Bermuda Country & Tourist Information

Location
Western Atlantic Ocean.

Area
53.74 sq km (20.75 sq miles).

Population
66,536 (official estimate 2008).

Population Density
1,238 per sq km.

Capital
Hamilton.
Population: 1,000 (UN estimate 2008).

Government
British Crown Colony since 1684. Gained internal autonomy in 1968.

Language
English is the official language. There is a small Portuguese population. Other languages are spoken by Bermuda’s residents originating from around the world.

Religion
Anglican, Roman Catholic, Seventh Day Adventist and other Christian denominations.

Time
GMT - 4 (GMT - 3 from first Sunday in April to last Sunday in October).

Electricity
110 volts AC, 60Hz. American (flat) two-pin plugs are standard.

Head of Government
Premier Ewart Brown since 2006.

Head of State
HM Queen Elizabeth II, represented locally by Governor Sir John Vereker since 2002.

Recent History
Bermuda is a British Dependent Territory and is said to have one of the world’s oldest parliaments, dating from 1620.

Ewart Brown ousted the previous prime minister, Alex Scott, in October 2006. Brown also runs the tourism and transport portfolio. Alex Scott succeeded the Progressive Labor Party’s (PLP) Jennifer Smith in July 2003 following a revolt by party members who refused to serve under her. Mr Scott’s PLP championed independence from the UK, a line followed by Brown. The PLP won for a third-straight term after the elections held in December 2007.

Telephone
Country code: 1 441.

Mobile Telephone
Roaming agreements exist with most international mobile phone companies. Coverage is good.

Internet
There are Internet cafes in the Royal Naval Dockyard, City of Hamilton and Town of St George, and connections are provided in most hotels.

Media
The Bermuda Broadcasting Company and VSB are the main broadcasters. Most homes and hotels have access to cable and satellite TV.

Post
Most letters will automatically travel by airmail even if surface rates are paid, although paid-for airmail will be given priority. Airmail letters to Europe take five to seven days.

Post office hours: Mon-Fri 0800-1700. In addition, the General Post Office in Hamilton is open Sat 0800-1200.

Press
• Main newspapers include The Royal Gazette (daily), The Mid-Ocean News (weekly) and The Bermuda Sun (bi-weekly).

Radio
• Bermuda Broadcasting Company (BBC) operates ZBM AM, ZFB AM, ZBM FM 89 and Power 95.
• VSB operates Mix 106, 1450 Gold, VSB 2 and VSB 3.

Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2009-December 2010 period.

2009
1 Jan New Year's Day. 
10 Apr Good Friday.
25 May Bermuda Day.
30 Jul Emancipation Day.
31 Jul Somer's Day.
7 Sep Labor Day.
12 Oct National Heroes Day.
11 Nov Remembrance Day.
25 Dec Christmas Day.
26 Dec Boxing Day.

2010
1 Jan New Year's Day.
2 Apr Good Friday.
24 May Bermuda Day.
29 Jul Emancipation Day.
30 Jul Somer's Day.
6 Sep Labor Day.
11 Oct National Heroes Day.
11 Nov Remembrance Day.
25 Dec Christmas Day.
26 Dec Boxing Day.

Contact Information:

Diplomatic representation
Bermuda is a British Dependent Territory, and is represented abroad by British Embassies – see United Kingdom section.

Identity and Passport Service in the UK
London Passport Office, Globe House, 89 Ecclestone Square, London SW1V 1PN, UK
Tel: 0870 521 0410 (24-hour national advice line).
Website: www.ukpa.gov.uk
Opening hours (appointment only): Mon-Fri 0745-1900; Sat 0915-1515.

Bermuda Tourism in the UK
Tulip House, Suite 9, 70 Borough High Street, London SE1 1XF, UK
Tel: (020) 7864 9924.
Website: www.bermudatourism.co.uk

Bermuda Department of Tourism in the USA
675 Third Avenue, 20th Floor, New York, NY 10017, USA
Tel: (212) 818 9800.
Website: www.bermudatourism.com

Caribbean Tourism Organization in the UK
22 The Quadrant, Richmond, Surrey TW9 1BP, UK
Tel: (020) 8948 0057.
Website: www.doitcaribbean.com


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