Page last updated on December 17, 2013

Introduction:
Background:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Bermuda was first settled in 1609 by shipwrecked English colonists headed for Virginia. Vacationing 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 also developed into a highly successful offshore financial center. A referendum on independence from the UK was soundly defeated in 1995.
Geography:
Location:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
North America, group of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, east of South Carolina (US)
Geographic coordinates:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
32 20 N, 64 45 W
Map references:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
North America
Area:
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total: 54 sq km
country comparison to the world: 232
land: 54 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
about one-third the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 km
Coastline:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
103 km
Maritime claims:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
Climate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
subtropical; mild, humid; gales, strong winds common in winter
Terrain:
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low hills separated by fertile depressions
Elevation extremes:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Town Hill 76 m
Natural resources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
limestone, pleasant climate fostering tourism
Land use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
arable land: 14.8%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 85.2% (55% developed, 45% rural/open space) (2011)
Irrigated land:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA
Natural hazards:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
hurricanes (June to November)
Environment - current issues:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
sustainable development
Geography - note:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
consists of about 138 coral islands and islets with ample rainfall, but no rivers or freshwater lakes; some land was leased by the US Government from 1941 to 1995
People and Society:
Nationality:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
noun: Bermudian(s)
adjective: Bermudian
Ethnic groups:
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black 53.8%, white 31%, mixed 7.5%, other races 7.1%, unspecified 0.6% (2010 census)
Languages:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
English (official), Portuguese
Religions:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Protestant 49.2% (Anglican 15.8%, African Methodist Episcopal 8.6%, Seventh-Day Adventist 6.7, other Protestant 18.1%), Roman Catholic 14.5%, other 12.4%, unspecified 6.2%, none 17.7% (2010 census)
Population:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
69,467 (July 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 204
Age structure:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0-14 years: 17.6% (male 6,186/female 6,048)
15-24 years: 12.3% (male 4,249/female 4,262)
25-54 years: 40% (male 13,861/female 13,956)
55-64 years: 14.1% (male 4,660/female 5,159)
65 years and over: 16% (male 4,644/female 6,442) (2013 est.)
population pyramid: "> Median age:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 42.6 years
male: 40.9 years
female: 44.3 years (2013 est.)
Population growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0.55% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 148
Birth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
11.39 births/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 170
Death rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
7.9 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 106
Net migration rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.99 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 42
Urbanization:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
urban population: 100% of total population (2010)
rate of urbanization: 0.2% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
Major urban areas - population:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
HAMILTON (capital) 11,000 (2011)
Sex ratio:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 1 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 0.99 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 0.91 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.72 male(s)/female
total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2013 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 2.47 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 222
male: 2.58 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 2.36 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total population: 80.93 years
country comparison to the world: 22
male: 77.71 years
female: 84.2 years (2013 est.)
Total fertility rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.96 children born/woman (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 134
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0.3% (2005)
country comparison to the world: 81
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
163 (2005)
country comparison to the world: 160
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
392 (2005)
country comparison to the world: 99
Education expenditures:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2.6% of GDP (2010)
country comparison to the world: 154
Literacy:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 98%
male: 98%
female: 99% (2005 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 12 years
male: 11 years
female: 13 years (2011)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 10.8%
country comparison to the world: 104
male: 14.3%
female: 7.6% (2000)
Government:
Country name:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Bermuda
former: Somers Islands
Dependency status:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
overseas territory of the UK
Government type:
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parliamentary; self-governing territory
Capital:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
name: Hamilton
geographic coordinates: 32 17 N, 64 47 W
time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins second Sunday in March; ends first Sunday in November
Administrative divisions:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
9 parishes and 2 municipalities*; Devonshire, Hamilton, Hamilton*, Paget, Pembroke, Saint George*, Saint George's, Sandys, Smith's, Southampton, Warwick
Independence:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
none (overseas territory of the UK)
National holiday:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Bermuda Day, 24 May
Constitution:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
several previous (dating to 1684); latest entered into force 8 June 1968; amended several times, last in 2003 (2013)
Legal system:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
English common law
International law organization participation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
Suffrage:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor George FERGUSSON (since 23 May 2012)
head of government: Premier Craig CANNONIER (since 18 December 2012)
cabinet: Cabinet nominated by the premier, appointed by the governor
(For more information visit the World Leaders website )
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
elections: the monarchy is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition usually appointed premier by the governor
Legislative branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (11 seats; members appointed by the governor, the premier, and the opposition to serve a five-year term) and the House of Assembly (36 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve up to five-year terms)
elections: last general election held on 17 December 2012 (next to be held not later than 2017)
election results: percent of vote by party - OBA 51.7%, PLP 46.1%, other 2.2%; seats by party - OBA 19, PLP 17
Judicial branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
highest court(s): Court of Appeal (consists of the court president and 4 justices); Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice, 4 puisne judges, and 1 associate justice)
judge selection and term of office: Court of Appeal justice appointed by the governor; justice tenure by individual appointment; Supreme Court judges nominated by the Judicial and Legal Services Commission and appointed by the governor; judge tenure NA
subordinate courts: commercial court (began in 2006); magistrates' courts
Political parties and leaders:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Progressive Labor Party or PLP [Marc BEAN]; One Bermuda Alliance or OBA [Thad HOLLIS]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Association of Bermuda Insurers and Reinsurers or ABIR [Bradley KADING]; Association of Bermuda International Companies or ABIC [George HUTCHINGS]; Bermuda Employer's Council [Keith JENSEN]; Bermuda Industrial Union or BIU [Chris Furbert]; Bermuda Public Services Union or BPSU [Kevin GRANT and Ed BALL]; Bermuda Union of Teachers [Michael CHARLES]
International organization participation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Caricom (associate), ICC (NGOs), Interpol (subbureau), IOC, ITUC (NGOs), UPU, WCO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
none (overseas territory of the UK)
Diplomatic representation from the US:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
chief of mission: Consul General Robert SETTJE (since August 2012)
consulate(s) general: Crown Hill, 16 Middle Road, Devonshire DVO3
mailing address: P. O. Box HM325, Hamilton HMBX; American Consulate General Hamilton, US Department of State, 5300 Hamilton Place, Washington, DC 20520-5300
telephone: [1] (441) 295-1342
FAX: [1] (441) 295-1592, 296-9233
Flag description:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
red, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Bermudian coat of arms (a white shield with a red lion standing on a green grassy field holding a scrolled shield showing the sinking of the ship Sea Venture off Bermuda in 1609) centered on the outer half of the flag; it was the shipwreck of the vessel, filled with English colonists originally bound for Virginia, that led to settling of Bermuda
note: the flag is unusual in that it is only British overseas territory that uses a red ensign, all others use blue
National symbol(s):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
red lion
National anthem:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
name: "Hail to Bermuda"
lyrics/music: Bette JOHNS
note: serves as a local anthem; as a territory of the United Kingdom, "God Save the Queen" is official (see United Kingdom)
Economy:
Economy - overview:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Despite four years of recession and a public debt of $1.4 billion, Bermuda enjoys the fourth highest per capita income in the world, about 70% higher than that of the US. The average cost of a single-family home in 2012 was $1.1 million. Its economy is primarily based on international business and the provision of financial services to that sector, and to a lesser extent tourism. A number of reinsurance companies relocated to the island following the 11 September 2001 attacks on the US and again after Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Wilma in 2005, 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 and has dropped in its relevant importance to the economy, although it is still important as a job creator. Bermuda must import almost everything. Agriculture is limited due to the small size of the island and Bermuda's industrial sector is small.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$5.6 billion (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 168
GDP (official exchange rate):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$5.6 billion (2011)
GDP - real growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
-3.5% (2011)
country comparison to the world: 215
GDP - per capita (PPP):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$86,000 (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 3
GDP - composition, by end use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
household consumption: 33.6%
government consumption: 15.9%
investment in fixed capital: 24.6%
investment in inventories: 0%
exports of goods and services: 68.1%
imports of goods and services: -42.2%
GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
agriculture: 0.7%
industry: 5.6%
services: 93.7% (2012 est.)
Agriculture - products:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
bananas, vegetables, citrus, flowers; dairy products, honey
Industries:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
international business, tourism, light manufacturing
Industrial production growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA%
Labor force:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
37,400 (2011)
country comparison to the world: 200
Labor force - by occupation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
agriculture and fishing: 3%
laborers: 17%
clerical: 19%
professional and technical: 21%
administrative and managerial: 15%
sales: 7%
services: 19% (2004 est.)
Unemployment rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
8% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 90
Population below poverty line:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
11% (2008 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Budget:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
revenues: $973.2 million
expenditures: $1.115 billion (FY11/12)
Taxes and other revenues:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
17.4% of GDP (FY11/12 est.)
country comparison to the world: 181
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
-2.5% of GDP (FY11/12 est.)
country comparison to the world: 101
Fiscal year:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1 April - 31 March
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2.4% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 64
Market value of publicly traded shares:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$1.533 billion (31 December 2012)
country comparison to the world: 102
Exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$12 million (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 210
Exports - commodities:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
reexports of pharmaceuticals
Exports - partners:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Australia 17%, US 14.8%, Indonesia 12.6% (2012)
Imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$900 million (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 179
Imports - commodities:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
clothing, fuels, machinery and transport equipment, construction materials, chemicals, food and live animals
Imports - partners:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
South Korea 46.2%, US 21%, Singapore 9.9%, China 7%, Turkmenistan 4.8% (2012)
Debt - external:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$1.4 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 150
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$NA
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$NA
Exchange rates:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Bermudian dollars (BMD) per US dollar -
Energy:
Electricity - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
675 million kWh (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 156
Electricity - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
638.4 million kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 162
Electricity - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 163
Electricity - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 160
Electricity - installed generating capacity:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
165,000 kW (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 160
Electricity - from fossil fuels:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
98.2% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 57
Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 45
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 157
Electricity - from other renewable sources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.8% of total installed capacity
country comparison to the world: 71
note: the Tynes Bay Waste Treatment Facility turns waste to electric energy (2012 est.)
Crude oil - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 152
Crude oil - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 82
Crude oil - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 158
Crude oil - proved reserves:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 105
Refined petroleum products - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 153
Refined petroleum products - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2,747 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 185
Refined petroleum products - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 151
Refined petroleum products - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2,747 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 173
Natural gas - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 101
Natural gas - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 118
Natural gas - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 63
Natural gas - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 158
Natural gas - proved reserves:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 112
Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
776,900 Mt (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 171
Communications:
Telephones - main lines in use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
69,000 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 156
Telephones - mobile cellular:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
91,000 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 195
Telephone system:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
general assessment: a good, fully automatic digital telephone system with fiber-optic trunk lines
domestic: the system has a high fixed-line teledensity coupled with a mobile-cellular teledensity of roughly 125 per 100 persons
international: country code - 1-441; landing points for the GlobeNet, Gemini Bermuda, CBUS, and the Challenger Bermuda-1 (CB-1) submarine cables; satellite earth stations - 3 (2010)
Broadcast media:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3 TV stations; cable and satellite TV subscription services are available; roughly 13 radio stations operating (2012)
Internet country code:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
.bm
Internet hosts:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
20,040 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 119
Internet users:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
54,000 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 173
Transportation:
Airports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 212
Airports - with paved runways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2013)
Roadways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 447 km
country comparison to the world: 197
paved: 447 km
note: 225 km public roads; 222 km private roads (2010)
Merchant marine:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 139
country comparison to the world: 41
by type: bulk carrier 22, chemical tanker 3, container 14, liquefied gas 43, passenger 27, passenger/cargo 2, petroleum tanker 19, refrigerated cargo 9
foreign-owned: 105 (France 1, Germany 14, Greece 8, Hong Kong 4, Ireland 1, Israel 3, Japan 2, Monaco 2, Nigeria 11, Norway 5, Sweden 14, UK 14, US 26)
registered in other countries: 241 (Bahamas 15, Cyprus 1, France 5, Greece 3, Hong Kong 20, Isle of Man 7, Liberia 4, Malta 15, Marshall Islands 35, Netherlands 1, Norway 24, Panama 27, Philippines 47, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1, Singapore 25, UK 6, US 5) (2010)
Ports and terminals:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
major seaport(s): Hamilton, Ireland Island, Saint George
Military:
Military branches:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Bermuda Regiment (2012)
Military service age and obligation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
18-45 years of age for voluntary male or female enlistment in the Bermuda Regiment; males must register at age 18 and may be subject to conscription; term of service is 38 months for volunteers or conscripts (2012)
Manpower available for military service:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
males age 16-49: 15,081 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
males age 16-49: 12,323
females age 16-49: 12,174 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
male: 433
female: 410 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0.11% of GDP (2005 est.)
country comparison to the world: 169
Military - note:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
defense is the responsibility of the UK