Economics on Andros Island, Bahamas

Local Businesses
Andros Island has many local businesses located mostly in northern cities:   Nicholls Town, Red Bay, Andros Town, and Fresh Creek.  Most of the businesses are owned and run by the people of the island.
Many people on the island weave baskets from Silver Top palm leaves.  They sell these baskets out of their homes and in other local shops. Above left:  Mrs. Marshall weaves a basket which she will sell in her shop out of her home. Above right:  "Scrap Iron" is weaving a basket that he is sitting in.  This basket is priced at $100, and it is already sold.
The island contains many shops for visitors and locals to buy many trinkets including jewelry, postcards, and clothes.  Some of these shops also sell ice cream cones for $1.  Some shops do accept credit cards, but these can be very timely because the clerk must call the bank to confirm the card. Above left:  A shop called Maryanne's after the owner sells jewelry that she makes throughout the day.  Her store, located in Stafford Creek sells ice cream by the pint. Above right:  Gertrude's which is also named after the owner sells many clothing items and woodcarvings.
Andros has many local bars throughout the island.  Many people enjoy the beverages while playing dominos or pool. Above left:  Rosie's is one of the local bars that is located in Stafford Creek. Above right:  Henry Wallace sits in front of his house (located in Red Bay) carving a large conch shell.  Mr. Wallace was previously invited to the U.S.  Smithsonian to display his woodcarvings, which are quite unique.  His carvings range from $100 to $200 apiece.
The island also offers restaurants, banks, and street markets.  Many of these businesses are located in Red Bay, Fresh Creek, and Andros Town. Top left:  A local street market which sells different types of fruits and vegetables.  You can purchase three oranges for a dollar. Bottom left:  This is one of three banks on the island located in Andros Town. Top right:  "Angie's Poop Deck" is a restaurant located in Nicholls Town.  Here you enjoy fresh snapper, fried conch, or chicken. Bottom right:  This is a snapper plate that you can be served at "Angie's Poop Deck."
	The best place on the island to have your car fixed is at the Mennonite Farm.  The Mennonites are from the United States and are dedicating their time on the island to meet the needs of the people on the island with the main goal to spread the good news of the Bible.  They share their faith by their works.  The farm includes many services.  They have an automobile shop, carpentry shop, a beefarm which they harvest honey from, fruit orchards, a greenhouse and many vegetable fields.  Some of the vegetables grown are beans, corn, and cauliflower.  The farm is starting a new idea of trying to grow strawberries.  So far it has been successful.
The island also contains a grapefruit orchard.  This orchard is seven hundred acres and is owned by United States corporation.  Workers pick the grapefruit and oranges, filling the huge white bins shown to the left.  After one bin is full, it is then loaded onto the truck.  After filling, each bin weighs over 850 pounds.
Androsia
	Androsia is a type of material that is made on Andros Island.  It is dyed and then sewn into clothes and other accessories.  Androsia is the largest retail industry and ships to other islands in the Bahamas.
First, the women take white cloth and use these large stamps that are cut into different shapes. They put wax on the stamps and then stamp the cloth.
	Second, the material is dyed in huge bath tubs into beautiful bright colors.
Third, the wax is removed from the cloth by placing in boiling water, and the long sheets of dyed cloth are hung out to dry.
	Fourth, the material is cut and sewn into clothes and other accessories.
Finally, the material is priced and sold in the stores and shipped to other islands in the Bahamas.
Imports/Exports
	The island has almost everything imported. The island imports all products that cannot be made in the Bahamas are imported from Nassau. The island has some major exports. The largest export is water. Andros has very large amounts of fresh water and exports 10 million gallons of water to Nassau by 2 large barges, daily.
Fishing
Andros island is very famous for its fishing. It is called the "bonefish Capitol of the World." Many people come to the island to fish. The best place on the island is Cargill Creek, about fifteen miles south of Andros Town.
	Barracudas can also be caught in the shallow waters of the island. The fish can be quite deadly. One type of the barracuda is poisonous. To tell if the barracuda is poisonous, the heart is cut out of the fish and then put on the tip of your tongue. If the heart stings the tongue then the barracuda is poisonous, but if not then the large fish is safe and quite tasty to eat.