Nassau, Bahamas - Although it has been published by Etienne Dupuch Jr Publications for more than half a century, The Bahamas Handbook always comes up with fascinating and little-known facts about The Bahamas, its people, culture, economy and history.

Now fresh off the press and available in stores throughout The Bahamas, the Handbook for 2012 is no different. At 626 pages, the Handbook is filled with insightful features on The Bahamas, beautiful four-colour photographs and rich illustrations that bring the stories to life. 

This year, readers will read up on Hobby Horse Hall, a racetrack on Cable Beach that once brought droves of celebrities and royalty to The Bahamas for the fashionable winter season.

Discover how German and Italian U-boats stalked and torpedoed Allied freighters in Bahamian waters during the Second World War, trying to prevent them from carrying war materials to Britain, and how islanders of high station and low helped to rescue and care for the survivors.

Relive the anger and resentment that led to the General Strike of 1958 and how the Bahamian police force was issued with weapons for the first time in history–as seen through the eyes of a gazetted police officer of the day. 
Despite decades of heat, humidity and hurricanes on San Salvador, a plantation owner's meticulous diary somehow survived to the present day, giving Handbook readers an unvarnished picture of the high emotions that prevailed among slaves in the early 19th century, on the eve of emancipation.    

Ever wondered how Wallace Groves was able to build an entire industrial city in the pine barrens of Grand Bahama in less than 10 years? A Handbook story clears up some of the mystery and explores the techniques he used to build Freeport, as recalled by his contemporaries and closest associates.

As always, The Handbook has a strong section on business and finance. There's a penetrating look into the economy's ability to withstand the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression, along with updates on the innovative funds that put The Bahamas ahead of its offshore financial competitors, along with a new look at the country's booming maritime and shipping industries.

In this year's Handbook you'll learn about neem, an ancient healing tree from India that is producing a host of health and beauty products in Abaco;  about the strange new creatures that scientists are discovering in the depths of the Tongue of the Ocean, thanks to space-age diving technology; and about the forward-thinking politicians and academics who helped to create The Bahamas' vibrant black middle class.    

As well as these articles, The Handbook's authoritative Blue Pages delve into the country's most important vital statistics, providing every-day useful information arranged alphabetically, from art galleries, business and the economy, to free trade, national parks and tax benefits for foreigners.

The Year in Review chronicles the major events of the previous 12 months and the Government section includes bios on all members of Parliament, along with top civil servants. All this and much more await readers in The Bahamas Handbook for 2012.

With sections devoted to Features, History, the Family Islands, Business and Freeport, Grand Bahama, this year's Handbook lives up to its reputation as the leading journal about The Bahamas, of interest to everyone who lives in, visits or invests in the country.