Bermuda

parliamentary British overseas territory with internal self-governmentIndependence none (overseas territory of the UK)

Bermuda as the 2002 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 109 fields, one of 36 editions from 1990 to 2025.

field in that editiontext changed from the edition beforenot in that editionthe open editionEach field below ends in its editions, 1990 to 2025. Point at a year above to follow it down.

CapitalHamilton

Position32 20 N, 64 45 W

Area53.3 sq km

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

Populationas each edition published it

63,960 people July 2002 est. · 58,337 in 1990

Population growth% a year

0.69% 2002 est. · 0.78% in 1993

Median ageyears

Not in this edition 38.7 yrs in 2003

Life expectancyyears at birth

77.3 years 2002 est. · 75.03 yrs in 1993

Fertility ratechildren per woman

1.81 children per woman 2002 est. · 1.7 in 1990

Infant mortalitydeaths per 1,000 live births

9.28 deaths per 1,000 live births 2002 est. · 12 in 1990

GDP per capitaeach edition's own dollars

$34,800 2001 est. · $22,000 in 1993

GDP real growth% a year

2.9% 2001 est. · -1.5% in 1993

Introduction

1 field

Background

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. A referendum on independence was soundly defeated in 1995.

Geography

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

17 fields

Land useshare of 53.3 sq km

permanent crops 0%other 100% (55% developed, 45% rural/open space) (1998 est.)arable land 0% in all

Area

53.3sq km

water: 0 sq kmland: 53.3 sq kmabout one-third the size of Washington, DC

Coastline

103km

land boundaries: 0 kmexclusive fishing zone: 200 NMterritorial sea: 12 NM

Highest point

76m

Town Hilllowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

Location

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

Geographic coordinates

32 20 N, 64 45 W

Map references

North America

Climate

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

Terrain

low hills separated by fertile depressions

Natural resources

limestone, pleasant climate fostering tourism

Irrigated land

NA sq km

Natural hazards

hurricanes (June to November)

Environment - current issues

asbestos disposal;
water pollution;
preservation of open space;
sustainable development

Geography - note

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

People

18 fields

Population

63,960

(July 2002 est.)growth rate: 0.69% (2002 est.)

Per 1,000 population(2002 est.)

Birth

11.82Death

7.49Net migration

2.61

Male · female

TotalMale · femaleLife expectancy years (2002 est.)77.3

75.21 · 79.27

TotalMale · femaleLiteracy (1970 est.)98%

98% · 99%

MaleFemaleLiteracy definition: age 15 and over can read and write

Ethnic groups

black 58%white 36%other 6%

Religions

non-Anglican Protestant 39%Anglican 27%Roman Catholic 15%other 19%

Age structure

0-14 years:: 19.2% (male 6,058; female 6,225)
15-64 years:: 69.4% (male 21,950; female 22,442)
65 years and over:: 11.4% (male 3,163; female 4,122) (2002 est.)

Sex ratio

at birth:: 0.94 male(s)/female
under 15 years:: 0.97 male(s)/female
15-64 years:: 0.98 male(s)/female
65 years and over:: 0.77 male(s)/female
total population:: 0.95 male(s)/female (2002 est.)

Infant mortality rate

9.28 deaths/1,000 live births (2002 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.81 children born/woman (2002 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

NA%

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

HIV/AIDS - deaths

Nationality

noun:: Bermudian(s)
adjective:: Bermudian

Languages

English (official), Portuguese

Government

Parliamentary British overseas territory with internal self-government; Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor Sir John VEREKER (since NA April 2002); Premier Jennifer SMITH (since 10 November 1998)

19 fields

Presidential electionpercent of vote

54%

PLP 54%UBP 44%NLP 1%independents 1%last general election held 9 November 1998 (next to be held NA November 2003)

Legislature, 40 seatsone dot, one seat

PLP 26UBP 14

Percent of vote

PLP 54%UBP 44%NLP 1%independents 1%

Country name

conventional long form:: none
conventional short form:: Bermuda
former:: Somers Islands

Dependency status

overseas territory of the UK

Government type

parliamentary British overseas territory with internal self-government

Capital

Hamilton

Administrative divisions

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

Independence

none (overseas territory of the UK)

National holiday

Bermuda Day, 24 May

Constitution

8 June 1968, amended 1989

Legal system

English law

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch

chief of state:: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor Sir John VEREKER (since NA April 2002)
head of government:: Premier Jennifer SMITH (since 10 November 1998)
cabinet:: Cabinet nominated by the premier, appointed by the governor
elections:: none;
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

Legislative branch

bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (an 11-member body appointed by the governor, the premier, and the opposition) and the House of Assembly (40 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)

elections:: last general election held 9 November 1998 (next to be held NA November 2003)
election results:: percent of vote by party - PLP 54%, UBP 44%, NLP 1%, independents 1%; seats by party - PLP 26, UBP 14

Judicial branch

Supreme Court;
Court of Appeal;
Magistrate Courts

Political parties and leaders

National Liberal Party or NLP [Dessaline WALDRON];
Progressive Labor Party or PLP [Jennifer SMITH];
United Bermuda Party or UBP [Chairman Wayne FURBERT]

Political pressure groups and leaders

Bermuda Employer's Union [Eddie SAINTS];
Bermuda Industrial Union or BIU [Derrick BURGESS];
Bermuda Public Services Association or BPSA [leader NA];
Bermuda Union of Teachers [Michael CHARLES]

International organization participation

Caricom (observer), CCC, ICFTU, Interpol (subbureau), IOC

Diplomatic representation in the US

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission:: Consul General Denis Patrick COLEMAN, Jr.
consulate(s) general:: Crown Hill, 16 Middle Road, Devonshire DVQ3
mailing address:: P. O. Box HM325, Hamilton HMBX; American Consulate General Hamilton, Department of State, 5300 Hamilton Place, Washington, DC 20520-5300
telephone:: [1] (441) 295-1342
FAX:: [1] (441) 295-1592, [1] (441) 296-9233

Flag description

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

Economy

Bermuda enjoys one of the highest per capita incomes in the world, with its economy primarily based on providing financial services for international business and luxury facilities for tourists.

32 fields

Real growth rate

2.9%

(2001 est.)industrial production growth: NA%

Inflation, consumer prices

(July 2001)

Unemployment rate

4.5%

(1993)

Labor force

37,472

(2000)

GDP - composition by sector(1995 est.)

agriculture 1%industry 10%services 89% (1995 est.)

Trading partnersexports left, imports right

77.9%

EU excluding UK

35.4%

9.8%

17.8%

6.9%

15.4%

Russia

14.6%

Exports $51 million (2000)Imports $719 million (2000)(1999)

Budget

Revenues

$609.5 millionExpenditures

$574.6 million

expenditures including capital expenditures of $54.8 million (FY00/01)

Electricity

fossil fuel 100%hydro 0% · other 0% · nuclear 0%

Electricity production

595 million (2000)Electricity consumption

553.35 million (2000)

Economy - overview

Bermuda enjoys one of the highest per capita incomes in the world, with its economy primarily based on providing financial services for international business and luxury facilities for tourists. The effects of 11 September 2001 have had both positive and negative ramifications for Bermuda.

On the positive side, a number of new reinsurance companies have located on the island, contributing to the expansion of an already robust international business sector. On the negative side, Bermuda's already weakening tourism industry - which derives over 80% of its visitors from the US - has been further hit as American tourists have chosen not to travel.

Most capital equipment and food must be imported, with the US serving as the primary source of goods, followed by the UK. Bermuda's industrial sector is small, although construction continues to be important. Agriculture is limited, only 6% of the land being arable.

GDP

purchasing power parity - $2.2 billion (2001 est.)

GDP - per capita

purchasing power parity - $34,800 (2001 est.)

Population below poverty line

NA%

Labor force - by occupation

clerical 22%, services 20%, laborers 17%, professional and technical 17%, administrative and managerial 13%, sales 8%, agriculture and fishing 3% (2000 est.)

Industries

tourism, international business, light manufacturing

Agriculture - products

bananas, vegetables, citrus, flowers; dairy products

Exports

$51 million (2000)

Exports - commodities

reexports of pharmaceuticals

Imports

$719 million (2000)

Imports - commodities

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

Debt - external

$145 million (FY99/00)

Economic aid - recipient

$NA

Currency

Bermudian dollar (BMD)

Currency code

BMD

Exchange rates

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

Fiscal year

1 April - 31 March

Communications

10 fields

Mobile cellular

7,980

(1996)

Internet users

(2000)

Fixed lines

52,000

(1997) · country code .bm

Telephone system

general assessment:: NA
domestic:: modern, fully automatic telephone system
international:: 3 submarine cables; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

Radio broadcast stations

AM 5, FM 3, shortwave 0 (1998)

Radios

82,000 (1997)

Television broadcast stations

3 (1997)

Televisions

66,000 (1997)

Internet users

25,000 (2000)

Transportation

7 fields

Merchant marine, 102 ships by typeships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 5,485,450 GRT/8,782,869 DWT

bulk 28cargo 4container 16liquefied gas 6passenger 3petroleum tanker 17refrigerated cargo 16roll on/roll off 9short-sea passenger 3note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Croatia 5, Denmark 2, Germany 1, Greece 1, Hong Kong 9, Indonesia 1, Norway 2, Sweden 11, United Kingdom 52, United States 13 (2002 est.)

Airports by runway lengthpaved only

2,438 to 3,047 m

Networkskm

Highways

450Railways

Highways: paved: 450 km · unpaved: 0 km note: public roads - 209 km; private roads - 241 km (2002)