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Background:
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Bermuda was first settled in 1609 by shipwrecked English colonists headed for Virginia. Tourism to the island to escape North American winters first developed in Victorian times. Tourism continues to be important to the island's economy, although international business has overtaken it in recent years. Bermuda has developed into a highly successful offshore financial center. Although a referendum on independence from the UK was soundly defeated in 1995, the present government has reopened debate on the issue.
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Location:
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North America, group of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, east of South Carolina (US)
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Geographic coordinates:
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32 20 N, 64 45 W
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Map references:
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Area:
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total: 53.3 sq km
land: 53.3 sq km
water: 0 sq km
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Area - comparative:
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about one-third the size of Washington, DC
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Land boundaries:
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0 km
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Coastline:
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103 km
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Maritime claims:
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territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
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Climate:
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subtropical; mild, humid; gales, strong winds common in winter
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Terrain:
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low hills separated by fertile depressions
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Elevation extremes:
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lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Town Hill 76 m
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Natural resources:
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limestone, pleasant climate fostering tourism
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Land use:
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arable land: 20%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 80% (55% developed, 45% rural/open space) (2005)
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Irrigated land:
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NA
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Natural hazards:
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hurricanes (June to November)
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Environment - current issues:
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sustainable development
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Geography - note:
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consists of about 138 coral islands and islets with ample rainfall, but no rivers or freshwater lakes; some land was leased by US Government from 1941 to 1995
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Population:
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66,163 (July 2007 est.)
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Age structure:
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0-14 years: 18.3% (male 6,094/female 6,014)
15-64 years: 69.2% (male 22,696/female 23,094)
65 years and over: 12.5% (male 3,597/female 4,668) (2007 est.)
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Median age:
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total: 40.6 years
male: 39.7 years
female: 41.4 years (2007 est.)
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Population growth rate:
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0.576% (2007 est.)
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Birth rate:
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11.26 births/1,000 population (2007 est.)
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Death rate:
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7.84 deaths/1,000 population (2007 est.)
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Net migration rate:
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2.34 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2007 est.)
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Sex ratio:
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at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.013 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.983 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.771 male(s)/female
total population: 0.959 male(s)/female (2007 est.)
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Infant mortality rate:
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total: 8.08 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 9.58 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 6.56 deaths/1,000 live births (2007 est.)
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Life expectancy at birth:
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total population: 78.13 years
male: 76 years
female: 80.29 years (2007 est.)
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Total fertility rate:
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1.88 children born/woman (2007 est.)
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HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
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0.297% (2005)
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HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
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163 (2005)
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HIV/AIDS - deaths:
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392 (2005)
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Nationality:
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noun: Bermudian(s)
adjective: Bermudian
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Ethnic groups:
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black 54.8%, white 34.1%, mixed 6.4%, other races 4.3%, unspecified 0.4% (2000 census)
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Religions:
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Anglican 23%, Roman Catholic 15%, African Methodist Episcopal 11%, other Protestant 18%, other 12%, unaffiliated 6%, unspecified 1%, none 14% (2000 census)
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Languages:
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English (official), Portuguese
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Literacy:
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definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 98%
male: 98%
female: 99% (2005 est.)
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This page was last updated on 24 January, 2008
- The Central Intelligence Agency's World Factbook - |
