| Bermuda ((in)Bermuda shorts) | |
 | |
| Information | |
| Capital city | Hamilton |
|---|---|
| Area | 53,3 km² |
| Population | 63 960 hab. |
| Density | 1 200 inhab./km² |
| Form of State | British territory |
| Official language | English |
| Other languages | Portuguese |
| Change | Bermuda dollar (BMD) and US dollar |
| Religions | non-Anglicans Protestants 39%, Anglicans 27%, Roman Catholics 15%, Others 19% |
| Telephone prefix | 1441 |
| Internet suffix | .bm |
| Flow direction | Drive to the left |
| Spindle | UTC − 04: 00 |
| Location | |
 32 ° 19 ′ 37 ″ N 64 ° 45 ′ 47 ″ W | |
| Government site | |
| Touristic site | |
The Bermuda are an archipelago located in theAtlantic Ocean North dependent on UK.
Understand
Geography
Bermuda, formerly also known as "The Somers Islands" consists of approximately 138 small coral islands located in the North Atlantic, east of the Caroline from the south, at 1 000 km south-east of new York.
Bermuda had already been sighted by a certain Juan de Bermudez in 1505 (whose name!) But they were rediscovered in 1609 by Sir George Somers who was heading towards Jamestown in Virginia to supply the small dilapidated American colony (!). On July 28, 1609 Sir George Somers' 3-boat flotilla was scattered by a hurricane. One of the ships sank, another eventually made it to Jamestown and Sir George ran aground (luckily) off St George (~ in front of ~ Fort Sainte Catherine). After rebuilding 2 smaller boats, it finally arrived the following year at Jamestown its original destination. Disappointed with Jamestown, he returned to Bermuda later to begin colonizing the island.
The city of Saint-George is the former capital and the current capital is Hamilton.
Weather
Bermuda is blessed with a mild climate with soft extremes. During winter, from December to March, the average temperature is 21 ° C. The hot period, from May to mid-October, has an ambient temperature of 23 ° C until 30 ° C. The summer months are slightly drier, despite regular rainfall throughout the year. From the point of view of rainfall, it rains regularly and enough for the needs of the population, but there are no rivers or freshwater lakes.
Politics
The ultimate state official is the Queen of England Elizabeth II, represented on the island by the Governor.
Bermuda is an overseas territory of UK. The British legislative system is formed by a bicameral parliament with an 11-member Senate and a 36-member House of Representatives. Bermuda is divided into 9 parishes (parishes) and 2 municipalities.
Senators are appointed by the Governor and the Prime Minister, 50/50.
Representatives are elected by voters over the age of 18 by universal suffrage, for a period of 5 years.
National Day (public holiday) is May 24 (former date of Queen Victoria's birthday!).
The inhabitants are called "bermudiens / bermudiennes". They are all British subjects and therefore do not form part of the European Schengen area.
After the elections of December 17, 2012: Ruling Party = OBA = One Bermuda Alliance, leader Thad Hollis, Prime Minister the Hon. Michael Dunkley (Conservative 19 seats) with 51.7% of the vote. Opposition = PLP = Progressive Labor Party, leader Marc Bean (Labor 17 seats) with 46.1%, other 2.2%.
Cities
- 1 Hamilton – The legal and economic capital.
- 2 Saint George –
Historic Old Town, Bermuda's first capital, founded in 1612. Bermuda's oldest city. The Fort Sainte Catherine in Saint George is very interesting to visit as well as the old Church of Saint Peter (St Peter 1615). - 3 Somerset Village and Dockyard – Former British naval base. Interesting to visit.
- 4 Flatts Village – Do not forget to visit the museum and the Aquarium in Flatts Village to meet all kinds of exotic, very colorful fish as well as a multitude of tropical birds and turtles, flamingos, etc ...
Other destinations
- 1 Great Sound (Great Bay) (at the South West) – Inlet.
- 2 Castle Harbor (to North-east) – A natural haven
To go
Formalities
- Bermuda
- Visa exemption
- Visa required
Although Bermuda is a land British, they have their own immigration rules. In general, visitors are granted the right to stay for only 21 days, but the maximum duration is six months. Extension of the length of stay is possible by applying to the Bermuda Immigration Department (Bermuda Department of Immigration).
Visitors from countries identified in brown above require a Visa to enter Bermuda.
Permanent residents of Canada, United States and UK also do not need a visa.
By plane
- 1 L.F. Wade International Airport (IATA : BDA, L.F. Wade International Airport) (on Saint David's Island (Saint David's Iland)) – Bermuda's only airport.
| Airline company | Destinations |
|---|---|
| Air Canada | Toronto – Pearson |
| American Airlines | Miami, New York – JFK Seasonal: Charlotte, Philadelphia, Washington – National |
| British Airways | London – Gatwick |
| Delta Air Lines | Atlanta, Boston, New York – JFK |
| JetBlue Airways | New York – JFK Seasonal: Boston |
| United Airlines | Newark |
| WestJet | Toronto – Pearson |
On a boat
Many cruises stop over in Bermuda from the US East Coast. However, there is no direct boat connection to the mainland American or theEurope.
Circulate
By scooter
It is very easy to rent scooters and bicycles. We drive on the left.
On a boat
It is also very easy and inexpensive to rent sailboats.
There are several ferries that connect Hamilton to Somerset and Saint George (summer) (or vice versa)
By bus
Several regular bus lines crisscross the island of Bermuda.
By car
Driving cars in Bermuda is on the left side of the road and the steering wheel is on the right side of vehicles, however it is not possible for tourists to hire automobiles in Bermuda Taxi is the best (guided) way to visit Bermuda.
Speak
TheEnglish is the official language but a quarter of the inhabitants are of origin Portugese and mostly speak the Azorean dialect. You will certainly find someone who speaks your language.
Buy
Bermuda's currency is the Bermudian dollar (1 $ = 1 BMD). There are 4 banks (all private): The Bank of Butterfield & Son, Clarien, Bermuda Commercial Bank and HSBC.
There is a shopping center at Saint George, near the airport and several others in Hamilton; you can find everything there, but the products are expensive because of the isolation / transport of the archipelago and the fact that they are imported from United States, of UK or Canada.
The US dollar is accepted everywhere, but the euro is almost unknown.
Eat
It is possible to find almost any style of food. Lots of varied and ethnic restaurants.
Have a drink / Go out
Water is a precious commodity in Bermuda. Indeed, there are no rivers but, in some places, because of the limestone soil, it is possible to collect brackish groundwater, even some are drinkable. This water is useful for watering the garden or for flushing toilets.
To collect rainwater (drinking water), Bermudans collect water from their roofs which goes down into a large cistern, usually located under the house. A pressure system (pump) supplies the daily needs.
Hotels and large buildings in cities have their own seawater filtration systems (reverse osmosis and others).
Housing
Hotels are plentiful, but some are expensive and luxurious, catering to a wealthy foreign clientele. Some small hotels are hardly less comfortable but much cheaper.
Tourists are prohibited from camping in the archipelago. There is only one campsite for Bermudans which has only 40 pitches.
Learn
There is a university in Bermuda, as well as several primary and secondary schools. They are governmental or private, many of them religious.
To work
All non-Bermudans need a government-issued Bermuda work permit (Immigration Department).
Communicate
All the usual worldwide modes of (tele) communications are in effect: international telephone, fax, Skype, cable or satellite TV, internet, etc.
You can get in touch with any country in the world.
security
 | Emergency telephone number: All emergency services:911 |
The Bermuda Islands are relatively safe, but there is no such thing as zero risk.
- Hamilton Central Police Station ,
1 441 292 0011
Government travel advice
Health
The KEMH hospital is located at Paget, is brand new (2015) and follows accepted medical standards. Accredited by Canada.
