Andros Bahamas Geography: Largest Island in the Bahamas

Andros lies in the Atlantic Ocean and is made up of many islet and cays, comprising a North, Middle and South Bight. There is much shallow water and lots of mangrove swamp, which in some areas connects with fresh water streams. Andros, known for its abundant fresh water supplies.

Like the other islands, Andros is is formed from coral limestone. Andros is the largest of all the Islands (104 miles long and 40 miles wide) but has the smallest population for its size. Andros (2,300 square miles) is the fifth largest island in the Caribbean.

To the north of Andros are hardwood and pine forests--including Andros Pine, Mahogany (Madeira), Horseflesh, and Lignum Vitae. Andros is teaming with wildlife. There are more than 50 known species of wild orchids on Andros, as well as endemic and migrating bird and butterfly populations. Other wildlife includes iguanas, wild boars and land crabs.

Along the east coast are the fishing and diving grounds of the Andros Barrier Reef. The Andros Barrier Reef, the third largest in the world and the second largest and most unexplored in the western hemisphere, stretches 140 miles along the east coast of the island and rims the Tongue of the Ocean, with its 6,000-foot drop-off.

On the West Coast are the pristine fishing flats of the Great Bahama Bank. Andros abounds in Blue Holes (underwater cave systems)--which have been the scene of some of the deepest underwater cave explorations in the world.     

Andros settlements include San Andros, Nicholls Town, Lowe Sound, Staniard Creek, Mangrove Cay, Driggs Hill, Kemps Bay, Long Bay Cays, The Bluff, Deep Creek, Little Creek, Pleasant Bay, Mars Bay, Smith’s Hill, Black Point, Behring Point, Cargill Creek, Calabash Bay, Love Hill and Stafford Creek.

Much freshwater comes from this island, with about nineteen million litres of freshwater being shipped to Nassau a day through the pumping station located in Morgan's Bluff. Andros has thousands of kilometres of freshwater rivers that come from rainwater collected in the many caves in the island's interior, which forms a fresh water lens that sits on top of the salt water within the island. Nearly 7 million gallons of water are shipped from North Andros to Nassau every day.

Andros has a population of approximately 8,000 people, most of them residing in small towns located on the eastern coast. The island itself is the great provider, with the main occupations being fishing and farming. In addition, the island has long traditions in boat building, straw work, and wood carving.

Much of Andros is covered with thick bush and pine. Bush medicines and teas, such as Bagerina (Bay Geranium), Jackmada, Jumbey, Cerasee, Grannybush, Fever Grass are commonly used in "medicinal recipes" handed down in folklore. The bush also is home to the Land Crabs (which are consumed in vast quantities  during the popular Andros Crab Fest) and less commonly the wild boar.