Bermuda
Country Profile |
Bermuda was first settled in 1609 by shipwrecked English colonists heading for Virginia. Self-governing since 1620, Bermuda is the oldest and most populous of the British overseas territories. Vacationing 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 also developed into a highly successful offshore financial center. A referendum on independence from the UK was soundly defeated in 1995. |
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Full Name |
Bermuda |
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Geographic Coordinates |
32 20 N, 64 45 W |
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Capital and Largest City |
Hamilton (10,000, 2014 est) |
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Area |
54 sq km |
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Terrain |
Low hills separated by fertile depressions |
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Climate |
Subtropical; mild, humid; gales, strong winds common in winter |
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Internet domain |
.bm |
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International dialling code |
+1 441 |
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Nationality |
Bermudian(s) |
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Population |
70,537 (July 2016 est.) |
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Annual Growth Rate |
0.47% (2016 est.) |
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Ethnic Groups |
black 53.8%, white 31%, mixed 7.5%, other 7.1%, unspecified 0.6% (2010 est.) |
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Major Languages |
English (official), Portuguese |
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Major Religions |
Protestant 46.2% (includes Anglican 15.8%, African Methodist Episcopal 8.6%, Seventh Day Adventist 6.7, Pentecostal 3.5%, Methodist 2.7%, Presbyterian 2.0 %, Church of God 1.6%, Baptist 1.2%, Salvation Army 1.1%, Brethren 1.0%, other Protestant 2.0%), Roman Catholic 14.5%, Jehovah's Witness 1.3%, other Christian 9.1%, Muslim 1%, other 3.9%, none 17.8%, unspecified 6.2% (2010 est.) |
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Adult Literacy |
98.0% |
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Infant Mortality Rate |
2.5 deaths/1,000 live births |
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Life expectancy |
Total population - 81.3 years; male – 76.1 years; female –84.5 years (2016 est.) |
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Type |
Parliamentary democracy; self-governing overseas territory of the United Kingdom |
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Dependency Status |
Overseas territory of the United Kingdom |
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Constitution |
8 June 1968 | Learn more » |
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Executive Branch |
Governor (representing Queen Elizabeth II, head of state), Premier (head of government), Cabinet. |
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Executive Branch |
Chief of State: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor John RANKIN (since 5 December 2016) | Learn more »
Head of Government: Premier David BURT (since 19 July 2017) | Learn more »
Cabinet: Cabinet nominated by the Premier, appointed by the Governor | Learn more »
Elections/appointments: the monarchy is hereditary; Governor appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition usually appointed premier by the Governor. |
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Legislative Branch |
Bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (11 seats; members appointed - 3 by the governor, 5 by the premier, and 3 by the opposition party; members serve 5-year terms) and the House of Assembly (36 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve up to 5-year terms) | Learn more »
Elections: House of Assembly - last held on 18 July 2017 (next to be called in 2022) | Learn more »
Election results: House of Assembly - percent of vote by party - OBA 40.61%, PLP 58.89%, other 0.50%; seats by party - OBA 12, PLP 24 | Learn more » |
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Judicial Branch |
Highest Court(s): Court of Appeal (consists of the court president and at least 2 justices); Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice, 4 puisne judges, and 1 associate justice); note - the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council, in London, is the court of final appeal
Judge selection and term of office: Court of Appeal justice appointed by the governor; justice tenure by individual appointment; Supreme Court judges nominated by the Judicial and Legal Services Commission and appointed by the governor; judge tenure based on terms of appointment
Subordinate courts: commercial court (began in 2006); magistrates' courts |
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Legislature |
Parliament of Bermuda | Learn more » |
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Parliament Name |
House of Assembly of Bermuda | Learn more » |
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Structure of Parliament |
Bicameral | Learn more » |
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Members of Parliament |
36 members elected at least every five years by universal adult suffrage |
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Electoral Law |
Bermuda Constitution Order (1968); Bermuda Parliamentary Election Act (1978) | Learn more » |
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Constituencies |
36 single-member constituencies. | Learn more » |
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Voting System |
In the House of Assembly, 36 members are elected by simple majority vote (first past the post).in single-member constituencies |
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Term of Office |
5 years |
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Voter Requirements |
Persons can register to vote if they are Bermudian and 18 years of age or older, or non-Bermudian Commonwealth citizens who were registered to vote on 1st May 1976. Persons who are not ordinarily resident in Bermuda if they reside outside of Bermuda for more than 6 months. |
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Suffrage |
Universal at 18 years of age |
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Candidate Eligibility and Requirements |
Qualification & Disqualification under Sections 29&30 of the Bermuda Constituitional Order 1968. |
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Electoral Authority |
Parliamentary Registry Office (PRO) |
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Last Parliamentary Election |
18 Junl 2017 | Learn more » |
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Next Parliamentary Election |
July 2022 | Learn more » |
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Number of Register Electors |
Approximately 34,060 (2017) |
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GDP (purchasing power parity) |
USD$5.198 billion (2013 est.) |
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GDP Growth Rate |
-2.5% (2013 est.) |
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GDP Per Capita |
$85,700 (2013 est.) |
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Inflation Rate |
1.2% (2016 est.) |
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Unemployment |
9% (2014 est.) |
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Main Exports |
reexports of pharmaceuticals |
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Monetary Unit |
1 Bermudian dollar (BMD) = 100 cents |
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Official Exchange Rate |
BMD 1.00 = USD 1.00 |
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Caribbean Elections provides comprehensive information on the electoral process, politics, and citizenship in the Caribbean. The portal includes election data and resources for the public, teachers, students, and researchers. |
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Key |
OBA = One Bermuda Alliance; PLP = Progressive Labour Party; IND = Inpendent candidate; * Incumbent; ** Political Leader |
Sources |
Bermuda Parliamentary Registry Office |
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