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Bermuda
Status: British Overseas Territory
Area: 53.3 sq km (21 sq miles)
Population: 64,000 (2007)
Capital City: Hamilton
Languages: English. There is also a significant Portuguese-speaking community.
Religion(s): Mainly Christian although many faiths are represented. The most popular denominations are Anglican and African Methodist Episcopalian (AME).
Currency: Bermuda Dollar (parity with US Dollar)
Major political parties: Progressive Labour Party (PLP), United Bermuda Party (UBP)
Governor: Sir John Vereker KCB
Premier: The Honourable Dr Ewart Brown, JP, MP
GEOGRAPHYThe islands and islets of Bermuda (32 degrees 18'N and 64 degrees 46'W) lie along the southern rim of the summit of a submarine volcanic mountain in the Western Atlantic. Bermuda, a group of about 138 islands and islets, lies 570 miles east of the coast of North Carolina. The eight main islands form a chain about 22 miles long, interconnected by bridges and causeways. The warming effect of the Gulf Stream makes Bermuda the most northerly group of coral islands in the world.
HISTORYThe Bermudas were visited in about 1505 by a Spanish sailor, Juan de Bermudez, and had been given the name 'La Bermuda' by 1510. Ferdinand d'Orviedo (also Spanish) sighted them in 1515. They remained uninhabited until 1609, when The Sea Venture, commanded by Sir George Somers on its way to Virginia with British settlers, was wrecked on reefs close to the eastern shores. The survivors were able to build two ships and continue their journey to Jamestown - bringing with them much needed supplies for Bermuda. News spread of the beauty and fertility of the islands, and in 1612 King James I and VI extended the charter of the Virginia Company to include them. The first emigrants went out in that year; others followed, and enslaved Africans were brought with them as house servants. The islands, which became known as Somers Islands, were bought about 1615 by some entrepreneurs from the City of London. The settlers became weary of the restrictions imposed on them by the Virginia Company and its successor the Bermuda Company. They took their case to London and in 1684 the company's charter was annulled, and government passed to the Crown. As elsewhere in the British Empire, slavery was abolished in Bermuda in August 1834.
POLITICSConstitutional StatusBermuda is Britain's oldest colony and its Parliament, which first met in 1620, is the oldest legislature in the Commonwealth outside the British Isles. Bermuda is a British Overseas Territory and is self-governing with a high degree of control over its own affairs. Appointed by and representing the British monarch, the Governor in turn appoints the majority leader in the House of Assembly as Premier. The Premier has complete responsibility for choosing the Cabinet, which must include at least six other members of the legislature, and allocating portfolios, though the Governor retains responsibility for external affairs, defence, internal security and the police.
Recent Political DevelopmentsThe current Government, the PLP (Progressive Labour Party) won the last General Election in 2003, and after a period of infighting within the party, Alex Scott became the new leader and was sworn in as Premier. The composition of the House of Assembly is 22 PLP and 14 UBP (United Bermuda Party). On 27 October 2006 the PLP delegate conference elected Dr Ewart Brown as party leader, by a majority of 107-76 over Alex Scott. Dr Brown was sworn in as Premier on 30 October
One key issue remains independence, which the current Government favours. A referendum on independence was last held in 1995, and of the 58% of the electorate who participated, 25% voted in favour. An opinion poll carried out in July 2007 showed 63% opposed to independence, 25% in favour and 12% undecided.
ElectionsDue to be held by August 2008.
GovernmentGovernor: Sir John Vereker KCB
Deputy Governor's Office:
Deputy Governor: Mark Capes
Executive Officer: Neetika Arora
Government House
Hamilton
Bermuda
Tel: 001 441 292 3600
Fax: 001 441 295 3823
Government Ministers Premier and Minister of Transport and Tourism: The Hon Dr Ewart Brown
Deputy Premier and Minister of Finance: The Hon Paula Cox
Minister of Education, Sports and Recreation: The Hon Randolph Horton
Minister of Health: The Hon Michael Scott
Minister of Public Safety and Housing: Senator the Hon David Burch
Minister of Environment, Telecommunications and E-Commerce: The Hon Neletha Butterfield
Minister of Community and Cultural Affairs: The Hon Wayne Perinchief
Minister of Labour and Immigration: The Hon Derrick Burgess
Minister of Social Rehabilitation: The Hon Dale Butler
Minister of Works and Engineering: The Hon Dennis Lister
Attorney General and Minister of Justice: Senator the Hon Phil Perinchief
ECONOMYBasic Economic FactsGDP: US \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\$4.85 billion (2005)
GDP per capita: US \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\$76,400 (2006)
GDP Growth: 9.1% (2005)
Inflation: +3.1% (2006)
Major Industries: Insurance, re-insurance, international finance, tourism, light manufacturing
Major trading partners: USA
Exchange rate: UK£1 = B\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\$1.97 (2 April 2007) (linked to US \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\$ exchange rate)
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONSBermuda's Relations with NeighboursBermuda's closest neighbours are the US and Canada. Bermuda has had strong historical links with US in trade and as a strategic military position. During the Second World War, a US military base was established at Kindley Field. Under a treaty between the US and Britain, its airport was opened to civilian aircraft. The base was closed down in 1995, and the formal termination of the lease completed in 2003. Bermuda is often linked with the Caribbean region, even though it is approximately 1000 miles away.
Bermuda's Relations with the International CommunityThe UK is responsible for Bermuda's external relations.
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