Pine forests cover parts of many of the islands. The Bahamas have a mild climate. Tourism ranks as the leading economic activity of the Bahamas. Many Bahamians work in hotels or in other businesses related to tourism. Less than 2 percent of all Bahamian workers farm the land, and the country must import most of its food.
Farmers grow bananas, citrus fruits, cucumbers, pineapples, tomatoes, and other crops.
Crawfish and other seafood are caught for local use and for export. A number of foreign corporations operate businesses in the Bahamas. The country has branches of many foreign banks. Manufacturing plants include a cement factory, a petroleum refinery, and a rum distillery. Food processing also ranks as a major industry.