Nassau is the capital city of the Bahamas. It is the commercial and cultural centre of the Bahamas, and with a population of 180,000, its largest city.
Located on New Providence island, Nassau has an attractive harbour and a busy port. The tropical climate and natural beauty of the Bahamas has made Nassau a popular tourist destination, with a reputation for relaxing days and an exciting nightlife.
Nassau was founded by the British in the mid-17th century as Charles Towne, but it was renamed to Nassau after William III of Orange-Nassau in 1695. During the 18th century, it was a popular hideaway for pirates of the Caribbean, notably Blackbeard. Nassau was subjected to numerous attempted invasions by the Spanish during the late 18th century, and in 1776 it was captured and briefly held by American revolutionaries.
Nassau International Airport, the major airport for the Bahamas, is located in Nassau, and has daily flights to major cities in the USA, Bahamas, the UK, and the Caribbean.
For encounters of a different kind, venture east and cross the bridge from the town of Nassau to "Paradise," with resorts, casinos and exciting nightlife on an island formerly called "Hog." Its transformation is not unlike Cinderella's putting on the glass slipper. For years the island stood completely undeveloped, its beaches and tropical splendor unnoticed by the world. Suddenly, with the addition of luxurious hotels and a sparkling casino, it was transformed into one of the most glamorous and celebrated resort centers in the world, combining exclusive tranquillity and lots of action. Reclusive millionaire Howard Hughes and the former Shah of Iran are among those who have found refuge here.
Cable Beach, with its luxury hotels, casinos and beachfront, got its name in 1907 from the laying here of transatlantic telephone cables linking what was an isolated Bahamas to the rest of the world. But these days, the world comes to The Bahamas to see what it has been missing.
The Coral Harbour development is a quiet, opulent community in a palm-clad setting. Its winding canals offer easy access to the sea. West of Coral Harbour, there is Adelaide, a tiny village with narrow streets. It was one of the first Black settlements established after the abolition of slavery. The area is a lovely, secluded spot for fishing and swimming. At the tip of the island, there is Lyford Cay, an exclusive residential enclave.