Why it's the capital
The town was founded in 1670 and named Charles Town after England's King Charles II. It was rebuilt in 1695 under a new name, and it grew into the centre of trade, law and government for the islands.
Nassau
Capital of BahamasNassau stands on New Providence, one of the islands of the Bahamas, which lie north of Cuba and south-east of Florida. The city grew up directly behind its harbour and port.
Fun facts
- Nassau is named after King William III, who belonged to a branch of the House of Nassau.
- Pirates such as Blackbeard, Anne Bonny and Mary Read used the area as a haven until Woodes Rogers, appointed governor in 1718, stopped them.
- In 1776, during the American War of Independence, American Continental Marines briefly occupied Nassau in the Battle of Nassau.
Finding it on the globe
From Miami in Florida, go about 290 km east-south-east across the sea to the island of New Providence.