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Communications

Internet country code [time series]

.bm

Internet users (Internet hosts) [time series]

15,548 (2009) country comparison to the world: 107

Internet users [time series]

51,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 169

Broadcast media (Radio broadcast stations) [time series]

AM 5, FM 3, shortwave 0 (2005)

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

general assessment: good domestic: fully automatic digital telephone system; fiber optic trunk lines international: country code - 1-441; landing point for the Atlantica-1 telecommunications submarine cable that extends from the US to Brazil; satellite earth stations - 3 (2007)

Telephones - fixed lines (Telephones - main lines in use) [time series]

57,600 (2008) country comparison to the world: 159

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

79,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 188

Broadcast media (Television broadcast stations) [time series]

3 (2005)

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

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

Budget [time series]

revenues: $738 million expenditures: $665 million (FY04/05)

Debt - external [time series]

$160 million (FY99/00) country comparison to the world: 184

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

Bermuda enjoys the third highest per capita income in the world more than 50% higher than that of the US. Its economy is primarily based on providing financial services for international business and luxury facilities for tourists. A number of reinsurance companies relocated to the island following the 11 September 2001 attacks and again after Hurricane Katrina in August 2005 contributing to the expansion of an already robust international business sector. Bermuda's tourism industry - which derives over 80% of its visitors from the US - continues to struggle but remains the island's number two industry. Most capital equipment and food must be imported. Bermuda's industrial sector is small, although construction continues to be important; the average cost of a house in June 2003 had risen to $976,000. Agriculture is limited with only 20% of the land being arable.

Electricity - consumption [time series]

628.3 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 155

Electricity - exports [time series]

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - imports [time series]

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - production [time series]

675.6 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 154

Exchange rates [time series]

Bermudian dollars (BMD) per US dollar - 1.0000 (fixed rate pegged to the US dollar)

Exports [time series]

$763 million (2006) country comparison to the world: 157

Exports - commodities [time series]

reexports of pharmaceuticals

Exports - partners [time series]

Brazil 24.7%, US 16.2%, Germany 12.2%, South Africa 8.9% (2008)

GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]

$NA

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP (purchasing power parity)) [time series]

$4.5 billion (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 162

GDP - composition, by sector of origin (GDP - composition by sector) [time series]

agriculture: 1% industry: 10% services: 89% (2002 est.)

Real GDP per capita (GDP - per capita (PPP)) [time series]

$69,900 (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 4

Real GDP growth rate (GDP - real growth rate) [time series]

4.6% (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 94

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%

Imports [time series]

$1.162 billion (2006) country comparison to the world: 169

Imports - commodities [time series]

clothing, fuels, machinery and transport equipment, construction materials, chemicals, food and live animals

Imports - partners [time series]

Italy 26.3%, US 18%, South Korea 17.3%, UK 8.3%, Singapore 5.3%, France 5.1%, Norway 4.4% (2008)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

NA%

Industries [time series]

international business, tourism, light manufacturing

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

2.8% (November 2005) country comparison to the world: 32

Labor force [time series]

38,360 (2004) country comparison to the world: 193

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

agriculture and fishing 3%, laborers 17%, clerical 19%, professional and technical 21%, administrative and managerial 15%, sales 7%, services 19% (2004 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares [time series]

$NA (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 92 $2.731 billion (31 December 2007) $2.704 billion (31 December 2006)

Natural gas - consumption [time series]

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 206

Natural gas - exports [time series]

0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 55

Natural gas - imports [time series]

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 80

Natural gas - production [time series]

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 206

Natural gas - proved reserves [time series]

0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 204

Oil - consumption [time series]

5,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 164

Oil - exports [time series]

0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 139

Oil - imports [time series]

4,500 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 160

Oil - production [time series]

0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 206

Oil - proved reserves [time series]

0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 206

Population below poverty line [time series]

19% (2000)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad [time series]

$NA

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home [time series]

$15.01 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 72

Unemployment rate [time series]

2.1% (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 20

Geography

Area [time series]

total: 54 sq km country comparison to the world: 231 land: 54 sq km water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative [time series]

about one-third the size of Washington, DC

Climate [time series]

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

Coastline [time series]

103 km

Elevation (Elevation extremes) [time series]

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Town Hill 76 m

Environment - current issues [time series]

sustainable development

Geographic coordinates [time series]

32 20 N, 64 45 W

Geography - note [time series]

consists of about 138 coral islands and islets with ample rainfall, but no rivers or freshwater lakes; some land was leased by US Government from 1941 to 1995

Irrigated land [time series]

Land boundaries [time series]

0 km

Land use [time series]

arable land: 20% permanent crops: 0% other: 80% (55% developed, 45% rural/open space) (2005)

Location [time series]

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

Map references [time series]

North America

Maritime claims [time series]

territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm

Natural hazards [time series]

hurricanes (June to November)

Natural resources [time series]

limestone, pleasant climate fostering tourism

Terrain [time series]

low hills separated by fertile depressions

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

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

Capital [time series]

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

Constitution [time series]

8 June 1968; amended 1989 and 2003

Country name [time series]

conventional long form: none conventional short form: Bermuda former: Somers Islands

Dependency status [time series]

overseas territory of the UK

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

chief of mission: Consul General Gregory W. SLAYTON 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

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor Sir Richard GOZNEY (since 12 December 2007) head of government: Premier Ewart BROWN (since 30 October 2006); Deputy Premier Paula COX cabinet: Cabinet nominated by the premier, appointed by the governor elections: the monarch is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed premier by the governor

Flag (Flag description) [time series]

red, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Bermudian coat of arms (white and green 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

Government type [time series]

parliamentary; self-governing territory

Independence [time series]

none (overseas territory of the UK)

International organization participation [time series]

Caricom (associate), Interpol (subbureau), IOC, ITUC, UPU, WCO, WFTU

Judicial branch [time series]

Supreme Court; Court of Appeal; Magistrate Courts

Legal system [time series]

English law

Legislative branch [time series]

bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (11 seats; members appointed by the governor, the premier, and the opposition) and the House of Assembly (36 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve up to five-year terms) elections: last general election held 18 December 2007 (next to be held not later than 2012) election results: percent of vote by party - PLP 52.5%, UBP 47.3%; seats by party - PLP 22, UBP 14

National holiday [time series]

Bermuda Day, 24 May

Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]

Progressive Labor Party or PLP [Ewart BROWN]; United Bermuda Party or UBP [Kim SWAN]

Political parties (Political pressure groups and leaders) [time series]

Bermuda Employer's Union [Eddie SAINTS]; Bermuda Industrial Union or BIU [Derrick BURGESS]; Bermuda Public Services Union or BPSU [Ed BALL]; Bermuda Union of Teachers [Michael CHARLES]

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age; universal

Introduction

Background [time series]

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.

Military

Manpower available for military service [time series]

males age 16-49: 15,623 (2008 est.)

Manpower fit for military service [time series]

males age 16-49: 12,496 females age 16-49: 12,486 (2009 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually [time series]

male: 426 female: 413 (2009 est.)

Military - note [time series]

defense is the responsibility of the UK

Military and security forces (Military branches) [time series]

Bermuda Regiment (2008)

Military expenditures [time series]

0.11% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 171

Military service age and obligation [time series]

18-30 years of age for voluntary or compulsory enlistment in the Bermuda Regiment; males must register at age 18; term of service is 38 months (2009)

People

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 18.3% (male 6,271/female 6,163) 15-64 years: 67.5% (male 22,555/female 23,215) 65 years and over: 14.2% (male 3,979/female 5,654) (2009 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

11.57 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 171

Death rate [time series]

7.3 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 125

Education expenditure (Education expenditures) [time series]

1.2% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 177

Ethnic groups [time series]

black 54.8%, white 34.1%, mixed 6.4%, other races 4.3%, unspecified 0.4% (2000 census)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]

0.297% (2005) country comparison to the world: 91

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

392 (2005) country comparison to the world: 100

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS [time series]

163 (2005) country comparison to the world: 161

Infant mortality rate [time series]

total: 2.46 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 223 male: 2.57 deaths/1,000 live births female: 2.35 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)

Languages [time series]

English (official), Portuguese

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 80.43 years country comparison to the world: 17 male: 77.2 years female: 83.72 years (2009 est.)

Literacy [time series]

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 98% male: 98% female: 99% (2005 est.)

Median age [time series]

total: 41.3 years male: 39.9 years female: 42.7 years (2009 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Bermudian(s) adjective: Bermudian

Net migration rate [time series]

2.2 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 39

Population [time series]

67,837 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 202

Population growth rate [time series]

0.647% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 147

Religions [time series]

Anglican 23%, Roman Catholic 15%, African Methodist Episcopal 11%, other Protestant 18%, other 12%, unaffiliated 6%, unspecified 1%, none 14% (2000 census)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) [time series]

total: 13 years male: 13 years female: 14 years (2005)

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2009 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

1.99 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 129

Urbanization [time series]

urban population: 100% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 0.3% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international [time series]

none

Transportation

Airports [time series]

1 (2009) country comparison to the world: 235

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2009)

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 137 country comparison to the world: 44 by type: bulk carrier 23, chemical tanker 3, container 22, liquefied gas 33, passenger 24, passenger/cargo 5, petroleum tanker 18, refrigerated cargo 9 foreign-owned: 115 (Australia 1, China 10, France 1, Germany 22, Greece 9, Hong Kong 4, Ireland 1, Israel 3, Japan 2, Nigeria 11, Norway 5, Sweden 20, UK 3, US 23) registered in other countries: 50 (Bahamas 12, Marshall Islands 4, Philippines 34) (2008)

Ports (Ports and terminals) [time series]

Hamilton, Saint George

Roadways [time series]

total: 447 km country comparison to the world: 194 paved: 447 km note: public roads - 225 km; private roads - 222 km (2007)