History and Map
History
In 1492 Christopher Columbus sailed the ocean blue.
While Christopher Columbus is most known for the discovery of America, he also is credited for the discovery of the Bahamas. At this time, the Islands of the Bahamas were inhabited by a group of Arawak indians. However, within 25 years of Columbus's discovery and English settlement, slavery, disease and other hardships wiped out the entire tribe.
However, it was not until 1783 that the Bahamas became a British colony. Because of the proximity to important shipping lanes, piracy flourished in the islands during the late 17th and early 18th centuries. Today the Bahamas is a tourism hub, and one of the favorite vacation spots of travelers. Tourism and international banking account for 55% of gross domestic product.
While Christopher Columbus is most known for the discovery of America, he also is credited for the discovery of the Bahamas. At this time, the Islands of the Bahamas were inhabited by a group of Arawak indians. However, within 25 years of Columbus's discovery and English settlement, slavery, disease and other hardships wiped out the entire tribe.
However, it was not until 1783 that the Bahamas became a British colony. Because of the proximity to important shipping lanes, piracy flourished in the islands during the late 17th and early 18th centuries. Today the Bahamas is a tourism hub, and one of the favorite vacation spots of travelers. Tourism and international banking account for 55% of gross domestic product.