Bermuda. Government. History

It is not surprising that Bermuda is a popular resort area. This string of coral islands and islets is blessed with a mild climate, beautiful beaches, swaying palm trees, and colorful flowers. Every year, thousands of tourists and honeymooners visit Bermuda.

Shining beaches attract about 600,000 tourists to Bermuda every year

Bermuda actually consists of more than 300 islands and tiny islets, about 670 miles (1,080 kilometers) southeast of New York City in the North Atlantic Ocean. The islands are the northernmost coral islands in the world, lying midway between Nova Scotia and the West Indies.

Only about 20 of the islands are inhabited. The four largest islands—Bermuda, St. George's, St. David's, and Somerset—extend in a chain about 22 miles (35 kilometers) long. These islands and several smaller ones are linked by bridges.

Rocks jutting out of the water in the bay near St. George show the rugged beauty of Bermuda.

Bermuda's total land area is about 21 square miles (54 square kilometers). The island of Bermuda takes up about two-thirds of that area.

Bermuda has hills and ridges that rise up out of the sea as high as 250 feet (76 meters). Scenic beaches line the coasts, and caves are found throughout the islands.

Bermuda is noted for its dangerously narrow, winding roads. Only small automobiles are permitted, and the top speed limit is 20 miles (32 kilometers) per hour.

Bermuda's climate is mild, and rainfall is fairly plentiful. Rainfall is important because Bermuda has few underground sources of fresh water. Rain water is collected on rooftops and stored in tanks under buildings. To help keep the water supply pure, roofs are kept clean and whitewashed. Like the southeast coast of North America, Bermuda is sometimes struck by hurricanes in the fall months.

About 63,000 people live on the 20 inhabited islands. People of African descent make up about 60 per cent of the population; people of European descent make up about 40 per cent.

Tourism is the major source of income on the islands. Bermuda also attracts businesses from other countries by giving them tax breaks. For that reason, about 5,000 foreign companies operate in Bermuda, including many insurance and investment firms. There is little land that can be farmed, so Bermuda imports about 80 per cent of its food.

Fishing in Bermuda is chiefly a tourist sport, but a few Bermudians make their living by commercial fishing. In this photograph, members of a fishing crow clean their catch.

Government. Bermuda is a self-governing British dependency. The British monarch appoints the governor of Bermuda, who is assisted by an 8-member council.

Bermuda's parliament, established in 1620, is the world's oldest British overseas parliament. It is made up of an 11 -member appointed Senate and a 40-member elected House of Assembly.

Bermuda's government, like its economy, is largely controlled by the European minority. During the late 1960's and the 1970's, many people of African descent protested against this control. Violence erupted, and the governor of Bermuda was killed. The political power of people of African descent has increased somewhat since that time.

History. The islands were named for Juan de Bermudez, a Spaniard who discovered them in the 1500's. In 1609, a ship carrying colonists to Virginia was destroyed in a violent storm, and the passengers took refuge in Bermuda. All except two sailed away the next year. Those two people became Bermuda's first permanent settlers.

In 1684, the British government took control of the islands. The English settlers kept African slaves as domestic servants and boat builders. During the 1800's, Bermuda carried on a thriving trade with the West Indies and North America. The salvage of shipwrecks, blockade running, and smuggling are all part of Bermuda's history. It has also been the site of U.S. military bases. Today the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) provides for Bermuda's defense.