Bahamas

is defined by the sea. The national dish is Cracked Conch (tenderized conch meat, battered and fried) served with peas 'n' rice. The Conch Salad —a ceviche-like mix of raw conch, lime, oranges, tomatoes, onions, and hot peppers—is prepared fresh at roadside stalls in Nassau. For drinks, try a Sky Juice (gin, coconut water, sweet milk, and nutmeg) or the famous Bahama Mama .

Long before the arrival of Europeans, the islands were inhabited by the Lucayans, a branch of the Arawak-speaking Taino people. They were a peaceful people who thrived on fishing and agriculture, living in harmony with the abundant marine resources. Their name for the islands was Lucaye , meaning "Large Upper Islands." Bahamas