Nassau and Paradise Island

Nassau, the capital of Bahamas, was found in 1656 and despite the long history of colonialism and piracy for 30 years long, it has become the islands center of entertaiment and culture. Legends tell us that when pirates slept they did not dream of heaven, they dreamt of returning to the port of Nassau on New Providence Island.

Some of the legends can still be heard when exploring Pirates of Nassau, a museum of history of piracy, located just in the heart of the city. For certain legends are true, Nassau still represents the most touristic area in Bahamas although it is the smallest island of the arhipelague but the most populated, having an estimation of 300.000 bahamians and 180.000 residents. Being the main city of the island, Nassau is located in New Providence. What would impress more is human modern touch, despite a history of 350 years, the island being the centre of tourism, industry, communication and financial services. Parliament Square is located downtown Nassau and represents the center of the Bahamian government. Some of the oldest but picturesque buildings constructed in the early 1800s by Loyalists such as the Houses of Parliament, the Colonial Secretary's Office, the Supreme Court can be seen by travelers.

Nassau lives from two important businesses: first is tourism and the second large business is banking. Hundreds of banks and financial instituions are registered in Bahamas. Their most achievements come from these businesses and activities such as farming or manufacturing are quite small in Nassau, the necessary products and food being brought from the States or other islands. Devided in two resorts, Cable Beach in the west and Paradise Island in the north, Nassau is the largest market in Bahamas, the most profitable island due to its museums, art galleries, five star hotels, shops and last but not least the cultural tours and the modalities of enjoyment.

Cable Beach, the island with the most crystaline waters and perfectly white sand beaches was an island with no name until 1907 when the Trans-Atlantic cable connected Bahamas to mainland America. Paradise Island, a resort 160 miles away from Miami connects with Nassau thourgh two large bridges and it is most known for the world first class golf course, the most luxurious hotels offering first class entertaiment and cruise ships often seen offshore. The island provides everything a tourist needs for either relaxation, fun, gifts, or shops at the Straw Market that offer anything that can be made from straw, to casinos and fresh fish at Potter's Cay, a bahamian marketplace where fishermen and vendors sell their good to locals and tourists and also the dock where boats transporting visitors around the world and goods between Nassau and the other islands, parades, such as Junkanoo, a celebration held on December 26 and New Year's Day on Bay Street.

Junkanoo, a reminiscent of New Orleans' Mardi Gras and Rio de Janeiro's Carnival was celebrated for the first time during the period of slavery and it signified a celebration of freedom for slaves during their three days off at Christmas time. Having a vacation here in this island it is for most of us a dream. Despite our preferences, Nassau has the posibility to offer everything starting with relaxation to night agitation. During the day you can join one of many tours of the island and visit also the cultural part and the tropical side, especially Astrada Gardens, an area of lush tropical garden, home of nearly 300 animals. Here nest the world famous Marching Flamingos, Bahamas national bird. Or you can explore the island's magnificent reefs, wrecks seeing local marine life by swimming in the most crystal clear waters, snorkle, dive or just rest and fish for your own and private cuisine at the cottage. Nights in Bahamas, especially in New Providence can offer many attractive activities, such as cabarets, actory and acrobatics to moonlight dinner cruises tasting the fabulous cuisine of The Bahamas: Conch fritters, grouper fingers, peas 'n' rice, boiled fish, johnnycake and guava duff, obviously served with a fresh tropical drink , to the two most large casinos, The Atlantis Casino on Paradise Island and the Crystal casino on Cable Beach.

These two giants can often be mistaken with a Las Vegas Casino dued to their financial power and five star servicies. So, nowadays hardly a day goes by without a cruise ship to arrive in the Nassau port and unload a ship full of tourists. It is probably the grantitude of the beaches playgrounds, the bahamian markets, the discos and casinos that attract these ammounts of visitors to this island. Someone said that if Nassau was a factory, for sure it would have produced entertainment, relaxation, and fun.


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Bahamas Travel Guide
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Grand Bahama
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Nassau and Paradise Island

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