Sustainable tourism in Bahamas

With over 700 islands and 2,400 cays, the Islands of The Bahamas offer an overwhelming variety of historical, cultural, and natural attractions. Although the size of The Bahamas is traditionally estimated by its land mass (about 5,400 square miles, including many tiny, uninhabited rocks and isles), these islands extend over a marine territory of about 100,000 square miles--almost twice the size of Spain and substantially larger than Great Britain. This marine territory is as important as the land mass itself, for while the land provides a place to live, the sea is a place to play and explore. Most people come to The Bahamas for its phenomenally clear waters and its abundant and varied marine life. In fact, almost 5% of the world's coral reefs are located here, an amount surpassing even Australia's Great Barrier Reef.

In addition to the unparalleled diversity of its marine life, the islands are rich in terrestrial flora and fauna. Because The Bahamas is an island nation, there are only two indigenous mammals-- the raccoon and the hutia, an endearing sort of tropical guinea-pig. Larger mammals introduced during colonization, such as wild donkeys, wild boars, and horses, do roam in less populous areas--and of course, whales and dolphins frequent the waters. Reptiles and amphibians such as the endangered Bahamian rock iguana, the Cat Island terrapin, and the Hawksbill turtle share the cays and islands of The Bahamas with the largest nesting colony of West Indian flamingoes in the world, as well as nesting colonies of the Bahama parrot. Unique among New World parrots, the Abaco parrot nests in natural limestone cavities on the ground. This nesting habit makes the parrot more vulnerable to predators, especially the wild cats of the Abaco forests.

The countdown to Evolution Day has started!

Abaco Animals Require Friends - AARF

P.O. Box AB-20856

MARSH HARBOUR, Abaco

Tel: + 1 (242) 367-3262 x201

Fax: + 1 (242) 367 3260

Bahamas Humane Society

P.O. Box N-242

NASSAU

Tel: + 1 (242) 323-5130/325-6742

Fax: + 1 (242) 322 6089

Bahamas National Trust

P.O. Box N-4105

NASSAU

Tel: + 1 (242) 393-1317

Fax: + 1 (242) 393-4978

Email

Bimini Love

c/o P.O. Box 569

ACCORD, MA 02018-0569, USA

Tel: + 1 (781) 749-0968

Email

Columbus Horse Ranch

SAN SALVADOR

Tel: + 1 (242) 323-5130/325-6742

Fax: + 1 (242) 322 6089

Dept. of Agriculture Animal Control Unit

P.O. Box N-3028

NASSAU

Tel: + 1 (242) 356-3919

Fax: + 1 (242) 325 3960

Friends of the Environment

P.O. Box 459

MARSH HARBOUR, Abaco

Tel: + 1 (242) 366-0121/367-5358

Fax: + 1 (242) 366 0281

Email

Grand Bahama Humane Society

P.O. Box F-42741, 6 Cedar Street

FREEPORT, Grand Bahama Island

Tel: + 1 (242) 352-2477

Email

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