ABSTRACT
This chapter provides a brief historical background and a description of major events in Bahamas. It also provides basic political, economic, and social data arranged in the following categories: polity, economy, population, purchasing power parities, life expectancy, ethnic groups, capital, political rights, civil liberties, and status. The chapter discusses the progress and decline of political rights and civil liberties in Bahamas. The Bahamas, a 700-island nation in the Caribbean, is a member of the Commonwealth. It was granted independence in 1973. The British monarchy is represented by a governor-general. In March 2000, the US State Department praised the Bahamas for giving "high priority" to combating the trans-shipment of drugs and for cooperating with regional antinarcotics efforts. In June 2001, the Financial Action Task Force removed the Bahamas from the list of countries considered uncooperative in fighting money laundering. Labor, business, and professional organizations are generally free from governmental interference. Unions have the right to strike, and collective bargaining is prevalent.
