The Origins of The Bahamas How the Islands Got Their Name

### The Origins of The Bahamas: How the Islands Got Their Name The Bahamas, a stunning archipelago of over 700 islands and cays in the Atlantic Ocean, is known for its crystal-clear waters and vibrant culture. But how did this tropical paradise get its name? The story of the name “The Bahamas“ is rooted in the islands’ early encounters with European explorers and its geographical characteristics. The name “Bahamas“ is widely believed to derive from the Spanish term “Baja Mar,“ which translates to “shallow sea“ or “low tide.“ This name reflects the shallow waters and extensive coral reefs that characterize much of the Bahamian archipelago. When Christopher Columbus arrived in the New World in 1492, he first made landfall on one of the islands in the present-day Bahamas, which he named San Salvador. However, it’s likely that the Spanish explorers who followed were struck by the shallow waters surrounding the islands, leading them to refer t