivers licence for three months. Crash helmets are mandatory for motor cycles, scooters and bicycles. Traffic moves on the left side of the road. There is no mileage charge and some rental companies supply a half tank of gas free.

Aerodromes The description aerodrome means airport which in the Bahamas vary in dimension from 1,300' x 40' to 11,000' x 150'. In 1998 there were 61 inclusive of Freeport and Paradise Island. The Paradise Island Airport has since closed. There is only one Heliport in New Providence and it is located at Chalkâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Ocean Airways on Paradise Island. Helicopters are accommodated at two other locations in New Providence but these facilties are not, technically speaking, heliports.Aerodromes in the Bahamas operate under the auspices of the Department of CivilAviation which falls under the Ministry of Transport, Aviation and Local Government. Recent legislation has placed the Department of CivilAviation under the auspices and within the ambit of the Federal Aviation Authority of the U. S. A. Originally under the auspices and within the ambit of the British CivilAuthority the Department of CivilAviation is, and, has always been, fully autonomous and fully independent of other authorities. The Director of Civil Aviation supervises air traffic within the prescribed radii. The duties of the Department are to facilitate and enhance the universally accepted rules of the air and the air navigation regulations of the Bahamas. It can only provide the facilities and services which will guarantee the overall safety of aviation in Bahamian air space. The following is a reproduction with some adaptations and modifications of Department of Civil Aviation Directory of Land Aerodromes 1998 Commonwealth of the Bahamas. The following abbreviations are used within the Directory ofAerodromes:AFIS Aeronautical Flight Information Service. APS Airport Superintendent CFR Crash, Fire, Rescue. DCA Director of Civil Aviation. DDCA Deputy Director of Aviation. FBO Fixed Base Operation. GAC General Aviation. RWY Runway. SR-SS Sunrise to Sunset. STOL Short Take off/Landing. TWY Taxiway. UTC Universal Coordinated Time. VMC Visual Meteorological Conditions.

The Aerodromes are listed alphabetically by the Island on which they are located. The Island also appear in a similar order.

Island/Aerodrome

Hours

Port of Entry

Abaco Marsh Harbour

SR-SS

Yes

Moore’s Island

SR-SS VMC

Sandy Point

SR-SS VMC

Yes

Treasure Cay

SR-SS VMC

Yes

SR-SS VMC

Andros Town

SR-SS VMC

Yes

Congo Town

SR-SS

Yes

Clarence A. Bain

SR-SS VMC

Yes

San Andros

SR-SS

Yes

SR-SS VMC

Yes

Arthur’s Town

SR-SS VMC

New Bight

SR-SS VMC

Yes

Acklins Spring Point Andros

Bimini South Bimini Cat Island

Island/Aerodrome

Hours

Port of Entry

SR-SS VMC

Governor’s Harbour

SR-SS VMC

Yes

North Eleuthera

SR-SS VMC

Yes

Rock Sound

SR-SS VMC

Yes

George Town

SR-SS VMC

Yes

Exuma International

SR-SS VMC

Yes

Norman’s Cay

SR-SS VMC

Staniel Cay

SR-SS VMC

Farmer’s Cay

SR-SS VMC

Black Point

SR-SS VMC

Crooked Island Colonel Hill Eleuthera

Exuma

Grand Bahama Freeport International

Daily

Yes

West End

SR-SS VMC

Yes

SR-SS VMC

Inagua Matthew Town Long Island Deadman’s Cay

Closed

Island/Aerodrome Mayaguana

Hours

Port of Entry SR-SS VMC

Yes

SR-SS VMC

Yes

New Providence Nassau Ragged Island Duncan Town San Salvador Cockburn Town

Public Order

nd whereas the people of this Family of Islands recognise that the preservation of their Freedom will be guaranteed by a national commitment to Self-disci pline, Industry, Loyalty, Unity and an abiding respect for Christian values and the Rule of Law.”’ The Constitution of the Commonwealth of the Bahama Islands guarantees the protection of the fundamental rights and freedoms of every person in the country . Celebrating its past as one of the oldest British colonies, law and order is in good health in the Bahamas. Its judicial and legal system is basically the same as Britain down to the ceremonial wig and gown which are worn by Justices and counsel in the Supreme Court. The latter deals with indictable offences, civil cases and appeals from the lower courts. It is presided over by the Chief Justice. The Magistrate’s Court may hear some indictable offences if the plaintiff so wishes but its main forte are non-indictable of fences. A Chief Magistrate presides over these. There is a local Court of Appeal and beyond it is Her Majesty’s Privy Council in London. The Commonwealth of the Bahama Islands is adequately policed by the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF). It is a peace-keeping agency in the tradition of the English Bobbies. It dates from 1840, but a peace-keeping agency has existed in the Bahamas since Proprietary Government (1670-1729). The Force is presided over by a Commissioner of Police who is also the Provost Marshal. He is assisted by senior high ranking officers. Prior to 1976, when the Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF) was created, the RBPF’ s Marine Branch policed the sea. The policing of the water ways is only one aspect of the work of the Defence force. Due to our strategic geographical proximity to the U.S.A., the Bahamas is a transshipment point for illegal narcotics. The majority of criminal activity may be attributed to drug trafficking.

` Both the RBDF and the RBPF, with their limited resources cooperate with U. S. law enforcement agencies. Motivated by immediate material riches some Bahamians, normally religious and law abiding, have succumbed to the temptation of narco dollars. The influence of the drug trade has been harmful to a once warm, peaceful and law abiding nation. There is one prison, located on the Eastern end of New Providence, known as Her Majestyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Prison.The Prison is governed by a Superintendent and Prison Of ficers of both sexes. The Prison Department falls under the Ministry of National Security . The death penalty is prescribed by law for murder and treason. There is strong opposition against the penalty but the Government has decided to leave it in place as a deterrent. There are two Industrial Schools, male and female, for young people who do not conform to parental control. These, because they are corrective or rehabilitative, fall under the Ministry of Housing and Social Welfare. They are the Simpson Penn Centre For Boys and the Willamae Pratt Centre For Girls.

Customs House, New Prrovidence

Bahamas Customs

ormerly Her Majestyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Customs, Bahamas Customs, is a legally consti-tuted gov ernment authority established to up-grade and improve the strategy of revenue collection and protection. Another responsibility of the Customs under statute law is to protect the Bahamas from the movement of illicit substances, guns and dangerous drugs by air, land and sea. As if this was not an already herculean task, the Customs are also mandated by statute law to guarantee that the economy of the Bahamas does not suffer because of inefficiency or antiquated Customs procedures. Though short-staffed and with limited professional resources Customs administers twenty-nine (29) Ports of Entry where they not only collect their own taxes but also the required taxes of other Government Agencies. The collection and protection of revenue has been a part of its mission statement since the department was established in March 1914.

What You Should Know Before travelling abroad with items such as camcorders, radios, irons, VCRâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s and computers for personal use travellers should consult any Customs Office and obtain a Re-importation Certificate, C40, for imported goods. This form allows for the recording of serial numbers and other marks of identification which would enable Customs Officers in the processing of these items on return. Without a C40 form these items will be treated as goods being imported into the country for the first time. This form is also a pre-requisite for goods being exported for repairs where a repair bill is required to accompany the baggage declaration, C17. All returning residents are required to complete anAccompanied Baggage Declaration Form, C17, in respect of goods which may be dutiable. These goods entail all purchases acquired abroad, including gifts. Exemption allowances of three hundred dollars ($300.00) are granted to returning residents twice per calendar year. Passengers age twelve (12) and over are eligible. This exemption covers the value of the goods up to $300.00 and not the duties applicable. A Departure Tax of fifteen dollars ($15.00) is required of all departing passengers age six (6) years and above. Visitors are granted $100.00 exemption each trip. An Importation Permit from the Ministry ofAgriculture and Fisheries is needed when importing all dogs, cats, fruit, vegetables and plants. Failure to produce this permit upon importation could result in confiscation of items. In the case of animals, along with the Importation Permit, a RabiesVaccination Certificate, is required from a certified Veterinarian from the country of departure. The animal should not be younger than six months. If these requirements are not met, the animal may be sent back to the country of origin on the next available flight. Original receipts/invoices are required when presenting declarations to Customs for clearance.

The administration of the Customs Department is vested in the Comptroller of Customs, subject to the control and direction of the Minister of Finance. There are some 18 units of the Administration which is housed at Customs House in Oake’s field. Customs House is a modern spacious two storey building situated in its own 44,000 square foot premises. The building also serves as an emergency shelter. “The Customs exist to: 1. Effectively administer the Customs laws and regulations as they apply to the Commonwealth of The Bahamas; and 2. Co-ordinate the energies, efforts and expertise of the Department’s personnel with a view to giving prompt and efficient service to the public.”

The Seven Cs of Customs 1. Courtesy without loss of dignity. 2. Clean hands, literally and morally. 3. Command attention. 4. Clear questioning. 5. Consult Colleagues 6. Careful examinations. 7. Control Situation.

The Defence Force Modus Operandi In an effort to counter-act the influx of illegal immigrants, illicit narcotic trafficking and poaching from neighbouring countries, The Defence Force has made Maritime Law Enforcement a principal area of focus; while peacekeeping, Search and Rescue and protection of the exclusive economic zone of the Bahamas are numbered among the rapidly expanding roles of the Defence Force.

Vision It is the vision of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force to become a self-sufficient, multi-missioned, world class, maritime organization with the operational capability to respond to threats to national security, as well as to perform humanitarian tasks inclusive of maritime search and rescue, disaster relief assistance and peacekeeping in cooperation with regional partners.

History & Legality Historically, The Royal Bahamas Defence Force became an official entity on March 3lst, 1980, by an act of Parliament. Under The Defence Act, the Defence Force has been mandated to defend The Bahamas, protect its territorial integrity, patrol its waters, provide assistance and relief in times of disaster, maintain order in conjunction with the other law enforcement agencies of the Bahamas and to carry out any such duties as determined by the National Security Council.

Organization As an organization, The Defence Force has a manpower strength of 856 inclusive of 106 women. Its present complement consists of officers, non-commissioned officers and marines. Approximately 7 percent of its employees are females. There are some 20 departments and sub-departments that are responsible for supporting patrol craft and personnel carrying out land based assignments. Departments include the seagoing squadron, operations, Base Administration, medical center, computer, research and development, engineering, public relations, commando squadron and supply.

Infrastructure The hub of the Defence Force’s activities is the Defence Force Base, HMBS Coral Harbour’, located on 42 acres of property in the Coral Harbour district of New Providence. The facility was officially re-opened by Princess Anne in 1979. Also located at HMBS Coral Harbour are the Defence Force’s headquarters and 80,000 sq. feet of occupied space.

Operational Assets The Bahamas Defence Force also plays a vital role in reinforcing the economic and political jurisdiction of the territorial waters of the Bahamas. Consequently , the chief operational asset of the Defence Force is its fleet of sea-going patrol craft. Currently, the Defence Force operates a limited fleet of 7 patrol craft to conduct coastal and inshore patrols, as well as search and rescue operations in over 1000,000 square miles of water. These craft vary in length from 18 feet to 196 feet and are limited in range and monitoring scope in adverse sea-state conditions. Operating in tandem with The Defence fleet are two Cessna twin-engine aircraft, which conduct routine maritime surveillance flights throughout the Bahamas.

Complexity of the Task The peace and tranquillity that Bahamians and visitors alike enjoy come with great price. Within 40 days of its establishment, the Defence Force lost four of its young marines during the sinking of HMBS Flamingo by Cuban MiG jet fighters (May 1980). Others have since died in the line of duty. Yet, the officers and marines press on to fulfil their mandate.

Training & Discipline In pursuit of excellence, The Defence Force has underscored the qualities of sound leadership, professional development and concerted effort as essential keys to the success of its mission. From its inception Officers and Marines have studied in North America, South America, The Caribbean and Europe and have proven that with the right training and resources, they are world class material as was demonstrated during the United Nations led peace-keeping operations in Haiti. Maintaining a standard of excellence among Defence Force personnel has become paramount to the forgoing of a calibre of leaders within the Defence Force who are professionally competent and socially principled.

Operational Upgrade To counteract illicit activities in its territorial watersThe Defence Force have in operation two Bahamas Class patrol vessels. These 196-foot craft are used to create choke points along sea routes throughout the Bahamas where poachers, drug traffickers and illegal immigrants are known to travel. The Defence Force now operates 2 Cessna aircraft for maritime surveillance purposes and intends to augment its airwing with the acquisition of at least two more aircraft.To facilitate its operational upgrade, the Defence Force has established a satellite base, HMBS Matthew Town, on the Island of Inagua in the Southern Bahamas. Plans are also underway for the establishment of a northern satellite base in Grand Bahama.

The Defence Force As a Social Partner As a social partner, The Defence Force is devoted to extending its services into Bahamian communities and has for many years worked steadfastly with the personal and professional developments of hundreds of our nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s youth through such programmes as the Adopt-A-School programme, the Work-Experience Program for public and private schools, the Governor-Generalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Award Program where Defence Force personnel act as expedition guides.

Immigration Department

he Immigration Department’ falls under the Ministry of Labour and Immigra tion. The Department is a law enforcement agency which supervises, regulates and controls the movements of peoples to and from the Bahamas by enforcing its Immigration Laws. These are contained in the Immigration Act, Chapter 179 of the Statute Law of the Bahamas. Though a law enforcement agency Immigration Officers are the first persons to come into contact with visitors to the country by air or sea. Since the Bahamian economy depends on tourism, it is important that Immigration Officers combine law enforcement with discretion and diplomacy. Since its first inhabitants, the Lucayans, the Bahamas has always attracted transient peoples who, for good or bad, have left their mark on its history. From the Puritans under Captain William Sayle to the likes of Blackbeard, Anne Bonney or Mary Read. Or the American loyalist refugees to the modern day drug and human smugglers all have left indelible prints on our history. It is the duty and responsibility of the Immigration Department alone to ensure that only the good become visitors, residents and citizens of the Commonwealth of the Bahama Islands. The Headquarters of the Immigration Department is located in Mount Royal House, Hawkin’s Hill in Nassau. There are 193 Immigration Officers and 105 clerical staff who are strategically dispersed throughout the Bahamas at 16 Ports of Entry. Abaco: Marsh Harbour, Treasure Cay, Walker’s Cay; Andros: Fresh Creek; Berry Islands: Great Harbour Cay; Bimini/Cat Cay: Alice Town; Eleuthera: Governor’s Harbour, North Eleuthera, Rock Sound, Grand Bahama: Freeport Int’l Airport, Freeport Harbour, West End; Inagua: Matthew Town; New Providence: Nassau Int’l Airport, Paradise Island Airport, Prince George Dock; San Salvador: Cockburn Town.

he administrative staff consists of a Director of Immigration and five assistant deputies. The Department is sub-divided into the following units:Administra tion, Automated Data Processing Unit, Permanent Residence & Naturalisation, Permits Section & Accounts, Registry, Supplies, Special Project Unit/Industry Liaison/Public Relations, Typing Pool, Enforcement Unit, Detention Centre and Human Resources/Training. The biggest and most urgent challenge facing the Bahamas today is the alarmingly large numbers of illegal Haitian immigrants fleeing their home for a better life. As conditions in Haiti continue to deteriorate, these numbers will escalate as more immigrants seek refuge in the Bahamas. In order to cope with this situation the Immigration Department has a special Haitian Unit to facilitate and enhance the processing and documentation involved. It also operates a Detention Centre in South Western New Providence which, though not exclusively for Haitians, is dominated by them. In the Northern Bahamas, Grand Bahama is the centre of operations for Bimini and Abaco though only as a sub-station of the Central Headquarters.

Royal Bahamas Police Force

or the last 150 years, the Force has been keeping the peace by enforcing law and order. The policing of an archipelago, like the Bahamas, is no mean task and is often overwhelmingly hazardous and risky. However, the Force, is r epresented in every community throughout the nation. In the absence of the regular constabulary, there is always a local constable in the community. Community policing is a new approach espoused by the Force which is starting to produce good results. The Force is a self sufficient, multi-purpose, first class policing agency with the operational capability to respond to threats to national security, as well as participating in humanitarian and community affairs. In other words it is an iron hand in a velvet glove.

Though it dates its establishmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; from 1841, the history of keeping the peace within the Bahamas is older still. It fulfills its varied responsibilities and tasks in cooperation with the Royal Bahamas Defence Force and other international law enforcement agencies like Interpol which it represents locally. The Force is divided into the following districts: New Providence and the Southern Bahamas and Grand Bahama and the Northern Bahamas. The Police Headquarters, formerly the Barracks, is located on East Street in Nassau and includes the former Nassau Prison. In addition to keeping the peace, combatting crime and the ongoing battle against illicit drugs the Force is responsible for the regulation and control of road traffic, and fire safety. In order to facilitate these extra-curricular activities they are provided with the necessary equipment. In the case of road traffic they are adequately supplied with a wide range of motor vehicles to accomplish their goals. They fight fires and service and maintain the relevant equipment. They are, at present, adequately provided for, in New Providence, as far as motor vehicles are concerned, although more are needed for some of the Family Islands. Additionally the Force is also responsible for the marine patrol of Nassau Harbour. The trans-shipment of illicit drugs throughout the Bahamas beginning in 1970, has resulted in an overwhelmingly rapid increase in violent crime which has had its toll, not only on the financial resources of the nation in general, but on the personnel of the Force. In the line of policing drug traffickers, a significant number of Police officers have sacrificed their lives. Their commitment to national development should motivate those who strive for excellence more challenging. In pursuit of excellence, the Force continues to emphasise honesty, integrity and character as pre-requisites to sound leadership and professional development. Formerly led by expatriate officers the Force, since Independence is fully indigenous and competent to hold its own with any similar force world wide. Its personnel are trained at its own Training College and overseas when necessary or required. It is

one of the best organized and run Forces in the Caribbean and the Americas. Faithful to its motto â&#x20AC;&#x153;Courage, Integrity, Loyaltyâ&#x20AC;? - it entered into a new milestone in its distinguished career, when on January 25, 1999, it decentralised its New Providence jurisdiction into six fully autonomous and independent divisions. The purpose of this new strategy was three-fold, first, to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the Force in its battle against crime; secondly, to streamline a burdensome and unwieldy bureaucracy by an equal sharing and participation of divisional authority and responsibilities; and thirdly, to promote the participation of local communities in the work of policing and thereby enhance the quality of life for all. â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;

Communications AndMedia Newspapers & Magazines

he following daily newspapers are circulated Monday to Saturday in the Baha mas: The Nassau Guardian, established in 1844 with headquarters in Oakeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Field, New Providence1; The Tribune Limited, established in 1903 with head-

quarters on Shirley Street in Nassau2; The Bahamas Journal, a relatively young newspaper with headquarters at Media House, East Street north, in Nassau; and even younger than the Bahamas Journal, is the British styled tabloid called the Punch which claims a wider circulation than any other paper in the Bahamas (It is only published on Mondays and Thursdays). All these papers, except the Freeport News, are printed in Nassau and widely circulated in New Providence and Freeport, but their circulation in the Family Islands is, for obvious reasons, much less. Traditionally, an evening paper, the Tribune, in May 1998, became a morning daily and includes the Miami Herald International Satellite Edition. The Nassau Guardian, traditionally a morning daily, began publishing The Afternoon Newspaper in the summer of 1998 with hopes of picking up Tribune subscribers. This was abandoned in March 1999, but immediately replaced with The Bahamas Observer which ceased publication in August 1999. The Nassau Guardian, also produces the following supplements monthly and periodically:Andros Chronicle, Exuma Sentinel, the Long Island Mail, Echo, and the Turks and Caicos Times. It also publishes The Freeport News. The Freeport News also produces timely supplements promoting the Family Islands. Both the Tribune and the Guardian have a presence on the Internet.All the daily papers sell for 50 cents except the Punch which sells for $1.00. Unlike the other papers the Bahamas Journal is not sold on the streets but is circulated through news stands. The

Freeport News is published in Freeport but the Guardian, The Tribune, The Journal and the Punch are also circulated there. No newspaper is published on Sundays or public holidays at this time. An extensive variety of foreign newspapers, tabloids, magazines and periodicals are circulated in the Bahamas. Some of these are CaribbeanWeek, published bi-weekly in Barbados, The Miami Herald’s regular edition, especially its Sunday edition, the New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Times of London, Financial Times, Barron’s and U.S. Today. All of these are available in New Providence and Freeport at inflated prices because of transportation charges which also carries a brief delay in circulation. Other locally produced periodicals, like Island Scene Magazine, are available, so also are volumes of literature promoting the Bahamas’ financial services and foreign investment sectors.

Radio

he Broadcasting Corporation of the Bahamas (BCB) is a government owned corporation headquartered at its own studios at Third Terrace, Centreville, Nassau and at the Kipling Building, Pioneer’s Way, Freeport, Grand Bahama. The call letters for Radio Bahamas are ZNS. Z was the letter assigned to all British stations in the Caribbean by the American Federal Communications Commission in 1936 when the Bahamas was first recognized and accredited as a broadcasting station. Z is derived from Zephyr meaning balmy breeze while N denotes Nassau and S sunshine. ZNS-1 transmits on 50, 000 watts and covers the entire Bahamas and is basically news and healthy entertainment. ZNS-2 uses only 1,000 watts and broadcasts from 6am-12midnight and is simulcast on FM at 107.1 MHz, and 07.9 MHz in the south-eastern Bahamas. It is a purely religious and spiritual format. It is 1240AM on the dial. ZNS-FM began in Nassau on July 10th, 1988 at frequency 104.5 MHz, with a transmission of 5,000 watts, it operates 24 hours daily. In May l973, ZNS-3 was inau-

gurated to cover the Northern Bahamas with a base in Freeport, Grand Bahama. It transmits on a frequency of 810 kHz with 10,000 watts. Though it allows for local community news and advertisements in the Northern Bahamas its national programming follows that of ZNS- 1. In 1993, legislation was passed making provision for private broadcasting in the Bahamas.

Television

NS-TV Channel 13 began its test transmission on July 4th, 1977 and its official programming began on July l0th, 1977 with live coverage of the Independent anniversary ceremonies from Clifford Park. On October 20th, 1977 it was officially opened by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Channel 13 transmits on 50, 000 watts ERP and may be viewed up to l30 miles from Nassau and on Cable on channel 11 throughout The Bahamas. It operates 11 hours a day Monday through Friday,17 hours on Saturdays and 16 hours on Sundays. Serving the national interest its programming is chosen by the Broadcasting Corporation of the Bahamas. Because it serves the national interest, it is autonomous of any external television network. Cable TV existed in Grand Bahama for more than twenty years before ZNS-TV was born. It was provided privately by Grand Bahama CATV Limited. It was not until 1990 that the Broadcasting Corporation of the Bahamas introduced local programming to the CATV Cable System in Freeport, Grand Bahama. The national channel is received on channel 13 in Grand Bahama and operates Monday to Friday 6:30am-1lpm. Jones Communicationsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; JCN Television was added to the mix in 2006. In 1994, the Bahamas government granted a 15 year exclusive licence for cable television throughout the nation to Cable 2000 Incorporated of Canada. Out of this emerged Cable Bahamas Limited which is jointly owned by Cable 2000 and the Bahamian public, who have the controlling interest. In 1995 Cable Bahama bought out

Grand Bahama CATV Limited, rebuilt the system to supply about 40 channels of basic television and up to 60 channels of premium television. The same has been implemented in New Providence as also a channel which allows live broadcasts of Parliamentary proceedings from the House of Assembly. With its monopoly of TV coverage in the Bahamas, Cable Bahamas is rapidly moving to cover the Family Islands.

Population and Immigration

he Census of 2010estimated the population to be 353.658. A small country with limited land space, it is obliged to protect the sovereignty and security of its extensive archipelagic national boundaries scattered over 100,000 square miles of ocean. With a 250 year old tradition of parliamentary democracy and stability it enjoys relative peace and tranquility. This, combined with a reasonably high standard of living and close proximity to the U. S. A., makes it very attractive to many people. Tourists, however, are not the only persons who find the Bahamas attractive. There are others who, motivated by personal self interest and material gain are anxious to become residents and citizens. Then there are the undesirable criminal elements e.g. Drug Smugglers who want to use the Bahamas to sustain their Narcotics trade. The attractiveness of the Bahamas for good or for bad puts much pressure on Immigration Officers who are actually the first persons to meet our visitors. With the exception of Canadian and U. S. citizens all visitors to the Bahamas require Passports and other travel documents. Being satisfied that a visitor is bona fide an Immigration Officer may grant leave for a visit of not more than eight months. A bona fide visitor means one who is (a) properly documented with requisite visas and has either a ticket or other means of travelling to some other country who will accept him/her, (b) who is able to support him/her self and dependents while in the Bahamas and (c) who is not currently on the Restricted or Stop List of the Bahamas. The following persons may land in the Bahamas provided they can satisfy the following Immigration requirements: (a) Citizens (b) Permanent residents (c) Diplomatic or Consular Officers or Representatives or Officials duly accredited of countries other than the Bahamas or of the United Nations or any of its agencies or any other governmental organization in which the Bahamas participates, coming to the Bahamas to carry out their official duties (d) Employees of the Government of the

Bahamas (e) Persons whom an Immigration Officer has been authorized by the Immigration Board to treat as entitled to land in the Bahamas (f)Wives and children of any person coming within the foregoing categories (c) or (d) whether travelling with or separately from such persons. The burden of proof that any person is a person to whom these sections applies shall lie on that person. he Permanent Residence/Naturalization & Citizenship or PRNC Unit of the Immigration Department deals with applications for the following: (1) Citizen ship (2) Permanent Residence Economic and Spouse categories (3) Resident Spouse Permits (RSP) and (4) Regularisation of Haitian Nationals in accordance with terms and conditions of the 1995 Bahamas/Haiti Accord. PRNCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s main duty is to protect the rights and privileges of its own nationals by the effective maintenance and strengthening of the Bahamianization policy of the Government.A person may acquire automatic citizenship of the Bahamas at birth if either of his parents is a Bahamian citizen. A person acquires automatic citizenship at birth if he/she is born legitimately abroad to a Bahamian father who was born in the Bahamas and is himself a Bahamian. If, on the other hand, the father was born outside the Bahamas and became a citizen on July 10, 1973, the child has to apply to be registered as a Bahamian citizen. Citizens of Commonwealth Countries, spouses of Bahamian men, Minor Children of Bahamian citizens, Children born in the Bahamas to foreign parents, Children born legitimately outside the Bahamas whose mother is a Bahamian citizen. Each application is made on the relevant Immigration Form. For the purpose of registration/naturalization a foreign country means any nonCommonwealth country. Under this category an application for citizenship is completed in duplicate and notarized by a Justice of the Peace or Notary Public and returned to the Naturalization Unit of the Immigration Department with $25.00 (nonrefundable processing fee) and the necessary documents listed on the respective application form. With regard to minor children born inside the Bahamas to non Bahamian

parents and children born legitimately outside the Bahamas to Bahamian mothers and foreign fathers there is a time limit requirement. Under the Bahamas Nationality Act a minor is defined as a person who has not yet attained the age of eighteen years. Female citizens of the Bahamas may register their child/children as citizens of the Bahamas if the child/children is/are born abroad legitimately and the father is a foreigner. Application may be so made on behalf of this category before the child/children attain the age of 18. If not the application must be made by the individual himself/herself before attaining the age of 21. Persons who may also make application in this category are children by descent. In this instance citizenship by descent cannot be passed on a second time. Children born to foreign parents in the Bahamas do not automatically become citizens by birth in the Bahamas but assume their parentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s nationality by descent. These children have the option of applying for citizenship upon reaching the age of 18. These applicants have only one year in which to apply, and the application must be made before their 19th birthday.

ection 14 of the Immigration Act exhibits a fixed prejudice to the foreign hus bands of Bahamian women but none to the foreign wives of Bahamian men. On February 3, 1997 the amendment to the Act, Section 29 (1) A sought to equalize resident status to both female and male spouses of Bahamian citizens by the introduction of a Resident Spouses Permit. All spouses, male and female, of Bahamians who have not reached five years of marriage are recommended to make application for the RSP initially. If the marriage still exists after five years application for a more permanent status of permanent residence or citizenship may be made provided the applicant qualify. The Immigration Act goes on further to state that the making of an application for the spousal permit shall not prejudice an application by the spouse for registration as a citizen, or the grant of a certificate of permanent residence under section 13 of the Immigration Act. On December 21, 2001 Parliament unanimously passed a gender equality bill and on January 17, 2002 it passed a bill to amend the Constitution to permit the foreign spouse of a Bahamian citizen to reside and work in the Bahamas for the first five years

of marriage, and thereafter, entitled to citizenship. This amendment was put to a Referendum on February 27, 2002 and rejected. The processing of the application takes about two weeks and if/when approved a fee of $25.00 is charged. Though the Government of the Bahamas is sympathetic of the Haitian dilemma it has to be realistic. The Bahamas cannot absorb the alarming rate of illegal immigrants wishing to live in the country. In 1995 an Accord was reached between the two governments whereby the Haitian government agreed to accept a significant proportion of its illegal nationals on a systematic basis. Needless to say the repatriation of Haitian nationals is very costly to the Bahamas. In an effort to coordinate the large number of applications of Haitian nationals and due to their unique situation the Immigration department has a Unit dedicated solely to the processing of these applicants. On September 15, 1993 the Bahamas signed the International Refugee Law acceding to the 1951 Convention and the 1967 Protocol. As early as 1960 the Bahamas received requests for asylum from persons needing protection under the International Refugee Law. The most recent requests have been made by Cuban and African nationals.