Bahama Islands
or LUCAYOS, a group of islands in the West Indies, forming a colony belonging to Great Britain, lying N. E. of Cuba and S. E. of the coast of Florida, the Gulf Stream passing between them and the mainland.
They extend a distance of upward of 600 miles, and besides innumerable keys and rocks, number 20 inhabited islands. The principal islands are Grand Bahama, BAHIA Great and Little Abaco, Andros Islands, New Province, Eleuthera, San Salvador, Great Exuma, Watling Island, Long Island, Crooked Island, Acklin Island, Mariguana Island, Great inagua. Of the whole group the most populous is New Providence, which contains the capital, Nassau; the largest is Andros, 100 miles long, 20 to 40 broad. They are low and flat, and have in many parts extensive forests. Total area, about 4,500 square miles. The soil is a thin but rich vegetable mold, and the principal product is pine apples, which form the most important export. Other fruits are also grown, with sisal, cotton, sugar, maize, yams, groundnuts, cocoanuts, etc. Sponges are obtained in large quantity and are exported. San Salvador, or Cat Island, is generally believed to be the same as Guanahani, the land first touched on by Columbus (Oct. 12, 1492) on his first great voyage of discovery. The first British settlement was made on New Providence toward the close of the 17th century. A number of loyal Americans settled in the islands after the War of Independence. The government is administered by a British governor, by executive and legislative councils of 9 members each, and a representative assembly of 29 members. Pop. (1918) 59,928.