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Bahamians call ANDROS their "Big Back Yard", an appropriate description considering the thick bush that dominates the island, which in the north consists mainly of tropical and deciduous trees like Andros pine and lignum vitae - the latter virtually the national tree of the Bahamas - and in the south, a mix of mangroves, mud flats and tidal swamps. Not surprisingly, amid this rugged natural terrain, there are seemingly as many birdwatchers as there are birds, making the island an essential stop for avian enthusiasts. However, what really makes Andros unique is its magnificent barrier reef , the third longest in the world after those in Australia and Central America. Running parallel to the island's east coast for 167 miles, the Androsian reef is a massive inner bar of elkhorn coral that lies 10-200ft underwater and helps protect the island from tropical storms and hurricanes. It's also a truly spectacular place to explore, whether you dive, snorkel or fish , with an outer wall that plunges down spectacularly through a myriad of canyons, caves, blue holes and sand chutes. In the shallower waters inshore, the sights are just as stunning, featuring a bright assortment of reef fish, starfish, sea cucumbers and southern Manta rays, among countless other species. The island is divided into three zones: North Andros , home to most of the population; Central Andros, better known as Mangrove Cay ; and South Andros , the most lightly populated and remote section. Aside from the north end, many parts of the rest of the island received electricity only in the last twenty years, and still have a rather poor, antiquated road system. This gives the region a rather charming and isolated character, a rustic appeal for those with the patience to deal with it.
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