Island District in The Bahamas
Place in Cat Island, Bahamas
Cat Island
is located in central
Bahamas
, and is one of its
districts
. Cat Island also has the nation's highest point,
Mount Alvernia
(formerly known as Como Hill). It rises to 63 metres (207 ft) and is topped by a
monastery
called
The Hermitage
. This assembly of buildings was erected by the Franciscan "Brother Jerome" (
John Hawes
).
History
[
edit
]
The indigenous
Lucayan people
called the island
Guanima
, meaning "middle waters land".
[2]
The first white settlers were
Loyalists
fleeing the
American Revolution
, who arrived in 1783. The island may have been named after Arthur Catt, a
pirate
, or the name may refer to its one-time large population of
feral cats
.
[
citation needed
]
Historically, the island gained wealth from
cotton
plantations, but
slash and burn
farming is now the main way of life for Cat Islanders. An economic crop is
Croton eluteria
(called also cascarilla) bark, which is gathered and shipped to
Italy
where it becomes a main ingredient in medicines, scents and
Campari
.
Until written accounts were found, Cat Island was thought to be
Guanahani
or San Salvador, the first island
Christopher Columbus
arrived at in the
Americas
.
Demographics
[
edit
]
The population of Cat Island is 1,522 (2010 census).
[3]
The main settlements are Dumfries, New Bight,
Arthur's Town
(capital settlement and childhood home of
Sidney Poitier
),
Orange Creek
, and
Port Howe
.
Cat Island,
Tea Bay
is also the birthplace of Bahamian musician
Tony McKay
, better known as
Exuma
, and
internet celebrity
/
MMA fighter
Dada 5000
.
New Bight Airport
and
Arthur's Town Airport
serve the island.
Landmarks and attractions
[
edit
]
At the top of 63 metres (207 ft) Como Hill is Mt. Alvernia Hermitage on
Mount Alvernia
, the highest point in The Bahamas. This small stone monastery built by hand by the architect hermit,
Father Jerome
,
[4]
is at the peak and accessible by a trek up a steep rocky incline.
Just south of the Hermitage are the ruins of
Armbrister Plantation
.
Armbrister Creek flows into a clear lake called "Boiling Point" or "Boiling Hole" whose tidal conditions cause bubbles and burps, the conditions which lead to folklore of a sea monster below its surface. Rays and baby sharks can be found in the lake. In addition, numerous birds can be found nesting along its mangrove fringe.
Located in
Bain Town
is another lake. This 20 metres (66 ft) wide 3 metres (10 ft) deep lake called Mermaid Hole is said in local folklore to be home to a
mermaid
that lives amongst the 4 bed holes within that lead to caverns and passageways.
One of the major attractions in Cat Island Bahamas is the Big Blue Hole near Orange Creek at Dickies Road. The hole is very deep and it has a strong undercurrents flowing into the sea. Many objects such as dead farm animals tossed into the lake ended up reaching the ocean through its caverns. Local folklore says that a monster lived in Big Blue Hole that devours horses. This folklore is said to still scare local fisherman from venturing too far into this freshwater lake.
Dickie's Road goes east to Griffin Bat Cave, once a hideout for slaves.
Sitting atop a ridge alongside the road in the settlement of Old Bight is
St. Francis of Assisi
Catholic Church
, built by Father Jerome, with frescos, engravings and sculptures.
In the
Port Howe
area of Cat Island, are the ruins of an 18th-century plantation at
Deveaux House
mansion. It was given to Colonel Andrew Deveaux in 1783 for protecting Nassau from Spanish invasion and occupation.
In Knowles, there is a museum called the Columbus World Centre Museum. In South Bight there is the childhood home of Sir
Sidney Poitier
, Academy Award winner.
Places
[
edit
]
Administrative divisions
[
edit
]
[5]
- Township of Arthur's Town
- Township of The Bight
References
[
edit
]
|
---|
Second-Scheduled Districts
| |
---|
Third-Scheduled Districts
| |
---|
Related
| |
---|
24°25′N
75°31′W
/
24.417°N 75.517°W
/
24.417; -75.517