1994 Edition

Administrative divisions

9 parishes and 2 municipalities*; Devonshire, Hamilton, Hamilton*, Paget, Pembroke, Saint George*, Saint Georges, Sandys, Smiths, Southampton, Warwick

Affiliation

(dependent territory of the UK)

Agriculture

accounts for less than 1% of GDP; most basic foods must be imported; produces bananas, vegetables, citrus fruits, flowers, dairy products

Airports

total: 1 usable: 1 with permanent-surface runways: 1 with runways over 3,659 m: with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 1 with runways 1,220-2,439 m:

Area

total area: 50 sq km land area: 50 sq km comparative area: about 0.3 times the size of Washington, DC

Birth rate

15.14 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)

Branches

Bermuda Regiment, Bermuda Police Force, Bermuda Reserve Constabulary

Budget

revenues: $327.5 million expenditures: $308.9 million, including capital expenditures of $35.4 million (FY91 est.)

Capital

Hamilton

Climate

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

Coastline

103 km

Constitution

8 June 1968

Currency

1 Bermudian dollar (Bd$) = 100 cents

Death rate

7.3 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)

Digraph

BD

Diplomatic representation in US

none (dependent territory of the UK)

Economic aid

recipient: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-81), $34 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $277 million

Electricity

capacity: 154,000 kW production: 504 million kWh consumption per capita: 8,370 kWh (1992)

Environment

current issues: NA natural hazards: subject to hurricanes (June to November) international agreements: NA

Ethnic divisions

black 61%, white and other 39%

Exchange rates

Bermudian dollar (Bd$) per US$1 - 1.0000 (fixed rate)

Executive branch

chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor Lord David WADDINGTON (since 25 August 1992) head of government: Premier John William David SWAN (since NA January 1982); Deputy Premier J. Irving PEARMAN (since 5 October 1993) cabinet: Cabinet; nominated by the premier, appointed by the governor

Exports

$60 million (f.o.b., 1991) commodities: semitropical produce, light manufactures, re-exports of pharmaceuticals partners: US 55%, UK 32%, Canada 11%, other 2%

External debt

$NA

FAX

(809) 295-1592

Fiscal year

1 April - 31 March

Flag

red with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Bermudian coat of arms (white and blue 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

Highways

total: 210 km paved: 210 km note: in addition, there are 400 km of paved and unpaved roads that are privately owned

House of Assembly

elections last held 5 October 1993 (next to be held by NA October 1998); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (40 total) UBP 22, PLP 18

Imports

$468 million (f.o.b.,1991) commodities: fuel, foodstuffs, machinery partners: US 60%, UK 8%, Venezuela 7%, Canada 5%, Japan 5%, other 15%

Independence

none (dependent territory of the UK)

Industrial production

growth rate NA%

Industries

tourism, finance, structural concrete products, paints, pharmaceuticals, ship repairing

Infant mortality rate

13.16 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

4.4% (1991)

International disputes

none

Irrigated land

NA sq km

Judicial branch

Supreme Court

Labor force

32,000 by occupation: clerical 25%, services 22%, laborers 21%, professional and technical 13%, administrative and managerial 10%, sales 7%, agriculture and fishing 2% (1984)

Land boundaries

0 km

Land use

arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 0% forest and woodland: 20% other: 80%

Languages

English

Legal system

English law

Legislative branch

bicameral Parliament

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 75.03 years male: 73.36 years female: 76.97 years (1994 est.)

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write (1970) total population: 98% male: 98% female: 99%

Location

Northern North America, in the western North Atlantic Ocean, 1,050 km east of North Carolina

Map references

North America

Maritime claims

exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm

Member of

CARICOM (observer), CCC, ICFTU, INTERPOL (subbureau), IOC

Merchant marine

67 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 3,407,518 GRT/5,775,281 DWT, bulk 15, cargo 4, container 3, liquefied gas 14, oil tanker 20, refrigerated cargo 4, roll-on/roll-off cargo 7 note: a flag of convenience registry

Names

conventional long form: none conventional short form: Bermuda

National holiday

Bermuda Day, 22 May

National product

GDP - exchange rate conversion - $1.63 billion (1992)

National product per capita

$27,100 (1992)

National product real growth rate

-1.5% (1991)

Nationality

noun: Bermudian(s) adjective: Bermudian

Natural resources

limestone, pleasant climate fostering tourism

Net migration rate

-0.13 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)

Note

some reclaimed land leased by US Government; consists of about 360 small coral islands with ample rainfall, but no rivers or freshwater lakes

defense is the responsibility of the UK

Other political or pressure groups

Bermuda Industrial Union (BIU), Ottiwell SIMMONS

Overview

Bermuda enjoys one of the highest per capita incomes in the world, having successfully exploited its location by providing luxury tourist facilities and financial services. The tourist industry attracts more than 90% of its business from North America. The industrial sector is small, and agriculture is severely limited by a lack of suitable land. About 80% of food needs are imported.

Political parties and leaders

United Bermuda Party (UBP), John W. D. SWAN; Progressive Labor Party (PLP), Frederick WADE; National Liberal Party (NLP), Gilbert DARRELL

Population

61,158 (July 1994 est.)

Population growth rate

0.77% (1994 est.)

Ports

Freeport, Hamilton, Saint George

Religions

Anglican 37%, Roman Catholic 14%, African Methodist Episcopal (Zion) 10%, Methodist 6%, Seventh-Day Adventist 5%, other 28%

Senate

consists of an 11-member body appointed by the governor

Suffrage

21 years of age; universal

Telecommunications

modern, fully automatic telephone system; 52,670 telephones; broadcast stations - 5 AM, 3 FM, 2 TV; 3 submarine cables; 2 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth stations

Terrain

low hills separated by fertile depressions

Total fertility rate

1.81 children born/woman (1994 est.)

Type

dependent territory of the UK

Unemployment rate

6% (1991)

US diplomatic representation

chief of mission: (vacant) consulate general: Crown Hill, 16 Middle Road, Devonshire, Hamilton mailing address: P. O. Box HM325, Hamilton HMBX; PSC 1002, FPO AE 09727-1002 telephone: (809) 295-1342