Bahamas

Population About country profiles The country profiles are intended to provide some background and context for the descriptions of the churches. These profiles should be read in conjunction with those of the churches in the country. Click here for the sources of the statistical data *:	320,650
Surface area:	13,880 km²
Capital:	Nassau
GNI per capita:	14,920 US$
Classification:	Developing economy
Languages:	English Creole
Religions:	Christian: 92.00% Spiritist: 2.00%

Christianity:	Protestants: 197,630 Catholics: 48,600 Anglicans: 24,600 Independent: 28,690

The Bahamas is constituted by a group of islands southeast of Florida (USA) and northeast of Cuba. Arawak Indians lived in the islands before the arrival of the Europeans. British settlement began in 1647 and the islands became a British colony in 1783. The Bahamas achieved independence in 1973. Although a developing country, Bahamas has a strong economy based on tourism and international banking and investment management. WCC member churches present in the Bahamas are the Church of the Province in the West Indies (Anglican), the Methodist Church in the Caribbean and the Americas, and the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church (USA). The largest Protestant church is the Baptist Union. Several Pentecostal churches from the USA are present in the Bahamas, e.g. the Church of God (Cleveland) and the Assemblies of God. The Bahamas Christian Council has a wide membership, including Protestants, Catholics, Orthodox and Pentecostals.