Bermuda. Location, size, and description

Bermuda, an overseas territory of the United Kingdom, is a group of coral islands and islets in the Atlantic Ocean. It is a popular resort center.

Bermuda lies off the eastern coast of North America, about 670 miles (1,080 kilometers) from New York City. The smaller map shows the main islands of Bermuda.

Location, size, and description. Bermuda consists of more than 300 islands and tiny islets, only 20 of which are inhabited. The islands form the most northerly group of coral islands in the world. They lie midway between Nova Scotia and the West indies, about 670 miles (1,080 kilometers) from New York City. The largest islands are Bermuda, St. George's, St David's, and Somerset. These islands and several smaller islands are linked by bridges. Bermuda's total area is about 21 square miles (53 square kilometers). The four largest islands extend in a chain that is about 22 miles (35 kilometers) long. The island of Bermuda occupies about two-thirds of the total area. Hamilton, the capital, is on this island.

Bermuda has hills and ridges that rise as high as 260 feet (80 meters) above sea level. The hills add to the beauty of Bermuda, which is noted for winding roads, palm trees, colorful flowers, and shining beaches.

Bermuda has few sources of fresh water. Rain water is caught on the roofs of buildings and stored in tanks under the buildings. Roofs are kept clean and white-washed to help keep the water supply pure.

Bermuda's annual rainfall averages 58 inches (147 centimeters). The average yearly temperature is 70 °F (21 °C). Fall hurricanes may strike the islands.

Education. Bermuda provides free primary and secondary education. Children aged 5 through 1 6 are required to attend school. Bermuda's Warwick Academy, founded in 1626, is believed to be the oldest secondary school in the Western Hemisphere. Bermuda College provides higher education.

The people and their work. The 20 inhabited islands have a population of about 63,000, not including about 15,000 British and United States military personnel. Blacks make up about 60 percent of the population, and whites about 40 percent Tourism is the major source of income. Bermuda's mild climate and excellent hotels, beaches, and recreational resources attract about 500,000 tourists every year. Bermuda has long been a favorite honeymoon spot Golf, bicycling, fishing, sailing, and tennis are popular sports. About 300 species of fish can be found in nearby waters. Devil's Hole is a natural fish pond. Other attractions include caves, and old forts and other historic buildings. St Peter's Church in St George, on St George's Island, dates from 1619. Tourists can buy British goods, such as fine china and woolen fabrics, at low prices.

Bermuda attracts businesses from other countries by providing tax exemptions. About 7,000 foreign companies operate in Bermuda. They include many insurance and investment firms. The overseas territory ranks as one of the world's leading centers of the insurance business. Bermuda has relatively little farmland, and it must import about four-fifths of its food.

Major harbors are located at Hamilton and at St George. Only small cars are permitted on the islands. They may travel up to 35 kilometers (22 miles) per hour.

Vacationers in Bermuda enjoy the islands' beautiful beaches, palm trees, and mild climate. Bermuda attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists every year.

Government. Bermuda is a parliamentary democracy. The British Crown appoints the governor of Bermuda. An eight-member council assists the governor. Bermuda's parliament first met in 1620 and is the world's oldest British overseas parliament It includes an 11-memberappointed Senate and a 40-member elected House of Assembly. Senate members serve three-year terms and House of Assembly members, up to five-year terms. From 1797 until the 1950's, Britain kept garrisons in Bermuda for protection. The North Atlantic Treaty Organization now provides for Bermuda's defense.

Bermuda Triangle, buhr MYOO duh, also called Devil's Triangle, is an area of ocean off the southeastern coast of Florida where many ships and airplanes have disappeared. However, commercial and military craft cross this area safely every day.

Many people believe the disappearances have taken place under mysterious circumstances. Only a few captains or pilots radioed distress messages. Searchers seldom found bodies or survivors, though bits of wreckage were recovered after several disappearances.

Some scientists believe that violent, unexpected storms or downward air currents destroyed the ships and planes. Swift ocean currents may then have swept the wreckage far from where the craft disappeared.

The Bermuda Triangle covers about 440,000 square miles (1,140,000 square kilometers). It is formed by an imaginary line drawn from a point near Melbourne, Florida, to Bermuda to Puerto Rico and back to Florida.

The first recorded disappearance of a United States ship in the Bermuda Triangle occurred in March 1918, when the U.S.S. Cyclops vanished. On Dec. 5, 1945, a squadron of five U.S. bombers disappeared, and a seaplane vanished while searching for the aircraft.