Bermuda

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 also developed into a highly successful offshore financial center. A referendum on independence from the UK was soundly defeated in 1995.

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

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

noun:

Bermudian(s)

adjective:

Bermudian

at birth:

1.02 male(s)/female

under 15 years:

1.02 male(s)/female

15-64 years:

0.97 male(s)/female

65 years and over:

0.72 male(s)/female

total population:

0.94 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

conventional long form:

none

conventional short form:

Bermuda

former:

Somers Islands

name:

Hamilton

geographic coordinates:

32 17 N, 64 47 W

time difference:

UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

daylight saving time:

+1hr, begins second Sunday in March; ends first Sunday in November

chief of state:

Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor George FERGUSSON (since 23 May 2012)

head of government:

Premier Craig CANNONIER (since 18 December 2012)

cabinet:

Cabinet nominated by the premier, appointed by the governor; (For more information visit theWorld Leaders website)

elections:

• the monarchy is hereditary;
• governor appointed by the monarch;
• following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition usually appointed premier by the governor

• Supreme Court (Chief Justice and other justices appointed by the governor; remain in office until they reach 65 years of age);
• Court of Appeal (President of the Court of Appeal and other justices appointed by the governor for a specific period laid out in their respective instruments of appointment);
• Magistrate Courts

• 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]

chief of mission:

Consul General Grace W. SHELTON

consulate(s) general:

Crown Hill, 16 Middle Road, Devonshire DVO3

mailing address:

P. O. Box HM325, Hamilton HMBX; American Consulate General Hamilton, US Department of State, 5300 Hamilton Place, Washington, DC 20520-5300

telephone:

[1] (441) 295-1342

FAX:

[1] (441) 295-1592, 296-9233

• red, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Bermudian coat of arms (a white shield with a red lion standing on a green grassy field holding a scrolled shield showing the sinking of the ship Sea Venture off Bermuda in 1609) centered on the outer half of the flag;
• it was the shipwreck of the vessel, filled with English colonists originally bound for Virginia, that led to settling of Bermuda

note: the flag is unusual in that it is only British overseas territory that uses a red ensign, all others use blue

name:

"Hail to Bermuda"

lyrics/music:

Bette JOHNS

note: serves as a local anthem; as a territory of the United Kingdom, "God Save the Queen" is official (see United Kingdom)

agriculture and fishing:

3%

laborers:

17%

clerical:

19%

professional and technical:

21%

administrative and managerial:

15%

sales:

7%

services:

19% (2004 est.)

lowest 10%:

NA%

highest 10%:

NA%

general assessment:

a good, fully automatic digital telephone system with fiber-optic trunk lines

domestic:

the system has a high fixed-line teledensity coupled with a mobile-cellular teledensity of roughly 125 per 100 persons

international:

• country code - 1-441;
• landing points for the GlobeNet, Gemini Bermuda, and the Challenger Bermuda-1 (CB-1)submarine cables;
• satellite earth stations - 3 (2009)

• 3 TV stations;
• cable and satellite TV subscription services are available;
• roughly 10 radio stations operating (2007)

total:

447 km

country comparison to the world: 197

paved:

447 km

note: public roads - 225 km; private roads - 222 km (2007)

• 18-45 years of age for voluntary male or female enlistment in the Bermuda Regiment;
• males must register at age 18 and may be subjectt to conscription;
• term of service is 38 months for volunteers or conscripts (2012)

males age 16-49:

12,323

females age 16-49:

12,174 (2010 est.)

male:

433

female:

410 (2010 est.)