Other Definitions
eleuthera (dest)
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EleutheraMap of Bahamas Eleuthera is an island in the Bahamas, lying 50 miles (80 km) east of Nassau. It is very long and thin - 110 miles (180 km) long and in places little more than a mile wide. The population is 8,000 (2000 census). The original population of Taino, or Arawaks, was deported by the Spanish to work in the mines of Hispaniola, where they died out. The first European settlers were puritan pilgrims who arrived in 1648 from Bermuda. They gave the island its current name, which means 'freedom' in Greek. The island was quite prosperous in the 1980s. Frequent visitors included movie stars like Robert DeNiro as well as The Prince of Wales and a pregnant Princess of Wales. Due to tropical storms, all of the large resorts have been ruined or abandoned. By some accounts, unemployment on the island is near 80%. Despite the economic downfall, the islanders are still lively and exuberant. The main island is a unique destination for tourists, without the trappings of casinos and mega resorts. The principal settlements are Harbour Island (which has unusual pink sandy beaches) and Spanish Wells. The island is particularly noted for the excellence of its pineapples and holds an annual Pineapple Festival.
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