Bahamas
Latin America & the Caribbean · 15 specs
Direct Answer
The Bahamas (BS / BHS / 044) operates on a 120 V / 60 Hz electrical grid using NEMA 1-15 (Type A) and NEMA 5-15 (Type B) sockets. Traffic drives on the left (LHT). The official currency is the Bahamian Dollar (BSD, B$), country calling code is +1-242 (NANP), emergency dispatch is 919 / 911, and paper standard is US Letter.
Source: BPL (Bahamas Power and Light) / URCA / BBS / ISO 3166-1 / Bahamas Postal Department · Last reviewed Aug 28, 2026
Specs
| Official English Name | Commonwealth of The Bahamas ISO 3166-1 |
| ISO 3166-1 Alpha-2 | BS |
| ISO 3166-1 Alpha-3 | BHS |
| ISO 3166-1 Numeric / UN M49 | 044 UN M49 (Code 419) |
| Country Calling Code | +1-242 NANP (ITU-T E.164) |
| International Exit Code (IDD) | 011 dial prefix for international calls |
| Internet ccTLD | .bs University of The Bahamas |
| National Currency (ISO 4217) | Bahamian Dollar (BSD, B$) 1:1 Peg with USD (SandDollar CBDC) |
| Mains Electricity Standard | 120 V, 60 Hz Bahamas Power and Light (BPL) |
| Electrical Plug Sockets | Type A (NEMA 1-15) & Type B (NEMA 5-15) 15 A / 125 V |
| Road Traffic Driving Side | Left-Hand Traffic (LHT / RHD & LHD mix) Road Traffic Department |
| Primary Measurement System | US Customary & Imperial National standard |
| Standard Office Paper Format | US Letter (8.5 × 11 in / 215.9 × 279.4 mm) Standard |
| Consolidated Emergency Number | 919 / 911 Royal Bahamas Police Force |
| Primary Time Zone | UTC-5 (EST / EDT) DST observed |
Pioneer of the World's First National CBDC (Sand Dollar 2020)
In October 2020, the Central Bank of The Bahamas officially launched the Sand Dollar, becoming the first sovereign central bank in the world to deploy a nationwide Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC).
- Purpose: Solved inter-island cash logistics across 700 islands and cays, enabling mobile electronic payments without requiring traditional commercial bank accounts.
Electrical Grid, Voltage & Plug Compatibility
- Nominal Grid Parameters: Operates on a single-phase standard of 120 V, 60 Hz.
- Plug & Socket Hardware: Type A (NEMA 1-15) & Type B (NEMA 5-15). Uses North American style Type A (2-blade ungrounded) and Type B (3-prong grounded) receptacles.
- International Traveler Guidance: Devices operating on 100–240 V (smartphones, laptops) require only a mechanical pin adapter. Single-voltage appliances from differing voltage regions require a certified step-down/step-up power transformer.
Telecommunications, Dialing & Emergency Dispatch
- International Dialing: The country calling code is +1-242. Outbound international calls from within the country require dial prefix 011 followed by the destination country code.
- Emergency Dispatch: Consolidated emergency services are reached at 919 / 911. Calls are automatically routed to local public safety answering points with emergency vehicle dispatch.
Transportation, Driving Standards & Road Regulations
- Traffic Flow: Road traffic drives on the left (LHT) with Right-Hand Drive (RHD) vehicles.
- Standard Speed Limits: General regulatory speed limits default to 50 km/h (31 mph) in built-up urban and residential zones, 80–100 km/h (50–62 mph) on undivided rural roads, and 110–130 km/h (68–81 mph) on grade-separated divided motorways/expressways (unless lower local limits are posted).
- Safety Requirements: Mandatory seatbelt compliance for all occupants, zero-distraction handheld mobile phone bans while driving, and mandatory in-vehicle warning triangles.
Commerce, Currency & Document Standards
- Official Currency: Legal tender is the Bahamian Dollar (BSD, B$).
- Document & Paper Standards: Standard office printing, official government gazettes, and legal filings strictly utilize US Letter (8.5 × 11 in / 215.9 × 279.4 mm). Standard business correspondence pairs with standard business envelopes.
- National Time Zone: Regulated under UTC-5 (EST / EDT).
Postal Addressing & Administrative Divisions
- Postal Architecture: Postal delivery utilizes Standard postal system.
- Standard Address Format: Structured in standardized hierarchy: Recipient Name → Street Address / Building Unit → Postal Code + City/Town → Province/State → Commonwealth of The Bahamas.