Chief
of State: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February
1952), represented by Governor Sir John VEREKER (since
11 April 2002) Head of Government: Premier William
Alexander SCOTT (since 24 July 2003) Government Type: parliamentary
British overseas territory with internal self-government
Population Demographics
Population:
65,773 (July 2006 est.) Languages: English (official),
Portuguese Religion: Anglican 23%, Roman
Catholic 15%, African Methodist Episcopal 11%, other Protestant
18%, other 12%, unaffiliated 6%, unspecified 1%, none
14% (2000 census) Life Expectancy: 77.96
Economic Information
Currency:
Bermudian dollar (BMD) GDP(per capita): $69,900 (2004
est.) Overview: Bermuda enjoys the
highest per capita income in the world, more than 50%
higher than that of the US. Its economy is primarily
based on providing financial services for international
business and luxury facilities for tourists. A number
of reinsurance companies relocated to the island following
11 September 2001 and again after Hurricane Katrina,
contributing to the expansion of an already robust international
business sector. Bermuda's tourism industry - which
derives over 80% of its visitors from the US - continues
to struggle but remains the island's number two industry.
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 with
only 20% of the land being arable.
Exports: reexports of pharmaceuticals
Import: clothing, fuels, machinery
and transport equipment, construction materials, chemicals,
food and live animals
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Geography
Information
Location:
North America, group of islands in the North Atlantic
Ocean, east of South Carolina (US) Area: total: 53.3 sq km
land: 53.3 sq km
water: 0 sq km
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.
Although a referendum on independence from the UK was
soundly defeated in 1995, the present government has
reopened debate on the issue.
Independence Day: none (overseas
territory of the UK)
Capital City: Hamilton Administrative divisions: 9
parishes and 2 municipalities*; Devonshire, Hamilton,
Hamilton*, Paget, Pembroke, Saint George*, Saint George's,
Sandys, Smith's, Southampton, Warwick
