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Bahamas
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Islands are popular with boaters. Lesser-known islands, known as the “out
islands,” attract fewer visitors.
The coral islands of the Bahamas are all relatively flat. Some have slight
rolling hills, but most do not rise much above sea level. The highest point in
the Bahamas, on Cat Island, is Mount Alvernia. It is only 206 feet (62.8
meters) above sea level.
Climate of the Islands
The Bahamas enjoys a tropical maritime climate moderated by the warm
waters of the Gulf Stream. From December to April (winter in the Bahamas),
the average temperature throughout the islands is 70ºF (21ºC). Evenings are
slightly cooler. The temperature on an average Bahamian summer day is 80ºF
(27ºC).
The rainy season in the Bahamas lasts from May to November. The
Bahamas experience an average rainfall of 52 inches (132 centimeters) per
year. The islands to the north receive a larger amount of this rainfall than do
the islands in the south. February and March are the nation’s driest months.
cay—
a small, low-lying island or small reef of sand or coral.
fauna—
animal life.
flora—
plant life.
Words to Understand in this Chapter