The 1996 CIA World Factbook page on Bermuda

From: The CIA'sTHE WORLD FACTBOOK 1996

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Bermuda

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(dependent territory of the UK)

Map

Location: 32 20 N, 64 45 W -- North America, group of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, east of North Carolina (US)

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Flag

Description: red with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Bermudian coat of arms (white and blue 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

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Geography

Location: North America, group of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, east of North Carolina (US)
Geographic coordinates: 32 20 N, 64 45 W
Map references: North America
Area:
total area: 50 sq km
land area: 50 sq km
comparative area: about 0.3 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 103 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: subtropical; mild, humid; gales, strong winds common in winter
Terrain: low hills separated by fertile depressions
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Town Hill 76 m
Natural resources: limestone, pleasant climate fostering tourism
Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 0%
forest and woodland: 20%
other: 80%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:
current issues: NA
natural hazards: hurricanes (June to November)
international agreements: NA
Geographic note: consists of about 360 small coral islands with ample rainfall, but no rivers or freshwater lakes; some reclaimed land leased by US Government

People

Population: 62,099 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: NA
15-64 years: NA
65 years and over: NA
Population growth rate: 0.76% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 15 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 7.3 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -0.13 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: NA male(s)/female
under 15 years: NA male(s)/female
15-64 years: NA male(s)/female
65 years and over: NA male(s)/female
all ages: NA male(s)/female
Infant mortality rate: 13.16 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 75.03 years
male: 73.36 years
female: 76.97 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.8 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Bermudian(s)
adjective: Bermudian
Ethnic divisions: black 61%, white and other 39%
Religions: Anglican 37%, Roman Catholic 14%, African Methodist Episcopal (Zion) 10%, Methodist 6%, Seventh-Day Adventist 5%, other 28%
Languages: English
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1970 est.)
total population: 98%
male: 98%
female: 99%

Government

Name of country:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Bermuda
Data code: BD
Type of government: dependent territory of the UK
Capital: Hamilton
Administrative divisions: 9 parishes and 2 municipalities*; Devonshire, Hamilton, Hamilton*, Paget, Pembroke, Saint George*, Saint Georges, Sandys, Smiths, Southampton, Warwick
Independence: none (dependent territory of the UK)
National holiday: Bermuda Day, 24 May
Constitution: 8 June 1968
Legal system: English law
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (of the United Kingdom since 6 February 1952), a hereditary monarch, is represented by Governor Lord David WADDINGTON (since 25 August 1992), who was appointed by the queen
head of government: Premier David SAUL (since 25 August 1995) was appointed by the governor; Deputy Premier Jerome DILL (since 1 September 1995)
cabinet: Cabinet was nominated by the premier, appointed by the governor
Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament
Senate: consists of an 11-member body appointed by the governor
House of Assembly: elections last held 5 October 1993 (next to be held by NA October 1998); results - UBP 50%, PLP 46%, independents 4%; seats - (40 total) UBP 22, PLP 18
Judicial branch: Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders: United Bermuda Party (UBP), David SAUL; Progressive Labor Party (PLP), Frederick WADE; National Liberal Party (NLP), Gilbert DARRELL
Other political or pressure groups: Bermuda Industrial Union (BIU), Ottiwell SIMMONS
International organization participation: Caricom (observer), CCC, ICFTU, Interpol (subbureau), IOC
Diplomatic representation in US: none (dependent territory of the UK)
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Robert A. FARMER
consulate general(s): Crown Hill, 16 Middle Road, Devonshire, Hamilton
mailing address: P. O. Box HM325, Hamilton HMBX; American Consulate General Hamilton, Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-5300
telephone: [1] (441) 295-1342
FAX: [1] (441) 295-1592
Flag: red with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Bermudian coat of arms (white and blue 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

Economy

Economic overview: Bermuda enjoys one of the highest per capita incomes in the world, having successfully exploited its location by providing luxury tourist facilities and financial services. The tourist industry attracts more than 90% of its business from North America. The industrial sector is small, and agriculture is severely limited by a lack of suitable land. About 80% of food needs are imported. International business contributes over 60% of Bermuda's economic output; a failed independence vote in late 1995 can be partially attributed to Bermudian's fear of scaring away foreign firms. Hurricane Felix, which hit Bermuda twice over three days, caused an estimated $2.5 million in damages in August of 1995.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $1.7 billion (1994 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 2.5% (1994 est.)
GDP per capita: $28,000 (1994 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.6% (1995 est.)
Labor force: 33,650 (1992)
by occupation: clerical 25%, services 22%, laborers 21%, professional and technical 13%, administrative and managerial 10%, sales 7%, agriculture and fishing 2% (1984)
Unemployment rate: NEGL% (1995)
Budget:
revenues: $327.5 million
expenditures: $308.9 million, including capital expenditures of $35.4 million (FY90/91 est.)
Industries: tourism, finance, structural concrete products, paints, pharmaceuticals, ship repairing
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity:
capacity: 140,000 kW
production: 504 million kWh
consumption per capita: 7,745 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: bananas, vegetables, citrus, flowers; dairy products
Exports: $60 million (f.o.b., 1991)
commodities: semitropical produce, light manufactures, reexports of pharmaceuticals
partners: US 62.4%, UK 20%
Imports: $519 million (f.o.b., 1993)
commodities: fuel, foodstuffs, machinery
partners: US 38%, UK 5%, Canada 5%
External debt: $NA
Economic aid: $NA
Currency: 1 Bermudian dollar (Bd$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: Bermudian dollar (Bd$) per US$1 - 1.0000 (fixed rate)
Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March

Transportation

Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: 208 km
paved: 208 km
unpaved: 0 km (1986 est.)
note: in addition, there are 400 km of paved and unpaved roads that are privately owned
Ports: Hamilton, Saint George
Merchant marine:
total: 69 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 3,146,693 GRT/5,007,242 DWT
ships by type: bulk 10, cargo 3, container 7, liquefied gas tanker 16, oil tanker 16, refrigerated cargo 10, roll-on/roll-off cargo 4, short-sea passenger 1, specialized tanker 1, vehicle carrier 1
note: a flag of convenience registry; includes ships from 11 countries among which are UK 17, US 13, Canada 10, Norway 9, Nigeria 4, Sweden 3, Hong Kong 2, Syria 2, Mexico 1, and NZ 1 (1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 1
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 1 (1995 est.)

Communications

Telephones: 54,000 (1991 est.)
Telephone system:
domestic: modern, fully automatic telephone system
international: 3 submarine cables; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 5, FM 3, shortwave 0
Radios: 78,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 2
Televisions: 57,000 (1992 est.)

Defense

Branches: Bermuda Regiment, Bermuda Police Force, Bermuda Reserve Constabulary
Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP
Defense note: defense is the responsibility of the UK

Bermuda

Original publicaton at http://www.odci.gov/cia/publications/nsolo/wfb-all.htm (June 17, 1997).