Bermuda Tourist Information

General Information
Getting There
Visas
Climate
Health
Personal safety
Insurance
Money
Email, Internet, Telephones and Post
Accommodation
Electricity
Public Transport
Food and Drink
Public Holidays and Festivals
Dos and Don’ts
Language
Things to Do and See

• Bermuda is a self governing British overseas territory in the Atlantic Ocean north of the Caribbean and 600 miles east of the USA.
• The capital city is Hamilton. The historic town of St. George is the old capital. Bermuda is divided into 9 parishes.
• The population is around 66,000 and the land area is 53.3 sq km.
• Local Bermudans often refer to Bermuda as "the island" however there are 138 islands. The larger islands are joined by road bridges.
• Bermuda gets it's name from the Spanish sailor Juan de Bermúdez who first spotted the islands in 1503. The islands were not claimed but did become an important landmark for ships travelling to the new world.
• Bermuda was first settled in 1609 by English colonists on their way to Jamestown, Virginia. Their ship, the Sea Venture was wrecked on the surrounding reefs in a hurricane, as many ships have been since.
• The English tried to name the islands Somers Islands after Admiral George Somers who claimed them when he was ship wrecked. However the name failed to stick.
• The islands were also known by seamen as the "Isle of Devils" because of the dangers to navigation.
• Slavery was introduced to Bermuda in 1616. It was abolished in 1834.
• Independence from Britain was voted down in 1995 but remains on the political table.
• Because of it's location, Bermuda has always been of strategic importance to both the British and the US military.
• Bermuda was also an important trading post between the USA to the west and the West Indies to the south.
• Bermudans became expert ship builders to and their cedar wood sloops were known for their speed. The Bemuda rig is still the sail design that most yachts use today.
• Bermuda is also famous for Bermuda shorts, a hangover from colonial days and the Bermuda Triangle.
• Bermuda is now an offshore financial centre and international business is it's primary income earner.
• Tourism is an important industry for Bermuda with more than half a million visitors annually.