Bermuda

(Dependent territory of the U.K.)

GEOGRAPHY

Location

North America, group of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, east of North Carolina (U.S.)

Area

Total area: 50 sq km
Land area: 50 sq km
Comparative area: about 0.3 times the size of Washington, DC

Land Boundaries

0 km

Coastline

103 km

Maritime Claims

Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
Territorial sea: 12 nm

International Disputes

None

Climate

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

Terrain

Low hills separated by fertile depressions
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Town Hill 76 m

Natural Resources

Limestone
Pleasant climate fostering tourism

Land Use

Arable land: 0%
Permanent crops: 0%
Meadows and pastures: 0%
Forest and woodland: 20%
Other: 80%

Irrigated Land

Environment

Current issues: NA
Natural hazards: hurricanes (June to November)
International agreements: NA

Note: Consists of about 360 small coral islands with ample rainfall, but no rivers or freshwater lakes; some reclaimed land leased by U.S. Government

PEOPLE

Population

62,099 (July 1996 est.)
61,629 (July 1995 est.)

Age Structure

0-14 Years

15-64 Years

65 Years and Over

Population Growth Rate

0.76% (1996 est.)
0.76% (1995 est.)

Birth Rate

15 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
15.07 births/1,000 population (1995 est.)

Death Rate

7.3 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
7.3 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.)

Net Migration Rate

-0.13 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
-0.13 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.)

Sex ratio

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
all ages: NA male(s)/female

Infant Mortality Rate

13.16 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
13.16 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.)

Life Expectancy at Birth

Total population: 75.03 years
Male: 73.36 years
Female: 76.97 years (1996 est.)

Total Fertility Rate

1.8 children born/woman (1996 est.)
1.81 children born/woman (1995 est.)

Nationality

Noun: Bermudian(s)
Adjective: Bermudian

Ethnic Divisions

Black 61%
White and other 39%

Religions

Languages

English

Literacy

Age 15 and over that can read and write (1970 est.)

Total population: 98%
Male: 98%
Female: 99%

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)

GOVERNMENT

Names

Conventional long form: none
Conventional short form: Bermuda (Pronunciation)

Digraph

Type

Dependent territory of the U.K.

Capital

Hamilton

Administrative Divisions

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

Independence

None (dependent territory of the U.K.)

National Holiday

Bermuda Day, 24 May

Constitution

8 June 1968

Legal System

English law

Suffrage

21 years of age; universal

Executive Branch

Chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor Lord David WADDINGTON (since 25 August 1992)
Head of government: Premier David SAUL (since 25 August 1995) was appointed by the governor; Deputy Premier Jerome DILL (since 1 September 1995)
Cabinet: Cabinet; nominated by the premier, appointed by the governor

Legislative Branch

Bicameral Parliament

Senate

Consists of an 11-member body appointed by the governor

House of Assembly

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

Judicial Branch

Supreme Court

Political Parties and Leaders

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

Other Political or Pressure Groups

Bermuda Industrial Union (BIU), Ottiwell SIMMONS

Member of

CARICOM (observer), CCC, ICFTU, INTERPOL (subbureau), IOC

National Anthem

Anthem english text

Flag

Red with the flag of the U.K. 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

ECONOMY

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.

National Product

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

National Product Real Growth Rate

2.5% (1994)

National Product Per Capita

$28,000 (1994 est.)

Inflation Rate (consumer Prices)

2.6% (1995 est.)
2.5% (1993)

Unemployment Rate

6% (1991)

Budget

Revenues: $327.5 million
Expenditures: $308.9 million, including capital expenditures of $35.4 million (FY90/91 est.)

Exports

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

Commodities:

Semitropical produce
Light manufactures
Re-exports of pharmaceuticals

Partners:

U.S. 62.4%
U.K. 20%

Imports

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

Commodities:

Fuel
Foodstuffs
Machinery

Partners:

U.S. 38%
U.K. 5%
Canada 5%

External Debt

Industrial Production

Growth rate NA

Electricity

Capacity: 140,000 kW
Production: 504 million kWh
Consumption per capita: 7,745 kWh (1993)

Industries

Tourism
Finance
Structural concrete products
Paints
Pharmaceuticals
Ship repairing

Agriculture

Accounts for less than 1% of GDP; most basic foods must be imported; produces bananas, vegetables, citrus fruits, flowers, dairy products

Economic Aid

Recipient: U.S. commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-81), $34 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $277 million

Currency

1 Bermudian dollar (Bd$) = 100 cents

Exchange Rates

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

Fiscal Year

1 April - 31 March

TRANSPORTATION

Railroads

0 km

Highways

Total: 210 km
Paved: 210 km

Note: In addition, there are 400 km of paved and unpaved roads that are privately owned

Ports

Hamilton, Saint George

Merchant Marine

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

Note: A flag of convenience registry; includes 11 countries among which are U.K. 17 ships, Canada 10, U.S. 13, Sweden 3, Hong Kong 2, Mexico 1, Syria 2, Norway 2, New Zealand 1, Germany 1 (1995)