The Bahamas Geography essay - Grade: A PDF

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This essay was written on the physical geography of the Bahamas. ...

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Jared Stuart Dr. Boda Physical Geography May 7, 2018. The Bahamas Topography The Bahamas is an archipelago consisting of more than seven hundred islands, inlets and cays, thirty of them which are populated (nationsonline.org). The Bahamas is located in the Atlantic Ocean just north of Cuba and east of the Florida Keys. These islands were formed as surface outcroppings of two oceanic banks, the Grand Bahama Bank and the Little Bahama Bank. (nationsencyclopedia.com). The islands are for the most part low and flat, rising to a peak elevation of about 63 m (206 ft), which is Mt. Alvernia on Cat Island (bahamas.co.uk). Andros island, which is the largest island in the Bahamas, (with an area of 5,956 square km) is the fifth-largest island in the Caribbean with corals forming the Andros Reef, one of the largest barrier reefs in the world (amnh.org). The organisms from these coral reefs provide the calcium carbonate base that makes up the foundation of these islands. Climate/ Weather: Hazards & Climate change During the wet summer season, the climate consists of warm, moist tropical air, which occurs from May through November. The Bahamas has a mild subtropical climate. Prevailing winds, coming from the northeast in winter and from the southeast in summer, lend a cooling influence to a generally humid atmosphere (britannica.com). Average winter temperature of 23° C (73° F)

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and an average summer temperature of 27° C (81° F). Rainfall averages 127 cm (50 in) (nationsencyclopedia.com). June 1 to Nov 30 we are on the watch for Tropical Cyclones. During this timeframe we experience hurricanes and other tropical storms which cause extensive flood and wind damage (cia.gov). The warm waters of The Bahamas are the main ingredient that fuel some of the deadliest storms. As an archipelago with rich marine life and a fragile ecosystem, The Bahamas is particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. If not adequately addressed, climate change will lead to increased flooding, property damage and potential loss of life on every island of The Bahamas, effecting the entire population (eh.gov.bs). In a recent study published, The Bahamas, Fiji, Jamaica and the Maldives have been identified as among the most vulnerable small island sovereigns in a report on the credit implications of climate change. They say medium-term vulnerabilities are factored into island sovereigns’ credit ratings (Simpson, 2017). Alongside the fears of rising waters from climate change, The Bahamas has been experiencing warmer water temperatures and now have an impending problem of coral reef decay (cia.gov). This is a double impact, affecting not only the environment and marine life but also the eco-tourism dollars that represent a sizeable portion of the Bahamian economy. The Bahamas is taking action in attempting to erect more than 200 miles of levees and sea walls, at a cost of almost $6 billion in preventing the sea level rise (Padgett, Tim, 2013). Politics and Economy The Bahamas political structure gets its heritage from the west minster system of England. T  he Bahamas is a constitutional monarchy recognizing Queen Elizabeth II as head of state. She is

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represented by a Governor-General chosen on the advice of the cabinet. The country is a parliamentary democracy with a bicameral legislature (thecommonwealth.org). According to the Bahamas Government, The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of The Bahamas is approximately $5.7 billion with tourism accounting for 50 per cent, financial services nearly 20 per cent and the balance spread among retail and wholesale trade, fishing, light manufacturing and agriculture. Since 1996, The Bahamas has seen an annual GDP growth of approximately four per cent, primarily driven by advances and expansion in tourism and construction (Bahamas.gov.bs). Plants and Animals The mangrove ecosystem protects the islands from deadly storms and acts as a nursery for the surrounding marine life and birds. The Bahamas  has over 109 species of birds and 120 species of plants that cannot be found anywhere else in the world. A few species of birds that can be found only in The Bahamas are, the Bahama Parrot, Bahama Oria, and the Bahama Woodstar. Aside from the animals, some plants that grow here are yellow elder, wild dilly, madera; which are both medicinal and ornamental (Bahamas.co.uk). The  Bahamas is clean of any poisonous snakes and insects. Some  native trees are the Prince wood, Cancer tree, Five finger, Geiger tree and numerous species of pine trees mainly found on the Northern Islands. Numerous species of mammals such as whales, dolphins, wild donkeys, wild boar, horses, raccoon  and the hutia can be found here (Bahamasgateway.com). Natives use the tropical plants and trees to create their own medicines to cure illnesses. This is done by boiling a specific plant or tree and drinking the

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substance. The substance is known as “bush medicine”. Other than that, fishermen catch some of the marine life such as conchs, lobsters, groupers and snappers, that is prepared into mouthwatering cuisines. African influence on culture The Bahamas has the third most extensive coral reef system in the world and is famous for its deep water sponges and for its Nassau Grouper spawning aggregation sites. The Bahamas is popular with tourists, but recreational use of marine areas is managed and there are currently 17 marine protected areas (w  ww.climateandreefs.org). Moreover, The Bahamas has a rich history and a cultural spirit unlike anywhere else in the world (www.nassauparadiseisland.com). Each year we celebrate a festival called junkanoo which is much like Carnival in Rio and Mardi Gras in New Orleans. On Christmas and New Years day, the streets of downtown Nassau (capital city) is lit up with beautifully colored crepe paper and cardboard costumes. The sweet melody of junkanoo music fill the atmosphere, having everyone dancing on their feet. Other festivals such as the regatta sailing competition and the heritage festival attract vast amounts of tourist to our shores. These 700 island and cays of The Bahamas is by far the best place to visit or live. There are many things to discover and experience. Not only are our native dishes and festive traditions exciting, but the weather is immaculate. As mentioned before, in The Bahamas, the only type of natural disasters we encounter are hurricanes and minor storms in which we can handle of course.

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Work Cited Site designed and built by Hydrant (http://www.hydrant.co.uk). (n.d.). Bahamas, The : Constitution and politics. Retrieved from http://thecommonwealth.org/our-member-countries/bahamas/constitution-politics Economic Environment - Bahamas Investment Authority - Government. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.bahamas.gov.bs/wps/portal/public/About Us/About The Bahamas/Economic Environment/!ut/p/b1/vZDLlqIwEEC_xQ_oJhCIuERQBMJDCAhsOCAI8lBGXuLXjz2 9mU3bm5lOrVLnVt2qokLKp8JLPJ7zuD9fL3H98Q9RBGVT34ssr_OIXQGFJoYibSwo 75bUgfKNANwlVpm2ConEaty1Vz53qyCP17N-ntDUyGlyFcOV6klcRMJNG40Dbo9kz HKvILV-bYxpDJmsjNNck8TJtY9zlbX4nkldz5SpX7tjNF3UIILkRFS1tHVUbuWbtasvX oqdsDhFDVuwhmlc--2ld3BPvOs4mMIc0ur63sTNcTe1G1x1krXhC0z2-VZzHXJDN3yv aH0OFs9Fg-ei4IsngO_u8FkPgawLwhMwGfIBiDTSXA5oDv39HcNP5EWHP8CrEV93 gFTwBJZfAntEEcoHbOSUc6s8qoddPmzsPEzGkTYTfXMnUiaeQbYWMRy6e6aA5NK GJADy2CqGJEJiJFbq2e5aEJBeAP-10OGWPyvU9j8tRMx_F2oMfAoxxAYv0g5GPy3k _rlQpcJz0rxPx-YdvNMMBzjE85ABADIILimvDNA96VRBUsKTGvS7oFt1zt5VxNSpH UWuj51WmHMNrZo5FphbESBURY7SqHuLwmyU1t3qYMRonZshh2t4mwHLAwPC YC9qTswJHp0cLsxZMPP6Vz7gWvBP2_VQssMJvmVWKODmqKm1ubqxa0YffNuiQ 09D-qFl5AIzg9ac6eWjdxvrTsahUYjanqo0wBHP9YYJ7JtbxHrVkuVFtpJh5uagjHI1wX G97-B0iO8HszSEdogwFk9S744nf4iX-8WCMnbXJqPaZtQwsncP_6_IhMVvVKH5lw!!/ dl4/d5/L2dBISEvZ0FBIS9nQSEh/ Geography. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.bahamas.co.uk/about-the-bahamas/facts/geography 3. (n.d.). History & Culture. Retrieved from https://www.nassauparadiseisland.com/es/things-to-do/unique-tours/history-culture Harris, D. R., & Albury, E. P. (2018, February 21). The Bahamas. Retrieved from http://www.britannica.com/place/The-Bahamas/Climate Bahamas. (n.d.). Retrieved from h ttp://climateandreefs.org/bahamas/ The World Factbook. (2010, November 30). Retrieved from http://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/bf.html Andros Island Barrier Reef. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.amnh.org/exhibitions/permanent-exhibitions/biodiversity-and-environmental -halls/milstein-hall-of-ocean-life/andros-island-barrier-reef THE BAHAMAS. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/Americas/The-Bahamas.html#ixzz5EnLfuRvt Nationsonline.org, K. K. (n.d.). Bahamas - Country Profile - Nations Online Project. Retrieved from http://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/bahamas.htm

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Simpson, C. Dec. (2017). Bahamas, Jamaica Among Most at Risk From Climate Change: Moody's. Simpson, C. (2017, December 05). Bahamas, Jamaica Among Most at Risk From Climate Change: Moody's. Retrieved from https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-12-05/bahamas-jamaica-among-most-atrisk-from-climate-change-moody-s Padgett, T. (n.d.). Sea Level Limbo In The Caribbean: How Low Can You Go? Retrieved from http://wlrn.org/post/sea-level-limbo-caribbean-how-low-can-you-go Bahamian Bush Medicine. (2017, March 12). Retrieved from http://bahamasgateway.com/bahamian-bush-medicine/...