Bermuda | |
Overseas territory of the United Kingdom | |
Motto Quo Fata Ferunt | |
Anthem God Save the Queen | |
Capital | Hamilton |
Status | Overseas territory |
Monarch | |
- From 1952 | Elizabeth II |
Governor | |
- From 2007 | Sir Richard Gozney |
Premier | |
- From 2010 | Paula Cox |
Legislature | Parliament |
History | |
- 1684 | Established |
Area | 53.2 km² |
Population | |
- 2009 | 67,837 |
Density | 1,275.1/km² |
GDP | 2009 (PPP) |
- Total | US$ 6.5 billion |
- Per capita | US$ 97,000 |
Currency | Bermudian dollar |
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Bermuda is an overseas territory of the United Kingdom located in North America.
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.[1]
Economy
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.[2]
Monarch
- Elizabeth II (₩) (February 6, 1952 - )
Governor
- Sir Richard Gozney (₩) (December 12, 2007 - )
Premier
- Paula Cox (₩) (October 29, 2010 - )
Nation
- United Kingdom (Overseas)
British Overseas Territories
- Anguilla (From 1980)
- British Antarctic Territory (From 1962)
- British Indian Ocean Territory (From 1965)
- British Virgin Islands (From 1960)
- Cayman Islands (From 1962)
- Falkland Islands (From 1833)
- Gibraltar (From 1704)
- Montserrat (From 1962)
- Turks and Caicos Islands (From 1962)
- Pitcairn, Henderson, Ducie and Oeno Islands (From 1970)
- Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha (From 2009)
- South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands (From 1985)
- Akrotiri and Dhekelia (From 1960)