The Bahamas, an archipelago of nearly 700 islands and cays, is located in the Atlantic Ocean southeast of Florida and north of Cuba. Renowned for its turquoise waters and white sandy beaches, the Bahamas has a rich and unique history shaped by its Indigenous Lucayan people, European colonization, and the transatlantic slave trade. Christopher Columbus famously made his first landing in the “New World” on San Salvador Island in 1492, beginning a period of Spanish, and later British, rule. The islands became a haven for pirates in the 17th century, before being reclaimed as a British colony in 1718. Slavery was abolished in the Bahamas in 1834, leading to the growth of a diverse and resilient population. Gaining full independence from the United Kingdom in 1973, the Bahamas today is a parliamentary democracy and a member of the Commonwealth, celebrated for its vibrant culture, thriving tourism industry, and commitment to preserving its natural beauty.