Simmons, Jannace & Stagg

The Bahamas were discovered by Christopher Columbus during his first voyage. He called the area �baja mar�, which means low or shallow sea, and the name stayed to this day. The British arrived in the 1600s after the Spaniards had left in search of gold, and many British fleeing the American Revolution settled there, along with southerners during the American Civil War. The Bahamas became an independent member of the British Commonwealth in 1973.

Nassau, the capital city, is located on New Providence Island. There are many historic sights including the Government House, the Queen�s Staircase and the statue of Queen Victoria in Parliament Square.