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Bermuda officially known as The Bermuda Islands or The Somers Isles is located in the North Atlantic Ocean and is a British overseas territory. It is situated in the east of South Carolina, North east of Miami, Florida and South of Canada, Nova Scotia, Halifax. It has coastline-stretching upto 103 Km, it furthermore claims 12 nautical miles of territorial sea and 200 nautical miles of exclusive fishing zone. Geologically it has low hills separated by fertile depressions. The lowest point in Bermuda is the Atlantic Ocean and the highest is Town Hill with 76 m.
The climate of Bermuda is subtropical, mild, humid and has gales, strong winds which is common during winter. The only source of fresh water in Bermuda is the rainfall, which is collected on roofs and catchments or drawn from underground lenses and stored in tanks. Each dwelling usually has at least one of these tanks.
Bermuda has 20% of arable land and has no permanent crops. 55% of the land is developed and 45 is either rural or open space. |
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| People |
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The population of Bermuda is about 64,009. The ethnic groups can be classified into black with 54.8% of the population, white with 34.1%, mixed 6.4%, other races 4.3%, unspecified 0.4%. Major religion practiced are Anglican with 23% of followers, Roman Catholic with15%, African Methodist Episcopal has 11% of followers, other Protestant believed by 18%, other 12%, unaffiliated 6%, unspecified 1%, none 14%.
English is the official language, other language used is Portuguese. In Bermuda only three categories of schools can operate in the Bermuda Education system, aided school, maintained school that has the whole of its property belonging to the Government and is fully maintained by public funds and thirdly the private school.
The Bermudian culture is very diverse, as it has a homogeneous mixture of population, which can be traced to Native Americans, Spanish-Caribbean, African, Irish or Scots cultures. Popular sports of Bermuda are sailing, Golf, Football or soccer, Cricket and Rugby. |
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| Government |
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Bermuda is dependent on the overseas territory of the UK. The political framework is of parliamentary and self-governing territory. The executive powers is authorized by the Queen who is the chief of the state, the governor exercises the power ad represents her. The governor is appointed by the queen on the advice of British Government. The head of the government is the premier and the deputy premier. The cabinet is nominated by the premier and appointed by the governor.
There are no elections held the monarch is hereditary. The governor is appointed by the monarch, following legislative election and the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed premier by the governor.
Bermuda is administratively divided into 9 Parish and 2 municipalities: Devonshire, Hamilton, Paget, Saint George's, Pembroke Smith's, Southampton, Sandys and Warwick are the parish and the two municipalities are Saint George and Hamilton
Capital: Hamilton
Governor: Sir Richard Gozney
Premier: Ewart Brown
Deputy Premier: Paula Cox
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| Economy |
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Bermuda retains the highest per capita income in the world, about 50% higher than that of the US. Its economy is chiefly driven by providing financial services for international business and luxury facilities for tourists. The Agriculture is confines with only 20% of the land being arable. Although the industrial sector is small but construction remains strong. Bermuda has very low employment rate with only 2.1%. Chief sectors of occupation are professional and technical field with 21% of labor force, clerical 19%, laborers 17%, administrative and managerial 15%,, services 19%, sales 7% and agriculture and fishing with 3% of labor force.
The major agricultural produce is bananas, vegetables, citrus, flowers, dairy products and honey. Dominant industrial sectors are international business, tourism and light manufacturing.
Bermuda is lauded for its natural beauty. The major tourism spots are the pink sand beaches and the Historic St. George's which is designated as the world heritage site. There are numerous wrecks and coral reefs in relatively shallow water a spectacular sight for the scuba divers. There are also reefs welcoming the snorkellers. One of the dominant attractions is the Royal Navy Dockyard and Museum, apart from the aquarium and zoo. |
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