Over 700 islands form the archipelago of the Bahamas in the north Atlantic Ocean, with Andros, the largest of these islands, boasting amazing natural beauty. The island has a huge barrier reef, a rainforest and swamplands with over 50 species of orchids. The Bimini Islands to the north-west of Andros lie just 50 mi (80 km) east of Florida, USA with the waters in between said to be some of the world's best for sea fishing. New Providence is the most populous of the islands with 300,000 Bahamaians calling it home and the majority reside in its capital city of Nassau. Here, there is a vibrant harbour, which is a favourite stop for cruise liners.

The Spanish Conquistadors named the northern island of Grand Bahama as Gran Bajamar, meaning Great Shallows, and it is from this name that the nation's title is derived. Christopher Columbus made his first landfall on his voyage of discovery to the new world at San Salvador in the east of the archipelago.