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sports fishing. Bird-watchers, divers, and fishermen all enjoy this island and
its district.
New Providence
This district is home to the nation’s capital city, Nassau. Here visitors can
enjoy all the modern conveniences of the United States and other large devel-
oped nations—while still soaking up the easygoing charm of the Bahamas.
Attractions include the Straw Market, where islanders sell handmade straw
goods and woodcarvings, and Historic Bay Street, which features shops,
pubs, and restaurants along its wide brick sidewalks.
New Providence’s architecture is a mix of Old World and New World
elements. A statue of Queen Victoria, England’s legendary 19th-century
monarch, stands watch over Parliament Square. This particularly historic
part of the city’s downtown area includes the nation’s legislative and
Supreme Court buildings, as well as the Nassau Public Library and Museum.
Fort Fincastle, completed in 1793 by the British royal governor Lord
Dunmore, sits atop a hill east of the government buildings; the fort is shaped
like a ship. By contrast, Cable Beach—located a few miles west of Nassau—
is home to modern luxury resorts, shops, a golf course, and a large casino.
North of Nassau, and connected to the capital by two bridges, is
Paradise Island. A favorite vacation spot of the very wealthy, it is known
especially for its posh resorts, glitzy casinos, and scenic golf courses. Of
course, Paradise Island also has something that has been drawing tourists to
all the Bahamas for more than half a century—miles of beautiful, sun-kissed
beaches and crystal-clear water
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