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North America :: Bermuda (overseas territory of the UK)

- ## Introduction :: BERMUDA

- Background:
  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 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 also developed into a highly successful offshore financial center. A referendum on independence from the UK was soundly defeated in 1995.

- ## Geography :: BERMUDA

- Location:
  North America, group of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, east of South Carolina (US)
  Geographic coordinates:
  32 20 N, 64 45 W
  Map references:
  North America
  Area:
  total: 54 sq km
  land: 54 sq km
  water: 0 sq km
  country comparison to the world: 232
  Area - comparative:
  about one-third the size of Washington, DC
  Land boundaries:
  0 km
  Coastline:
  103 km
  Maritime claims:
  territorial sea: 12 nm
  exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
  Climate:
  subtropical; mild, humid; gales, strong winds common in winter
  Terrain:
  low hills separated by fertile depressions
  Elevation extremes:
  lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
  highest point: Town Hill 76 m
  Natural resources:
  limestone, pleasant climate fostering tourism
  Land use:
  agricultural land: 14.8%
  arable land 14.8%; permanent crops 0%; permanent pasture 0%
  forest: 20%
  other: 65.2% (2011 est.)
  Irrigated land:
  NA
  Natural hazards:
  hurricanes (June to November)
  Environment - current issues:
  sustainable development
  Geography - note:
  consists of about 138 coral islands and islets with ample rainfall, but no rivers or freshwater lakes; some land was leased by the US Government from 1941 to 1995

- ## People and Society :: BERMUDA

- Nationality:
  noun: Bermudian(s)
  adjective: Bermudian
  Ethnic groups:
  black 53.8%, white 31%, mixed 7.5%, other 7.1%, unspecified 0.6% (2010 est.)
  Languages:
  English (official), Portuguese
  Religions:
  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%, Bretheren 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.)
  Population:
  70,196 (July 2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 204
  Age structure:
  0-14 years: 17.31% (male 6,144/female 6,009)
  15-24 years: 12.21% (male 4,302/female 4,269)
  25-54 years: 38.56% (male 13,541/female 13,526)
  55-64 years: 15% (male 4,963/female 5,568)
  65 years and over: 16.92% (male 5,002/female 6,872) (2015 est.)
  population pyramid:
  Median age:
  total: 43.1 years
  male: 41.2 years
  female: 44.9 years (2015 est.)
  Population growth rate:
  0.5% (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 159
  Birth rate:
  11.33 births/1,000 population (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 174
  Death rate:
  8.23 deaths/1,000 population (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 85
  Net migration rate:
  1.88 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 53
  Urbanization:
  urban population: 100% of total population (2015)
  rate of urbanization: 0.19% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
  Major urban areas - population:
  HAMILTON (capital) 10,000 (2014)
  Sex ratio:
  at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female
  0-14 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
  15-24 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
  25-54 years: 1 male(s)/female
  55-64 years: 0.89 male(s)/female
  65 years and over: 0.73 male(s)/female
  total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2015 est.)
  Infant mortality rate:
  total: 2.48 deaths/1,000 live births
  male: 2.58 deaths/1,000 live births
  female: 2.37 deaths/1,000 live births (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 219
  Life expectancy at birth:
  total population: 81.15 years
  male: 77.94 years
  female: 84.42 years (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 25
  Total fertility rate:
  1.95 children born/woman (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 130
  HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
  NA
  HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
  NA
  HIV/AIDS - deaths:
  NA
  Education expenditures:
  2.6% of GDP (2010)
  country comparison to the world: 151
  School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
  total: 12 years
  male: 11 years
  female: 13 years (2012)
  Unemployment, youth ages 15-24:
  total: 35.7%
  male: 34.8%
  female: 36.5% (2012 est.)

- ## Government :: BERMUDA

- Country name:
  conventional long form: none
  conventional short form: Bermuda
  former: Somers Islands
  etymology: the islands making up Bermuda are named after Juan de BERMUDEZ, a Spanish sea captain and the first European explorer of the archipelago in the early 16th century
  Dependency status:
  overseas territory of the UK
  Government type:
  parliamentary; self-governing territory
  Capital:
  name: Hamilton
  geographic coordinates: 32 17 N, 64 47 W
  time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
  daylight saving time: +1hr, begins second Sunday in March; ends first Sunday in November
  Administrative divisions:
  9 parishes and 2 municipalities*; Devonshire, Hamilton, Hamilton*, Paget, Pembroke, Saint George*, Saint George's, Sandys, Smith's, Southampton, Warwick
  Independence:
  none (overseas territory of the UK)
  National holiday:
  Bermuda Day, 24 May
  Constitution:
  several previous (dating to 1684); latest entered into force 8 June 1968; amended several times, last in 2003 (2015)
  Legal system:
  English common law
  International law organization participation:
  has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
  Citizenship:
  citizenship by birth: no
  citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of the UK
  dual citizenship recognized: yes
  residency requirement for naturalization: 10 years
  Suffrage:
  18 years of age; universal
  Executive branch:
  chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor George FERGUSSON (since 23 May 2012)
  head of government: Premier Michael DUNKLEY (since 20 May 2014)
  cabinet: Cabinet nominated by the premier, appointed by the governor
  elections/appointments: the monarchy is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition usually appointed premier by the governor
  Legislative branch:
  description: bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (11 seats; members appointed by the governor, the premier, and the opposition party to serve 5-year terms) and the House of Assembly (36 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve up to 5-year terms)
  elections: last held on 17 December 2012 (next to be held not later than 2017)
  election results: percent of vote by party - OBA 51.7%, PLP 46.1%, other 2.2%; seats by party - OBA 19, PLP 17
  Judicial branch:
  highest resident court(s): Court of Appeal (consists of the court president and 4 justices); Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice, 4 puisne judges, and 1 associate justice); note - the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council, in London, is the court of final appeal
  judge selection and term of office: Court of Appeal justice appointed by the governor; justice tenure by individual appointment; Supreme Court judges nominated by the Judicial and Legal Services Commission and appointed by the governor; judge tenure NA
  subordinate courts: commercial court (began in 2006); magistrates' courts
  Political parties and leaders:
  One Bermuda Alliance or OBA [Thad HOLLIS]
  Progressive Labor Party or PLP [Marc BEAN]
  Political pressure groups and leaders:
  Association of Bermuda Insurers and Reinsurers or ABIR [Bradley KADING]
  Association of Bermuda International Companies or ABIC [George HUTCHINGS]
  Bermuda Employer's Council [Keith JENSEN]
  Bermuda Industrial Union or BIU [Chris Furbert]
  Bermuda Public Services Union or BPSU [Kevin GRANT and Ed BALL]
  Bermuda Union of Teachers [Michael CHARLES]
  International organization participation:
  Caricom (associate), ICC (NGOs), Interpol (subbureau), IOC, ITUC (NGOs), UPU, WCO
  Diplomatic representation in the US:
  none (overseas territory of the UK)
  Diplomatic representation from the US:
  chief of mission: Consul General Robert SETTJE (since August 2012)
  consulate(s) general: Crown Hill, 16 Middle Road, Devonshire DVO3
  mailing address: P. O. Box HM325, Hamilton HMBX; American Consulate General Hamilton, US Department of State, 5300 Hamilton Place, Washington, DC 20520-5300
  telephone: [1] (441) 295-1342
  FAX: [1] (441) 295-1592, 296-9233
  Flag description:
  red, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Bermudian coat of arms (a white shield with a red lion standing on a green grassy field holding a scrolled shield showing the sinking of the ship Sea Venture off Bermuda in 1609) centered on the outer half of the flag; it was the shipwreck of the vessel, filled with English colonists originally bound for Virginia, that led to the settling of Bermuda
  note: the flag is unusual in that it is only British overseas territory that uses a red ensign, all others use blue
  National symbol(s):
  red lion
  National anthem:
  name: "Hail to Bermuda"
  lyrics/music: Bette JOHNS
  note: serves as a local anthem; as a territory of the United Kingdom, "God Save the Queen" is official (see United Kingdom)

- ## Economy :: BERMUDA

- Economy - overview:
  Bermuda's economy entered its seventh straight year of recession in 2015. Unemployment is 9%, public debt is growing and exceeds $2.3 billion, the government pension fund faces a $2.4 billion shortfall, and the economy has not attracted significant amounts of new foreign investment. Bermuda's FY 2015-16 budget proposal projects a 12% larger deficit than FY14/15. The government announced it would have to borrow $125 million in 2015 to meet current operating expenses. Still, Bermuda enjoys the fourth highest per capita income in the world, about 70% higher than that of the US. Tourism, which derives over 80% of its visitors from the US, accounts for 5.2% of GDP but a much larger share of employment. Tourism has struggled in the wake of the global recession of 2008. International business, which consists primarily of reinsurance and other financial services, is the real bedrock of Bermuda's economy, consistently accounting for about 85% of the island's GDP. Even this sector, however, has lost roughly 5000 high-paying expatriate jobs since 2008, weighing heavily on household consumption and retail sales. Bermuda must import almost everything. Agriculture and industry are limited due to the small size of the island.
  GDP (purchasing power parity):
  $5.198 billion (2013 est.)
  $5.331 billion (2012 est.)
  $5.6 billion (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 174
  GDP (official exchange rate):
  $5.198 billion (2013 est.)
  GDP - real growth rate:
  -2.5% (2013 est.)
  -4.8% (2012)
  -3.5% (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 218
  GDP - per capita (PPP):
  $85,700 (2013 est.)
  $85,400 (2012)
  $86,000 (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 5
  GDP - composition, by end use:
  household consumption: 53.1%
  government consumption: 17.3%
  investment in fixed capital: 10.6%
  investment in inventories: 0.9%
  exports of goods and services: 51.3%
  imports of goods and services: -33.3%
  (2014 est.)
  GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
  agriculture: 0.8%
  industry: 5.8%
  services: 93.4% (2014 est.)
  Agriculture - products:
  bananas, vegetables, citrus, flowers; dairy products, honey
  Industries:
  international business, tourism, light manufacturing
  Industrial production growth rate:
  0.7% (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 144
  Labor force:
  33,490 (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 204
  Labor force - by occupation:
  agriculture: 2%
  industry: 15%
  services: 83% (2013 est.)
  Unemployment rate:
  9% (2014 est.)
  7% (2013)
  country comparison to the world: 105
  Population below poverty line:
  11% (2008 est.)
  Household income or consumption by percentage share:
  lowest 10%: NA%
  highest 10%: NA%
  Budget:
  revenues: $867.8 million
  expenditures: $1.104 billion (2014 est.)
  Taxes and other revenues:
  16.7% of GDP (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 181
  Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
  -4.5% of GDP (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 165
  Public debt:
  43% of GDP (FY14/15)
  country comparison to the world: 94
  Fiscal year:
  1 April - 31 March
  Inflation rate (consumer prices):
  2% (2014 est.)
  1.8% (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 104
  Stock of narrow money:
  $3.374 billion (30 September 2014)
  $3.422 billion (31 December 2013)
  note: figures do not include US dollars, which also circulate freely
  country comparison to the world: 113
  Stock of broad money:
  $22.1 billion (30 September 2014)
  $25.1 billion (31 December 2013)
  country comparison to the world: 86
  Stock of domestic credit:
  $NA
  Market value of publicly traded shares:
  $1.487 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
  $1.436 billion (31 December 2011)
  $1.535 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 103
  Exports:
  $11 million (2014 est.)
  $13 million (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 215
  Exports - commodities:
  reexports of pharmaceuticals
  Exports - partners:
  Indonesia 8.5%, US 8.1% (2014)
  Imports:
  $968 million (2014 est.)
  $1.012 billion (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 181
  Imports - commodities:
  clothing, fuels, machinery and transport equipment, construction materials, chemicals, food and live animals
  Imports - partners:
  South Korea 56.5%, US 17.9%, Singapore 9%, Turkmenistan 5.5%, China 5.2% (2014)
  Debt - external:
  $2.435 billion (2015 est.)
  $1.4 billion (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 147
  Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
  $2.641 billion (2014 est.)
  $2.664 billion (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 105
  Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
  $889 million (2014 est.)
  $NA (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 83
  Exchange rates:
  Bermudian dollars (BMD) per US dollar -
  1 (2014 est.)
  1 (2013 est.)
  1 (2012 est.)

- ## Energy :: BERMUDA

- Electricity - production:
  648.9 million kWh (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 159
  Electricity - consumption:
  664.2 million kWh (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 166
  Electricity - exports:
  0 kWh (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 105
  Electricity - imports:
  0 kWh (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 120
  Electricity - installed generating capacity:
  167,400 kW (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 163
  Electricity - from fossil fuels:
  98.2% of total installed capacity (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 54
  Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
  0% of total installed capacity (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 49
  Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
  0% of total installed capacity (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 161
  Electricity - from other renewable sources:
  1.8% of total installed capacity
  note: the Tynes Bay Waste Treatment Facility turns waste to electric energy (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 84
  Crude oil - production:
  0 bbl/day (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 108
  Crude oil - exports:
  0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 99
  Crude oil - imports:
  0 bbl/day (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 160
  Crude oil - proved reserves:
  0 bbl (1 January 2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 107
  Refined petroleum products - production:
  0 bbl/day (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 157
  Refined petroleum products - consumption:
  4,600 bbl/day (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 174
  Refined petroleum products - exports:
  0 bbl/day (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 153
  Refined petroleum products - imports:
  889.3 bbl/day (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 200
  Natural gas - production:
  0 cu m (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 157
  Natural gas - consumption:
  0 cu m (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 118
  Natural gas - exports:
  0 cu m (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 61
  Natural gas - imports:
  0 cu m (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 161
  Natural gas - proved reserves:
  0 cu m (1 January 2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 112
  Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
  614,200 Mt (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 175

- ## Communications :: BERMUDA

- Telephones - fixed lines:
  total subscriptions: 29,200
  subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 42 (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 173
  Telephones - mobile cellular:
  total: 59,500
  subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 85 (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 201
  Telephone system:
  general assessment: a good, fully automatic digital telephone system with fiber-optic trunk lines
  domestic: the system has a high fixed-line teledensity coupled with a mobile-cellular teledensity of roughly 125 per 100 persons
  international: country code - 1-441; landing points for the GlobeNet, Gemini Bermuda, CBUS, and the Challenger Bermuda-1 (CB-1) submarine cables; satellite earth stations - 3 (2010)
  Broadcast media:
  3 TV stations; cable and satellite TV subscription services are available; roughly 13 radio stations operating (2012)
  Radio broadcast stations:
  AM 5, FM 4, shortwave 1 (2009)
  Television broadcast stations:
  3 (2005)
  Internet country code:
  .bm
  Internet users:
  total: 68,300
  percent of population: 97.8% (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 179

- ## Transportation :: BERMUDA

- Airports:
  1 (2013)
  country comparison to the world: 212
  Airports - with paved runways:
  total: 1
  2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2013)
  Roadways:
  total: 447 km
  paved: 447 km
  note: 225 km public roads; 222 km private roads (2010)
  country comparison to the world: 198
  Merchant marine:
  total: 139
  by type: bulk carrier 22, chemical tanker 3, container 14, liquefied gas 43, passenger 27, passenger/cargo 2, petroleum tanker 19, refrigerated cargo 9
  foreign-owned: 105 (France 1, Germany 14, Greece 8, Hong Kong 4, Ireland 1, Israel 3, Japan 2, Monaco 2, Nigeria 11, Norway 5, Sweden 14, UK 14, US 26)
  registered in other countries: 241 (Bahamas 15, Cyprus 1, France 5, Greece 3, Hong Kong 20, Isle of Man 7, Liberia 4, Malta 15, Marshall Islands 35, Netherlands 1, Norway 24, Panama 27, Philippines 47, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1, Singapore 25, UK 6, US 5) (2010)
  country comparison to the world: 41
  Ports and terminals:
  major seaport(s): Hamilton, Ireland Island, Saint George

- ## Military :: BERMUDA

- Military branches:
  Bermuda Regiment (2012)
  Military service age and obligation:
  18-45 years of age for voluntary male or female enlistment in the Bermuda Regiment; males must register at age 18 and may be subject to conscription; term of service is 38 months for volunteers or conscripts (2012)
  Manpower available for military service:
  males age 16-49: 15,081 (2010 est.)
  Manpower fit for military service:
  males age 16-49: 12,323
  females age 16-49: 12,174 (2010 est.)
  Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
  male: 433
  female: 410 (2010 est.)
  Military - note:
  defense is the responsibility of the UK

- ## Transnational Issues :: BERMUDA

- Disputes - international:
  none

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