conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Bermuda
former: Somers Islands
53.300000 km²
Hamilton
Bermudian dollar (BMD)
1-441
.bm
English, Portuguese
Anglican, Roman Catholic, African Methodist Episcopal, other Protestant
66,163
parliamentary; self-governing territory
red, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Bermudian coat of arms (white and green 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
Bermuda was first settled in 1609 by shipwrecked English colonists headed for Virginia. Tourism 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 developed into a highly successful offshore financial center. Although a referendum on independence from the UK was soundly defeated in 1995, the present government has reopened debate on the issue.
subtropical; mild, humid; gales, strong winds common in winter