Imagine a giant jigsaw puzzle dropped into a warm, sparkling sea - that is the Bahamas. The islands are grouped into about 30 main island groups called 'islands and cays' (a cay is a small, flat island made of coral and sand). The water between them is famously clear and comes in shades of blue and green so vivid they look almost painted.
Nassau is the capital city, sitting on the island of New Providence. It is home to most of the country's people, its government buildings, and a busy harbour where cruise ships dock every day. From Nassau you can see the island of Paradise Island just across a narrow bridge - a favourite spot for visitors.
Harbour Island, another famous spot, is known for its pink-sand beach. The sand gets its rosy colour from tiny pieces of crushed coral and the shells of a little creature called foraminifera mixed in with the white grains. Walking on it really does look like the beach is blushing!
The Bahamas sits right where the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea meet warm tropical sunshine nearly all year round. That warmth makes the islands perfect for coral reefs, colourful fish, and the bright, cheerful way of life that Bahamians are proud of.