Bermuda
British colony in the NW Atlantic Ocean
Area:
54 sq km/21 sq mi
Capital:
And chief port: Hamilton
Features:
Consists of about 150 small islands, of which 20 are inhabited, linked
by bridges and causeways; Britain's oldest colony
Industries:
Easter lilies, pharmaceuticals; tourism, banking, and insurance are
important
Currency:
Bermuda dollar
Population:
(1994) 60,500
Language:
English
Religion:
Christian
Government:
Under the constitution of 1968, Bermuda is a fully self- governing
British colony, with a governor (Lord Waddington from 1992), senate,
and elected House of Assembly (premier from 1997 Pamela Gordon,
United Bermuda Party)
History:
The islands were named after Juan de Bermudez, who visited them 1515,
and were settled by British colonists 1609. It is Britain's oldest
colony, officially taken by the crown 1684. Indian and African
slaves were transported from 1616 and soon outnumbered the white
settlers. Racial violence 1977 led to intervention, at the request
of the government, by British troops. A 1995 referendum rejected
independence.
|
