C6ANM Team will be active from Bahamas in 14 February - 4 March 2024.
Team - NE1B, N1GN.
They will be active 80 - 6m, CW, SSB, Digital Modes, including ARRL DX CW and SSB Contests.
QSL via LOTW, ClubLog.
Bahamas
The Bahamas is not only a world of coral exoticism, but also home to 325,000 inhabitants, who inhabit only 30 of the 700 islands that make up the archipelago, forming an independent state within the British Commonwealth. The English political model has left a deep imprint on the lives of the islanders, which has long been of considerable cultural and economic benefit. The local population is mainly black and mulatto (85%). Whites make up 12%, and the ethnic list is rounded off by Asians and Latin Americans, whose share is only 3%. In view of this, it is unlikely that the Bahamas will find those who will insist on discrimination against blacks, especially when you consider that with an income level of 24400 dollars per capita, the state ranks third in the Western Hemisphere. Only Americans and Canadians were richer in the region.
What's in my estate for you
The name of the islands already reveals something about them. Spanish “baja mar” translates as “flat sea”, which can be seen on satellite images. And not only the sea is flat, but also the islands themselves, the height of which hardly exceeds 60 meters, and that only in one place, on Cat Island, where the highest hill in the archipelago, Alvernia, 63 meters high, rises. In space images, the waters of the sea in the vicinity of the Bahamas are turquoise. The phenomenon is explained by the presence of white sand mixed with calcium carbonate on the bottom, the reflection of light from which produces such an optical effect. Calcium carbonate did not come here through human error, but simply precipitated out as a result of the destruction of coral and the dying off of marine organisms with shells.
The Bahamas is still first
It is an undeniable fact that the date of discovery of the Bahamas is October 12, 1492. The expedition of Christopher Columbus saw many new territories for Europe, but the Bahamas were the first land where the foot of the Spanish captain stepped. Columbus himself said that the natives called the island he discovered Guanahani, but because of lost ship documents, it is not possible to say exactly where it was, today. Scientists continue to investigate this issue, conduct experiments and study the available artifacts. One of the expeditions was organized on the initiative of “National Geographic” in 1986, but its results showed that Columbus with the same probability of the first time could stop on the island of San Salvador, Samana Key, Plana Keys, Grand Turk and this if not counting several other less popular options. Everything seems to indicate that this little geographical mystery will remain unsolved, but still Columbus' first stop was the Bahamas.
Tourists and capitalists
Of course, the island location and excellent natural conditions mean a lot, but they still need to learn how to use them wisely, in which the Bahamians have succeeded more than others. There is no doubt that 60% of the country's income comes from the tourist business, in which almost half of the locals are employed in one way or another. Most tourists come from the U.S., which is explained by the small remoteness of the islands from the U.S. borders. For example, the island of Bimini, part of the Bahamian archipelago, is located only 80 kilometers from the coast of Florida.
Another powerful stimulus for the development of Bahamian civilization is the provision of banking services at the international level. This sphere is the second most important in the country's economy and in addition to 10% of the national income provides good employment. For businessmen from all over the world it is very important that the islands are a tax-free zone, and this applies to both income and profit taxes. Now it is clear why more than 400 banks and many insurance companies try to manage their assets from Nassau, the capital city of New Providence. It is noteworthy that the Bahamas has very good conditions for the development of gambling business, but the local population is forbidden to tempt themselves with such profits, but on foreigners casinos earn millions of dollars every week.
What weather to expect
The Bahamas is the realm of the trade winds, which bring with them an abundance of moisture. Due to the long length of the archipelago, temperatures in the southern islands are slightly higher in the warm season than in the central and northern islands. Summer temperatures average +26...+32℃ compared to +18...+22℃ in winter. Water temperature during the year ranges from +23 to +27℃. The most favorable period for recreation is September-May. Since spring, there is an increased probability of anomalies in the form of hurricanes and strong storms, sometimes causing a lot of trouble.
A pure “necklace” of coral and stones
From a great height, the hundreds of islands in the archipelago resemble a necklace of pearls of various sizes. In reality, they are flattened hills protruding from the water, formed from limestone of coral origin. The thickness of the sediments reaches up to 1.5 kilometers. The combined land area of the island is 10,070 km2, which is comparable to the size of Jamaica. Due to the softness of the relief-forming rocks, karst phenomena are widespread throughout the territory, resulting in the appearance of bizarre depressions and hollows in shallow waters and on land.
Bahamas taboos
Oddly enough, spearfishing enthusiasts will have to change their plans, as the use of underwater guns and similar devices is prohibited in the Bahamas. Sport fishing is allowed, but it is also strictly regulated by a $20 fee and conditions for the use of reels. Deep-sea explorers are not allowed to touch shipwrecks without a permit, or face monetary penalties and deportation.
A pink bird show and some forests
There are 25 protected areas within the Bahamas. One of these areas is the Ardastra Park and Zoological Center in the capital Nassau, founded in 1937. It owes its fame to a huge colony of flamingos, breeding which were engaged in the middle of the XX century. Over time, a zoo with three hundred different species of animals was established there. The highlight of the Ardastra Park is the flamingo show, during which some spectators can become participants of the performance.
Having such favorable conditions for beach recreation, the islands can please with an abundance of vegetation only in rare places. Mostly it is savannah and bushes. Some islands have preserved areas of pine, deciduous and evergreen tropical forests. In coastal areas there are lush palm groves.
Those who are at least a little familiar with the Bahamas must have heard about the Blue Hole of Diné, the Atlantis Aquarium complex, the maze of recreated ruins of Atlantis, and much more. You may not be able to visit everything, but you can certainly have a good vacation here.