General Overview
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.
Demographics
Bermuda consists of a chain of some 180 coral islands and islets lying 1046km (650 miles) off the coast of Cape Hatteras. The seven largest of the islands are linked by bridges and one causeway to form the principal mainland. There are no rivers or streams and the islands are entirely dependent on rainfall for fresh water.
The population is estimated in 65,365 and 54.8% is listed as black, 34.1% as white and 6.4% as multiracial. A significant segment of the population is also of Portuguese ancestry (10%), the result of immigration from Portuguese-held islands (especially the Azores) during the past 160 years.
• Country name: Bermuda
• Capital Name: Hamilton
• Population: 66,536 (July 2008 est.)
• Nationality: Bermudian(s)
• Languages: English (official), Portuguese
• Ethnic Groups: Black 54.8%, white 34.1%, mixed 6.4%, other races 4.3%, unspecified 0.4% (2000 census)
Economy
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.
• GDP (purchasing power parity): $4.5 billion (2004 est.)
• GDP - real growth rate: 4.6% (2004 est.)
• GDP - per capita (PPP): $69,900 (2004 est.)
• Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.8% (November 2005)
• Exports: $763 million (2006)
• Imports: $1.162 billion (2006)
Government
Bermuda is a British Overseas Territory with a high degree of internal self-government. The official head of state is the Queen, who appoints a Governor to represent her in Bermuda. The Governor is responsible for the police, external affairs, internal security and defence. The current Governor, Sir Richard Gozney, has held office since December 2007.
• Administrative divisions: 9 parishes and 2 municipalities; Devonshire, Hamilton, Hamilton, Paget, Pembroke, Saint George, Saint George's, Sandys, Smith's, Southampton, Warwick
• Legal system: English law
• Constitution: 8 June 1968; amended 1989 and 2003
• Independence: None (overseas territory of the UK)
References
Government of Bermuda - Official Website
Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) - The World Factbook
Nation Master - World Data Center
Wikipedia - The Free Encyclopedia
Lonely Planet - Travel Guidebook
