About Bermuda
Introduction
Bermuda is located in the
Atlantic Ocean about 650 miles due east of Cape Hatteras,
North Carolina. It is the northern-most series of islands with
coral reefs. Total population is a little under 60,000.
The island is blessed with
some of the most beautiful beaches in the world and no matter
where you are in Bermuda, you are never more than half a mile
from the shore.

The Weather
Waters around the island are
warmed by the Gulf Stream, which also contributes to the
pleasant sub-tropical climate. Temperatures in high summer
rarely rise above 90F (32C) or fall below 65F (16C) during the
daytime in winter. In fact, many of the islands hotels offer
visitors a 10% discount if the daytime temperature falls below
68F on any day between January and March. There is no rainy
season in Bermuda; monthly rainfall averages between 3.5 and
4.0 inches.
Getting To
Bermuda
The island is well served by
international air carriers and is easily reached from North
America and Europe. British Airways flies directly from London
(7 hours) on most days of the week and there are daily flights
from New York (2 hours), Boston (2 hours), Atlanta (3 hours),
Baltimore (2 hours), Newark (2 hours), Philadelphia (2 hours),
and Toronto (3 hours).
Government
Bermuda is a British Crown
Colony. Representative government was introduced to the island
in 1620 and has remained ever since. The Bermuda Constitution
was passed by the Bermuda Parliament in 1968. This provides
for internal self-government, with responsibility for external
affairs, defense, the police and internal security resting
with the Governor. The Governor is appointed by the Crown.
There are two main political
parties in Bermuda, the Progressive Labour Party (PLP) and the
United Bermuda Party (UBP). The PLP has been the ruling party
since the General Election of November1998.
The Economy
The economy of Bermuda is
built upon the twin pillars of international business and
tourism. At the end of 1998, more than 8,500 international
companies were registered in Bermuda, including 75% of the
Fortune 100 group and their British and European equivalents.
An average of more than
500,000 tourists visit the island annually, with the high
season stretching from May to October.
