ESSENTIAL
InFormation
Electricity - 120 volt, 60 cycle (same as the US and Canada).
Area - Districts: The Eleutheras is comprised of several islands with three islands having the vast majority of the population. There are a total of ~3,915 counted households on these islands: •
Mainland Eleuthera is 110 miles long and ~ 2 miles at its widest area. Pop. Census. 2010 is 8,202 people. (M4,058, F-4144, Households - 2718) • Harbour Island, the next largest, is 3 miles long and ½ mile wide. Pop. Census. 2010 is 1,762 people. (M-873 F-889 Households 597) • Spanish Wells on St. George’s Cay is ½ mile wide by 2 miles long. Pop. Est. 2010, is 1,551 people. (M-754 F-797 Households 600) • Current Island, just off the settlement of Current is home to approx. fifty (50) Eleutherans. • Eleuthera’s population changes very little over time because of a migration away from the island of young adults. The people of Harbour Island and Spanish Wells through commonage rights own large areas of land in mainland North Eleuthera. Beaches - See Contents Pages (6 & 8)
Eleuthera is a small part of an archipelagic country. It is not administered as a cohesive island, but rather as an amalgamation of Districts administered separately by appointed civil servants who serve as Administrators. Each report to the Minister of Local Government in New Providence who is also responsible for their appointment.
The transformed Bay Front of Governor’s Harbour, one indication of the growth taking place in and around the central island capital.
Business HOURS Most shops and businesses are open from 9am-5pm. Monday thru Saturday. Government offices are open Monday thru Friday. Several family owned and operated stores within towns may stay open until sundown or even later. Business (Sunday): Many food stores are open for a few hours on Sunday - usually until around 10am. Keep in mind that many gasoline service stations are closed on Sundays, though for the few reduced opening hours, service stations attached to stores may also open their gas pumps. Capital The ‘capital’ of Eleuthera is Governor’s Harbour. The town is home to most government offices and offices of several national companies. The Superintendent of Police in Eleuthera (Officer in Charge of Police in Eleuthera) is also based in Governor’s Harbour. Other centers Rock Sound is the center of commerce and local government for South Eleuthera. It has the office of the Administrator of South Eleuthera. Spanish Wells & Harbour Island are relatively densely populated islands with thriving businesses and a common locally based Administrator.
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Climate Type: Subtropical maritime. Seasons: Summer (or wet season) which is from May thru September and Winter (or dry season) which is from October thru April. The remnants of North American cold fronts bring comfortably cool weather during the winter months with generally no experiences of frost, snow, sleet nor extreme temperatures. Seldom will temperatures fall below 60oF and they will often reach as high as 75oF during this time of the year. In summer the warm temperatures seldom go above 90oF and may fall to 78oF or lower at night. Humidity is typically fairly high (Average ~ 65%) . Summer rains enrich the green colour in the natural vegetation, leads to a plethora of flowers in island gardens and by extension insect repellent comes in fairly handy just before and after sunset. Hurricanes: The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1st to November 30th. In 2017, Eleuthera was generally spared from the ravages of several extremely strong hurricanes, including Irma and Maria which wreaked havoc throughout the Caribbean. Driving RIGHT IS WRONG! This cannot be emphasised too
much. Drive on the left side of the road. For tourists, a ‘home’ driver’s license is good for up to three months. Rent a car and drive safely on the left. Streets linking towns are dark at night and there are many twists and turns. Drive Carefully! Getting Here - by Air There are several airlines which service the Eleutheras via the three airports in North, Central and South. Bahamasair, Southern Air and Pineapple Air offer regular competing daily service to and from Nassau. Bahama Hoppers with their private terminal at North Eleuthera airport, offers Air Charters throughout The Bahamas, Turks & Caicos and the Dominican Republic. North Eleuthera airport receives the most flights from the United States directly. Government Prior to independence in 1973, The Commonwealth of The Bahamas was a British Colony. To this date, The Bahamas remains a member of the Commonwealth and also holds membership in several international bodies, including the United Nations and Organization of American States. The political system is based on the British parliamentary system. The Parliament comprises the House of Assembly and the Sen-