1996 Edition

Description

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

Location

32 20 N, 64 45 W -- North America, group of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, east of North Carolina (US) Flag ----

Area

comparative area

about 0.3 times the size of Washington, DC

land area

50 sq km

total area

50 sq km

Climate

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

Coastline

103 km

Environment

current issues

NA

international agreements

NA

natural hazards

hurricanes (June to November)

Geographic coordinates

32 20 N, 64 45 W

Geographic note

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

International disputes

none

Irrigated land

NA sq km

Land boundaries

0 km

Land use

arable land

0%

forest and woodland

20%

meadows and pastures

0%

other

80%

permanent crops

0%

Location

North America, group of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, east of North Carolina (US)

Map references

North America

Maritime claims

exclusive fishing zone

200 nm

territorial sea

12 nm

Natural resources

limestone, pleasant climate fostering tourism

Terrain

low hills separated by fertile depressions

highest point

Town Hill 76 m

lowest point

Atlantic Ocean 0 m

Age structure

0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA

Birth rate

15 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Death rate

7.3 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Ethnic divisions

black 61%, white and other 39%

Infant mortality rate

13.16 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)

Languages

English

Life expectancy at birth

female

76.97 years (1996 est.)

male

73.36 years

total population

75.03 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write (1970 est.)

female

99%

male

98%

total population

98%

Nationality

adjective

Bermudian

noun

Bermudian(s)

Net migration rate

-0.13 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Population

62,099 (July 1996 est.)

Population growth rate

0.76% (1996 est.)

Religions

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

Sex ratio

all ages

NA male(s)/female

at birth

NA male(s)/female

under 15 years

NA male(s)/female 15-64 years: NA male(s)/female 65 years and over: NA male(s)/female

Total fertility rate

1.8 children born/woman (1996 est.)

Administrative divisions

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

Capital

Hamilton

Constitution

8 June 1968

Data code

BD

Diplomatic representation in US

none (dependent territory of the UK)

Executive branch

cabinet

Cabinet was nominated by the premier, appointed by the governor

chief of state

Queen ELIZABETH II (of the United Kingdom since 6 February 1952), a hereditary monarch, is represented by Governor Lord David WADDINGTON (since 25 August 1992), who was appointed by the queen

head of government

Premier David SAUL (since 25 August 1995) was appointed by the governor; Deputy Premier Jerome DILL (since 1 September 1995)

FAX

[1] (441) 295-1592

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

House of Assembly

elections last held 5 October 1993 (next to be held by NA October 1998); results - UBP 50%, PLP 46%, independents 4%; seats - (40 total) UBP 22, PLP 18

Independence

none (dependent territory of the UK)

International organization participation

Caricom (observer), CCC, ICFTU, Interpol (subbureau), IOC

Judicial branch

Supreme Court

Legal system

English law

Legislative branch

bicameral Parliament

Name of country

conventional long form

none

conventional short form

Bermuda

National holiday

Bermuda Day, 24 May

Other political or pressure groups

Bermuda Industrial Union (BIU), Ottiwell SIMMONS

Political parties and leaders

United Bermuda Party (UBP), David SAUL; Progressive Labor Party (PLP), Frederick WADE; National Liberal Party (NLP), Gilbert DARRELL

Senate

consists of an 11-member body appointed by the governor

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Type of government

dependent territory of the UK

US diplomatic representation

chief of mission

Ambassador Robert A. FARMER

consulate general(s)

Crown Hill, 16 Middle Road, Devonshire, Hamilton

mailing address

P. O. Box HM325, Hamilton HMBX; American Consulate General Hamilton, Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-5300

telephone

[1] (441) 295-1342

Agriculture

bananas, vegetables, citrus, flowers; dairy products

Budget

expenditures

$308.9 million, including capital expenditures of $35.4 million (FY90/91 est.)

revenues

$327.5 million

Currency

1 Bermudian dollar (Bd$) = 100 cents

Economic aid

$NA

Economic 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. International business contributes over 60% of Bermuda's economic output; a failed independence vote in late 1995 can be partially attributed to Bermudian's fear of scaring away foreign firms. Hurricane Felix, which hit Bermuda twice over three days, caused an estimated $2.5 million in damages in August of 1995.

Electricity

capacity

140,000 kW

consumption per capita

7,745 kWh (1993)

production

504 million kWh

Exchange rates

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

Exports

$60 million (f.o.b., 1991)

commodities

semitropical produce, light manufactures, reexports of pharmaceuticals

partners

US 62.4%, UK 20%

External debt

$NA

Fiscal year

1 April - 31 March

GDP

purchasing power parity - $1.7 billion (1994 est.)

GDP composition by sector

agriculture

NA%

industry

NA%

services

NA%

GDP per capita

$28,000 (1994 est.)

GDP real growth rate

2.5% (1994 est.)

Imports

$519 million (f.o.b., 1993)

commodities

fuel, foodstuffs, machinery

partners

US 38%, UK 5%, Canada 5%

Industrial production growth rate

NA%

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

2.6% (1995 est.)

Labor force

33,650 (1992)

by occupation

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

Unemployment rate

NEGL% (1995)

Branches

Bermuda Regiment, Bermuda Police Force, Bermuda Reserve Constabulary

Defense expenditures

$NA, NA% of GDP

Defense note

defense is the responsibility of the UK

Radio broadcast stations

AM 5, FM 3, shortwave 0

Radios

78,000 (1992 est.)

Telephone system

domestic

modern, fully automatic telephone system

international

3 submarine cables; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

Telephones

54,000 (1991 est.)

Television broadcast stations

2

Televisions

57,000 (1992 est.) Defense

Airports

total

1

with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m

1 (1995 est.)

Highways

note

in addition, there are 400 km of paved and unpaved roads that are privately owned

paved

208 km

total

208 km

unpaved

0 km (1986 est.)

Merchant marine

note

a flag of convenience registry; includes ships from 11 countries among which are UK 17, US 13, Canada 10, Norway 9, Nigeria 4, Sweden 3, Hong Kong 2, Syria 2, Mexico 1, and NZ 1 (1995 est.)

ships by type

bulk 10, cargo 3, container 7, liquefied gas tanker 16, oil tanker 16, refrigerated cargo 10, roll-on/roll-off cargo 4, short-sea passenger 1, specialized tanker 1, vehicle carrier 1

total

69 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 3,146,693 GRT/5,007,242 DWT

Ports

Hamilton, Saint George

Railways

0 km