Caribbean Tales - The Bahamas - Long Island
Long Island
Lives up to its name, with a length of 60 miles and an area of 230 sq. miles,
no more than 4 miles at its widest point. 160 miles southeast of Nassau. One
of the most scenic hideaways in The Bahamas, it is divided by the Tropic of
Cancer and 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 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. Loyalists from Carolina settled here in 1790 with their
slaves. They built vast plantations, which thrived briefly growing sea-island
cotton, but the abolition of slavery made them unprofitable. Settlers built
a good carriage road running the island's entire length. This was an island
that understood that commerce and development are fueled by good connections.
On this road are the main settlements, situated around the harbours and anchorages--from
north to south, Stella Maris, Burnt Ground, Simms, Wood Hill in the center,
Clarence Town (one of the largest settlements), Roses and South Point. Drier
and browner than the rest of the Bahamian Islands, Long Island is noted for
its sheep and goat herds. Long Island mutton is a Bahamian culinary speciality.
Many say Long Islanders are the most physically attractive of all Bahamians.
Their Afro-Euro-American genes may or may not include input from the Lucayan-Arawak-Taino
aborigines who lived here in the 15th century and before. A network of caves
with stalagmites, stalactites and tiny fruit bats lies at Deadman's Cay, six
miles north of Clarence Town.