FACTS

Location: Caribbean, chain of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, southeast of Florida, northeast of Cuba

Area (only Total) total: 13,940 sq km

Climate: tropical marine; moderated by warm waters of Gulf Stream

Terrain: long, flat coral formations with some low rounded hills

Population: 307,451

Main Language (only first): English (official), Creole (among Haitian immigrants)

Government type: constitutional parliamentary democracyv

Capital (Name): Nassau

Capital (Time Difference): UTC-5

Independence: 10 July 1973 (from UK)

National holiday: Independence Day, 10 July (1973)