Bermuda

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

Bermuda as the 2004 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 South Carolina (US)

Populationas each edition published it

64,935 people July 2004 est. · 58,337 in 1990

Population growth% a year

0.68% 2004 est. · 0.78% in 1993

Median ageyears

39.2 years 2004 est. · 38.7 yrs in 2003

Life expectancyyears at birth

77.6 years 2004 est. · 75.03 yrs in 1993

Fertility ratechildren per woman

1.9 children per woman 2004 est. · 1.7 in 1990

Infant mortalitydeaths per 1,000 live births

8.79 deaths per 1,000 live births 2004 est. · 12 in 1990

GDP per capitaeach edition's own dollars

$36,000 2003 est. · $22,000 in 1993

GDP real growth% a year

2% 2003 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 South Carolina (US)

17 fields

Land useshare of 53.3 sq km

arable land 20%permanent crops 0%other 80% (55% developed, 45% rural/open space) (2001)

Area

53.3sq km

land: 53.3 sq kmwater: 0 sq kmabout one-third the size of Washington, DC

Coastline

103km

land boundaries: 0 kmterritorial sea: 12 nmexclusive fishing zone: 200 nm

Highest point

76m

Town Hilllowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

Location

North America, group of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, east of South 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 was leased by US Government from 1941 to 1995

People

19 fields

Population

64,935

(July 2004 est.)growth rate: 0.68% (2004 est.)

Per 1,000 population(2004 est.)

Birth

11.83Death

7.55Net migration

2.49

Male · female

TotalMale · femaleLife expectancy years (2004 est.)77.6

75.54 · 79.7Infant mortality deaths/1,000 live births (2004 est.)8.79

10.45 · 7.1

TotalMale · femaleLiteracy (1970 est.)98%

98% · 99%Median age years (2004 est.)39.2

38.3 · 40.1

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:: 19.1% (male 6,192; female 6,186)
15-64 years:: 69.3% (male 22,268; female 22,703)
65 years and over:: 11.7% (male 3,295; female 4,291) (2004 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 (2004 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.9 children born/woman (2004 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

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 Alex SCOTT (since 24 July 2003)

19 fields

Presidential electionpercent of vote

51.7%

PLP 51.7%UBP 48%last general election held 24 July 2003 (next to be held NA July 2008)

Legislature, 36 seatsone dot, one seat

PLP 22UBP 14

Percent of vote

PLP 51.7%UBP 48%

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 and 2003

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 Alex SCOTT (since 24 July 2003); Deputy Premier Ewart BROWN
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 up to 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

Judicial branch

Supreme Court;
Court of Appeal;
Magistrate Courts

Political parties and leaders

Gombey Liberation Party or GLP [Gavin Sundjata SMITH];
National Liberal Party or NLP [Dessaline WALDRON];
Progressive Labor Party or PLP [William Alexander SCOTT];
United Bermuda Party or UBP [Grant GIBBONS];

Political pressure groups and leaders

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]

International organization participation

Caricom (associate), ICFTU, Interpol (subbureau), IOC, UPU, WCO, Egmont Group, Caribbean Financial Action Task Force

Diplomatic representation in the US

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission:: Deputy Chief of Mission Antoinette BOECKER
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

35 fields

Real growth rate

(2003 est.)industrial production growth: NA

Inflation, consumer prices

3.3%

(mid-2003 est.)

Unemployment rate

(2002 est.)

Population below poverty line

19%

(2000)

GDP - composition by sector(2002 est.)

agriculture 1%industry 10%services 89% (2002 est.)

Trading partnersexports left, imports right

62%

France

32.5%

Kazakhstan

46.7%

13.8%

Norway

8.5%

7.5%

Exports $879 million (2002)Imports $5.523 billion (2002)(2003)

Budget

Revenues

$671.1 millionExpenditures

$594.6 million

expenditures including capital expenditures of $55 million (FY03/04)

Electricity

Electricity production

643.7 million (2001)Electricity consumption

598.6 million (2001)

Economy - overview

Bermuda enjoys one of the highest per capita incomes in the world, equal to that of the US. Its economy is 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 - was severely hit as American tourists chose not to travel.

Tourism rebounded somewhat in 2002-03. 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, only 6% of the land being arable.

GDP

purchasing power parity - $2.33 billion (2003 est.)

GDP - per capita

purchasing power parity - $36,000 (2003 est.)

Labor force

37,470 (2000)

Labor force - by occupation

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

Agriculture - products

bananas, vegetables, citrus, flowers; dairy products

Industries

tourism, international business, light manufacturing

Oil - production

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption

4,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports

NA (2001)

Oil - imports

NA (2001)

Exports

$879 million (2002)

Exports - commodities

reexports of pharmaceuticals

Imports

$5.523 billion (2002)

Imports - commodities

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

Debt - external

$160 million (FY99/00)

Economic aid - recipient

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

8 fields

Mobile cellular

37,873

(2003)

Internet users

5,161

(2001)

Fixed lines

56,000

(2002) · country code .bm

Telephone system

general assessment:: good
domestic:: modern, fully automatic telephone system
international:: country code - 1-441;
3 submarine cables;
satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

Radio broadcast stations

AM 5, FM 3, shortwave 0 (1998)

Television broadcast stations

4 (2003)

Internet users

34,500 (2003)

Transportation

5 fields

Merchant marine, 94 ships by typeone square, one ship · ships (1,000 GRT or over) 4,845,326 GRT/6,501,782 DWT

bulk 25cargo 4container 17liquefied gas 9passenger 6petroleum tanker 9refrigerated cargo 11roll on/roll off 10short-sea/passenger 3foreign-owned: Croatia 5, Germany 2, Greece 21, Hong Kong 9, Indonesia 1, Sweden 6, Switzerland 1, United Kingdom 33, United States 12 · registered in other countries: 2 (2004 est.)

Airports by runway lengthpaved only

2,438 to 3,047 m