Bermuda

Bermuda General Information and Helpful Links

Bermuda Department of Tourism

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Bermuda is a British overseas territory in the North Atlantic Ocean. Located off the east coast of the United States, it is situated around 1,100 miles (1770 km) northeast of Miami, Florida and 840 miles (1350 km) south of Halifax, Nova Scotia. The nearest landmass is Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, about 640 miles (1030 km) west-northwest (see Geography section below). It is the oldest remaining British overseas territory, settled by England a century before the Acts of Union and two centuries before the creation of the United Kingdom.

In the singular, the territory consists of approximately 138 islands, with a total area of 20.6 sq. mi. (53.3 square kilometres). Compiling a list of these islands is often complicated, as many have more than one name (as does the entire archipelago, which, in addition to its two official names, has historically been known as "La Garza", "Virgineola", and the "Isle of Devils"). Despite the limited land mass, there has also been a tendency for place names to be repeated; there are, for instance, two islands named "Long Island", three bays known as "Long Bay" and the town of St. George is located within the parish of St. George on the island of St. George, whereas Bermuda's capital, the City of Hamilton, lies in Pembroke Parish, not Hamilton Parish, on the largest island, "Main Island", which itself is sometimes called "Bermuda" (or "Great Bermuda").



Bermuda has a thriving economy, with a large financial sector and tourism industry giving it the world's highest GDP per capita in 2005. It has a sub-tropical climate, pink beaches, and cerulean blue oceans.

Sightseeing and attractions

Renowned for its pink sand beaches and natural beauty, Bermuda offers a number of other attractions, as well. Historic St. Georges is a designated World Heritage Site. Scuba divers can explore numerous wrecks and coral reefs in relatively shallow water (typically 30-40 ft. depth) with virtually unlimited visibility. Many nearby reefs are readily accessible from shore by snorkelers, especially at Church Bay.

Bermuda's most popular visitor attraction is the Royal Navy Dockyard and Museum. Other attractions include the Aquarium and Zoo, Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute, the Botanical Gardens, lighthouses, and the Crystal Caves with its impressive stalactites and underground saltwater pools.

It is not possible to rent a car on the island, however visitors can hire scooters for use as private transport, or use public transport.

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