Bermuda was first settled in 1609 by shipwrecked English colonists headed for Virginia. Tourism to the island to escape North American winters first developed in Victorian times. Tourism continues to be important to the island's economy, although international business has overtaken it in recent years. Bermuda has developed into a highly successful offshore financial center. Although a referendum on independence from the UK was soundly defeated in 1995, the present government has reopened debate on the issue.

North America, group of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, east of South Carolina (US)

32 20 N, 64 45 W

North America

about one-third the size of Washington, DC

0 km

103 km

subtropical; mild, humid; gales, strong winds common in winter

low hills separated by fertile depressions

limestone, pleasant climate fostering tourism

NA

hurricanes (June to November)

sustainable development

consists of about 138 coral islands and islets with ample rainfall, but no rivers or freshwater lakes; some land was leased by the US Government from 1941 to 1995

68,268 (July 2010 est.)

0.62% (2010 est.)

11.47 births/1,000 population (2010 est.)

7.43 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.)

2.15 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.)

1.98 children born/woman (2010 est.)

0.3% (2005)

163 (2005)

392 (2005)

black 54.8%, white 34.1%, mixed 6.4%, other races 4.3%, unspecified 0.4% (2000 census)

Anglican 23%, Roman Catholic 15%, African Methodist Episcopal 11%, other Protestant 18%, other 12%, unaffiliated 6%, unspecified 1%, none 14% (2000 census)

English (official), Portuguese

1.2% of GDP (2006)

overseas territory of the UK

parliamentary; self-governing territory

9 parishes and 2 municipalities*; Devonshire, Hamilton, Hamilton*, Paget, Pembroke, Saint George*, Saint George's, Sandys, Smith's, Southampton, Warwick

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Bermuda Day, 24 May

8 June 1968; amended 1989 and 2003

English law

18 years of age; universal

bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (11 seats; members appointed by the governor, the premier, and the opposition) and the House of Assembly (36 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve up to five-year terms)

Supreme Court; Court of Appeal; Magistrate Courts

Progressive Labor Party or PLP [Ewart BROWN]; United Bermuda Party or UBP [Kim SWAN]

Bermuda Employer's Union [Eddie SAINTS]; Bermuda Industrial Union or BIU [Derrick BURGESS]; Bermuda Public Services Union or BPSU [Ed BALL]; Bermuda Union of Teachers [Michael CHARLES]

Caricom (associate), Interpol (subbureau), IOC, ITUC, UPU, WCO, WFTU

none (overseas territory of the UK)

red, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Bermudian coat of arms (white and green shield with a red lion holding a scrolled shield showing the sinking of the ship Sea Venture off Bermuda in 1609) centered on the outer half of the flag

Bermuda enjoys the third highest per capita income in the world, more than 50% higher than that of the US. Its economy is primarily based on providing financial services for international business and luxury facilities for tourists. A number of reinsurance companies relocated to the island following the 11 September 2001 attacks and again after Hurricane Katrina in August 2005 contributing to the expansion of an already robust international business sector. Bermuda's tourism industry - which derives over 80% of its visitors from the US - continues to struggle but remains the island's number two industry. Most capital equipment and food must be imported. Bermuda's industrial sector is small, although construction continues to be important; the average cost of a house in June 2003 had risen to $976,000. Agriculture is limited with only 20% of the land being arable.

$4.5 billion (2004 est.)

$NA

4.6% (2004 est.)

$69,900 (2004 est.)

38,360 (2004)

2.1% (2004 est.)

19% (2000)

2.8% (November 2005)

$NA (31 December 2008)

$2.731 billion (31 December 2007)

$2.704 billion (31 December 2006)

bananas, vegetables, citrus, flowers; dairy products, honey

international business, tourism, light manufacturing

NA%

675.6 million kWh (2007 est.)

628.3 million kWh (2007 est.)

0 kWh (2008 est.)

0 kWh (2008 est.)

0 bbl/day (2008 est.)

5,000 bbl/day (2008 est.)

0 bbl/day (2007 est.)

4,500 bbl/day (2007 est.)

0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.)

0 cu m (2008 est.)

0 cu m (2008 est.)

0 cu m (2008 est.)

0 cu m (2008 est.)

0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.)

$763 million (2006)

reexports of pharmaceuticals

Brazil 30.7%, US 20.1%, Germany 15.1%, South Africa 11.1%, India 7.3%, UK 4.6%, Austria 4.2% (2008)

$1.162 billion (2006)

clothing, fuels, machinery and transport equipment, construction materials, chemicals, food and live animals

Italy 26.2%, US 18%, South Korea 17.3%, UK 8.3%, Singapore 5.3%, France 5.1%, Norway 4.4% (2008)

$160 million (FY99/00)

$NA

$NA

Bermudian dollars (BMD) per US dollar - 1.0000 (fixed rate pegged to the US dollar)

57,600 (2008)

79,000 (2008)

AM 5, FM 4, shortwave 1 (2009)

3 (2005)

.bm

15,548 (2009)

51,000 (2008)

1 (2009)

Hamilton, Saint George

Bermuda Regiment (2008)

18-30 years of age for voluntary or compulsory enlistment in the Bermuda Regiment; males must register at age 18; term of service is 38 months (2009)

0.11% of GDP (2005 est.)

defense is the responsibility of the UK

none