Statistical information Bermuda 1989

Bermuda in the World
top of pageBackground: 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. Bermuda has developed into highly successful offshore financial center.
top of pageLocationGeographic coordinatesMap referenceAreaLand boundaries: none
Coastline: 103 km
Maritime claimsContinental shelf: 200 meters or to depth of exploitation
Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
Territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: subtropical; mild, humid; gales, strong winds common in winter
Terrain: low hills separated by fertile depressions
ElevationNatural resources: limestone, pleasant climate fostering tourism
Land use: 0% arable land; 0% permanent crops; 0% meadows and pastures; 20% forest and woodland; 80% other
Irrigated landMajor riversMajor watersheds area km²Total water withdrawalTotal renewable water resourcesNatural hazardsGeographyNote: defense is the responsibility of the UK
top of pagePopulation: 58,238 (July 1989), growth rate 0.2% (1989)
Nationality: noun - Bermudian(s; adjective - Bermudian
Ethnic groups: 61% black, 39% white and other
Languages: English
Religions: 37% Anglican, 14% Roman Catholic, 10% African Methodist Episcopal (Zion), 6% Methodist, 5% Seventh-Day Adventist, 28% other
Demographic profileAge structureDependency ratiosMedian agePopulation growth rateBirth rate: 15 births/1000 population (1989)
Death rate: 7 deaths/1000 population (1989)
Net migration rate: - 6 migrants/1000 population (1989)
Population distributionUrbanizationMajor urban areasEnvironmentCurrent issues: ample rainfall, but no rivers or freshwater lakes; consists of about 360 small coral islands
Air pollutantsSex ratioMothers mean age at first birthMaternal mortality ratioInfant mortality rate: 11 deaths/1000 live births (1989)
Life expectancy at birth: 73 years male, 79 years female (1989)
Total fertility rate: 1.8 children born/woman (1989)
Contraceptive prevalence rateDrinking water sourceCurrent health expenditurePhysicians densityHospital bed densitySanitation facility accessHiv/AidsMajor infectious diseasesObesity adult prevalence rateAlcohol consumptionTobacco useChildren under the age of 5 years underweightEducation expendituresLiteracy: 98%
School life expectancy primary to tertiary educationYouth unemploymenttop of pageCountry name: conventional long form: none
Government type: colony of the UK
Capital: Hamilton
Administrative divisions: 9 parishes and 2 municipalities*; Devonshire, Hamilton, Hamilton*, Paget, Pembroke, Saint George*, Saint George's, Sandys, Smiths, Southampton, Warwick
Dependent areasIndependence: none (colony of the UK)
National holiday: Bermuda Day, 22 May
Constitution: 8 June 1968
Legal system: English law
International law organization participationCitizenshipSuffrage: universal over age 21
Executive branch: Chief of State - Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor Sir Desmond LANGLEY (since NA October 1988; Head of Government - Premier John William David SWAN (since NA January 1982)
Legislative branch: Executive Council (cabinet) appointed by governor, led by government leader; bicameral legislature with an 11-member appointed Senate and a 40-member elected House of Assembly; Supreme Court
Judicial branchPolitical parties and leadersInternational organization participation: INTERPOL, WHO
Diplomatic representationIn the us: as a British colony, Bermuda's interests in the US are represented by the UK; US - Consul General James M. MEDAS; Consulate General at Vallis Building, Par-la-Ville Road (off Front Street West), Hamilton (mailing address is P. O. Box 325, Hamilton, or FPO New York 9,560; telephone (809) 295-1342
Flag description
: red with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Bermudian coat of arms (white and blue shield with a red lion holding a scrolled shield showing the sinking of the ship Sea Venture off Bermuda in 1609) centered on the outer half of the flag
National symbolsNational anthemNational heritagetop of pageEconomy overview: Bermuda enjoys one of the highest per capita incomes in the world, having successfully exploited its location by providing luxury tourist facilities and financial services. The tourist industry attracts more than 90% of its business from North America. The industrial sector is small, and agriculture is severely limited by a lack of suitable land. About 80% of food needs are imported.
Real gdp purchasing power parityReal gdp growth rateReal gdp per capitaGross national savingGdp composition by sector of origin
Gdp composition by end useGdp composition by sector of originAgriculture products: accounts for less than 1% of GDP; most basic foods must be imported; produces bananas, vegetables, citrus fruits, flowers, dairy products
Industries: tourism, finance, structural concrete products, paints, pharmaceuticals, ship repairing
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Labor force:
32,000; 25% clerical, 22%
services, 21% laborers, 13% professional and technical, 10% administrative and managerial, 7% sales, 2% agriculture and fishing (1984)
Unemployment rateYouth unemploymentPopulation below poverty lineGini indexHousehold income or consumption by percentage shareDistribution of family income gini indexBudget: revenues $280 million; expenditures $279 million, including capital expenditures of $34 million (FY89 est.)
Taxes and other revenuesPublic debtRevenueFiscal year: 1 April-31 March
Inflation rate consumer pricesCentral bank discount rateCommercial bank prime lending rateStock of narrow moneyStock of broad moneyStock of domestic creditMarket value of publicly traded sharesCurrent account balanceExports: $23 million (f.o.b.,1985)
Commodities: semitropical produce, light manufactures
Partners: US 25%, Italy 25%, UK 14%, Canada 5%, other 31%
Imports: $402 million (c.i.f., 1985)
Commodities: fuel, foodstuffs, machinery
Partners: US 58%, Netherlands Antilles 9%, UK 8%, Canada 6%, Japan 5%, other 14%
Reserves of foreign exchange and goldDebt external: NA
Stock of direct foreign investment at homeStock of direct foreign investment abroadExchange rates: Bermudian dollar (Bd$) per US$1 - 1.0000 (fixed rate)
top of pageElectricityCapacity: 134,000 kW capacity; 446 million kWh produced, 7,670 kWh per capita (1988)
CoalPetroleumCrude oilRefined petroleumNatural gasCarbon dioxide emissionsEnergy consumption per capitatop of pageTelephonesTelephone systemBroadcast mediaInternetBroadband fixed subscriptionstop of pageMilitary expendituresMilitary and security forcesMilitary service age and obligationSpace programTerrorist groupstop of pageNational air transport systemCivil aircraft registration country code prefixAirports: 1 with permanent-surface runways 2,440-3,659 m
HeliportsPipelinesRailwaysRoadwaysWaterwaysMerchant marine: 119 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 4,534,365 GRT/8,336,127 DWT; includes 1 short-sea passenger, 11 cargo, 8 refrigerated cargo, 6 container, 15 roll-on/roll-off cargo, 33 petroleum, oils, and lubricants (POL) tanker, 4 chemical tanker, 1 combination ore/oil, 9 liquefied gas, 31 bulk; note - a British colonial flag of convenience registry
Ports and terminalsBermuda - Transnational issues 1989
top of pageDisputes internationalRefugees and internally displaced personsIllicit drugs