[8][9] Grand Bahama's existence for almost two centuries was largely governed by the nature of the treacherous coral reefs surrounding the island, which repelled its Spanish claimants (who largely left it alone apart from infrequent en route stops by ships for provisions) while attracting pirates, who would lure ships onto the reefs where they would run aground and be plundered.

[citation needed] In 1670, Charles II of England issued a land patent, granting The Bahamas to the eight Lords Proprietors of the Carolinas.

[11] A brief smuggling boom occurred during the years of prohibition in the United States, when West End, Grand Bahama, and Bimini served as waystations for illicit imports of liquor to the U.S.[12] The first major resort and the first commercial airport on Grand Bahama was developed at West End in the late 1940s by the British Butlin's firm, which constructed a 1000-guest resort from scratch, including building West End Airport.

However it finally gained a stable source of income when in 1955 a Virginian financier named Wallace Groves began redevelopment with the Bahamian government to build the city of Freeport under the Hawksbill Creek Agreement and create the Grand Bahama Port Authority.

Seeing the success of Cuba as a tourist destination for wealthy Americans, St. George was eager to develop Grand Bahama in a similar vein.

These major industries are pharmaceutical plants, the Fragrance of The Bahamas perfume factory, an oil transshipment company, and an immunology research center.

On commercial farms in Grand Bahama, vegetables and citrus fruits are produced and exported to other countries.

[citation needed] Grand Bahama is divided into three districts and seven town areas for administrative purposes.

[citation needed] Grand Bahama Island is populated with a variety of plants, birds, mammals and fish.

As the name suggests, it has a flowery nose that helps pollinate flowers and is usually found in dark caves or abandoned homes.

[22] The Bahama woodstar is a non-migratory hummingbird found in brushy habitats, including forest and undergrowth, areas of low-growing, and scrubby vegetation.

This swallow has a green head and back, blue wings with a black tail, and a white belly and chin.

It is densely branched with bright green leaves and yellow flowers that usually attract butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds.