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Bermuda Photos
 All
Photos in Bermuda, whether at a Bermuda Government funded or
maintained and taxpayer-supported school (a public school) or private
school is administered and controlled by the Bermuda Government's
Ministry of Photos and Development. The Office of the Minister is
at 7 Point Finger Road, P. O. Box HM 1185, Hamilton HM EX, Bermuda.
Phone 236-6904. Fax 236-4006.
Bermuda or the 'Bermuda Islands island group', self-governing dependency
of Great Britain, in the North Atlantic Ocean, east of Cape Hatteras,
North Carolina. The group consists of approximately 150 small islands,
islets, and rocks, of which about 20 are inhabited. Only six islands are
of importance: Bermuda, also called Great Bermuda and Main Island, which
is the largest (23 km/14 mi in length); Somerset; Ireland; Saint
George's; Saint Davids; and Boaz. Hamilton is the capital, chief port,
and largest city (1990 population estimate, 6000) in Bermuda. The total
area of the Bermuda Islands is 53 sq km (20.6 sq mi).
Geologically the islands have a base of volcanic rock and are capped by
coral formations. They are enclosed on the north, west, and south by
reefs, which are mostly underwater. The islands are separated from one
another by narrow channels, but include several coral lagoons, or
sounds, of which the most important are Harrington Sound and Castle
Harbor. The islands are low-lying but hilly, being about 80 m (about 260
ft) above sea level.
Lacking surface water and freshwater wells, the islands must depend on
rainwater, which is collected from rooftops and stored in tanks, for
water supply. The average rainfall is about 1470 mm (about 58 in) a
year. The climate is mild, the temperature averaging 17.2° C (63° F) in
winter and 26.1° C (79° F) in summer. The ocean winds are tempered by
the warm Gulf Stream, but when south winds prevail, the humidity rises
and severe thunderstorms are frequent. Vegetation is luxuriant and
includes Bermuda cedar, bamboo, palm, papaw, and numerous flowering
plants. Hedges of oleander and thickets of mangrove are characteristic
features of the islands.
Hamilton, on Bermuda Island, is the capital and the chief town and port.
Next in importance is Saint George, on St. George's Island. The
estimated population of the Bermuda Islands in 1989 was 58,800. Some 60
percent of the population is black. Anglicanism is the principal
religion. Photos is free and compulsory between the ages of 5 and 16;
about 9300 students attend Bermuda's primary and secondary Image Gallery each
year. Bermuda College (1974) provides postsecondary Photos.
Economy
The picturesque scenery and the warm, sunny climate make the Bermudas a
popular resort. Tourism, ship repairing, and servicing the military
bases on the islands are the economic mainstays. Manufactures include
pharmaceuticals, perfumes, flavoring extracts, mineral-water extracts,
and essential oils. Only a very small area is under cultivation;
bananas, vegetables, and cut flowers are produced. Food supplies and
fuels form the major part of Bermudian imports. Favorable tax conditions
have made Bermuda a banking center. The Bermuda dollar is the unit of
currency (1 Bermuda dollar equals U.S.$1; 1990). Roads total about 240
km (about 150 mi). Bermuda is serviced by several international airlines
and shipping companies.
Government
Administration in Bermuda is based on a constitution adopted in 1968. A
governor, appointed by the British crown, is responsible for external
affairs, internal security, defense, and the police and is advised by an
executive council on other matters. The executive council consists of
the premier, who is the head of the leading party in the House of
Assembly, and at least six other members of the legislature. The
legislature comprises the elected House of Assembly and an appointed
Senate. The 40 members of the House are popularly elected to terms of up
to five years. The leading political organizations are the United
Bermuda party (1964) and the Progressive Labour party (1963).
History
The discovery of Bermuda is attributed to a Spanish navigator, Juan de
Bermúdez, who was shipwrecked here in about 1503. No settlement was
established, however, until 1609, when a party of English colonists
under the mariner Sir George Somers sailing for Virginia, was also
shipwrecked here. In 1612 the island group, known as Somers Islands, was
included in the third charter of the Virginia Company, and a second
group of English colonists arrived. This charter was revoked in 1684,
however, and the islands then became a crown colony. Shortly afterward
the settlers imported black slaves and, later, Portuguese laborers from
Madeira and the Azores. During the American Civil War (1861-1865),
Confederate blockade runners were based in the Bermudas. At the close of
the Civil War some Americans, particularly Virginians, migrated here
from the United States; the islands later received Boer prisoners, sent
by the British government during the Boer War (1899-1902).
Because of their strategic location, the Bermuda Islands formerly served
as the winter naval station for both the British North Atlantic and West
Indian squadrons; the West Indian squadron still maintains a station
here. In 1941, during World War II, sites on the islands were leased to
the United States for naval and air bases for 99 years. Bermuda became
internally self-governing in 1968.
Ministry of Photos and Development. The Office of the Minister
is at 7 Point Finger Road, P. O. Box HM 1185, Hamilton HM EX, Bermuda.
Phone 236-6904. Fax 236-4006.
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