Bermuda

Bermuda was first settled in 1609 by shipwrecked English colonists heading for Virginia. Self-governing since 1620, Bermuda is the oldest and most populous of the British Overseas Territories. Vacationing on the island to escape North American winters first developed in Victorian times. Tourism continues to be important for the island's economy, although international business has overtaken it in recent years as Bermuda has developed into a highly successful offshore financial center. A referendum on independence from the UK was soundly defeated in 1995.

North America, group of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, east of South Carolina (US)

32 20 N, 64 45 W

North America

about one-third the size of Washington, D.C.

103 km

subtropical; mild, humid; gales, strong winds common in winter

low hills separated by fertile depressions

limestone, pleasant climate fostering tourism

NA

relatively even population distribution throughout

hurricanes (June to November)

the archipelago consists of over 170 coral islands and islets with ample rainfall, as well as thousands of cays, but no rivers or freshwater lakes; some land was leased by the US Government from 1941 to 1995

African descent 52%, White 31%, mixed 9%, Asian 4%, other 4% (2010 est.)

English (official), Portuguese

Protestant 46.2% (includes Anglican 15.8%, African Methodist Episcopal 8.6%, Seventh Day Adventist 6.7%, Pentecostal 3.5%, Methodist 2.7%, Presbyterian 2.0%, Church of God 1.6%, Baptist 1.2%, Salvation Army 1.1%, Brethren 1.0%, other Protestant 2.0%), Roman Catholic 14.5%, Jehovah's Witness 1.3%, other Christian 9.1%, Muslim 1%, other 3.9%, none 17.8%, unspecified 6.2% (2010 est.)

0.27% (2025 est.)

10.82 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)

9.4 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)

1.31 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)

relatively even population distribution throughout

10,000 HAMILTON (capital) (2018)

1.88 children born/woman (2025 est.)

0.92 (2025 est.)

49.7% (2016 est.)

air pollution from vehicle emissions; scarce water resources; solid waste disposal; hazardous waste disposal; sewage disposal; overfishing; oil spills

subtropical; mild, humid; gales, strong winds common in winter

Overseas Territory of the UK with limited self-government; parliamentary democracy

overseas territory of the UK

9 parishes and 2 municipalities*; Devonshire, Hamilton, Hamilton*, Paget, Pembroke, Saint George*, Saint George's, Sandys, Smith's, Southampton, Warwick

English common law

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt

18 years of age; universal

Free Democratic Movement or FDM<br>One Bermuda Alliance or OBA<br>Progressive Labor Party or PLP

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Caricom (associate), ICC (NGOs), Interpol (subbureau), IOC, ITUC (NGOs), UPU, WCO

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Bermuda Day, 24 May

<strong>description:</strong> a red field with the UK flag in the upper-left quadrant and the Bermudian coat of arms centered on the right half of the flag; the coat of arms is a white shield with a red lion on a green field, holding a scroll showing the sinking of the ship "Sea Venture" <br><br><strong>history:</strong> the 1609 shipwreck of the "Sea Venture" led to the settling of Bermuda

red lion

Bermuda's coat of arms was formally granted by Royal Warrant on 4 October 1910 but has been in use since at least 1624; the red lion is a symbol of Great Britain; the Latin motto under the coat of arms, <em>Quo Fata Ferunt</em>, means "Whither the Fates Carry [Us];" the ship is the <em>Sea Venture</em>, an English ship that was wrecked on then-uninhabited Bermuda in 1609

small, tourism- and construction-based, territorial-island economy; American import and tourist destination; known offshore banking hub; increasing inflation; major re-exportation and re-importation area

$8.98 billion (2024 est.)

bananas, vegetables, citrus, flowers; dairy products, honey

international business, tourism, light manufacturing

-3.6% (2023 est.)

Germany 40%, South Africa 38%, Netherlands 15%, USA 2%, Angola 2% (2023)

crude petroleum, ships, aircraft, liquor, railway cargo containers (2023)

USA 38%, Cyprus 31%, UK 6%, China 6%, Canada 4% (2023)

ships, refined petroleum, railway cargo containers, packaged medicine, cars (2023)

3 TV stations; cable and satellite TV subscription services are available; roughly 13 radio stations operating

.bm

VP-B

1 (2025)

Royal Bermuda Regiment; Bermuda Police Service (2025)

the Royal Bermuda Regiment has about 350 troops (2025)

the Regiment is equipped with small arms (2025)

men and women who are Commonwealth citizens and 18-45 years of age can volunteer for the Bermuda Regiment; service is for a minimum period of three years and two months from the date of enlistment; after completing their initial service, soldiers in the Regiment can choose to extend their service (2025)

defense is the responsibility of the UK; the Royal Bermuda Regiment&rsquo;s responsibilities include maritime security of Bermuda&rsquo;s inshore waters, search and rescue, ceremonial duties, humanitarian/disaster assistance, security of key installations, and assisting the Bermuda Police with maintaining public order; it includes explosive ordnance disposal, diver, maritime, security police, and support units (2025)