- Bahamas, The - The World Factbook (cia.gov)
Lucayan Indians inhabited the Bahama islands when Christopher COLUMBUS first set foot in the New World in 1492. British settlement of the islands began in 1647; the islands became a colony in 1783. Piracy thrived in the 17th and 18th centuries because of The Bahamas’ close proximity to shipping lanes. Since gaining independence from the UK in 1973, The Bahamas has prospered through tourism, international banking, and investment management, which comprise up to 85% of GDP.
- Rasalhague (stars.astro.illinois.edu)
RASALHAGUE (Alpha Ophiuchi). Not far from a star with a similar sounding name, Rasalgethi in Hercules, second magnitude (2.08) Rasalhague is the luminary of the relatively dim but very large and intriguing constellation Ophiuchus, the Serpent Bearer.