Lucayan Archipelago facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lucayan Archipelago
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Location within the West Indies
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| Region | Caribbean/West Indies |
| Countries and territories | |
| Area | |
| • Total | 14,308 km2 (5,524 sq mi) |
| Population
(2016)
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| • Total | 443,000 |
| • Density | 24.6/km2 (64/sq mi) |
| Demonym(s) | Bahamian, Turks Islander, Caicos Islander |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (EST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
The Lucayan Archipelago, also known as the Bahama Archipelago, is a group of islands. It is named after the original Lucayan people who lived there. This island group includes The Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands. The Turks and Caicos Islands are a special territory of the United Kingdom.
These islands are located in the western North Atlantic Ocean. They are north of Cuba and other Antilles islands. They are also east and southeast of Florida. Even though they are close to the Caribbean, the Lucayan Archipelago is not actually in the Caribbean Sea.
A historian named William Keegan says that the Bahama archipelago includes both The Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands. He explains that even with different governments, the islands are like one big family. They share similar geology (how the land is formed), ecology (their natural environment), and culture.
Contents
Countries and Territories of the Lucayan Archipelago
The Lucayan Archipelago is made up of two main parts:
- The Bahamas
- Turks and Caicos Islands (which belong to the United Kingdom)
South of these islands, there are also underwater landforms. These include the Mouchoir Bank, the Silver Bank, and the Navidad Bank. These banks are like a hidden continuation of the island chain under the sea. The Mouchoir Bank is part of the Turks and Caicos Islands. However, the Silver Bank and Navidad Bank belong to the Dominican Republic.
Exploring Island Names: Lucayan Meanings
Many island names in the Lucayan Archipelago come from the language of the original Lucayan people. These names often describe what the islands were like. For example, the name "Bahama" for Grand Bahama means "Large Upper Middle Land." "Bimini" means "The Twins," likely referring to its two main islands.
Future Plans: A Possible Federation
In 2010, the leaders of The Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands had talks. They discussed the idea of forming a federation. A federation is when different states or territories join together to form one larger country, while still keeping some of their own local rules.
See also
In Spanish: Archipiélago de las Lucayas para niños
