Land area 13939 km2; The total land area (including water) is 259,000 square kilometers.
The population is 365,438+200,000 (estimated in 2002), of which 85% are black, 65,438+0.2% are white, and the remaining 3% are Asian or Latino. The birth rate in 2002 was 2.3%. The official language is English. Most residents believe in Christianity.
The capital is Nassau with a population of 2 1 10,000.
The head of state, Queen Elizabeth II. On the nomination of the Prime Minister of Pakistan, the Queen appointed the Governor as her representative. The current Governor Ivy Dumont (female) took office on June 28th, 2006.
Introduction is located in the north of Cuba, opposite the southeast coast of Florida, USA. The islands extend from northwest to southeast, with a length of 1220 km and a width of 96 km. It consists of more than 700 islands and more than 2,000 coral reefs. More than 20 of these islands are inhabited. It extends from the northwest coast of Florida to the southeast to the north coast of Cuba and Haiti. Most of the islands are low-lying, with the highest elevation of only 63 meters and no rivers. Among many islands, only 29 larger ones are inhabited. The main islands are Grand Bahama, andros, Ilyushera and New Providence. Most islands have a mild subtropical climate, and the Tropic of Cancer runs through the middle. It has a subtropical climate, and August is the hottest month, with an average temperature of 24 ~ 32℃. 1 and February are the coldest months, with an average temperature of 17~25℃. The average annual temperature is 23.5 degrees Celsius. The annual average precipitation is 1000 mm.
The earliest inhabitants of the Bahamas are Indian Arawaks, who call themselves Lucahos. 1492 Columbus arrived in San Salvador Island (Watling Island) in the central Bahamas. Since then, Spanish colonists have brought a large number of Lucahos from the islands to Haiti and other places to be slaves, and finally destroyed the island residents. The first European immigrants came here on 1647. 1649 The Governor of British Bermuda led a group of British people to occupy the islands. Britain declared the Bahamas a colony. 1783, Britain and Spain signed the Treaty of Versailles, officially confirming the islands as a British dependency. 1964 65438+ 10 will implement internal autonomy. 1976 realized the black majority rule. 1July 1973 10 gained independence and became a member of the Commonwealth.
After political independence, the Progressive Liberal Party headed by Pindling continued to be in power until 1992. The free national movement came to power in 1992 and was re-elected in 1997. On May 2, 2002, the Progressive Liberal Party won the general election by an absolute majority and returned to power, with its leader perry Gladstone christie as Prime Minister. For a long time, Pakistan's political situation has been stable and its democratic system has become increasingly mature. The current government attaches importance to constitutional reform and strives to increase employment opportunities.
The current Constitution came into effect on July 1973. According to the Constitution, the Bahamas is a sovereign and democratic country, and the basic human rights and freedoms of its citizens must be guaranteed. Parliament consists of the Senate and the House of Representatives, with a term of five years. The Governor appoints the Prime Minister and the leader of the opposition, and appoints cabinet ministers on the nomination of the Prime Minister. In addition to the Prime Minister, there should be at least eight other ministers in the cabinet, and the Attorney General is one of them.
Parliament consists of the Senate and the House of Representatives, with a term of five years. The Senate is composed of 65,438+06 members appointed by the Governor-General, 9 of whom are nominated by the Prime Minister, 4 by opposition leaders and 3 by the Prime Minister and opposition leaders through consultation. Sharon Wilson, Speaker of the Senate. The House of Representatives consists of 40 members elected by universal suffrage. The current parliament was formed after the general election on May 2, 2002, with 29 seats for the Progressive Liberal Party, 7 seats for the liberal national movement and 4 seats for independents. Oswald ingraham, Speaker of the House of Representatives, was elected on May 22nd, 2002.
The government was formed after the general election on May 2, 2002. Its members include: perry christie, Prime Minister and Minister of Finance; Cynthia Pratt, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Security; and Bradley Roberts, Minister of Public Works. Minister of State of the Ministry of Finance james smith, Attorney General and Minister of Education Alfred Sears, Minister of Housing and National Insurance Shane Gibson, Minister of Health and Environmental Services Marcus Bethel, Minister of Social Services and Community Development Melanie Griffin, Minister of Tourism Obie Kang Bei, Minister of Financial Services and Investment Allyson Maynard Gibson, Minister of Labor and Immigration Vincent Li Dingding, Minister of Trade and Industry Leslie Miller, Youth, Neville Wisdom, Minister of Sports and Culture; Glennis Hanna Martin, Minister of Transportation and Aviation; Alfred Gray, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Local Government; and Fred Mitchell, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Public Service.
Local commissioners are located on the main islands of administrative divisions. The main islands are: New Providence, Grand Bahamas, Andros, Abaco and Ilyushera. Among them, New Providence Island is home to more than 60% of the country's population, and Great Bahamas Island is home to about 16% of the country's population.
The judiciary consists of the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeal and the local courts. Both criminal and civil cases can be accepted. The Privy Council is the final court. Burton Hall, President of the Supreme Court, and Joan Sawyer, President of the Court of Appeal.
Political Party (1) Progressive Liberal Party: the ruling party. Established in 1953+00. 1July 973 led the Bahamas to independence. Representing the interests of the middle and small bourgeoisie, party member is mostly black and mulatto. The party won the first general election in 1967 and remained in power until 1992. On May 22, 2002, he won the general election and was in power again. The current leader, perry Gladstone christie.
(2) Free national movement: opposition party. Established in 1972. 1992 came to power for the first time, 1997 won the general election in March and came to power again. It consists of members split from the Progressive Liberal Party and the United Bahamas Party. Most of the leaders are middle class and intellectuals. Leader Tommy Turnquest.
There are also the Alliance for Democratic Reform and the Bahamas Democratic Movement.
Important person Ivy Dumont: Governor. 1930 10 was born in Long Island, Bahamas. He studied at the University of Miami and received a doctorate in public administration. He has been engaged in education for a long time and was the leader of Pakistan Teachers' Union. Former Secretary-General of the Liberal National Movement Party. Senator from 1992. 1992- 1994 as Minister of Health and Environment of Pakistan, 1994-200 1 as Minister of Education, Youth and Sports. 200 1 Vice Governor at the beginning and Acting Governor in the same year. On June 1 day, 2002, she officially became the sixth governor of Pakistan after independence, which was the first female governor in Pakistan's history. Married with two children. Believe in the Protestant Brotherhood.
Perry Gladstone christie: Prime Minister. Born in Nassau on August 2 1943. In his early years, he studied at the University of Birmingham, England, obtained a bachelor's degree in law, and later became a professional lawyer. 1974-77 served as a senator. 1977-82 is the minister of health and national insurance, 1982-84 is the minister of tourism, and 1990-92 is the minister of agriculture, trade and industry. 1992 to1April 1997, served as the deputy leader of the progressive liberal party. 1April, 1997, after Pindling resigned, he was elected as the leader of the party. On May 2, 2002, Dick led the Progressive Liberal Party to win the general election and became the third prime minister of Pakistan after independence. Anglican. Married with three children.
Economic Pakistan is one of the richest countries in the Caribbean, with the highest GDP per capita in the Caribbean, second only to the United States and Canada in the western hemisphere. Tourism and financial services are the most important sectors of the national economy, accounting for about 90% of GDP. In recent years, the Pakistani government has made some policy adjustments, put forward economic diversification and attracted foreign investment, and made some progress. The government emphasizes the development of industry and agriculture, so that Pakistan can gradually realize industrialization and food self-sufficiency. 199 1 GDP is $2.52 billion. The exchange rate is 1 Bahamian dollar 1 US dollar (1992). Tourism, services and finance are the most important sectors in the national economy of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas. 80% of the grain is imported, some vegetables and fruits are self-sufficient and a small amount is exported. Government revenue mainly comes from customs duties, accounting for about 70% of the total revenue. The main trade targets are the United States, Japan and Norway. It mainly exports petroleum, fish, medicine, wine, salt and cement, and mainly imports food, petroleum products, clothing, grains, automobiles and building materials. The main economic data in 2003 are as follows:
Gross domestic product: 565,438+85 million US dollars.
Per capita GDP: 16726 USD.
GDP growth rate: 0.9%.
Currency name: Bahamian dollar; 1 yuan = 100 integral.
Exchange rate: 1 USD = 1 Bahamian dollar.
Inflation rate: 3.5%.
Unemployment rate: 10.5%.
(Source: Economic Quarterly Review 2004)
It is a famous tourist attraction with rich resources and beautiful scenery. Pakistan Sea is rich in marine resources and is one of the major fishing grounds in the world. There are oil, natural gas, salt and so on. Less arable land, insufficient fresh water and limited agricultural resources.
Manufacturing industries include logging, shipbuilding, cement, food processing, beverages, wine making, handicrafts and pharmaceuticals, mainly concentrated in the Grand Bahama Free Trade Zone. In order to implement the strategy of economic diversification, the Pakistani government encourages the development of small and medium-sized enterprises and has formulated preferential policies for this purpose.
Agriculture and fishery have thin soil layer, poor soil and underdeveloped agriculture, and the output value of agriculture and fishery only accounts for about 5% of GDP. Only a small amount of vegetables and fruits are planted, and the main crops are sugarcane, tomatoes, bananas, corn, pineapples and beans. 80% of food is imported, some vegetables and citrus fruits are self-sufficient, and a small amount is exported. Poultry production accounts for about 50% of agricultural output value, and meat production basically meets domestic demand. The Pakistani government implements a protection policy for agricultural products and fruit products. In 2002, the output of chickens and eggs was *** 10900 tons, and the milk of cattle and sheep was 1600 tons. Pakistan sea area is one of the most important fishing grounds in the world. There are many kinds of fish and great potential for aquatic products production, but the commercial fishing in Bahamas has not yet formed a scale. The Pakistani waters mainly produce lobster, conch, grouper, marlin, swordfish and tuna. Among them, lobster accounts for about 60% of the total aquatic products. 200 1, with a total catch of 9303 tons.
Service industry Financial service industry is the second pillar industry of Pakistan's national economy, and its output value accounts for about 20% of GDP. Pakistan has become an important offshore financial center in the world because of its stable political and economic situation, adjacent to the United States, no direct tax, strict bank secrecy law and no foreign exchange control. In 2003, there were 4,253 employees, accounting for about 3% of the total labor force. By the end of 2006, 356 banks in 38 countries, including Britain, the United States, Canada, Switzerland, France and Japan, were registered in Pakistan, with more than 600 mutual funds and insurance companies and more than 654.38 million international commercial companies. The assets managed by Pakistani financial institutions exceeded $280 billion. About 14000 people are engaged in hotel service industry, accounting for 10% of the total labor force, and the output value accounts for about 13% of GDP.
Tourism Tourism is the pillar industry of Pakistan's national economy. On average, it receives 5 million tourists every year, and the annual income of tourism alone reaches more than 2 billion US dollars, accounting for more than 50% of GDP. There are about 50,000 direct and indirect employees, accounting for 35% of the total workforce. In 2003, it received 4.6 million foreign tourists. Tourists mainly come from America, Canada and Europe. Atlantis Hotel (also known as Atlantic City Hotel) located in Batiantang Island is world-famous and has 2,500 rooms. 1September 1999, there were 223 hotels in China, 14080 rooms.
Transportation, aviation and shipping are relatively developed.
Highway: The total length of the highway is 3,350 kilometers, including 966 kilometers in New Providence Island, and the rest are mainly distributed in Ilyushera Island, Grand Bahama Island, Long Island and Carter Island.
Water transport: Pakistan is one of the international shipping centers, with two main ports: Nassau and Freeport. Since 1976, the ship registration has been opened to the outside world, making it the third largest ship registration country in the world. By the end of 2002, there were only 1348 ships registered in the Bahamas. By the end of 2003, the gross tonnage of foreign ships registered in Pakistan reached 34 million tons.
Air transport: There are regular flights to the United States, Canada, Europe, Cuba and other countries. There are two international airports (Nassau and Freeport), which can take off and land large passenger planes; There are also 55 domestic airports with flights between major islands.
Fiscal revenue mainly comes from customs duties and stamp duty, accounting for about 70% of the total revenue. In fiscal year 2003/2004, Pakistani government revenue was 99.65438+million ba yuan, foreign exchange reserve was 540 million US dollars, foreign debt was 522 million US dollars, and the deficit was 65.438+0.35 million ba yuan. The financial revenue and expenditure in recent years are as follows (in Bahamian dollars):
2000/200 1 200 1/2002 2002/2003
Income 9.58 8.57 9.02
Expenditure 9.75 10.27 10.9
Difference-0.17-1.7-1.88
(Source: Central Bank of Bahamas)
Foreign trade Pakistan's main commodities have long relied on imports, and there is a huge trade deficit every year. The balance of payments is mainly made up by tourism income. Mainly export fishery products, chemical products, medicines, rum, salt, imported food, consumer goods, machinery and equipment and automobiles. The main trade targets are the United States, Canada and European Union countries. In 200 1 year, Pakistan imported 85.8% from the United States and exported 77.5% to the United States. In 2003, Pakistan exported 750 million US dollars and imported 654.38+0.8 billion US dollars, with a deficit of 654.38+0.5 billion US dollars.
Economic Section of Bahamas Chamber of Commerce (1), address: POB N-655 Shirley Street. Tel: 00 1-242-322-2 145. Fax: 322-4649.
(2) Bahamas Agricultural and Industrial Company, address: BAIC Building, Dongwan Street, Nassau, 4940. Tel: 00 1-242-322-3740. Telex: 20648. Fax: 322-2 123.
People's living wealth is unevenly distributed, and there is a disparity between the rich and the poor. 200 1 year, the average annual household income is $34,000, the housing ownership rate of family residents is 60%, the fixed telephone users are123,302, the mobile telephone users are 6,4481person, the internet users are16,900, and the pension is $200 per month. 1996, Pakistan has 3.94 hospital beds per 1,000 people. In 200 1 year, the per capita health expenditure was $65,438+0,220, accounting for 5.7% of GDP.
In 2004/2005, the government's social welfare budget was 428 million Bahamian dollars, accounting for 45% of the total reinvestment in this fiscal year. The expenses will be mainly used for education and training, health, housing, social services and youth development.
The Royal Military Defence Force (Coast Guard) is the only security force in the Bahamas. Its main responsibilities are drug control and repatriation of illegal immigrants. In 2003, there were 860 guards including 70 women. The defense budget for 2003 was 29 million Bahamian dollars.
Education public schools provide free compulsory education for children aged 5 ~ 14. The University of Bahamas, founded in 1974, is a comprehensive university. The University of the West Indies has a branch in this country. Public schools provide free compulsory education for children aged 5- 14, and the adult literacy rate in 200 1 year is 95.5%. The education budget for fiscal year 2003/2004 was 209 million Bahamian dollars, accounting for 19.2% of the total budget. Primary school for 6 years, entering school at the age of 5; The six-year middle school is divided into two stages, and the entrance age of students is 1 1. In 2000, the registration rate of school-age children in primary schools was 98% and that in secondary schools was 89%. Most students study in the Bahamas. The University of the West Indies has a branch in Pakistan. 1996/ 1997 The situation of schools at all levels is as follows:
School (college) students (people)
Primary school11342839 (5438+0 in 2006)
Middle school 37 2340 1(200 1 year)
Adult school 86 10739( 1990)
School for Disabled Children 5 268 (1990)
Press and Publication 1977 State-owned Bahamas Television Station is owned by Bahamas Broadcasting Corporation and can receive American TV programs and some satellite programs. Freeport, the second largest city, has a cable TV network. The main newspapers and periodicals are: Tribune, circulation12000; Nassau Guardian, founded in 1844, is a daily newspaper with a circulation of 14 100; Freeport News is a daily newspaper with a circulation of 6,000 copies.
Bahamas Broadcasting Corporation: State-run,/kloc-0, f. 996.
Bahamas Television: State-run, founded in 1977, owned by Bahamas Broadcasting Corporation. In addition, you can also receive American TV programs and some satellite programs. Freeport, the second largest city, has a cable TV network.
Foreign relations pursue a foreign policy of peaceful cooperation and respect for the sovereignty of all countries. While maintaining traditional close relations with Britain and the United States, we will develop friendly and cooperative relations with other Commonwealth countries and Caribbean countries. Advocate the principles of national self-determination, independence, territorial integrity and non-interference, and advocate international cooperation and peaceful settlement of disputes. Condemn terrorist acts like "9. 1 1" and support the international fight against terrorism. Pay attention to the economic factors in foreign relations. Pakistan is a member of the United Nations, the Caribbean Community, the Association of Caribbean States, the Organization of American States, the Commonwealth and the Non-Aligned Movement. By 2004, it had established diplomatic relations with 5 8 countries.
Relations with China1997 On May 23rd, China and Pakistan formally established diplomatic relations. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations, the friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries have developed steadily. In 2004, Vice Minister of Commerce Liao and Vice Minister of American Department of Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries visited Pakistan successively. Pakistani Minister of Engineering Roberts, Prime Minister Christie and Minister of Tourism Vicki Kang Bei visited China. In addition, my Yangzhou Puppet Troupe went to Pakistan to perform and participate in Pakistan's celebration of the 70th anniversary of the liberation of slaves/KLOC-0. Pakistan Dance Troupe came to China to participate in the "Meet Beijing -2004" large-scale party, and Pakistan National Youth Choir came to China to participate in the 7th China International Choir Festival.
Ambassador of China to Bahamas: Li Yuanming.
According to statistics from the General Administration of Customs of China, the total trade volume between China and Pakistan in 2004 was 99.38 million US dollars, of which China exported 98.69 million US dollars and imported 700,000 US dollars.
Relations with the United States have always maintained traditional friendly relations with the United States. The United States has an Atlantic seabed testing and observation center in Pakistan. The United States is the main source of tourists and consumer goods in Pakistan, and Pakistan is one of the important transit points for drugs and illegal immigrants to enter the United States. Pakistan and the United States have close cooperation in finance, drug control and counter-terrorism. 1987, the two sides signed a mutual legal assistance treaty; Signed a tax information exchange agreement in 2002; On March 14, 2002, the U.S. government presented Pakistan with the second maritime interceptor for combating drug smuggling, with a value of $407,005. A comprehensive maritime agreement was signed in 2004. However, in recent years, Pakistan's centrifugal tendency towards the United States has developed.
Relations with Britain and Commonwealth countries maintain close traditional relations with Britain and Commonwealth countries, and Britain gives Pakistan some economic assistance every year. June 7, 2002 165438+ The British government provided US$ 45,000 to the Pakistan Ministry of Health and the Environmental Science and Technology Committee for the protection of rare animals and plants and other ecological resources.
Relations with Caribbean countries are closely related to Caribbean neighbors. Because Pakistan's economy is more developed than other countries in the region, Pakistan has a wait-and-see attitude towards regional economic integration, fearing that the proposed free movement of people and capital in the region will lead to the influx of people from neighboring countries and impact Pakistan's economy. Pakistan joined the Caribbean market on July 1983, but has not yet joined the Caribbean market. At the CARICOM summit held in 1997, Pakistan did not sign the second protocol allowing the free movement of capital and people in the region. However, we can maintain a consistent position with the region in regional foreign consultations.