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Communications

Broadcast media [time series]

3 television stations; cable and satellite TV subscription services are available; roughly 10 radio stations operating (2007)

Internet country code [time series]

.bm

Internet users (Internet hosts) [time series]

19,855 (2010) country comparison to the world: 112

Internet users [time series]

54,000 (2009) country comparison to the world: 172

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 points for the GlobeNet, Gemini Bermuda, and the Challenger Bermuda-1 (CB-1)submarine cables; satellite earth stations - 3 (2007)

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

57,700 (2009) country comparison to the world: 157

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

85,000 (2009) country comparison to the world: 187

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

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

Debt - external [time series]

$160 million (FY99/00) country comparison to the world: 177

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; the average cost of a house by the mid-2000s exceeded $1,000,000. 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 largely focused on construction and 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: 154

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: 152

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: 160

Exports - commodities [time series]

reexports of pharmaceuticals

Exports - partners [time series]

Spain 16.91%, India 10.15%, Brazil 9.55%, Germany 7.4% (2009)

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: 164

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: 67

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: 168

Imports - commodities [time series]

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

Imports - partners [time series]

US 31.2%, South Korea 26.71%, Brazil 6.77%, Ireland 6.11%, Singapore 5.35% (2009)

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: 86

Labor force [time series]

38,360 (2004) country comparison to the world: 200

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]

$1.36 billion (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 95 $1.912 billion (31 December 2008) $2.731 billion (31 December 2007)

Natural gas - consumption [time series]

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 205

Natural gas - exports [time series]

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 54

Natural gas - imports [time series]

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 81

Natural gas - production [time series]

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 97

Natural gas - proved reserves [time series]

0 cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 105

Oil - consumption [time series]

5,000 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 166

Oil - exports [time series]

0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 208

Oil - imports [time series]

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

Oil - production [time series]

0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 204

Oil - proved reserves [time series]

0 bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 101

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]

$NA

Unemployment rate [time series]

2.1% (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 15

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 the 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 Grace W. SHELTON 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 Paula COX (since 29 October 2010); Deputy Premier Derrick BURGESS cabinet: Cabinet nominated by the premier, appointed by the governor (For more information visit theWorld Leaders website) elections: the monarchy is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition 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 (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 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

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

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 on 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 anthem(s) (National anthem) [time series]

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)

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: 15,217 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service [time series]

males age 16-49: 12,405 females age 16-49: 12,327 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually [time series]

male: 436 female: 397 (2010 est.)

Military - note [time series]

defense is the responsibility of the UK

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

Bermuda Regiment (2009)

Military expenditures [time series]

0.11% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 172

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) (2010 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

11.47 births/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 171

Death rate [time series]

7.43 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 120

Education expenditure (Education expenditures) [time series]

1.2% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 180

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]

0.3% (2005) country comparison to the world: 90

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: 221 male: 2.57 deaths/1,000 live births female: 2.36 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)

Languages [time series]

English (official), Portuguese

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 80.6 years country comparison to the world: 19 male: 77.37 years female: 83.88 years (2010 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: 41.6 years male: 40.2 years female: 43.1 years (2010 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Bermudian(s) adjective: Bermudian

Net migration rate [time series]

2.15 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 40

Population [time series]

68,265 (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 201

Population growth rate [time series]

0.62% (2010 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: 1.018 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/female total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2010 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

1.98 children born/woman (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 130

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 (2010) country comparison to the world: 236

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2010)

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 139 country comparison to the world: 43 by type: bulk carrier 22, chemical tanker 3, container 15, liquefied gas 38, passenger 26, passenger/cargo 6, petroleum tanker 20, refrigerated cargo 9 foreign-owned: 114 (China 13, France 1, Germany 15, Greece 2, Hong Kong 5, Ireland 2, Israel 3, Japan 2, Monaco 2, Nigeria 11, Norway 5, Sweden 17, UK 11, US 25) registered in other countries: 180 (Bahamas 12, Cyprus 1, Greece 3, Hong Kong 12, Isle of Man 7, Liberia 4, Malta 8, Marshall Islands 34, Norway 5, Panama 15, Philippines 43, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1, Singapore 21, UK 9, US 5) (2010)

Ports (Ports and terminals) [time series]

Hamilton, Ireland Island, Saint George

Roadways [time series]

total: 447 km country comparison to the world: 196 paved: 447 km note: public roads - 225 km; private roads - 222 km (2007)