Immense emerging string
The 700 islands and some 2,300 islets of the Bahamas actually make up several archipelagos that differ in size and number of islands. Some are respectable in size - Andros, Abaco, Eleuthera, Cat Island, Grand Bahama Island, and Long Island are the largest - while others are sometimes mere islets, sometimes even a tongue of white sand barely submerged in the crystalline water, just a stopover for Robinson Crusoe. These are surface projections of two oceanic banks of coral formation, built on the remains of a chain of submerged limestone plateaus, the Bahama Bank. The archipelago unfolds in a north-west/south-east arc nearly a thousand kilometres long; no less than 3,542 km of coastline, mostly magnificent sandy beaches, border its lands.
The Bahamian terrain is flat, with gentle rolling hills. The highest peak in the archipelago is 63 m high! It is Mount Alvernia on Cat Island. Most of the islands are bare and exposed to the wind. In some places, it is even possible to reach two islands on foot, as the sea between them is so shallow! As for the underground geography, it is a little more tormented.
Finally, the coral reefs were born on a vast platform between 0 and 15 m deep. The archipelago boasts the second largest coral reef in the northern hemisphere and the third largest in the world, after those of Australia and Belize.A protected territory
Founded in 1959, the Bahamas National Trust works on the classification and management of the territory's national parks and reserves. It is also in charge of education and awareness programs for environmental protection, research and protection of native plant and animal species such as the hutia, the white-crowned pigeon, the West Indian flamingo and the Bahamian parrot
The Bahamas has more than 40 national parks and marine reserves, the most recent of which are in eastern and northeastern Grand Bahama and in San Salvador. The Joulter Cays, north of Andros, is still awaiting classification. In total, by the beginning of 2022, about 20% of the country is officially classified as a national park, and the country is already planning for the additional 10%. For lack of being able to detail them all, here are the main ones.
Harrold and Wilson Ponds National Park (New Providence). Created in 2002, it is located in the central area south of New Providence and gathers more than 100 species of birds, including the highest concentration of herons on the island. An exceptional site close to the bustle of the city.
Lucayan National Park (Grand Bahama Island). Created in 1977, it takes its name from the tribe of Amerindians who lived on the islands at the arrival of Christopher Columbus. There is a very old network of underwater caves, one of the longest in the world, as some 10 km of tunnels can be explored. Some of these caves contain interesting archaeological evidence. A network of trails allows to get acquainted with the local flora and the park is home to an endangered species: the striped grouper.
Pelican Bay National Park (Great Abaco). Created in 1972, it is a marine park based on the Exumas model. Underwater caves and coral reefs abound, frequented by an interesting underwater fauna as well as terrestrial animals and plants.
Abaco National Park (South Abaco). Created on May 9, 1994, it occupies 8,300 ha in the south of the Abacos. It is the main habitat of the green and orange Bahamian parrot, a protected species.
Blue Holes National Park (Andros). Created in 2002, it is a must for divers as this 13,450 ha area has the largest concentration of blue holes in the world! These underwater caves hold scientific treasures, and are home to a large number of unusual and unique fish, including some endemic invertebrates.
North & South Marine Parks (Andros). The island boasts the third longest barrier reef in the world. These two parks, covering 26,240 ha, were established in 2002 to help preserve significant parts of this valuable reef ecosystem.
Leon Levy Native Plant Preserve (Eleuthera). Founded in 2009 by Shelby White in honor of Leon Levy, her husband who passed away in 2003. The reserve is located on the outskirts of Governor's Harbour. It is the first park on the island of Eleuthera and functions as a center for environmental education and plant and tree development.
Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park (Exumas). Opened in 1958, it is the first underwater and land park in the Bahamas. It has 20 km² of bays on a total area of 45 km². On land, one can meet the rock iguana and the endemic hutia of the archipelago, two protected species. Ornithologists will be interested in the frigate birds, the engoulevents and the red-legged thrushes. On the seabed, the shallow water reefs are magnificent. Blue holes, cave drop-offs and caves make up an interesting underwater geography.
Conception Island Park (Conception Island). Located on the west side of San Salvador Island and north of Long Island, this 850-hectare park created in 1964, both on land and underwater, is a renowned bird and green turtle sanctuary. Its migratory bird and seabird reserve attracts many birders. It also has a beautiful underwater reserve and a splendid coral reef.
Inagua National Park (Great Inagua). Created in 1965, it is one of the most important reserves of West Indian flamingos in the world. The park has some 80,000 individuals that are protected and has the largest lake in the country.
Union Creek Reserve (Great Inagua). This reserve of 2,000 ha created in 1975 is located in a large creek of about ten square kilometers. It is a research and breeding site for giant sea turtles, more specifically the "green turtle", which gave its name to Green Turtle Cay.
