BAHAMAS STATS:BAHAMAS STATS:• Not really the “Caribbean”• 10,000 km2

• roughly the size of Conn.• pop. 279,833 (as of 1998)• Andros pop. ~ 8,000• gained independence in July of 1973 from Great Britain

• Not really the “Caribbean”• 10,000 km2

• roughly the size of Conn.• pop. 279,833 (as of 1998)• Andros pop. ~ 8,000• gained independence in July of 1973 from Great Britain

BAHAMAS STATS:BAHAMAS STATS:• Government is a Commonwealth• Capital is Nassau, on New

Providence Island• main industries are tourism &

banking• 40% of employment in tourism

• Government is a Commonwealth• Capital is Nassau, on New

Providence Island• main industries are tourism &

banking• 40% of employment in tourism

ANDROS STATS:ANDROS STATS:• 3700 km• most reside in small towns on

eastern coast• 130 mile bank/barrier reef system• reef rims the Tongue of the Ocean - a

6000’ canyon

• 3700 km• most reside in small towns on

eastern coast• 130 mile bank/barrier reef system• reef rims the Tongue of the Ocean - a

6000’ canyon

Andros exports millions of gallons of fresh water twice daily to Nassau.

Andros exports millions of gallons of fresh water twice daily to Nassau.

Owens-Illinoislogging co.in the 1960’s…

Owens-Illinoislogging co.in the 1960’s…

Bahamian reefsBahamian reefs

Summer ‘99 reef survey

Summer ‘99 reef survey

N.A. Gyre...N.A. Gyre...

Ambergris Cay Blue Hole, BelizeAmbergris Cay Blue Hole, Belize

Satellite imageSatellite image

Satellite imageSatellite image

Satellite imageSatellite image

Satellite imageSatellite image

Ambergris Blue HoleAmbergris Blue Hole

Charlie’s Blue HoleCharlie’s Blue Hole

Church’s Blue HoleChurch’s Blue Hole

Gibson Cay inland blue hole

THE PEOPLE:THE PEOPLE:• Taino-Anawak Indians migrated from

South America• the “Lucayans” were an offshoot• 50,000 Lucayans by 1492• Spanish recorded “discovery”

around 1550

• Taino-Anawak Indians migrated from South America

• the “Lucayans” were an offshoot• 50,000 Lucayans by 1492• Spanish recorded “discovery”

around 1550

THE PEOPLE:THE PEOPLE:• preyed upon Indian pop. for slave

labor• virtually NO Lucayans left in The

Bahamas by 1550 - due to disease, slavery and suicide

• by the 18th century... Pirates staked positions

• preyed upon Indian pop. for slave labor

• virtually NO Lucayans left in The Bahamas by 1550 - due to disease, slavery and suicide

• by the 18th century... Pirates staked positions

THE PIRATES:THE PIRATES:• “privateers” vs. “pirates”• “Letter of Marque”• Henry Morgan headquartered on

North Andros Island• took advantage of their knowledge

of the reefs

• “privateers” vs. “pirates”• “Letter of Marque”• Henry Morgan headquartered on

North Andros Island• took advantage of their knowledge

of the reefs

THE PEOPLE:THE PEOPLE:

• Seminole Indians from Florida came first as visitors

• By the 19th century, freed slaves found their way to Andros

• the 2 groups inter-married near Red Bays

• Seminole Indians from Florida came first as visitors

• By the 19th century, freed slaves found their way to Andros

• the 2 groups inter-married near Red Bays

Sites by land(North)

Sites by land(North)

Red BaysRed Bays

conch anchor...conch anchor...

Coiled & “plated” baskets made w/silvertop palmettoCoiled & “plated” baskets made w/silvertop palmetto

Typical basket from Red baysTypical basket from Red bays

Androsia batik factoryAndrosia batik factory

@ Androsia@ Androsia

Church...Church...

flight to Androsflight to Andros

2000 plane...2000 plane...

North Andros “terminal”?North Andros “terminal”?

The cab experience...The cab experience...

The lodge @ Forfar Field StationThe lodge @ Forfar Field Station

Cabins @ Forfar...Cabins @ Forfar...

Running FreeRunning Free

QuickTime™ and aTIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

QuickTime™ and aTIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

QuickTime™ and aTIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

QuickTime™ and aTIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

QuickTime™ and aTIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

QuickTime™ and aTIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

@ the reef@ the reef

Dog’s-tooth limestoneDog’s-tooth limestone

fish collector in Philippines…fish collector in Philippines…

What to touch?...What to touch?...

fish feedingfish feeding

sNoRKelinG TiPSsNoRKelinG TiPS

Do not forget...Do not forget...•Bring PHOTO ID & PASSPORT!•Bring small bills•AT&T phone cards, credit

card, or collect (?)•Forfar & BOAT etiquette•Etc…...

•Bring PHOTO ID & PASSPORT!•Bring small bills•AT&T phone cards, credit

card, or collect (?)•Forfar & BOAT etiquette•Etc…...

Do not forget...Do not forget...

•journal IMPORTANCE:•journal IMPORTANCE:

Do not forget...Do not forget...

•sunscreen, journal, field guides, pens, blue hole potty rules, etc...

•sunscreen, journal, field guides, pens, blue hole potty rules, etc...

looking east...looking east...