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Long Island
Split by The Tropic Of Cancer, which runs through the Northern Part of the Island, Long Island is 80 miles long by 4 miles wide with a population of roughly 4,000 people and is indeed a land of eloquent contrasts in geography, architecture and enterprise. Found in the southeast parts of The Bahamas, bordered by two very different coasts, one with soft-white, broad beaches and the other rocky headlands that descend suddenly into the roiling sea, the island is one of the most scenic hideaways in The Bahamas. The terrain varies from sloping hills in the northeast to low hillsides in the south fading into stark white flatlands where salt is produced; from swampland to beautiful beaches. Long Island is considered to be one of Columbus' early stops, probably his third, after San Salvador and Rum Cay. Indians supposedly called it "Yuma" and Columbus named it "Fernandina" after his mentor in Spain.
In 1790 The Loyalist brought with them slaves and settled on the island building cotton plantations. Today many of the Loyalist mansions stand in skeletal form etched against the landscape of the Island and most of settlements are named after the families that first settled them. As a result, many (but not all) are named in the possessive form: For example the settlement of the Gray family, is known as Gray's. Agriculture is still very much a part of the life here as many Long Islanders engage in pot-hole farming, which involves planting in fertile holes in the limestone where good top soil collects. From these an abundance of peas, corn, pineapples and bananas are grown. Raising livestock such as sheep, goats and pigs is also prevalent on the Island as Long Island is famous for its vegetables and cattle, supplying much of the farm goods to the other islands.
Over a century ago, settlers built a carriage road running the island's entire length from Cape Santa Maria, at the northern tip of Long Island, to the southern tip at Gordon's. This was an island that understood that commerce and development are fueled by good connections. On this road you will find the main settlements, situated around the harbours and anchorages--from north to south, Burnt Ground, Simms, Wood Hill in the center, and Clarence Town, Roses and South Point. The island is also a favorite stop for diver’s fishermen and yachtsmen. The town of Stella Maris in the north is popular with scuba-diving enthusiasts.
Its capital, Clarence Town, has a population of approximately 350 people. Nearby Deadman's Cay is the major settlement at the center of the island and is home to Deadman’s Cay Airport, which offers several flights each week to Nassau and is the island’s largest and busiest airport. Mangrove Beach is the home of the island's boat-building trade, while Hamilton's is noted for its extensive cave system that is partially open for tours. Salt Pond is home of the Long Island Regatta, which draws both domestic and foreign tourists to the island each year. Stella Maris, at the northern part of the island, is the center of the island's tourism industry and features several resorts. Buckley's is home to Nelson Granville MacFarlane Major High School, which frequently has the highest Bahamian GCSE scores among the nation's Public Schools, as well as the Long Island Library and Museum. Other settlements include Buckley's, Hamilton's, Scrub Hill, Simms, and Burnt Ground. Long Island is also surrounded by smaller bays and inlets, including Sandy Cay, and the large New Found Harbor west of Deadman's Cay, at the midsection of the island; Deadman’s Cay Blue Hole, located west of Clarence Town, is the world's deepest underwater sinkhole, dropping to a depth of about 660 feet (202 meters), making it more than double the depth of most other large holes.
Touristic opportunities include sailing, fishing, scuba diving and snorkeling and of course relaxing on beautiful white beaches. Cape Santa Maria Beach is frequently ranked as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Most tourists charter an airplane or take a commercial flight from Exuma International Airport or Nassau. Locair Airlines Offers two direct flights per week from Ft. Lauderdale into Stella Maris, Long Island.
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