Bermuda
Geography - People - Economy - Government - Communications - Transportation - Military - Transnational IssuesCountry name - conventional long form : none
Country name - conventional short form : Bermuda
Country name - former : Somers Islands
Government type : parliamentary; self-governing territory
Capital - name : Hamilton
Capital - time difference : UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
National holiday : Bermuda Day, 24 May
Population : 66,536 (July 2008 est.)
Nationality - noun : Bermudian(s)
Nationality - adjective : Bermudian
Languages : English (official), Portuguese
Currency (code) : Bermudian dollar (BMD)
Currency code : BMD
Bermuda is located North America, group of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, east of South Carolina (US). The climate is subtropical; mild, humid; gales, strong winds common in winter. The terrain is low hills separated by fertile depressions.
Background
This entry usually highlights major historic events and current issues and may include a statement about one or two key future trends.Background : 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.
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