1998 Edition
CIA World Factbook 1998 (Internet Archive)
Geography
Area
total: 50 sq km land: 50 sq km water: 0 sq km
Area-comparative
about 0.3 times the size of Washington, DC
Climate
subtropical; mild, humid; gales, strong winds common in winter
Coastline
103 km
Elevation extremes
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Town Hill 76 m
Environment-current issues
asbestos disposal; water pollution; preservation of open space
Environment-international agreements
party to: NA signed, but not ratified: NA
Geographic coordinates
32 20 N, 64 45 W
Geography-note
consists of about 360 small coral islands with ample rainfall, but no rivers or freshwater lakes; some land, reclaimed and otherwise, was leased by US Government from 1941 to 1995
Irrigated land
NA sq km
Land boundaries
0 km
Land use
arable land: 6% permanent crops: NA% permanent pastures: NA% forests and woodland: NA% other: NA (1997 est.) note: developed (55%), and rural and open space (39%) comprise 94% of Bermudian land area
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 hazards
hurricanes (June to November)
Natural resources
limestone, pleasant climate fostering tourism
Terrain
low hills separated by fertile depressions
People and Society
Age structure
0-14 years: 20% (male 6,191; female 6,046) 15-64 years: 70% (male 21,330; female 21,912) 65 years and over: 10% (male 2,777; female 3,753) (July 1998 est.)
Birth rate
12.21 births/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Death rate
7.22 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Ethnic groups
black 61%, white and other 39%
Infant mortality rate
9.57 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.)
Languages
English (official), Portuguese
Life expectancy at birth
total population: 76.77 years male: 75 years female: 78.63 years (1998 est.)
Literacy
definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 98% male: 98% female: 99% (1970 est.)
Nationality
noun: Bermudian(s) adjective: Bermudian
Net migration rate
2.68 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Population
62,009 (July 1998 est.)
Population growth rate
0.77% (1998 est.)
Religions
Anglican 28%, Roman Catholic 15%, African Methodist Episcopal (Zion) 12%, Seventh-Day Adventist 6%, Methodist 5%, other 34% (1991)
Sex ratio
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.74 male(s)/female (1998 est.)
Total fertility rate
1.71 children born/woman (1998 est.)
Government
Administrative divisions
9 parishes and 2 municipalities*; Devonshire, Hamilton, Hamilton*, Paget, Pembroke, Saint George*, Saint Georges, Sandys, Smiths, Southampton, Warwick
Constitution
8 June 1968
Country name
conventional long form: none conventional short form: Bermuda
Data code
BD
Dependency status
dependent territory of the UK
Executive branch
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II of the UK (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor Thorold MASEFIELD (since June 1997) head of government: Premier Pamela GORDON (since 25 March 1997); Deputy Premier Jerome DILL (since 1 September 1995) cabinet: Cabinet nominated by the premier, appointed by the governor elections: none; the queen is a hereditary monarch; governor appointed by the queen; premier appointed by the governor
FAX
[1] (441) 295-1592
Flag 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
Government type
NA
Independence
none (dependent territory of the UK)
International organization participation
Caricom (observer), CCC, ICFTU, Interpol (subbureau), IOC Diplomatic representation in the US: none (dependent territory of the UK) Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Consul General Robert A. FARMER consulate(s) general: 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
Judicial branch
Supreme Court Political parties and leaders: United Bermuda Party or UBP [Pamela GORDON]; Progressive Labor Party or PLP [Jennifer SMITH]; National Liberal Party or NLP [Charles JEFFERS] Political pressure groups and leaders: Bermuda Industrial Union or BIU [Derrick BURGESS]; Bermuda Public Services Association or BPSA (Leleath BAILEY)
Legal system
English law
Legislative branch
bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (an 11-member body appointed by the governor) and the House of Assembly (40 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 5 October 1993 (next to be held by NA October 1998) election results: percent of vote by party-UBP 50%, PLP 46%, independents 4%; seats by party-UBP 22, PLP 18
National capital
Hamilton
National holiday
Bermuda Day, 24 May
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Economy
Agriculture-products
bananas, vegetables, citrus, flowers; dairy products
Budget
revenues: $430.9 million expenditures: $452.9 million, including capital expenditures of $50 million (FY95/96 est.)
Currency
1 Bermudian dollar (Bd$) = 100 cents
Debt-external
$NA
Economic aid
$NA
Economy-overview
Bermuda enjoys one of the highest per capita incomes in the world, having successfully exploited its location by providing financial services for international firms and luxury tourist facilities for 360,000 visitors annually. The tourist industry, which accounts for an estimated 28% of GDP, attracts 84% of its business from North America. The industrial sector is small, and agriculture is severely limited by a lack of suitable land. About 80% of food needs are imported. International business contributes over 60% of Bermuda's economic output; a failed independence vote in late 1995 can be partially attributed to Bermudian fears of scaring away foreign firms.
Electricity-capacity
145,000 kW (1996)
Electricity-consumption per capita
7,856 kWh (1996)
Electricity-production
527,526,728 kWh (1996)
Exchange rates
Bermudian dollar (Bd$) per US$1-1.0000 (fixed rate)
Exports
total value: $67.7 million (f.o.b., 1996 est.) commodities: reexports of pharmaceuticals partners: Netherlands 50%, Brazil 13%, Canada 6% (1996)
Fiscal year
1 April-31 March Communications
GDP
purchasing power parity-$1.8 billion (1996 est.)
GDP-composition by sector
agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA%
GDP-per capita
purchasing power parity-$29,000 (1996 est.)
GDP-real growth rate
2.4% (1996 est.)
Imports
total value: $569 million (f.o.b., 1996 est.) commodities: miscellaneous manufactured articles, machinery and transport equipment, food and live animals, chemicals partners: US 73%, UK 5%, Canada 4% (1996 est.)
Industrial production growth rate
NA%
Industries
tourism, finance, insurance, structural concrete products, paints, perfumes, pharmaceuticals, ship repairing
Inflation rate-consumer price index
1.8% (November 1997)
Labor force
total: 34,633 by occupation: clerical 23%, services 22%, laborers 17%, professional and technical 17%, administrative and managerial 12%, sales 7%, agriculture and fishing 2% (1996)
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-3 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Telephones
54,000 (1991 est.)
Television broadcast stations
3
Televisions
57,000 (1992 est.)
Unemployment rate
NEGL% (1995)
Transportation
Airports
1 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways: total: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (1997 est.)
Highways
total: 225 km paved: 225 km unpaved: 0 km (1997 est.) note: in addition, there are 232 km of paved and unpaved roads that are privately owned Ports and harbors: Hamilton, Saint George
Merchant marine
total: 91 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 4,590,132 GRT/7,440,524 DWT ships by type: bulk 18, chemical tanker 1, container 18, liquefied gas tanker 7, oil tanker 26, refrigerated cargo 15, roll-on/roll-off cargo 3, short-sea passenger 2, vehicle carrier 1 note: a flag of convenience registry; includes ships from 8 countries among which are UK 31, Canada 13, US 10, Norway 2, Hong Kong 1, Nigeria 4, Sweden 4, and Mexico 1 (1997 est.)
Railways
0 km
Military and Security
Military branches
Bermuda Regiment, Bermuda Police Force, Bermuda Reserve Constabulary
Military expenditures-dollar figure
$NA
Military expenditures-percent of GDP
NA%
Military-note
defense is the responsibility of the UK
Transnational Issues
Disputes-international
none