Bimini is a district of The Bahamas, an independent island nation in the Atlantic Ocean. Located just 50 miles east of Miami, Florida, Bimini consists of two main islands—North Bimini and South Bimini—and several smaller cays. As part of The Commonwealth of The Bahamas, it functions under a parliamentary democracy with the British monarch as the symbolic head of state. Historically, Bimini was a rendezvous for "wreckers" and famously became a hub for rum-running during the U.S. Prohibition era. In the modern era, it is a world-renowned destination for big-game fishing and tourism, deeply integrated into the Bahamian economy. Because of its proximity to the United States, it is a popular entry point for private boaters traveling from the Florida coast. Visitors arriving in Bimini must clear Bahamian Customs and Immigration, as it is a foreign territory requiring a valid passport for entry by non-Bahamian citizens.