Chain of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, southeast of Florida, northeast of Cuba.

GMT - 5 (GMT - 4 from first Sunday in April to last Sunday in October).

13,939 sq km (5,382 sq miles).

305,655 (2007).

21.9 per sq km.

Nassau. Population: 331,000 (2007).

Comprising 700 low-lying islands, mostly islets (cays or keys), atolls and rocks, the Bahamas archipelago extends 970km (500 miles) southeastward from the coast of Florida. Sparkling, clear waters are home to vibrant underwater gardens on the world's third longest barrier reef, which contains about 14.5% of the coral on the planet. Fertile marine plains are split between two oceanic facets, the Little Bahama Bank and the Great Bahama Bank, where visibility of around 60m (197ft) is the norm. Exotic flowers, pine forest, rugged shoreline, barren savannahs, marshlands and sandy beaches typify the landscape, on a bed of limestone and coral rocks.

Constitutional monarchy. Gained independence from Great Britain in 1973.

HM Queen Elizabeth II, represented locally by Governor-General Arthur D Hanna since 2006.

Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham, since May 2007.

Hubert Ingraham of the Free National Movement (FNM) won parliamentary elections in May 2007, ousting the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP). Ingraham, a lawyer, served two terms as prime minister between 1992 and 2002. The FNM had campaigned on issues of trust, criticising the ruling PLP over a series of scandals. Ingraham's predecessor, Perry Christie, took office in May 2002.

English is the official language. Bahamian patois is widely spoken.

Predominantly Christian with Baptist, Anglican and Roman Catholic the main denominations and Methodist, Church of God and other Protestant faiths minority groups.

120-volts AC, 60Hz. US-style plug sockets and outlets are standard.

The chilled-out Bahamian pace of life dominates every convention. 'Island time' is a relaxed approach to time-keeping and also describes the Bahamians' laid-back attitude to life. A slow pace prevails, from in the banks or Government offices. Dress is casual, although business attire is worn. Holidaymakers will find beachwear is accepted in the resorts but is frowned upon elsewhere. When dining, dancing or high-rolling in the casinos of Nassau or Freeport, dressing up is de rigueur.