World Facts Index
 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.
Geography of Bermuda
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Location:
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North America, group of
islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, east of North Carolina (US) |
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Coordinates:
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32 20 N, 64 45 W |
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Area:
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total: 53.3 sq km
water: 0 sq km
land: 53.3 sq km |
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Area comparative:
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about one-third the size of
Washington, DC |
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Land boundaries:
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0 km |
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Coastline:
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103 km |
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Maritime claims:
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exclusive fishing zone:
200 NM
territorial sea: 12 NM |
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Climate:
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subtropical; mild, humid;
gales, strong winds common in winter |
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Terrain:
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low hills separated by
fertile depressions |
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Elevation extremes:
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lowest point:
Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Town Hill 76 m |
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Natural resources:
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limestone, pleasant climate
fostering tourism |
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Natural hazards:
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hurricanes (June to
November) |
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Environment - current issues:
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asbestos disposal; water
pollution; preservation of open space; sustainable development |
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Geography - note:
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consists of about 138 coral
islands and islets with ample rainfall, but no rivers or freshwater
lakes; some land was leased by US Government from 1941 to 1995
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Population of Bermuda
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Population:
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66,536 (July 2008 est.) |
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Age structure:
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0-14 years: 18% (male 6,055/female 5,954)
15-64 years: 69.1% (male 22,795/female 23,189)
65 years and over: 12.8% (male 3,728/female 4,815) |
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Median age:
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41 years |
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Infant mortality:
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7.87 deaths/1,000 live births |
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Life expectancy at birth:
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total population: 78.3 years
male: 76.15 years
female: 80.48 years |
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Total fertility rate:
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1.89 children born/woman |
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Nationality:
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noun: Bermudian(s)
adjective: Bermudian |
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Ethnic groups:
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black 58%, white 36%, other 6% |
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Religions:
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non-Anglican Protestant 39%, Anglican 27%,
Roman Catholic 15%, other 19% |
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Languages:
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English (official), Portuguese |
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Literacy:
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definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 98%
male: 98%
female: 99%
|
Government
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Dependency status:
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overseas territory of the UK |
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Government type:
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parliamentary British overseas territory
with internal self-government |
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Capital:
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Hamilton |
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Administrative divisions:
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9 parishes and 2 municipalities*;
Devonshire, Hamilton, Hamilton*, Paget, Pembroke, Saint George*, Saint George's, Sandys,
Smith's, Southampton, Warwick |
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Independence:
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none (overseas territory of the UK) |
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National holiday:
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Bermuda Day, 24 May |
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Constitution:
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8 June 1968, amended 1989 and 2003 |
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Legal system:
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English law |
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Suffrage:
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18 years of age; universal |
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Executive branch:
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chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6
February 1952); represented by Governor Sir Richard GOZNEY (since 12 December
2007)
head of government: Premier Ewart BROWN (since 30 October 2006); Deputy Premier
Paula COX
cabinet: Cabinet nominated by the premier, appointed by the governor
elections: the monarch is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch;
following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader
of the majority coalition is usually appointed premier by the governor |
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Legislative branch:
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bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (an 11-member
body 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)
elections: last general election held 24 July 2003 (next to be held not later than
July 2008)
election results: percent of vote by party - PLP 51.7%, UBP 48%; seats by party -
PLP 22, UBP 14 |
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Judicial branch:
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Supreme Court; Court of Appeal; Magistrate
Courts |
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Political parties and leaders:
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Progressive Labor Party or PLP [William Alexander SCOTT];
United Bermuda Party or UBP [Wayne FURBERT] |
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Political pressure groups and leaders:
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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] |
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:
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$4.5 billion (2004 est.) |
|
GDP growth rate:
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4.6% |
|
GDP per capita:
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$69,900 |
|
GDP composition by sector:
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agriculture: 1%
industry: 10%
services: 89% |
|
Population below poverty line:
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19% |
|
Inflation rate:
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2.8% |
|
Labor force:
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38,360 |
|
Labor force - by occupation:
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agriculture and fishing 3%, laborers 17%, clerical 19%,
professional and technical 21%, administrative and managerial 15%, sales 7%, services 19% |
|
Unemployment:
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2.1% |
|
Budget:
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revenues: $738 million
expenditures: $665 million (FY04/05) |
|
Industries:
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tourism, international business, light
manufacturing |
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Agriculture:
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bananas, vegetables, citrus, flowers; dairy
products |
|
Exports:
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reexports of pharmaceuticals |
|
Export partners:
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France 66.9%, Spain 12%, US 4.6% |
|
Imports:
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clothing, fuels, machinery and transport equipment,
construction materials, chemicals, food and live animals |
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Import partners:
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Kazakhstan 51.5%, France 18.4%, South Korea 11.6%, US 7.3% |
|
Debt - external:
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$160 million (FY99/00) |
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Currency:
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Bermudian dollar (BMD) |
SOURCES: The CIA World Factbook, U.S. Department of State, Area Handbook of the US Library of Congress
Copyright 2004 - 2008 worldfacts.us |