BAHAMAS ON HIGH ALERT AS HURRICANE MATTHEW TURNS, TAKES AIM AT COUNTRY

• MATTHEW CONTINUES MOVING NORTH-NORTHWESTWARD.

A HURRICANE WATCH IS NOW IN EFFECT FOR THE SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS AND THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS.  THIS INCLUDES THE ISLANDS OF MAYAGUANA, INAGUA, CROOKED ISLAND, ACKLINS, RAGGED ISLAND, LONG CAY, SAMANA CAY AND THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS.

A HURRICANE WATCH MEANS THAT HURRICANE CONDITIONS COULD AFFECT THE MENTIONED ISLANDS WITHIN 48 HOURS.

A HURRICANE ALERT REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR THE NORTHWEST AND CENTRAL BAHAMAS.  THIS INCLUDES THE ISLANDS OF LONG ISLAND, CAT ISLAND, RUM CAY, SAN SALVADOR, THE EXUMAS, ELEUTHERA, NEW PROVIDENCE, ANDROS, THE BERRY ISLANDS, BIMINI, GRAND BAHAMA AND ABACO.

A HURRICANE ALERT MEANS THAT HURRICANE CONDITIONS COULD AFFECT THE MENTIONED ISLANDS WITHIN 60 HOURS.

AT 5AM EDT, THE CENTER OF HURRICANE MATTHEW WAS LOCATED NEAR LATITUDE 13.9 DEGREES NORTH AND LONGITUDE 74.1 DEGREES WEST OR ABOUT 345 MILES SOUTH-SOUTHWEST OF PORT AU PRINCE HAITI, 335 MILES SOUTH-SOUTHEAST OF KINGSTON JAMAICA, 500 MILES SOUTH OF INAGUA AND 800 MILES SOUTH-SOUTHEAST OF NEW PROVIDENCE.

HURRICANE MATTHEW IS MOVING TOWARD THE NORTHWEST AT ABOUT 5 MPH AND THIS MOTION IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE TODAY, FOLLOWED BY A TURN TOWARD THE NORTH TONIGHT.  ON THE FORECAST TRACK, THE CENTER OF MATTHEW WILL APPROACH SOUTHEASTERN HAITI AND JAMAICA ON MONDAY.

MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS ARE NEAR 150-MILES PER HOUR WITH HIGHER GUSTS.  MATTHEW IS A CATEGORY FOUR HURRICANE ON THE SAFIR-SIMPSON HURRICANE WIND SCALE.  SOME FLUCTUATIONS IN INTENSITY ARE POSSIBLE DURING THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS, BUT MATTHEW IS EXPECTED TO REMAIN A POWERFUL HURRICANE THROUGH MONDAY NIGHT.

HURRICANE FORCE WINDS EXTEND OUTWARD UP TO 25 MILES FROM THE CENTER AND TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS EXTEND OUTWARD UP TO 205 MILES FROM THE CENTER.

RESIDENTS THROUGHOUT THE BAHAMAS AND THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS SHOULD CONTINUE TO MAKE PREPARATION FOR HURRICANE CONDITIONS, WHICH COULD BEGIN, TO AFFECT ISLANDS OF MAYAGUANA, INAGUA, CROOKED ISLAND, ACKLINS, RAGGED ISLAND, LONG CAY, SAMANA CAY AND THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS BY LATE TUESDAY WITH TROPICAL STORM CONDITIONS POSSIBLE BY EARLY TUESDAY.  RESIDENTS ARE ALSO ADVISED TO LISTEN AND PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO ALL ALERTS ISSUED BY THE BAHAMAS DEPARTMENT OF METEOROLOGY.

EXTENSIVE TO SEVERE FLOODING CAN BE EXPECTED AS MATTHEW IS FORECAST TO PRODUCE UP TO 25 INCHES OF RAIN AS IT PASSES THROUGH THE BAHAMAS.

SMALL CRAFT OPERATORS THROUGHOUT THE BAHAMAS AND THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS SHOULD BEGIN TO SEEK SAFE HARBOUR FOR THEIR VESSELS.

BAHAMAS ON ALERT FOR HURRICANE MATTHEW, EXPECTED TO HIT AS A CAT-3 STORM

• All the islands of The Bahamas on HURRICANE ALERT 

• Hurricane Matthew predicted to be a Cat-3 storm in The Bahamas

• Storm expected to bring life-threatening rainfall to portions of Haiti

ALERT #1 ON HURRICANE MATTHEW ISSUED BY THE BAHAMAS DEPARTMENT OF METEOROLOGY SATURDAY 01ST OCTOBER, 2016 AT 6 PM EDT.


A HURRICANE ALERT IS NOW IN EFFECT FOR THE ENTIRE BAHAMAS AND THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS.

A HURRICANE ALERT MEANS THAT HURRICANE CONDITIONS COULD AFFECT THE MENTIONED ISLANDS WITHIN 60 HOURS.

RESIDENTS THROUGHOUT THE BAHAMAS AND THE TURKS ISLANDS SHOULD BEGIN TO MAKE PREPARATION FOR THE HURRICANE CONDITIONS WHICH COULD BEGIN TO AFFECT ISLANDS OF THE BAHAMAS AND THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS BEGINNING ON TUESDAY AFTERNOON.

AT 5:00 PM EDT, THE CENTER OF HURRICANE MATTHEW WAS LOCATED NEAR LATITUDE 13.5 DEGREES NORTH AND LONGITUDE 73.4 DEGREES WEST OR ABOUT 360 MILES SOUTH-SOUTHWEST OF PORT AU PRINCE HAITI, 385 MILES SOUTHEAST OF KINGSTON JAMAICA, 600 MILES SOUTH-SOUTHEAST OF RAGGED ISLAND AND 837 MILES SOUTH-SOUTHEAST OF NEW PROVIDENCE.

HURRICANE MATTHEW IS MOVING TOWARD THE NORTHWEST NEAR 3 MILES PER HOUR, AND A SLOW NORTHWESTWARD MOTION IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE THROUGH TONIGHT. A TURN TOWARD THE NORTH- NORTHWEST WITH AN INCREASE IN FORWARD SPEED IS EXPECTED ON SUNDAY, FOLLOWED BY A TURN TOWARD THE NORTH ON MONDAY. 

MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS ARE NEAR 150 MILES PER HOUR WITH HIGHER GUSTS. MATTHEW IS A CATERGORY FOUR HURRICANE ON THE SAFFIR-SIMPSON HURRICANE WIND SCALE. SOME FLUCTUATIONS IN INTENSITY ARE POSSIBLE DURING THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS, BUT MATTHEW IS EXPECTED TO REMAIN A POWERFUL HURRICANE THROUGH MONDAY. 

HURRICANE FORCE WINDS EXTEND OUTWARD UP TO 25 MILES FROM THE CENTER. TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS EXTEND OUTWARD UP TO 205 MILES FROM THE CENTER.

RESIDENTS THROUGHOUT THE BAHAMAS AND THE TURKS ISLANDS SHOULD BEGIN TO MAKE PREPARATION FOR THE HURRICANE CONDITIONS WHICH COULD BEGIN TO AFFECT ISLANDS OF THE BAHAMAS AND THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS BEGINNING ON TUESDAY AFTERNOON. RESIDENTS ARE ALSO ADVISED TO LISTEN FOR AND PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO ALL ALERTS ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF METEOROLOGY.

MODERATE TO SEVERE FLOODING CAN BE EXPECTED AS MATTHEW IS FORECAST TO PRODUCE UP TO 25 INCHES OF RAIN IN PARTS OF HAITI AND JAMAICA ON MONDAY. SMALL CRAFT OPERATORS THROUGHOUT THE BAHAMAS SHOULD BEGIN TO SEEK SAFE HARBOUR FOR THEIR VESSELS.
THE NEXT ALERT ON HURRICANE JOAQUIN WILL BE ISSUED AT 9PM EDT ON SATURDAY

2pm UPDATE: Hurricane Matthew slows done, remains strong storm

• POWERFUL MATTHEW MEANDERING OVER THE SOUTH-CENTRAL CARIBBEAN
• FLUCTUATIONS IN INTENSITY EXPECTED, STORM EXPECTED TO REMAIN STRONG
• TROPICAL STORM-FORCE WINDS EXTEND OUTWARD UP TO 205 MILES

FIVE DAY TRACK. (Weather Underground) 

At 200 PM EDT (1800 UTC), the eye of Hurricane Matthew was located
near latitude 13.2 North, longitude 73.4 West.  While Matthew has
been moving erratically for the past couple of hours, overall the
center has drifted southward at around 2 mph (4 km/h).  A faster
motion toward the west should resume later today, followed by a turn
toward the west-northwest by tonight. A turn toward the north-
northwest is forecast on Sunday, with northward motion expected on
Monday.  On the forecast track, the center of Matthew will move
across the central Caribbean Sea today and Sunday, and approach
Jamaica and southwestern Haiti Sunday night and Monday.

Data from a NOAA Hurricane Hunter aircraft indicate that maximum
sustained winds are near 140 mph (220 km/h) with higher gusts.
Matthew is a category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane
Wind Scale.  Some fluctuations in intensity are possible during the
next couple of days, but Matthew is expected to remain a powerful
hurricane through Monday.

Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 30 miles (45 km) from
the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 205
miles.

The latest minimum central pressure based on data from the NOAA
aircraft is 943 mb.


HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND
----------------------
WIND:  Hurricane conditions are possible in the watch area in
Jamaica and Haiti on Monday, with tropical storm conditions possible
by late Sunday.  Hurricane conditions are possible in eastern Cuba
by Monday night, with tropical storm conditions possible by early
Monday.

RAINFALL:  Rainfall totals of 2 to 4 inches with isolated higher
amounts are expected over Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao through
Saturday.  Rainfall totals of 2 to 4 inches with isolated higher
amounts are expected along the coast of Colombia from the Venezuelan
border to Barranquilla.  Rainfall totals of 1 to 3 inches with
isolated higher amounts are expected along the coast of Venezuela
from Coro to the Colombian border.

Rainfall totals of 10 to 15 inches with isolated maximum amounts of
25 inches are expected across Jamaica and southern and southwestern
Haiti.  This rainfall could produce life-threatening flash floods
and mud slides.

SURF:  Swells generated by Matthew are expected to affect portions
of the coasts of Puerto Rico, Hispaniola, Jamaica, Aruba, Bonaire,
Curacao, Venezuela, Colombia, eastern Cuba, and the Caribbean
coastline of Central America during the next few days.  These swells
are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current
conditions. Please consult products from your local weather office.

11AM UPDATE: Matthew remains category 4 hurricane, takes aim for Bahamas, hurricane watch issued in Haiti

• MATTHEW REMAINS A VERY POWERFUL CATEGORY 4 HURRICANE

• TAKES AIM FOR BAHAMAMA

• HURRICANE WATCH ISSUED FOR PORTIONS OF HAITI

FIVE DAY PLOT. (WeatherUnderground)

At 1100 AM EDT, the eye of Hurricane Matthew was located
near latitude 13.4 North, longitude 73.4 West.  Matthew is moving
toward the west near 6 mph.  A turn toward the west-
northwest is forecast later today, followed by a turn toward the
north-northwest on Sunday and toward the north on Monday.  On the
forecast track, the center of Matthew will move across the central
Caribbean Sea today and Sunday, and approach Jamaica and
southwestern Haiti Sunday night and Monday.

Data from an Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft indicate
that maximum sustained winds are near 145 mph (230 km/h) with
higher gusts.  Matthew is a category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-
Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.  Some fluctuations in intensity are
possible this weekend, but Matthew is expected to remain a powerful
hurricane through Monday.

Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 30 miles (45 km) from the
center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 205 miles
(335 km).

The latest minimum central pressure measured by the aircraft was
947 mb (27.97 inches).

Matthew is a category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Some fluctuations in intensity are possible this weekend, but Matthew is expected to remain a powerful hurricane through Monday. 

Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 30  miles from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 205 miles (335 km). The minimum central pressure estimated by a reconnaissance aircraft was 947 mb. 

HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND 
---------------------- 
WIND: Tropical storm conditions are expected to continue in portions of the warning area in Colombia overnight. Hurricane conditions are possible on Jamaica on Monday, with tropical storm conditions possible by late Sunday. Tropical storm conditions are possible in the watch area in Haiti by late Sunday. 

RAINFALL: Rainfall totals of 2 to 4 inches with isolated higher amounts are expected over Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao through Saturday. Rainfall totals of 2 to 4 inches with isolated higher amounts are expected along the coast of Colombia from the Venezuelan border to Riohacha. Rainfall totals of 1 to 2 inches with isolated higher amounts are expected along the coast of Venezuela from Coro to the Colombian border. Rainfall totals of 10 to 15 inches with isolated maximum amounts of 25 inches are expected across Jamaica and southern and southwestern Haiti. These rains may produce life-threatening flash flooding and mud slides. 

SURF: Swells generated by Matthew are expected to affect portions of the coasts of Puerto Rico, Hispaniola, Jamaica, Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao, Venezuela, and Colombia during the next few days. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions. Please consult products from your local weather office.



SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT: 

A Hurricane Watch is in effect for... 
* Jamaica 

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for... 
* Colombia/Venezuela border to Riohacha 

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for... 
* Haiti from the southern border with the Dominican Republic to Port-Au-Prince 

A Hurricane Watch means that hurricane conditions are possible within the watch area. A watch is typically issued 48 hours before the anticipated first occurrence of tropical-storm-force winds, conditions that make outside preparations difficult or dangerous. 

A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area, in this case in the next 12 hours. 

A Tropical Storm Watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area, generally within 48 hours.

8AM UPDATE: Matthew drops to Cat-4, remains powerful storm headed for Jamaica, Cuba, Bahamas

• POWERFUL MATTHEW MOVING WESTWARD

• TROPICAL STORM WARNINGS, WATCHES ACTIVATED

• HURRICANE WATCH ISSUED FOR JAMAICA

FIVE DAY CONE. (WEATHER UNDERGROUND).

At 800 AM EDT, the center of Hurricane Matthew was
located by an Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft near
latitude 13.4 North, longitude 73.1 West.  Matthew is moving toward
the west near 7 mph.  A turn toward the west-northwest is
forecast later today, followed by a turn toward the north-northwest
on Sunday.  On the forecast track, the center of Matthew will
continue to move away from the Guajira Peninsula this morning, move
across the central Caribbean Sea today and Sunday, and approach
Jamaica Sunday night and Monday.

Maximum sustained winds are near 155 mph (250 km/h) with higher
gusts.  Matthew is a category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson
Hurricane Wind Scale.  Some fluctuations in intensity are possible
this weekend, but Matthew is expected to remain a powerful hurricane
through Monday.

Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 45 miles (75 km) from
the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 205
miles (335 km).

The estimated minimum central pressure based on data from the
aircraft is 947 mb (27.96 inches).

Matthew is a category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Some fluctuations in intensity are possible this weekend, but Matthew is expected to remain a powerful hurricane through Monday. 

Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 45 miles (75 km) from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 205 miles (335 km). The minimum central pressure estimated by a reconnaissance aircraft was 941 mb (27.79 inches). 

HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND 
---------------------- 
WIND: Tropical storm conditions are expected to continue in portions of the warning area in Colombia overnight. Hurricane conditions are possible on Jamaica on Monday, with tropical storm conditions possible by late Sunday. Tropical storm conditions are possible in the watch area in Haiti by late Sunday. 

RAINFALL: Rainfall totals of 2 to 4 inches with isolated higher amounts are expected over Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao through Saturday. Rainfall totals of 2 to 4 inches with isolated higher amounts are expected along the coast of Colombia from the Venezuelan border to Riohacha. Rainfall totals of 1 to 2 inches with isolated higher amounts are expected along the coast of Venezuela from Coro to the Colombian border. Rainfall totals of 10 to 15 inches with isolated maximum amounts of 25 inches are expected across Jamaica and southern and southwestern Haiti. These rains may produce life-threatening flash flooding and mud slides. 

SURF: Swells generated by Matthew are expected to affect portions of the coasts of Puerto Rico, Hispaniola, Jamaica, Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao, Venezuela, and Colombia during the next few days. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions. Please consult products from your local weather office.



SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT: 

A Hurricane Watch is in effect for... 
* Jamaica 

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for... 
* Colombia/Venezuela border to Riohacha 

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for... 
* Haiti from the southern border with the Dominican Republic to Port-Au-Prince 

A Hurricane Watch means that hurricane conditions are possible within the watch area. A watch is typically issued 48 hours before the anticipated first occurrence of tropical-storm-force winds, conditions that make outside preparations difficult or dangerous. 

A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area, in this case in the next 12 hours. 

A Tropical Storm Watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area, generally within 48 hours.

WATCH OUT: Matthew becomes strongest storm churning in Atlantic since 07

• MATTHEW BECOMES A CATEGORY 5 HURRICANE

• THE STRONGEST HURRICANE IN THE ATLANTIC SINCE FELIX IN 2007

FIVE DAY FORECAST. - WeatherUnderground

At 1100 PM EDT, the eye of Hurricane Matthew was located near latitude 13.3 North, longitude 72.3 West. 

Matthew is moving just south of due west near 7 mph. A turn toward the west-northwest is forecast on Saturday, followed by a turn toward the northwest on Sunday. 

On the forecast track, the center of Matthew will move north of the Guajira Peninsula tonight, move across the central Caribbean Sea on Saturday, and be approaching Jamaica late Sunday. 

Data from an Air Force Hurricane Hunter plane indicate that the maximum sustained winds have increased to near 160 mph with higher gusts. 

Matthew is a category 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Some fluctuations in intensity are possible this weekend, but Matthew is expected to remain a powerful hurricane through Sunday. 

Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 45 miles (75 km) from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 205 miles (335 km). The minimum central pressure estimated by a reconnaissance aircraft was 941 mb (27.79 inches). 

HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND 
---------------------- 
WIND: Tropical storm conditions are expected to continue in portions of the warning area in Colombia overnight. Hurricane conditions are possible on Jamaica on Monday, with tropical storm conditions possible by late Sunday. Tropical storm conditions are possible in the watch area in Haiti by late Sunday. 

RAINFALL: Rainfall totals of 2 to 4 inches with isolated higher amounts are expected over Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao through Saturday. Rainfall totals of 2 to 4 inches with isolated higher amounts are expected along the coast of Colombia from the Venezuelan border to Riohacha. Rainfall totals of 1 to 2 inches with isolated higher amounts are expected along the coast of Venezuela from Coro to the Colombian border. Rainfall totals of 10 to 15 inches with isolated maximum amounts of 25 inches are expected across Jamaica and southern and southwestern Haiti. These rains may produce life-threatening flash flooding and mud slides. 

SURF: Swells generated by Matthew are expected to affect portions of the coasts of Puerto Rico, Hispaniola, Jamaica, Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao, Venezuela, and Colombia during the next few days. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions. Please consult products from your local weather office.



SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT: 

A Hurricane Watch is in effect for... 
* Jamaica 

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for... 
* Colombia/Venezuela border to Riohacha 

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for... 
* Haiti from the southern border with the Dominican Republic to Port-Au-Prince 

A Hurricane Watch means that hurricane conditions are possible within the watch area. A watch is typically issued 48 hours before the anticipated first occurrence of tropical-storm-force winds, conditions that make outside preparations difficult or dangerous. 

A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area, in this case in the next 12 hours. 

A Tropical Storm Watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area, generally within 48 hours.

REPOST: Test your Bahamian IQ

FROM JULY 5, 2012 

I know you have been hearing about it. Here's the ZNS news story from last night on National Pride IQ. Check further down for the REAL ANSWERS.

NATIONAL SYMBOLS!!!!

From The Bahamas Libraries Webpage

The Lignum Vitae - The National Tree of The Bahamas 

The Lignum vitae, meaning tree of life, is from the genus Guaicum (caltrop family or Zygophyllaceae) and is the National Tree of The Bahamas.

The Lignum Vitae - The National Tree of The Bahamas

 The extremely hard and heavy self-lubricating wood is especially adapted for bearings or bushings of propeller shafts on steamships, and also serves for bearings in steel mills, for bowling balls, and pulleys.

For many years, dating back to World War II, shipments of the wood were made from The Bahamas to the United Kingdom and the United States by the old New Providence firm of Duncombe and Butler.

Apart from its industrial uses, the bark of the tree is used for medicinal purposes, and many Bahamians throughout the islands steep the bark and drink it as a tonic for creating energy as an aphrodisiac.




The Blue Marlin - National Fish of The Bahamas 

The blue marlin (Makaira nigricans) is the majestic fish that is found in both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, with reports of the largest sizes found in the latter.

The Blue Marlin (The National Fish of The Bahamas) on the reverse of the
100 dollar bill.  This is why the 100 dollar bill is called A BLUE MARLIN.

However, many persons first encounter the fish in Ernest Hemingway's book "Old Man and the Sea." Mr. Hemingway was a frequent visitor to The Bahamas, especially the island of Bimini, where the blue marlin is highly prized among the strong game-fishing community.

 The blue marlin, a relative of the sailfish and swordfish, is easily recognizable for the long "sword" or spike of its upper jaw, its high and pointed dorsal fin, and pointed anal fin. It is said that the fish uses its "sword" to club other fish on which it feeds.

 The marlin's back is cobalt blue and its flanks and underbelly are silvery white. There may be light-blue or lavender vertical stripes on the sides as well. A powerful and aggressive fighter, the blue marlin can run hard and long, sound or dive deep, and leap high into the air in a display of strength.



The Flamingo - National Bird of The Bahamas

The scarlet, long-legged flamingoes are found in three major nesting groups in the West Indian region, Great Inagua being one of them (the others are in Yucatan, Mexico, and Bonaire Island in the Netherlands Antilles.)

The Flamingo (The National Bird of The Bahamas) on
display at the Adastra Gardens. 

The more than 50,000 birds inhabiting 287 square miles of Inagua wilderness are protected by wardens employed by the Society for the Protection of the Flamingo in The Bahamas through the Bahamas National Trust, a statutory body set up in 1959.

 The Roseate or West Indian flamingoes (Phoenicopterus ruber) were formerly also bred in Abaco, Andros, Rum Cay, the Exuma Cays, Long Island, Ragged Island, Acklins, Mayaguana, and the Turks and Caicos Islands.

However, several factors, including action by man, led to a reduction in their number. Charles B. Cory, a curator of birds in the Boston Society of Natural History, wrote at the end of the 19th century that great numbers of young birds were killed before they were able to fly, and many were carried away alive to be sold to passing vessels, on which they died from want of care. Nowadays, thanks largely to action by the government and the National Trust, the flamingo is making a comeback.



The Yellow Elder - The National Flower of the Bahamas

This flower blooms between October and December on a tree that may grow as high as twenty (20) feet.

The Yellow Elder - The National Flower of The Bahamas

The evergreen stands out because of its clusters of brilliant yellow, bell-shaped blossoms.

They are about an inch across and two inches long, with red stripes lightly etched in the corolla. The little bells are held in a five (5) - point calyx, and there are nine (9) to thirteen (13) leaflets composing the odd pinnate leaf. Just before the blooms flare open, bag-like buds pop noisily if squeezed.

WHY THE YELLOW ELDER?

Selection of the yellow elder over many other flowers was made through the combined popular vote of members of all four of New Providence's garden clubs of the 1970s - the Nassau Garden Club, the Carver Garden Club, the International Garden Club, and the YWCA Garden Club.

They reasoned that other flowers grown here - such as the bougainvillea, hibiscus, and poinciana - had already been chosen as the national flowers of other countries. The yellow elder, on the other hand, was unclaimed (although it is now also the national flower of the United States Virgin Islands).

 FOR MORE INFORMATION ON OTHER NATIONAL SYMBOLS CLICK HERE AND CHECK OUT THE BAHAMAS LIBRARIES PAGE ON NATIONAL SYMBOLS.

Bahamian IQ Tested .....

I know you have been hearing about it. Here's the ZNS news story from last night on National Pride IQ. Check further down for the REAL ANSWERS.

NATIONAL SYMBOLS!!!!

From The Bahamas Libraries Webpage

The Lignum Vitae - The National Tree of The Bahamas 

The Lignum vitae, meaning tree of life, is from the genus Guaicum (caltrop family or Zygophyllaceae) and is the National Tree of The Bahamas.

The Lignum Vitae - The National Tree of The Bahamas

 The extremely hard and heavy self-lubricating wood is especially adapted for bearings or bushings of propeller shafts on steamships, and also serves for bearings in steel mills, for bowling balls, and pulleys.

For many years, dating back to World War II, shipments of the wood were made from The Bahamas to the United Kingdom and the United States by the old New Providence firm of Duncombe and Butler.

Apart from its industrial uses, the bark of the tree is used for medicinal purposes, and many Bahamians throughout the islands steep the bark and drink it as a tonic for creating energy as an aphrodisiac.




The Blue Marlin - National Fish of The Bahamas 

The blue marlin (Makaira nigricans) is the majestic fish that is found in both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, with reports of the largest sizes found in the latter.

The Blue Marlin (The National Fish of The Bahamas) on the reverse of the
100 dollar bill.  This is why the 100 dollar bill is called A BLUE MARLIN.

However, many persons first encounter the fish in Ernest Hemingway's book "Old Man and the Sea." Mr. Hemingway was a frequent visitor to The Bahamas, especially the island of Bimini, where the blue marlin is highly prized among the strong game-fishing community.

 The blue marlin, a relative of the sailfish and swordfish, is easily recognizable for the long "sword" or spike of its upper jaw, its high and pointed dorsal fin, and pointed anal fin. It is said that the fish uses its "sword" to club other fish on which it feeds.

 The marlin's back is cobalt blue and its flanks and underbelly are silvery white. There may be light-blue or lavender vertical stripes on the sides as well. A powerful and aggressive fighter, the blue marlin can run hard and long, sound or dive deep, and leap high into the air in a display of strength.





The Flamingo - National Bird of The Bahamas

The scarlet, long-legged flamingoes are found in three major nesting groups in the West Indian region, Great Inagua being one of them (the others are in Yucatan, Mexico, and Bonaire Island in the Netherlands Antilles.)

The Flamingo (The National Bird of The Bahamas) on
display at the Adastra Gardens. 

The more than 50,000 birds inhabiting 287 square miles of Inagua wilderness are protected by wardens employed by the Society for the Protection of the Flamingo in The Bahamas through the Bahamas National Trust, a statutory body set up in 1959.

 The Roseate or West Indian flamingoes (Phoenicopterus ruber) were formerly also bred in Abaco, Andros, Rum Cay, the Exuma Cays, Long Island, Ragged Island, Acklins, Mayaguana, and the Turks and Caicos Islands.

However, several factors, including action by man, led to a reduction in their number. Charles B. Cory, a curator of birds in the Boston Society of Natural History, wrote at the end of the 19th century that great numbers of young birds were killed before they were able to fly, and many were carried away alive to be sold to passing vessels, on which they died from want of care. Nowadays, thanks largely to action by the government and the National Trust, the flamingo is making a comeback.





The Yellow Elder - The National Flower of the Bahamas

This flower blooms between October and December on a tree that may grow as high as twenty (20) feet.

The Yellow Elder - The National Flower of The Bahamas

The evergreen stands out because of its clusters of brilliant yellow, bell-shaped blossoms.

They are about an inch across and two inches long, with red stripes lightly etched in the corolla. The little bells are held in a five (5) - point calyx, and there are nine (9) to thirteen (13) leaflets composing the odd pinnate leaf. Just before the blooms flare open, bag-like buds pop noisily if squeezed.

WHY THE YELLOW ELDER?

Selection of the yellow elder over many other flowers was made through the combined popular vote of members of all four of New Providence's garden clubs of the 1970s - the Nassau Garden Club, the Carver Garden Club, the International Garden Club, and the YWCA Garden Club.

They reasoned that other flowers grown here - such as the bougainvillea, hibiscus, and poinciana - had already been chosen as the national flowers of other countries. The yellow elder, on the other hand, was unclaimed (although it is now also the national flower of the United States Virgin Islands).

 FOR MORE INFORMATION ON OTHER NATIONAL SYMBOLS CLICK HERE AND CHECK OUT THE BAHAMAS LIBRARIES PAGE ON NATIONAL SYMBOLS.