Exuma
| District of Exuma | |
|---|---|
.svg) |
|
| Coordinates: Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. | |
| Country (some privatization) |  Bahamas |
| Island | Exuma |
| Established | 1999 |
| Government | |
| • Type | District Council |
| • Chief Councillor | Franklyn McKenzie |
| • Deputy Chief Councillor | Raymond Carrol |
| Area | |
| • Total | 250 km2 (100 sq mi) |
| Population (2010) | |
| • Total | 7,314 (Bahamas Dept. of Statistics) |
| Time zone | EST (UTC−5) |
| • Summer (DST) | EDT (UTC−4) |
| Area code(s) | 242 |
<templatestyles src="Module:Hatnote/styles.css"></templatestyles>
Exuma is a district of the Bahamas, consisting of over 365 islands, also called cays. The largest of the cays is Great Exuma, which is 37 mi (60 km) in length and joined to another island, Little Exuma by a small bridge. The capital and largest city in the district is George Town (permanent population 1,000), founded 1793 and located on Great Exuma. The Tropic of Cancer runs across a beach close to the city. The entire island chain is 130 mi (209 km) long and 72 sq. mi (187 km²) in area.[1][2] Great Exuma island has an area of 61 sq. mi (158 km²) while Little Exuma has an area of 11 sq. mi (29 km²).[3]
Between 2000 and 2010, the population of Exuma more than doubled, reflecting the construction of large and small resort properties and the related direct air traffic to Great Exuma from locations as distant as Toronto, Canada.
Contents
History
Exuma was settled in or around 1783 by American loyalists fleeing the Revolutionary War. The expatriates brought a cotton plantation economy to the islands. George Town was named in honour of George III, to whom the settlers maintained their loyalty. A few smaller cays still remain partially or wholly privately owned, albeit they are still referred to as part of the Exuma–Bahamas Cays. They are distinguished by a three-digit suffix number. The best known ones are adjoined cays Exuma 642 and 643, whose lifespan has been shortened in the recent years by the receding shorelines.
John Rolle, 1st Baron Rolle, a major Loyalist settler of the Exumas, is a major figure in the islands' heritage. Upon his death in 1842, he bestowed all of his significant Exuma land holdings to his slaves. As a result, a number of towns on Great Exuma have been named after him (such as Rolleville and Rolletown).
The islands are a popular spot for yachting, sailing, diving, and coral reef and cave exploring.[4] Many of the unnamed beaches and coves of the islands, including extensive offshore reef areas, are included in the protected Exuma National Land and Sea Park of the Bahamas National Trust. Some of the islands on which there are permanent residents and resorts include Staniel Cay (home of the Staniel Cay Yacht Club, a fixture in the Exumas), Fowl Cay, Musha Cay and Iguana Cay.[5] Thunderball Grotto, located just a few hundred yards off Staniel Cay, is one location where the James Bond film Thunderball was filmed. Sandy Cay, just a short boat ride from Little Exuma was the location used for filming the Pirates of the Caribbean beach scenes and one Shell commercial. The novel Wind from the Carolinas was set in Great Exuma.[6]
The Exumas are the historic home of the Lucayan Natives, who were wholly enslaved in the 16th century, leaving the islands uninhabited until the 18th century. In the intervening period, the Exumas provided many hideouts and stashes for pirates. Elizabeth Harbor was a favorite lair of Captain Kidd.
Transportation
Exuma International Airport serves the city of George Town directly from Nassau, Miami, Atlanta and Toronto. Staniel Cay also has a small airstrip.
Food
The Exumas are known for fresh food and cultural significance to The Bahamas. Sea life regularly caught for commercial purpose include bonefish, conch, grouper, lobster, marlin, sailfish, snapper, tarpon, tuna and wahoo.
The George Town Fish Fry is a collection of shacks that open at night - serving a variety of menus and meals. It is popular among local residents.
Business
The capital city George Town is home to many different shops and services that serve both the travelling public and residents of the islands.
With pristine beaches and clear aquamarine-coloured water, Exuma has built a tremendous reputation as a luxury travel destination.
Culture
The annual Bahamian Music and Heritage Festival is highly anticipated in The Exumas by tourists and islanders alike. The festival focuses on the food, arts, and music of the local culture.
Media
Because the population is so tiny, there is a small traditional media industry. The Bahamas is served by many newspapers, radio stations and websites, whereas the local media in George Town consists of Exuma Breeze FM, and a collection of mostly smaller business websites which publicize the much-needed tourism industry.
Sport
Sandals Emerald Bay offers a 18-hole championship golf course designed by golf pro, Greg Norman, with a backdrop of the bright Exuma waters. This course was once named by Travel & Leisure as "Best Golf Course in the Caribbean".
Sailing is a popular sport in Exuma and there are many competitions year-round. The Family Island Regatta in George Town is a recurring event at the beginning of every year. Others include the George Town Cruising Regatta, Black Point Regatta and more.
For fishing-enthusiasts, the Exumas offers many fishing tournaments.
Notable residents
<templatestyles src="Module:Hatnote/styles.css"></templatestyles>
The main island has been a haven for celebrities for years. Until recently, the tourist population on the island was extremely minimal, allowing anonymity for anyone escaping the spotlight. Frequent visitors included Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon, who stayed at Goat Cay (the home of Babbie Holt), Jackie Onassis, and Jessica Tandy and Hume Cronyn; the married couple spent a lot of time on the island also at Goat Cay for many years. Sigourney Weaver vacationed there as well with her family.
In light of the relatively low cost of purchasing islands and the relatively low Bahamian tax regime for non-locals, a number of celebrities own islands in the Exumas. These include Aga Khan, Nicolas Cage, David Copperfield, Ali Daei, Johnny Depp,[7] Faith Hill and Tim McGraw, Ali Karimi, Eddie Murphy, Eddie Irvine and Tyler Perry.
References
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Wilder, Robert. Wind From the Carolinas. New York: G. P. Putnam's Sons, 1964. Back panel.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
External links
Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
