Bermuda
parliamentary British overseas territory with internal self-governmentIndependence none (overseas territory of the UK)
Bermuda as the 2003 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 112 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.
No fields match. Try a shorter word.
Introduction
1 fieldBackground
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 fieldsLand useshare of 53.3 sq km
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 was leased by US Government from 1941 to 1995
People
19 fieldsPer 1,000 population(2003 est.)
Male · female
Age structure
- 0-14 years:
- 19.2% (male 6,195; female 6,205)
- 15-64 years:
- 69.3% (male 22,110; female 22,574)
- 65 years and over:
- 11.5% (male 3,215; female 4,183) (2003 est.)
Sex ratio
- at birth:
- 1.02 male(s)/female
- under 15 years:
- 1 male(s)/female
- 15-64 years:
- 0.98 male(s)/female
- 65 years and over:
- 0.77 male(s)/female
- total population:
- 0.96 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
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 Alex SCOTT (since 24 July 2003)
19 fieldsPresidential electionpercent of vote
Legislature, 36 seatsone dot, one seat
Percent of vote
Administrative divisions
9 parishes and 2 municipalities*; Devonshire, Hamilton, Hamilton*, Paget, Pembroke, Saint George*, Saint George's, Sandys, Smith's, Southampton, Warwick
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 Alex SCOTT (since 24 July 2003)
- 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 (36 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)
- elections:
- last general election held 24 July 2003 (next to be held NA July 2008)
- election results:
- percent of vote by party - PLP 51.7%, UBP 48%; seats by party - PLP 22, UBP 14
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]
Diplomatic representation from the US
- chief of mission:
- Consul General Denis Patrick COLEMAN, Jr.
- consulate(s) general:
- Crown Hill, 16 Middle Road, Devonshire DVO3
- 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.
36 fieldsGDP - composition by sector(2002 est.)
Trading partnersexports left, imports right
Electricity
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 tourism industry - which derives over 80% of its visitors from the US - has been severely hit as American tourists have chosen not to travel.
Tourism rebounded somewhat in 2002, but remains below the pre-11 September level. Most capital equipment and food must be imported. Bermuda's industrial sector is small, although construction continues to be important. Agriculture is limited, only 6% of the land being arable.
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.)
Imports - commodities
machinery and transport equipment, construction materials, chemicals, food and live animals
Communications
8 fieldsTelephone system
- general assessment:
- NA
- domestic:
- modern, fully automatic telephone system
- international:
- 3 submarine cables; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Transportation
7 fieldsMerchant marine, 93 ships by typeone square, one ship · ships (1,000 GRT or over) 4,993,227 GRT/7,089,760 DWT
Airports by runway lengthpaved only
Networkskm
Highways
- total:
- 450 km
- paved:
- 450 km
note: public roads - 209 km; private roads - 241 km (2002)
- unpaved:
- 0 km
Military
No regular indigenous military forces; Bermuda Regiment, Bermuda Police Force, Bermuda Reserve Constabulary
4 fieldsMilitary branches
no regular indigenous military forces; Bermuda Regiment, Bermuda Police Force, Bermuda Reserve Constabulary
Transnational Issues
1 fieldCite this entry
Central Intelligence Agency. “Bermuda.” The World Factbook 2003. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/bermuda/2003.