| Motto: |
'Quo fata ferunt' (Whither the Fates carry [us]) |
| Location: |
North
America, Group of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean east
of South Carolina (US). |
| History: |
Bermuda was first settled in 1609 by shipwrecked English
colonists headed for Virginia. Tourism to the island first
developed in Victorian times, and 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 centre. A referendum
on independence was defeated in 1995.
|
| Elections: |
Last general
election held 2003. Next elections due 2008 |
| Ruling
Party: |
Progressive
Labour Party (PLP) |
| Major
Political Parties: |
Progressive
Labour Party (PLP), United Bermuda Party (UBP) |
| Economic
Summary: |
Bermuda enjoys the
third highest per capita income in the world. 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 the 11 September 2001 attacks on the US, and again
after Hurricane Katrina in August 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 – is recovering well with an
increase in hotel development, and 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. Agriculture is
limited with only 20% of the land being arable.
|
| Airport: |
L.F. Wade
International Airport |
| Status: |
Overseas
Territory of the United Kingdom |
| Capital: |
Hamilton |
| Head
of State: |
Sir
Richard Gonzey, Governor |
| Head
of Government: |
The
Hon. Dr. Ewart F. Brown, Jr., JP, MP
Premier
Date of Birth:
17 May 1946
Marital Status:
Married
Education:
1964-1968: B.Sc. Chemistry
1968-1972: M.D. Howard College of
Medicine
1975-1977: Master of Public Health, University
of California
Professional/Political Career:
1966: Represented Bermuda at the Commonwealth
Games in the 400 and 1600 meter relays
1974-1993: Medical Practice, Vermont Century
Medical Clinic
1975-1990: Assistant Professor, Department of
Family Practice, Charles R. Drew University of
Medicine and Science
1980-1985: Director, Marcus Garvey School, Los
Angeles, USA
1998: Minister of Transport
2006 : Elected Premier
2007: Re-Elected Premier
|
| Area: |
53.3 km2
(21 miles2) |
| Population: |
64,209 (2008
est.) |
| Currency: |
Bermudan
dollar (BMD) |
| GDP: |
$5.354 billion (2006) |
| GDP
Per Capita: |
$83,935
(2006) |
| Total
Exports: |
$27 million (2007) |
| Total
Imports: |
$1.151
billion (2007) |
| Intra-Regional
Exports: |
Not
available |
| Intra-Regional
Imports: |
$5.04
million (2007) |
| Business
Hours: |
Commercial:
9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday to Friday
Government: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday to Friday |
| National
Holidays: |
New Year's
Day (1 January); Good Friday (varies); Bermuda Day (24 May);
Queen's Official Birthday (Second Monday in June);
Emancipation Day (Thursday before the First Monday in
August); Somer's Day (Friday before the First Monday in
August); Labour Day (First Monday in September); Remembrance
Day (11 November); Christmas Day (25 December); Boxing Day
(26 December)
|
| Date
of CARICOM Membership: |
2 July 2003 |
| National
Anthem: |
"God Save the Queen" God save our gracious Queen,
Long live our noble Queen,
God save The Queen.
Send her victorious,
Happy and glorious,
Long to reign over us:
God save The Queen.
O Lord our God, arise,
Scatter our enemies,
And make them fall;
Confound their politics,
Frustrate their knavish tricks;
On thee our hopes we fix:
God save us all.
Thy choicest gifts in store
On her be pleased to pour,
Long may she reign.
May she defend our laws,
And ever give us cause
To sing with heart and voice,
God save The Queen.
|
| Highest
National Award: |
Not
available |
| Favourite
Dishes: |
Codfish and
Potatoes. Cassava Pie, Shark Hash, Johnny Bread, Peas and
Rice and Fish Cakes |
| Government website: |
http://www.gov.bm |
| National Symbols: |
Bermuda Coat of Arms |
Bermuda national flag |
|
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