Today the Bahamas illustrate a booming international banking market, an exploding tourism market and a real estate haven. The Bahamas has absolutely no personal income tax, no corporate income tax, no capital gains tax, and no inheritance tax.

The Bahamas has become such a popular destination that tourism accounts for the majority of its income. The country maintains one of the fastest growth rates in the region, as The Bahamas' investment in tourism continues to expand. The Bahamas is the world's leading offshore financial centre, with over 400 financial institutions licensed for banking and financial trust representation. The country is second only to London in the number of financial institutions it hosts.

The Bahamas boasts a thriving real estate market. Many people who own property in The Bahamas rent these second homes when they are away, generating rental income. Real estate has become one of the largest sources of Bahamas investments in recent years, as a growing number of people search for an island paradise close to North America .

In light of the relatively low cost of purchasing islands and the relatively low Bahamian tax regime for non-locals, a number of celebrities own islands in the Exumas. These include:

* Nicolas Cage

* Faith Hill and Tim McGraw

* David Copperfield

* Johnny Depp