Once an English pirate base, the Bahamas, whose first parliament sat in 1729, formally became a British colony in 1783.

• 1920–1933 US prohibition laws turn Bahamas into prosperous bootlegging center.
• 1959–1962 Introduction of full male suffrage; women gain the vote.
• 1973 Independence.
• 1983 Narcotics-smuggling scandals involving the government.
• 1992 FNM wins elections, ending 25 years of PLP rule.
• 2002 PLP returned to power.

From "The Financial Times World Desk Reference" © Dorling Kindersley 2004