Sun, sand, and sea are merely perimeters of the Islands Of The Bahamas. At the core of our islands you?ll find a big heart, open arms, and a way of living life that is both timeless and new. It is our heritage. It is your departure from everyday life.

Geography played a crucial role in Bahamian history. In 1492, Christopher Columbus (the first European visitor) made his first landfall in the New World on the island of San Salvador in the eastern Bahamas (called Guanahani by the Lucayan Indians). After observing the shallow sea around the islands, he said "baja mar" (shallow water or sea), and effectively named the area The Bahamas, or The Islands of the Shallow Sea.

Since it was located close to Florida and well-travelled shipping channels, The Islands Of The Bahamas caught the attention of explorers, settlers, invaders and traders. These people shaped the colourful history of The Bahamas and made the country what it is today.

In 1964, Great Britain granted The Islands Of The Bahamas limited self-government, and in 1969 the colony of The Bahamas became a Commonwealth. The Bahamas became the free and sovereign Commonwealth of The Bahamas on July 10, 1973, ending 325 years of British rule (but remains part of the Commonwealth). July 10th is celebrated today as Bahamian Independence Day.

Our dynamic island nation is well known throughout the world for its natural beauty and the warm welcome that awaits the millions who visit our shores every year. More and more, however, we are also becoming known for the warm welcome that awaits international investment in our country.

With economic, political and social conditions that provide a fertile business environment, The Bahamas is indeed a paradise for investment. We offer a number of unique advantages ? freedom from taxation, democratic stability and investment incentives ? and an infrastructure that encourages, supports and rewards international investment.