2004 Edition

Background

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

Area

land

53.3 sq km

total

53.3 sq km

water

0 sq km

Area - comparative

about one-third the size of Washington, DC

Climate

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

Coastline

103 km

Elevation extremes

highest point

Town Hill 76 m

lowest point

Atlantic Ocean 0 m

Environment - current issues

asbestos disposal; water pollution; preservation of open space; sustainable development

Geographic coordinates

32 20 N, 64 45 W

Geography - note

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

Irrigated land

NA sq km

Land boundaries

0 km

Land use

arable land

20%

other

80% (55% developed, 45% rural/open space) (2001)

permanent crops

0%

Location

North America, group of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, east of South 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

Age structure

0-14 years: 19.1% (male 6,192; female 6,186) 15-64 years: 69.3% (male 22,268; female 22,703) 65 years and over: 11.7% (male 3,295; female 4,291) (2004 est.)

Birth rate

11.83 births/1,000 population (2004 est.)

Death rate

7.55 deaths/1,000 population (2004 est.)

Ethnic groups

black 58%, white 36%, other 6%

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

NA

Infant mortality rate

female

7.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2004 est.)

male

10.45 deaths/1,000 live births

total

8.79 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

English (official), Portuguese

Life expectancy at birth

female

79.7 years (2004 est.)

male

75.54 years

total population

77.6 years

Literacy

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

99% (1970 est.)

male

98%

total population

98%

Median age

female

40.1 years (2004 est.)

male

38.3 years

total

39.2 years

Nationality

adjective

Bermudian

noun

Bermudian(s)

Net migration rate

2.49 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2004 est.)

Population

64,935 (July 2004 est.)

Population growth rate

0.68% (2004 est.)

Religions

non-Anglican Protestant 39%, Anglican 27%, Roman Catholic 15%, other 19%

Sex ratio

15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/female

at birth

1.02 male(s)/female

total population

0.96 male(s)/female (2004 est.)

under 15 years

1 male(s)/female

Total fertility rate

1.9 children born/woman (2004 est.)

Administrative divisions

9 parishes and 2 municipalities*; Devonshire, Hamilton, Hamilton*, Paget, Pembroke, Saint George*, Saint George's, Sandys, Smith's, Southampton, Warwick

Capital

Hamilton

Constitution

8 June 1968, amended 1989 and 2003

Country name

conventional long form

none

conventional short form

Bermuda

former

Somers Islands

Dependency status

overseas territory of the UK

Diplomatic representation from the US

General Hamilton, Department of State, 5300 Hamilton Place, Washington, DC 20520-5300

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

chief of mission

Deputy Chief of Mission Antoinette BOECKER

consulate(s) general

Crown Hill, 16 Middle Road, Devonshire DVO3

mailing address

P. O. Box HM325, Hamilton HMBX; American Consulate

telephone

[1] (441) 295-1342

Diplomatic representation in the US

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Executive branch

represented by Governor Sir John VEREKER (since NA April 2002)

Premier Ewart BROWN

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

cabinet

Cabinet nominated by the premier, appointed by the governor

chief of state

Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952),

elections

none; the monarch is hereditary; governor appointed by

head of government

Premier Alex SCOTT (since 24 July 2003); Deputy

Flag description

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

parliamentary British overseas territory with internal self-government

Independence

none (overseas territory of the UK)

International organization participation

Caricom (associate), ICFTU, Interpol (subbureau), IOC, UPU, WCO, Egmont Group, Caribbean Financial Action Task Force

Judicial branch

Supreme Court; Court of Appeal; Magistrate Courts

Legal system

English law

Legislative branch

bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (an 11-member body appointed by the governor, the premier, and the opposition) and the House of Assembly (36 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve up to five-year terms)

NA July 2008)

seats by party - PLP 22, UBP 14

election results

percent of vote by party - PLP 51.7%, UBP 48%;

elections

last general election held 24 July 2003 (next to be held

National holiday

Bermuda Day, 24 May

Political parties and leaders

Gombey Liberation Party or GLP [Gavin Sundjata SMITH]; National Liberal Party or NLP [Dessaline WALDRON]; Progressive Labor Party or PLP [William Alexander SCOTT]; United Bermuda Party or UBP [Grant GIBBONS];

Political pressure groups and leaders

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]

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

bananas, vegetables, citrus, flowers; dairy products

Budget

million (FY03/04)

expenditures

$594.6 million, including capital expenditures of $55

revenues

$671.1 million

Currency

Bermudian dollar (BMD)

Currency code

BMD

Debt - external

$160 million (FY99/00)

Economic aid - recipient

NA

Economy - overview

Bermuda enjoys one of the highest per capita incomes in the world, equal to that of the US. Its economy is primarily based on providing financial services for international business and luxury facilities for tourists. The effects of 11 September 2001 have had both positive and negative ramifications for Bermuda. On the positive side, a number of new reinsurance companies have located on the island, contributing to the expansion of an already robust international business sector. On the negative side, Bermuda's tourism industry - which derives over 80% of its visitors from the US - was severely hit as American tourists chose not to travel. Tourism rebounded somewhat in 2002-03. Most capital equipment and food must be imported. Bermuda's industrial sector is small, although construction continues to be important; the average cost of a house in June 2003 had risen to $976,000. Agriculture is limited, only 6% of the land being arable.

Electricity - consumption

598.6 million kWh (2001)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2001)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2001)

Electricity - production

643.7 million kWh (2001)

Exchange rates

Bermudian dollar per US dollar - 1.0000 (fixed rate pegged to the US dollar)

Exports

$879 million (2002)

Exports - commodities

reexports of pharmaceuticals

Exports - partners

France 62%, Norway 13.8%, UK 7.5% (2003)

Fiscal year

1 April - 31 March

GDP

purchasing power parity - $2.33 billion (2003 est.)

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture

1%

industry

10%

services

89% (2002 est.)

GDP - per capita

purchasing power parity - $36,000 (2003 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

2% (2003 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

highest 10%

NA

lowest 10%

NA

Imports

$5.523 billion (2002)

Imports - commodities

machinery and transport equipment, construction materials, chemicals, food and live animals

Imports - partners

Kazakhstan 46.7%, France 32.5%, US 8.5% (2003)

Industrial production growth rate

NA

Industries

tourism, international business, light manufacturing

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

3.3% (mid-2003 est.)

Labor force

37,470 (2000)

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture and fishing 3%, laborers 17%, clerical 22%, professional and technical 17%, administrative and managerial 13%, sales 8%, services 20% (2000 est.)

Oil - consumption

4,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports

NA (2001)

Oil - imports

NA (2001)

Oil - production

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Population below poverty line

19% (2000)

Unemployment rate

5% (2002 est.)

Internet country code

.bm

Internet hosts

5,161 (2001)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs)

20 (2000)

Internet users

34,500 (2003)

Radio broadcast stations

AM 5, FM 3, shortwave 0 (1998)

Radios

82,000 (1997)

Telephone system

earth stations - 3 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

domestic

modern, fully automatic telephone system

general assessment

good

international

country code - 1-441; 3 submarine cables; satellite

Telephones - main lines in use

56,000 (2002)

Telephones - mobile cellular

37,873 (2003)

Television broadcast stations

4 (2003)

Televisions

66,000 (1997)

Airports

1 (2003 est.)

Airports - with paved runways

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2004 est.)

total

1

Highways

note

public roads - 209 km; private roads - 241 km (2002)

paved

450 km

total

450 km

unpaved

0 km

Merchant marine

Indonesia 1, Sweden 6, Switzerland 1, United Kingdom 33, United States 12

6, petroleum tanker 9, refrigerated cargo 11, roll on/roll off 10, short-sea/passenger 3

by type

bulk 25, cargo 4, container 17, liquefied gas 9, passenger

foreign-owned

Croatia 5, Germany 2, Greece 21, Hong Kong 9,

registered in other countries

2 (2004 est.)

total

94 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 4,845,326 GRT/6,501,782 DWT

Ports and harbors

Hamilton, Saint George's, Dockyard

Military - note

defense is the responsibility of the UK

Military branches

Bermuda Regiment

Military expenditures - dollar figure

$4.03 million (2001)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP

0.11% (FY00/01)

Disputes - international

none This page was last updated on 10 February, 2005 @Bhutan