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the Degree Confluence Project
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Bahamas

21.1 km (13.1 miles) NNW of Great Stirrup Cay (Island), Berry Islands, Bahamas
Approx. altitude: 0 m (0 ft)
([?] maps: Google MapQuest OpenStreetMap ConfluenceNavigator)
Antipode: 26°S 102°E

Accuracy: 8 m (26 ft)
Quality: good

Click on any of the images for the full-sized picture.

#2: GPS #3: Map #4: Berry islands in the radar #5: Great Stirrup Cay #6: Norwegian passenger ship, just anchoring off Little Stirrup Cay #7: Closer approach to Little Stirrup Cay

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  26°N 78°W  

#1: Little Stirrup Cay seen from the confluence

(visited by Captain Peter, Volodymyr Kokorev and Volodymyr Sydorenko)

30-Jun-2002 -- After having visited an offshore point off Cuba we proceeded through the Straits of Florida towards the North West Providence Channel, separating the Little Bahama Bank from the Great Bahama Bank.

In this Channel there is the confluence 26°N/78°W.

Closest to the confluence there is a group of tiny low islands, the Berry Islands, a group of wooded cays 15 to 18 metres high, with Little Stirrup Cay, Great Stirrup Cay The tourist season is already in full swing, and we were watching a Norwegian passenger ship, just anchoring off Little Stirrup Cay.

Then we went closer to Little Stirrup Cay, in order to make a picture showing more details.

The Commonwealth of the Bahamas is an archipelago consisting of some 700 low lying islands and over 2,000 cays and rocks, many of which are barren, windswept and uninhabited. These islands extend about 900 km ESE from about 90 km off the Florida coast to Great Inagua Island, N of the Windward Passage (the channel separating Cuba from Hispaniola).

The Bahamas were discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1492, who, at present, is generally believed to have made his first landfall on San Salvador (Watlings) Island.

Having removed the indigenous population to work as slaves in Hispaniola (the island with the today's two countries Haïti and Dominican Republic on it), the Spaniards made no attempt to settle the islands and they remained uninhabited until 1629, when they were given their first Constitution as part of the Carolinas. The first settlers came from Bermuda. In 1647 a company of "Eleutheran Adventures" was formed in London for the purpose of colonizing the islands and in 1670, yet further grant was made by Charles II, vesting the islands in six Lord Proprietors. For the next hundred years the islands passed through troublesome times, becoming a base for pirates. The islands were invaded from time to time and for a short period were occupied by the Spanish. They were finally ceded to Britain in 1783. Their subsequent history was greatly influenced by events in the United States, including the Civil War and Prohibition. The Bahama Islands achieved internal self government in 1965 and full independence in 1975. The population is about 250,000, of which about 85% are of African origin.

The economy of the Bahamas is based on tourism, financial service and shipping (open register, flag of convenience). At Freeport on Grand Bahama Island there is a free trade zone and a container terminal, serving as a distribution hub for the Caribbean.

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(Information obtained partly from Nautical Publication Nr. 70, West Indies Pilot, Vol I, 2nd ed. 1993 and Supplement Nr. 2 ed. 1998, British Admiralty, Hydrographer of the Navy, Ministry of Defense, Taunton, England)


 All pictures
#1: Little Stirrup Cay seen from the confluence
#2: GPS
#3: Map
#4: Berry islands in the radar
#5: Great Stirrup Cay
#6: Norwegian passenger ship, just anchoring off Little Stirrup Cay
#7: Closer approach to Little Stirrup Cay
ALL: All pictures on one page
  Notes
In the waters of the Northwest Providence Channel but with a view of land.