Nassau - The Capital of The Bahamas
- Population
- 274,400
- Language
- English
- Continent
- North America
- Since
- 1670
- Eco Ranking
- 38/195
Source: Environmental Performance Index 2024.
About Nassau
Nassau has served as the capital of the Bahamas since 1670, when English settlers established a permanent colonial presence on New Providence Island. The settlement was named after William III of England, Prince of Orange-Nassau. During the early 18th century, Nassau became a notorious base for piracy in the Caribbean, most famously associated with pirates including Charles Vane and Blackbeard. Britain established direct control and suppressed piracy by 1718, appointing Woodes Rogers as the first Royal Governor. Nassau remained the colonial capital through the 19th and 20th centuries. The Bahamas achieved independence from Britain on July 10, 1973, and Nassau became the capital of the new Commonwealth of the Bahamas. Approximately 70 percent of the Bahamas' total population lives in Nassau, one of the highest concentrations of national population in any capital city worldwide. Nassau is the seat of the Bahamian Parliament, which follows the Westminster model with a Senate and House of Assembly. The Bahamas is one of the wealthiest countries in the Caribbean by GDP per capita, driven primarily by tourism and offshore financial services.
About The Bahamas
The Bahamas is a constitutional monarchy within the Commonwealth, with the British monarch as head of state represented by a Governor-General. The Westminster parliamentary system governs the country, with the Prime Minister as head of government and a bicameral parliament in Nassau. The Bahamas gained independence in 1973 and has maintained political stability since. The country's economy is heavily dependent on tourism and financial services, and it faces significant vulnerability to hurricanes, Hurricane Dorian devastated the northern islands of Abaco and Grand Bahama in 2019. The Bahamas is a member of CARICOM and the Commonwealth.
View Nassau on the map
Flight time from Nassau to other capitals
| City | Distance (km) | Flight Time |
|---|---|---|
| Washington, D.C. | 1500 | 1h 46m |
| Buenos Aires | 6900 | 8h 7m |
| London | 7000 | 8h 14m |
| Paris | 7200 | 8h 28m |
| Rome | 8200 | 9h 39m |
| Cape Town | 12000 | 14h 7m |
| Tokyo | 12200 | 14h 21m |
| Abu Dhabi | 12500 | 14h 42m |
| Canberra | 15400 | 18h 7m |
| Singapore | 17100 | 20h 7m |
Capitals with similar population to Nassau
| City | Population |
|---|---|
| Ciudad de la Paz | 297,000 |
| Ljubljana | 295,504 |
| Sucre | 280,585 |
| Dili | 277,279 |
| Nassau | 274,400 |
| Porto-Novo | 264,320 |
| Gaborone | 246,325 |
Capitals with similar eco ranking to Nassau
| City | Eco Rank |
|---|---|
| Washington, D.C. | 35 |
| Paramaribo | 36 |
| Sofia | 37 |
| Nassau | 38 |
| St. John's | 39 |
| San José | 40 |
| Kyiv | 41 |
Source: Environmental Performance Index 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Nassau become the capital of the Bahamas?
Nassau has served as the capital of the Bahamas since 1670, when English colonists established a settlement on New Providence Island. It became the capital of independent Bahamas on July 10, 1973, when the country gained independence from Britain.
Why does such a large share of the Bahamian population live in Nassau?
The Bahamas consists of around 700 islands and cays, but most are small, low-lying, and lack the infrastructure for large populations. Nassau, on New Providence Island, has historically been the center of economic activity, government, and services. This concentration has drawn migration from the outer islands, leaving approximately 70 percent of the national population in Nassau.
Was Nassau a pirate base?
Yes. In the early 18th century, Nassau became a base for pirates operating in the Caribbean and Atlantic. Pirates including Charles Vane, Benjamin Hornigold, and Edward Teach (Blackbeard) used the harbor. Britain responded by appointing Woodes Rogers as Royal Governor in 1718, who expelled or executed most of the pirates and ended Nassau's pirate era.
What is the political system of the Bahamas?
The Bahamas is a constitutional monarchy and parliamentary democracy following the Westminster model. The British monarch is head of state, represented locally by a Governor-General. The elected Prime Minister holds executive power, supported by a bicameral parliament consisting of a Senate (appointed) and a House of Assembly (elected).
Is Nassau the largest city in the Bahamas?
Yes. Nassau is by far the largest city in the Bahamas. It sits on New Providence Island and contains approximately 70 percent of the entire national population of around 400,000. Freeport, on Grand Bahama, is the second largest city but has a much smaller population.
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