Bermuda

• 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

0-14 years:

1.02 male(s)/female

15-24 years:

1.01 male(s)/female

25-54 years:

1.01 male(s)/female

55-64 years:

0.9 male(s)/female

65 years and over:

0.74 male(s)/female

total population:

0.94 male(s)/female (2020 est.)

improved:

total: 100% of population

unimproved:

total: 0% of population (2017 est.)

• dense population and heavy vehicle traffic create serious congestion and air pollution problems;
• water resources scarce (most obtained as rainwater or from wells);
• solid waste disposal;
• hazardous waste disposal;
• sewage disposal;
• overfishing;
• oil spills

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

urban population:

100% of total population (2021)

rate of urbanization:

-0.2% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

municipal solid waste generated annually:

82,000 tons (2012 est.)

municipal solid waste recycled annually:

1,640 tons (2012 est.)

percent of municipal solid waste recycled:

2% (2012 est.)

conventional long form:

none

conventional short form:

Bermuda

former:

Somers Islands

etymology:

the islands making up Bermuda are named after Juan de BERMUDEZ, an early 16th century Spanish sea captain and the first European explorer of the archipelago

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

etymology:

named after Henry HAMILTON (ca. 1734-1796) who served as governor of Bermuda from 1788-1794

history:

several previous (dating to 1684); latest entered into force 8 June 1968 (Bermuda Constitution Order 1968)

amendments:

• proposal procedure - NA;
• passage by an Order in Council in the UK;
• amended several times, last in 2012

citizenship by birth:

no

citizenship by descent only:

at least one parent must be a citizen of the UK

dual citizenship recognized:

yes

residency requirement for naturalization:

10 years

chief of state:

Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor Rena LALGIE (since 14 December 2020)

head of government:

Premier David BURT (since 19 July 2017)

cabinet:

Cabinet nominated by the premier, appointed by the governor

elections/appointments:

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

highest courts:

• Court of Appeal (consists of the court president and at least 2 justices);
• Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice, 4 puisne judges, and 1 associate justice);
• note - the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (in London) is the court of final appeal

judge selection and term of office:

• Court of Appeal justice appointed by the governor;
• justice tenure by individual appointment;
• Supreme Court judges nominated by the Judicial and Legal Services Commission and appointed by the governor;
• judge tenure based on terms of appointment

subordinate courts:

commercial court (began in 2006); magistrates' courts

• Free Democratic Movement or FDM (Marc BEAN)
• One Bermuda Alliance or OBA (Craig CANNONIER)
• Progressive Labor Party or PLP [Edward D. BURT]

chief of mission:

Consul General Karen GRISSETTE (since 6 July 2021)

embassy:

US Consulate Bermuda, 16 Middle Road, Devonshire, DV 03, Bermuda

mailing address:

5300 Hamilton Place, Washington, DC 20520-5300

telephone:

(441) 295-1342

FAX:

(441) 295-1592

email address and website:

[email protected]; https://bm.usconsulate.gov/

consulate(s) general:

16 Middle Road, Devonshire DV O3

• 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 the 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)

Fitch rating:

N/A (2015)

Moody's rating:

A2 (2016)

Standard & Poors rating: A+ (2015)

agriculture:

2%

industry:

13%

services:

85% (2016 est.)

total:

29.3%

male:

29.7%

female:

29% (2014 est.)

lowest 10%:

NA

highest 10%:

NA

• 3 TV stations;
• cable and satellite TV subscription services are available;
• roughly 13 radio stations operating

total:

447 km (2010)

paved:

447 km (2010)

note: 225 km public roads; 222 km private roads

• females and males who are Commonwealth citizens and 18-45 years of age for voluntary enlistment in the Bermuda Regiment;
• service is for a minimum period of three years and two months from the date of enlistment;
• service can be extended only by volunteering or an executive order from the Governor;
• annual training commitment is about 30 days a year, which includes a two-week camp, weekends, and drill nights (2021)