Christopher Columbus: Discover of the New World
It was the famous
Italian explorer, Christopher
Columbus,
in an expedition backed by the King Ferdinand
and Queen Isabella of Spain, who first set foot on the Island of Guanahani--or San Salvador as it is know today--one of the 700 plus islands that make up the archipelago,
known today as the Commonwealth of the Bahamas.
The date was October 12th, 1492. The Spaniards named these islands the Bajar Mar,
or shallow seas -- this is where the word Bahamas comes from.Columbus, in search of gold, spices and treasure, was searching for a new route
to reach India--he had failed in his original quest, but had achieved something greater
when he brought Western Civilization to the New World.
When Columbus discovered the islands, he found Lucayans and
called them Indians. They were in fact related to the neo-Indian Arawaks
in the larger Caribbean Islands, who had
originally come from the South American mainland. Being peaceful
they fled northwards away from the warlike Caribs. Historians speculate
that they arrived in Bahamas between 300-500 AD, settling from Cuba and
Hispaniola.
The Lucayans, or Arawaks, being relatively primitive
had no written language, but only a spoken one.
Though the Arawaks did little for modern ideas (and not they did not
have an advanced civilization) we do credit them with adding a
few popular words to our language such as 'barbecue', according to some scholars.
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 According to the Bahamas Tourism office the Islands of the Bahamas is
unique with their individual character and charm--and there is some
truth to this.
Visit the main islands like beautiful
Grand Bahama Island (Freeport/Lucaya) and bustling
New Providence (Nassau and Paradise Island).
Or, if you really want to get away from the crowds, visit one of the many out islands like
Abaco,
Andros,
Acklins and Crooked Island,
Biminis,
Berry Islands,
Cat Island,
Eleuthera,
Exumas,
Inaguas,
Mayaguana, and
San Salvador.
Whether you need information on
alcohol,
camping, and our wonderful climate, or want to know about our
currency, and
education system, our rich
history and
immigration policies. The Bahamas Guide Facts and Figures section should have what you are looking for.
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