For most people, The Bahamas is a destination rather than a country. They picture white beaches, turquoise water, luxury resorts, cruise ships and tropical sunshine. Millions of visitors arrive every year, spend a few days on one or two islands and leave believing they have experienced The Bahamas. In reality, they have experienced only a tiny fraction of one of the world's most fascinating national systems. The Bahamas is not simply a collection of beautiful islands. It is a