Official name: Commonwealth of The Bahamas

Capital city: Nassau

Internet country code: .bs

Flag description: Three equal horizontal bands of aquamarine (top), gold, and aquamarine, with a black equilateral triangle based on the hoist side

National anthem: “March On Bahamaland” by Timothy Gibson

National motto: “Forward Upward Onward Together”

National bird: Flamingo

National fish: Blue marlin (Makaira nigricans)

National flower: Yellow elder

National song: “God Bless Our Sunny Clime,” lyrics by Rev. Philip Rahming, music by Timothy Gibson and Clement Bethel

National tree: Lignum vitae

Geographical description: Caribbean, chain of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, southeast of Florida, northeast of Cuba

Total area: 5,382 sq. mi. (13,939 sq. km.)

Climate: Tropical marine; moderated by warm waters of Gulf Stream

Nationality: noun: Bahamian(s); adjective: Bahamian

Population: 305,655 (July 2007 CIA est.)

Ethnic groups: Black African 85%, white European 12%, Asian and Hispanic 3%

Languages spoken: English (official), Creole

Religions: Baptist 35.4%, Anglican 15.1%, Roman Catholic 13.5%, Pentecostal 8.1%, Chuch of God 4.8%, Methodist 4.2%, other Christian 15.2%, none or unspecified 2.9%, other 0.8%