A chain of islands and reefs in the West Indies, lying southeast of Florida and north of Cuba, The Bahamas is famous for many things and is seen as a wonderful destination for a holiday. If you are thinking of booking your flights to the Bahamas, then you can be certain that you will be treated to beautiful scenery, incredible fishing, a rich history, and gorgeous waters off every single coast. There are so many interesting facts about these beautiful islands, and we have put together just a few to share with you. 

The name Bahamas means shallow sea

If you are booking your flights to the Bahamas, then you might want to know the meaning behind the country’s name. It is thought to have come from the Spanish word “Baja Mar” and was given to this group of islands because of the shallow waters surrounding the islands. 

It has snowed in the Bahamas.

The only time snow was ever recorded in the islands was in January 1977. Snow fell on The Bahamas and much of Florida during a bitterly cold winter for the eastern United States. The Bahamas wasn’t turned into a snowy paradise, though, as none of the flakes stuck to the ground. There is no need to worry if you are booking your flights to the Bahamas, you can be sure that you are guaranteed a hot and sunny vacation.

The Bahamas is made up of over 700 islands. 

Yes, you read that right! The islands all vary greatly in size, with Andros being the largest at 5,957 sq km and one of the smallest inhabited islands measuring only 23 sq km. Only 30 of the total 700 islands in the Bahamas are inhabited. If you are booking flights to the Bahamas, it is important to plan which of the many islands are right for you!

The Bahamas is home to the planet’s third-largest great barrier reef. 

Measuring between 124 and 190 miles long, the Andros Barrier Reef is home to a large variety of marine life, fish, and coral, and the drop is around eight feet on the island side and about 6,000 feet in the Tongue of the Ocean. It is a must see if you are booking your flights to the Bahamas and want to do some diving or snorkeling.

The Lignum Vitae is the national tree.

It is known for its extremely dense and hard wood, which has some incredible industrial applications. The bark has also been used for medicinal purposes, which is how it became known as ‘The Tree of Life.’ The tree’s resin is used to cure dry mouth. A tea made from the tree’s leaves or wood chips from its bark can also be used to treat high blood pressure and tonsillitis. Other uses include steeping the bark and drinking it as a tonic for energy. 

The flamingo is the national bird.  

With more than 80,000 flamingos on the islands, it is a paradise for viewing these incredible birds. The type of flamingo found in the Bahamas is called the Caribbean Flamingo. If you are booking your flights to the Bahamas you might want to consider visiting Great Inagua as the flamingos mainly inhabit several miles of wilderness on this island that are protected by wardens.

The Blue Marlin is the national fish. 

Many people’s first encounter with the Blue Marlin fish is in Ernest Hemingway’s book “Old Man and the Sea.” The writer was a frequent visitor to the island of Bimini, where the blue marlin is famous and a prize fish in the game-fishing community. The blue marlin is capable of reaching speeds of up to 60 miles per hour.

The Bahamas is a popular Hollywood film site. 

In Casino Royale, there is a famous scene in the movie when Daniel Craig steps out of ocean water after a swim. This scene was filmed at Ocean Club Hotel on Paradise Island in The Bahamas. Pirates of the Caribbean was also filmed there, and Johnny Depp was said to have fallen in love with the islands. So if you are booking your flights to the Bahamas, you might encounter a few celebrities.

It is home to the famous Pig Beach. 

This beach can be found on Major Cay, which is one of over three hundred islands that make up the chain of Exuma Islands in the Bahamas. It is estimated there are 20-25 pigs on the island ranging in size from tiny piglets to the biggest and oldest pig of the bunch, Big Momma!

We hope these fun facts have shown you how interesting these beautiful islands are. If you find yourself craving a holiday here, book your flights to the Bahamas today and come and enjoy this paradise for yourself.