Caribbean Tales - The Bahamas - Nassau/New Providence/Paradise Island

Nassau/New Providence/Paradise Island
It is 80 sq. miles. 21 X 7 miles at widest points.185 miles southeast of Miami. This is the island most visitors erroneously call Nassau. Since its founding in 1656, (or 1670 seems to be unclear) and through the ages of colonialism, piracy, and rum-smuggling it has always been the center of colour and culture in the islands. The stories that lurk in its narrow, flowery streets and within the walls of its old forts are among the most legendary and region-defining tales in the Caribbean. That's because it is the site of the nation's (The Bahamas) capital, named in 1695 for the Dutch Prince of Orange-Nassau after he took over the British throne. Built on a sun-splashed hillside overlooking the sea. It was founded in 1670 and rapidly grew as the center of commerce for the islands due to its protected harbour with fine anchorages. Nassau/Paradise Island also includes the areas of Cable Beach and Paradise Island. In the late 1600's and early 1700's pirates headquartered in Nassau. The likes of the violent Captain Charles Vane and his ship the Ranger accompanied Charles Bellamy, Edward "Blackbeard" Teach, and the famous female piratical pair Anne Bonny and Mary Reed.
Old World-style plaza facing the 19th century Parliament buildings. These architectural gems predate the London Parliament buildings with their celebrated Big Ben clock tower.
Fort Charlotte:
Of all the forts in the Bahamas, Charlotte is the largest, a fact that illustrates Nassau's importance. It was built in 1788 under the governorship of Lord Dunmore, and it is picture perfect with a moat and dungeons. It ramparts offer one the best views of Nassau.
Government House:
This old mansion is where the British governors lived, and its size and detail bespeakes the power the top official in the Bahamas once wielded including things like the changing of the guard takes place.
Queen's Staircase:
Probably the most famous architectural sight in Nassau, the Queen's Staircase is a flight of 66 steps that links Fort Fincastle to the Princess Margaret Hospital. What makes it remarkable is that the staircase was not built, but carved out of calcareos (coral-based) sandstone at the end of the 18th century.
Royal Victoria Gardens:
The Royal Victoria Hotel was once the grand damme of the Bahamas. It was built during the American Civil War. Built with pillars and stone and surrounded by botanical gardens.
Vendue House:
The slave market and place where salvaged items from shipwrecks were sold.
Roselawn House:
Early 19th century home.
Adelaide:
This small village, with its calming and rustic atmosphere, was one of the first black settlements after the abolition of slavery in all British colonies.
Paradise Island, once the sleepy Hog Island where earlier settlers kept their farm animals to supplement an otherwise fishy diet. The island is connected to Nassau and New Providence Island by bridge and a fleet of so-called "bum boats". At the foot of the bridge is Potter's Cay, a busy islet with colourful fish and vegetable stands.
Cable Beach: "The Strip", as the Cable Beach area is known locally.
It was a beach without a name until 1907, (originally a British Colonial pine plantation?) when the trans-atlantic cable was laid here, connecting The Bahamas to Jupiter, Florida.