Nassau

Nassau lies in the northeast portion of New Providence Island in the Bahamas.http://www.bing.com/maps/explore/?org=aj&FORM=MIRE#5003/0.6002=l:Nassau,+The+Bahamas:nelat:33.2832280144621:nelong:-96.5026702874375:swlat:33.1107691775379:swlong:-96.7773284905625:nosp:0:adj:0/5872/style=auto&lat=25.068222&lon=-77.33532&z=10&pid=5874 Founded in 1666 by English settlers, the capital city was previously named Charles Town before taking its current moniker in 1695.http://www.nassauparadiseisland.com/about-the-island/our-history/

Some early Nassau residents were pirates, who lured ships to reefs around the city and raided them after they wrecked. http://www.bahamas.com/nassau-paradise-island/history-nassauparadise-island During times of war, England gave Nassau sea captains permission to attack enemy ships, which further increased piracy across the city.http://www.nassauparadiseisland.com/about-the-island/our-history/ Edward Teach, better known as Blackbeard, and other notable pirates called Nassau home; some of the pirates were Calico Jack Rackham, Anne Bonney and Mary Read.http://www.nassauparadiseisland.com/about-the-island/our-history/ During this time, the city was destroyed twice by Spanish and French natives trying to stop piracy.http://www.bahamas.com/nassau-paradise-island/history-nassauparadise-island

In 1718, England outlawed piracy, and the Bahamas officially became a British colony.http://www.bahamas.com/nassau-paradise-island/history-nassauparadise-island Although the country became independent from England in 1973, Nassau still has much of the culture, architecture and traditions of its former ruling nation.http://www.nassauparadiseisland.com/about-the-island/our-history

During the American Revolution, many loyalists and their slaves fled to Nassau.http://www.nassauparadiseisland.com/about-the-island/our-history/ After England outlawed slave trading, it intercepted slave ships and sent West Africans to live freely in Nassau.http://www.nassauparadiseisland.com/about-the-island/our-history/ The city's Over-the-Hill district was established as a place for free West Africans.http://www.nassauparadiseisland.com/about-the-island/our-history/

During the American Civil War, Nassau continued to trade with Southern states, which went against the North's commands.http://www.nassauparadiseisland.com/about-the-island/our-history/ In the Civil War novel Gone with the Wind, Rhett Butler often visited Nassau.http://www.nassauparadiseisland.com/about-the-island/our-history/

In 1919, after the United States passed the 14th amendment prohibiting alcohol, Nassau widened its Prince George Wharf to enable more room for ships seeking to transport alcohol.http://www.bahamas.com/bahamas/history When prohibition ended in 1934, the city lost a major source of revenue.http://www.bahamas.com/bahamas/history

In the 1940s, King Edward VIII and his wife Wallis Simpson moved to Nassau. The couple began attracting an increasing number of developers and tourists to the city. http://www.nassauparadiseisland.com/about-the-island/our-history/ Nassau now has a culture that is mixed between its English and African heritage.http://www.nassauparadiseisland.com/about-the-island/our-culture

Nassau is located at latitude 25° 03' north and longitude 77° 20' west in the Atlantic Ocean.http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/city.html?n=173 Its land area, which includes the entire New Providence island of the Bahamas, is 80 square miles. http://www.planetware.com/bahamas/new-providence-island-bah-ne-np.htm It has a length of 21 miles and a width of 7 miles.http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/411975/New-Providence-Island Nassau is 187 miles from Miami. http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/distanceresult.html?p1=173&p2=156

• National Art Gallery of the Bahamas: The building used to be the residence of Sir William Doyle, chief justice of the Bahamas and the first Bahamian to be knighted. The gallery opened in July 2003 and supports local arts community initiatives. http://www.nassauparadiseisland.com/what-to-do/island-culture/colonial-charm
• Queen's Staircase: The recently renovated 65-step, 102-foot staircase was carved out of solid limestone by slaves in the 1790s. It was named after Queen Victoria.http://travel.yahoo.com/p-travelguide-6698564-queen_s_staircase_paradise_island-i
• Fort Charlotte: The largest of Nassau's three major defense buildings was formed in 1787. It was named after King George III's wife, Charlotte, and built by Govenor Lord Dunmore. Tours are available. http://www.frommers.com/destinations/newprovidence/A24832.html
• Ardastra Gardens: This zoo is home to various types of horticulture, animals and birds. http://ardastra.com/about1.html
• Rawson Square: This historic part of Nassau is located across from the Prince George Wharf cruise dock. It houses historic buildings and a museum.http://www.bahamas.com/nassau-paradise-island/attractions

• Mark Knowles: Professional tennis playerhttp://www.tennischannel.com/game/players/PlayerProfile.aspx?id=702

• Sidney Poitier: Actor http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001627

• Rick Fox: Basketball player for the Los Angeles Lakers http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0289213/bio