The largest of all the Bahamian islands is, of course, Andros island: an area of about six thousand square kilometers, and at length it stretches nearly a hundred seventy kilometers. In addition, near the Andros there is one of the world’s largest barrier reef – its length is over 220 kilometers. Andros has wonderful subtropical climate, when after the warm day comes the cool night.
The first settlers on the island were the Spaniards who landed here in 1550, hoping to find a slave (in this case they have destroyed by themselves the indigenous people, distinguished by their peaceful). They called the island of Espiritu Santo at first (the Island of the Holy Spirit). However, in 1782 it appears on the map as the San Andreas. Where it’s got the present name, is known for certain – there are several versions. For example, scientists have suggested that its name the island has received from the Royal British militarist Edmund Andros. In addition to the legend of the name, the island is also connected with a large number of interesting and mysterious stories from local residents to hear the legends of some treasure hidden here that once the pirates who held Andros in 1770. Or legends about the mysterious creatures – for example, matives will tell you about the strange mythical creature chakcharnise – not a bird, not a man, not at all elf who lives at the Pines or Luske, which looks like a huge octopus, living in the blue holes and delays in the depths of the sea and the boat people.
Andros Island is a wild place, covered with large groves of palm trees, mahogany, pine and mangrove wetlands. Primeval forest here is so impressive that the islanders swear that it is inhabited by young and pretty aggressive, red-eyed elves, whom they call “Chickcharnies“. The eastern coast of the island has only a few pockets of civilization, representing battered shacks surrounded by rusted cars and abandoned refrigerators. Therefore, Andros is scarcely visited by tourists – here come only divers, extreme, fame attracted by third length of the barrier reef in the world, which stretches along the coast of the island. The sights are usually related to the town of Andros, with its mascot – a dolphin, ramshackle lighthouse and beautiful Somerset Beach. The town of Red Bay, which lies on the northwestern tip of Andros, is the last refuge for the descendants of the Seminole Indians, who are known for their beautiful woven products.
