Most people associate Bermuda with the famous Bermuda Triangle and many fantastic theories that explain the mystical disappearances in this mysterious area. Nevertheless, scientists and analysts around the world have long confirmed that this is just speculation, and the number of ships that disappeared here is no more than in other places on the planet.
Today Bermuda is an integral part of the British Commonwealth and one of the most famous resorts in the Atlantic Ocean with a whole scattering of luxury hotels, beautiful beaches and flowering parks. The islands are so popular because of their natural beauty, great climate, crystal clear waters and pink sand. And here you can afford both a serene vacation on the beaches and in hammocks, as well as an active pastime with horse riding, diving and nightlife.
Capital |
Hamilton |
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Population |
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Population density |
1275 people / km² |
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English |
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Religion |
23% - Anglicans, 18% are Protestants, 15% are Catholics, 11% - other confessions |
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Form of government |
a constitutional monarchy |
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bermuda dollar |
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Timezone |
UTC-4, UTC-3 (in summer) |
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International dialing code |
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Domain zone on the Internet |
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Electricity |
Climate and weather
The weather conditions of Bermuda are formed by a temperate maritime climate, as well as by the Gulf Stream, which maintains a relatively even temperature here (not higher than +29 ° C). On average, in summer, the air warms up to +26 ° C and above, and in winter, sometimes the temperature drops to +15 ... + 18 ° C. There is no rainy season in Bermuda, but intermittent tropical showers do occur. Basically, the islands are dominated by comfortable sunny weather.
The best time to travel to Bermuda is between April and October.
Nature
Bermuda is located in the northwest of the Atlantic Ocean, 900 km from the coast of North America. The archipelago includes 7 large and more than 130 small islands of coral origin, of which only 12 are inhabited. Eight fairly large islands are connected by a network of bridges and viaducts, forming the so-called Maine Island... Its relief is quite hilly, and the coastline is indented by many coves with sandy beaches.
The vegetation of all islands is mainly represented by shrubs and exotic trees. There are no rivers, streams and lakes on the islands.
sights
The main attractions of Bermuda are beautiful coral reefs, beautiful gardens, pink sand coves and clear waters. However, in addition to this, there are many interesting buildings and historical monuments.
The "heart" of Bermuda is the capital Hamilton, where most of the commercial and government institutions of the country are concentrated. Its main street, Front Street, is home to many old Victorian buildings featuring overhanging verandas, apricot orchards and limestone hedges.
Among the most popular tourist attractions in the city, it is worth highlighting Holy Trinity Bridge Cathedral, Fort Hamilton, Senate Building, Assembly House, Cenotaph Monument, Pa la Ville Park, Victoria Park, Mary Jean Mitchell and Bermuda Rose Sisayeti Gardens, Bermuda Museum of History, Desmond Fontaine Gallery and the National Gallery.
Also recommended to visit Crystal Cave and Bermuda Aquarium... In addition, not far from Hamilton there are such interesting places as Blue Hole Park with many birds, natural Davils Hole Aquarium and magnificent botanical gardens.
No less interesting is the city of St. George, which is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Among its many attractions, it is necessary to name Royal Square, Town Hall, Pillar of Shame, State House and Somers Garden.
Ordnance Island is also notable, which is connected to St. George by a small bridge. It boasts such interesting objects as old St. Peters Church, Sir Somers statue, 85-meter St. David Lighthouse, Tucker House Museum, Unfinished Church, National Trust Museum and St. George Historical Museum.
In addition, it is worth visiting the island of Ireland Island, which is interesting for its fort Royal Naval Dockyard, on the territory of which there is Arts Center, Bermuda Maritime Museum, Craft Market and many shops. It is also recommended to visit the fortress tower on this island. Clock Tower, historical Clock Tower Alley, Michael Swann Gallery and Lagoon Park.
If we talk about the natural attractions of Bermuda, then it should be noted the numerous National Parks and reserves, for example, the island of Nonsuch Island, where kahu(endangered bermuda pigeon).
In addition, protected areas of the underwater world have been created on the islands:
- Sir Hughes Sanctuary;
- Coopers Island;
- Charlis Island;
- Gilbert Nature Reserve;
- Hangri Bay;
- Castle Island.
Nutrition
Bermuda is one of the most popular and visited resorts in the region, so here you can find establishments with a wide variety of menus, from European to Caribbean. If we talk about national culinary traditions, then they are based on American and English cuisines. The main product of local chefs is all kinds of seafood, which is prepared here simply masterly.
Therefore, in any restaurant you can try such delicacies as spicy shark soup, the famous Bermuda lobster, sea bass fish soup with black rum and fried cod with sherry sauce. It is also universally invited to taste “ Sunday breakfast"(Fried cod with potatoes, bananas, eggs and avocado), mussel pie, steak from wahu(king mackerel), seafood salads and fried Cuban yellowtail. Most often served as a side dish Hoppin john(a mixture of black peas and rice), cereal tortillas with rice and peas, fried bananas " tostones», Bermuda onions, all kinds of vegetables and rice with sauces.
It is also worth trying the local cassava pie, which, by the way, saved the first settlers of Bermuda from starvation.
For dessert, all kinds of fruits are offered here, jam from medlar, grape jelly and sweet potato pudding. In addition, it is recommended to try the local honey. It is quite expensive, but you will remember its taste for a long time.
The main drink in Bermuda is Golsing's Bermuda Black Seal rum, as well as cocktails based on it, for example, "Swizzle"(rum, lemon juice, bitters and sugar). In addition, other alcoholic beverages are widely represented here, including various types of imported beer.
Accommodation
Hotels in Bermuda are able to satisfy the needs of almost any vacationer. Most of them are resort hotels with excellent service and comfortable rooms. Meals in many of them are organized in a buffet style, but breakfast is not always included in the cost of living. What's more, some of the most luxurious hotels have fitness centers, spas, golf courses and tennis courts. In addition, many hotels offer scooter rentals. Also a nice feature of some establishments are culinary weekends, during which professional chefs teach guests how to cook and give lectures on good nutrition.
It should be said that most of the variety of hotels and inns - both luxury and budget - is concentrated on Main Island. However, other islands also offer many accommodation options. In addition, you can always rent a villa, cottage or apartment in Bermuda.
Entertainment and recreation
Bermuda is an ideal holiday destination: the number of entertainment options on the islands promises an excellent pastime for even the most discerning. Fans of outdoor activities are invited to do any kind of water sports: diving, yachting, spearfishing, water skiing and surfing. Also in Bermuda, golf, cricket and tennis are very popular, so there are plenty of clubs and schools dedicated to these sports. In addition, ecotourism is widespread on the islands, offering rare bird watching, exploring underground caves and wandering through lush nature reserves and botanical gardens.
The main resting place in Bermuda is beaches with pale pink sand. Moreover, there are both public and private beaches. The best public beaches are Horseshoe Bay, Jobsons Cove, Tobacco Bay, West Vale Bay and Elbow Beach near Hamilton. Almost all beaches have sun loungers, cafes and restrooms.
But Bermuda is famous not only for its beaches. The local luxury restaurants, nightclubs and reggae-style beach parties are popular here, which will certainly appeal to fans of noisy rest and fun companies. If we talk about family vacations, then there are also many interesting options for him here. Among them, it is worth highlighting raft races, horse carriage rides, swimming with dolphins at the Maritime Museum, visits to the Zoo, Aquarium and Underwater Institute, as well as excursions to underground crystal caves and numerous nature reserves.
In addition, the entertainment program of Bermuda includes many festivals, celebrations and carnivals. Among them, the most famous are:
- Caribbean Music Festival;
- Bermuda Reggae Festival;
- festival "Bermuda-Tatu";
- Spring Student Festival;
- Bermuda International Film Festival;
- Sand Castles Competition;
- holiday "Dokyard Illumination" and many others.
Purchases
Bermuda is a duty-free zone, so goods from the EU countries are much cheaper here than on the continent. Most of the large shopping centers and various stores are concentrated in Hamilton, Devonshire and Saint george... It is there that you can buy fashionable clothes from famous brands, great Scottish cashmere, quality Italian leather goods and many other great goods at affordable prices.
It is better to buy souvenirs not in shopping centers, but in small specialized shops, since there is more choice, and the quality is often better. In such establishments, first of all, it is recommended to pay attention to all kinds of tropical crafts made of wood, shells and straw (hats, jewelry, baskets, etc.), as well as local rum. In addition, all kinds of T-shirts, magnets, toys and dishes with the symbols of the islands are sold everywhere.
All shops pay in Bermuda dollars, US dollars and credit cards. Other currencies are not accepted for payment in shops, but you can always exchange them at local banks.
Usually, almost all shops are open from 09:00 to 17:00, but on Thursdays, many of them close early (around 15:00).
Transport
Bermuda airport Wade is the only international airport in Bermuda. It is located 16 km from the city of Hamilton and is connected to it by regular bus service. Passenger ferries run between all inhabited islands.
Public transport in Bermuda is represented by buses, taxis, small trains and tourist horse teams. Streets in all cities are narrow, so the maximum speed here is 35 km / h. The main way to get around the city is by bus. Buses run from 7:00 to 23:00. Travel tickets are sold from drivers, and passes are sold in large stores. All buses stop at the first request of passengers.
Taxis are a good alternative to buses. Moreover, many of them can conduct an introductory tour (cars with a blue flag on the hood). The fare is $ 4 for the landing and first mile and $ 1.4 for subsequent miles.
Car rental in Bermuda is prohibited. The fact is that the road congestion on the islands is very high, and therefore there are often traffic jams and parking problems. However, you can rent a scooter in any city. It should be noted that the traffic in Bermuda is left-hand, which is quite unusual for most tourists.
Connection
The telecommunication system of Bermuda can be called quite developed and quite modern. Public payphones with international lines are almost ubiquitous. They work with plastic cards that are sold in any supermarket or street kiosk. In addition, UK, US and Canadian calling cards, such as Prepaid Global Calling Cards, are valid in Bermuda.
Mobile communication is carried out in the GSM 1900 standard and covers almost the entire territory of the islands. International roaming is available to subscribers of all major operators. Local telephones can be rented from the offices of mobile companies (Wireless Ltd and Bermuda & West Indies Ltd) and specialized kiosks.
Network technologies on the islands are well developed. 24-hour Internet access is provided in almost all hotels. In addition, there are many Internet cafes in large cities (Hamilton, St. George, etc.). The cost of their services is $ 3-5 per hour.
Security
Bermuda is recognized as one of the safest places in the western hemisphere of the Earth. There is practically no crime here, and violent offenses are considered to be something out of the ordinary. Therefore, for personal safety, it is recommended that you simply follow the general precautions.
It should be noted that in most establishments, as well as in all public places, smoking is strictly prohibited, and violation of this prohibition is punishable by a huge fine. A similar punishment awaits those who drink alcohol in public places.
You don't need any special vaccinations to travel to Bermuda. The level of medical care here is very high. Tap water is safe, but it is advised to drink bottled water during the first days of your stay on the islands.
Sharks and other dangerous marine animals are absent on most beaches. True, from March to July, large accumulations are recorded in the waters of the open ocean around the islands " portuguese boats"Which are extremely poisonous. Therefore, when diving and swimming in the open ocean, you must take precautions.
Business climate
The main source of income for Bermuda is tourism, and the industry is represented mainly by enterprises for the repair of ships and the manufacture of boats, as well as the production of pharmaceuticals and building materials. In this regard, approximately 80% of the food consumed on the islands is imported from abroad.
The main economic advantage of the islands is the fact that literally all operations of foreign companies here are completely tax-free. Thanks to this, Bermuda is the most important financial center, where more than 6 thousand large and small foreign companies are registered.
Real estate
In June of this year, the government of Bermuda made a number of changes to the property law, thanks to which the purchase of real estate by foreign citizens has become more affordable. According to the new provisions of this law, foreign citizens can acquire twice as much real estate as before. In addition, now residents of Bermuda are allowed to sell their property to foreigners without any licenses or permits, however, only in cases where the market value of the property does not exceed $ 177,000.
Needless to say, these new regulations have generated increased interest in all Bermuda properties, both residential and commercial. Moreover, analysts assume that prices for local real estate will jump in the near future, since large foreign investors are very interested in investing their capital here.
The people of Bermuda are friendly, polite and democratic. However, it should be borne in mind that beachwear and swimwear outside the beaches are not allowed here. Almost all restaurants require evening wear, and many fashionable establishments have a strict dress code. Tips are not accepted in most restaurants and hotels, as they are usually included in the bill in advance.
Visa information
To visit Bermuda, citizens of the Russian Federation who have a valid visa from Canada, Great Britain or the United States do not need a separate visa. In this case, at the border, you must present your passport with visas of the indicated countries and return tickets (or tickets to a third country).
Citizens of the Russian Federation who do not have the above visas should contact the consular department of the British Embassy (Moscow, Smolenskaya nab., 10) or the Consulate General (St. Petersburg, Proletarskaya dictatorskoy street, 5).
The maximum stay in Bermuda is three months.
Bermuda or Bermuda is an overseas territory of Great Britain, which is located in the northwestern part of the Atlantic Ocean and is a large archipelago. It is noteworthy that these lands are closer to North America than to Great Britain. The archipelago includes 157 islands, only 20 of which are inhabited. Tourists from all over the world are attracted to Bermuda by the bright colors of the local landscapes and the purest water. Today we will get acquainted with the history of Bermuda and understand what they are in terms of geography, economy and tourism.
History
Having found out who discovered Bermuda, you can understand to whom they owe their name. The archipelago was discovered by a Spanish navigator, Captain Juande Bermudez. He saw the islands around 1503-1515, when they were still uninhabited, and the Spaniards did not claim them.
After some time, these Bermudas were discovered by British Admiral George Somers. Due to damage to the ship on the reefs, he had to go ashore. Having studied the area, the sailor concluded that it was quite suitable for life. So Bermuda began to belong to Great Britain.
Despite the fact that the first English settlement appeared here in 1609, they were declared the official possession of England only in 1684. Until 1838, the economic development of Bermuda was accompanied by the import of slaves of African American descent. At the end of the 19th century, tourist services became the main income here.
In 1941, the British government leased a 6 km² plot of Bermuda to America for 100 years. The United States intended to equip a military base on it. But in 1995, the use of the site was terminated ahead of schedule.
In 1968, Bermuda adopted a constitution according to which they have internal self-government.
Geography
The first step is to clarify where Bermuda is. They are located in the North Atlantic, 1,770 kilometers northeast of Miami (Florida) and 1,350 kilometers south of Halifax (Nova Scotia). The closest point of the continent (1030 km) is Cape Hatteras (North Carolina). That is why, having learned where Bermuda is located, many attribute them to America.
The islands are of volcanic origin and are located in the western part of the Mid-Atlantic Submarine Ridge. To the southwest of them are two more seamounts that support the coral reefs. Despite the fact that the archipelago was formed on a volcanic base, limestone caps, which appeared as a result of the activity of bacteria, played an important role in its formation.
The complex of islands also includes a line of underwater reefs that extend from it about 20 kilometers to the north. By the way, Bermuda is the only place in the North Atlantic where corals grow.
Bermuda has a mild subtropical climate, largely due to the influence of the warm Gulf Stream. The average annual temperature here is 20-23 ° С. Humidity in the archipelago is high and is approximately the same in all parts of the archipelago.
Due to the mild climate, the islands are very picturesque during the flowering period of the hibiscus or oleander growing on them. And plants such as juniper and Bermuda cedar are on the verge of extinction. The fact is that they do not get along with the insects brought to the region - moths and cicadas. Amphibians were also brought to the islands: all kinds of lizards, tree frogs and giant toads. The only endemic to Bermuda is the mountain lizard. She lived here long before the appearance of people.
The main island (Maine Island) has a predominantly hilly topography (maximum height - 76 m) and a fairly indented coastline, with many sandy beaches and coves. About 35% of the territory is occupied by shrubs that grow on hills. In the lowlands, on fertile soils, cultivated plants are grown. There are no rivers, streams or lakes on the islands.
During the year, up to 1000 millimeters of precipitation falls in Bermuda, and as such, there is no rainy season here.
Time in Bermuda is -4 hours away from Greenwich. The local time zone is designated as UTC / GMT -4 hours.
Population
The population of Bermuda is about 65 thousand people. Local men live on average 77.2 years, and women - 83.7 years. Ethno-racial composition of the archipelago: 54% - Negroids, 31% - Whites, 8% - Mulattoes, 4% - Asians, 3% - Others.
In terms of religious preference, the population is divided as follows: 2 3% Anglicans, 15% Catholics, 11% African Methodist bishops, 18% Other Protestants, 12% Other cults, 14% Atheists, 7% undecided.
Native American ancestry can be traced back to the history of many people in Bermuda. The ancestors of some came here from Mexico. Someone was sold into slavery or exiled from New England back in the 17th century.
Citizens of other states live and work on the archipelago. Most of them can be found in the financial sector and specialized processions. These are mainly residents of the UK, America, Canada, and the West Indies. According to 2005 data, the total workforce of the islands is 39 thousand people, of which about 11 thousand are newcomers.
Economy
The main income (about 60% of foreign exchange earnings) Bermuda derives from foreign tourism. About 600 thousand people come here annually, 90% of whom are residents of the United States. You can get to Bermuda by ship or plane.
Only 17% of Bermuda's working population is employed in industry. In the region there are enterprises for the manufacture and repair of ships, as well as the production of pharmaceutical products, building materials and others. The agricultural sector employs 3% of the working population. In Bermuda, potatoes, tomatoes, cabbage, bananas are grown. Fishing is also developed here (the annual catch is about 800 tons) and floriculture, which is export-oriented.
About 80% of food is brought to the archipelago from abroad. It also supplies fuel, household goods, clothing and building materials.
The main partner of Bermuda is South Korea (31.7%). It is followed by Italy (21.7%), America (14.9%), Great Britain (6.8%) and Singapore (4.4%). Given who owns Bermuda, such a distribution of foreign policy contacts is paradoxical.
The average per capita income on the islands is about 50% higher than in America. In terms of GDP, the region is even one of the world leaders. Housing prices are very high here, as the archipelago has long attracted the attention of the world elite.
Low direct taxes on personal and corporate income have contributed to the fact that Bermuda has become one of the world's offshore centers. They have a developed economy and are an exporter of a wide range of financial services (investment funds, insurance, reinsurance, etc.).
Currency
The Bermuda dollar (100 cents or Bermuda coins) is equal to the US dollar. With both currencies, you can easily pay at local retail outlets. Other currencies are not accepted here, but there are a lot of exchange offices in the region. You can pay with a credit card in almost all hotels, boarding houses, restaurants and shops. The most convenient way to bring money into Bermuda is to buy traveller's checks in US dollars.
There is no sales tax on the islands of the archipelago, but a $ 20 fee will be charged on anyone leaving the region. In most local restaurants, the cost of service (on average, 15% of the total) is automatically included in the bill. There is no need to pay tips to the staff of local hotels here, as they are also taken into account when paying for the room. Porters at the local airport are usually given a few dollars as a tip, and taxi drivers - up to 15% of the cost of the trip.
Capital
The capital of Bermuda is Hamilton. Its history began in 1790, when the local government reserved 145 acres for the residence. However, Hamilton became the official capital of Bermuda only in 1815, when the administrative center was moved from St. George. At that time, he was already a large trading hub. It was recognized as a full-fledged city even later - in 1897, after the construction of an Anglican church in it. A little later, a Catholic cathedral was erected here.
The city belongs to Pembroke County. It was named after Henry Hamilton, who served as governor of Bermuda from 1778 to 1794. Today, the archipelago's capital is its only city and home to most of its institutions, both government and commercial.
Hamilton city center is located on Front Street, which stretches along the coast of the main island's harbor. You can get around the sights of the city in just a couple of hours. Ferry services connect with other islands of the Hamilton archipelago.
National symbols
The Bermuda flag was adopted in 1910 and slightly modified in 1967 and 1999. The flags of all British overseas territories are based on the blue English stern banner. In Bermuda, however, this practice was not applied. The flag of Bermuda is represented by a red English naval trade banner, in the lower right part of which is the local coat of arms.
The region's coat of arms depicts a lion holding a shield depicting the wreck of the Virginia Sea Luck frigate in 1609 near Bermuda. The ship's passengers escaped and founded the first settlement on the islands of the archipelago.
Culture
The culture of Bermuda is very rich and diverse, as it was formed from a mixture of cultures of different peoples. Native Americans left the greatest mark on it. Along with their customs, there are echoes of African, Irish, Spanish-Caribbean and Scottish customs, and this is not all. In the 17th century, Anglo-Saxon culture became predominant. And immigration to Bermuda from the Portuguese Atlantic islands led to the fact that a large part of the local population speaks Portuguese.
In the XX century. there was a second wave of immigration from the English-speaking islands, which could not but affect the local culture. After World War II, Western Indians introduced Calypso music to the archipelago, and in the late 70s, with the influx of Jamaican emigrants, the islands were swept by a love of reggae music.
Initially, the literature in Bermuda was not very rich and was limited to works commenting on the features of the archipelago. Only in the XX century, books by local authors began to be published here in large quantities, but only a small part of this literature was fiction.
Dances play an important role in the culture of Bermuda, especially the colorful gombay. Here in different years such celebrities as: Michael Douglas, Earl of Cameron, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Diana Dill and others lived. Paintings by a number of local artists are successfully sold all over the world. Thus, the impressionistic landscapes of Alfred Beardsay glorified him far beyond the borders of his homeland.
Carving various sculptures from cedar is a popular activity among local artisans. Every year, on Easter, the inhabitants of the archipelago craft and launch kites into the sky, which symbolize the rise of Christ.
Sport
One of the most popular ways of spending leisure time for the population of Bermuda is sports. For many local residents, it has become the meaning of life. The archipelago is popular for cricket, golf, rugby, football, sport fishing, as well as horse riding and sailing. In 2007, the Bermuda national cricket team took part in the World Cup.
Particular attention is paid to golf on the islands. Tournaments and championships in this elite sport are often held here. The Royal Bermuda Golf Club is hugely popular with 16 first-class courses.
In 2006, a professional football team was formed on the islands, which plays in the games of the United Leagues.
Bermuda Triangle
Speaking of Bermuda, one cannot ignore the famous Bermuda Triangle. This is the name of the area of the Atlantic Ocean, in which ships and aircraft allegedly disappear. The tops of the conditional triangle are: Bermuda, Florida and Puerto Rico. This area is also called devilish.
To explain the facts of the disappearance of ships, many different hypotheses have been put forward, ranging from specific weather conditions to the activities of aliens. According to skeptics, ships in the indicated area are for natural reasons, and this does not happen more often than in other places in the Atlantic and the world's oceans as a whole. This opinion is officially shared by the large insurance agency Lloyd "s. One way or another, travelers are wary of the Bermuda Triangle. This, however, does not in any way affect the popularity of Bermuda.
sights
The main attractions of the region are concentrated in Hamilton and St. George. Of particular interest among tourists are the narrow central streets of the capital, on which there are interesting Victorian-style buildings with hanging verandas and wrought-iron fences.
Wildlife lovers are advised to visit the Pa-la-Ville Park, where you can not only walk along the picturesque shady alleys, but also visit the local history museum. Those interested in painting should check out the Bermuda National Gallery. Well, connoisseurs of architecture will be happy to explore the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity Bridge, the pentagonal Fort Hamilton, Fort Scar, Waterville, as well as the buildings of the Senate and the House of Assembly.
Details Category: North American Dependent Territories Published on July 10, 2014 10:00 Hits: 1952
Bermuda- the overseas territory of Great Britain, located on a group of coral islands in the Atlantic Ocean.
Bermuda includes 150 islands and reefs, of which about 20 are inhabited, and 10 of them are connected by bridges and overpasses and form the main island - Main Island.
State symbols
Flag- is a red English maritime trade flag with the Bermuda coat of arms on the lower right side. The lion holds a shield depicting the wreck of the Virginia Company Sea Luck frigate, which sank in 1609 off the coast of Bermuda. All of its passengers escaped by establishing the first settlement on the islands. The flag was approved in 1999.
Coat of arms- depicts a red lion holding a shield depicting a sinking ship. Adopted as the coat of arms of the colony in 1910. The lion, which is the symbol of the Bermuda metropolis of England, is depicted in an unusual pose: sitting on the grass in front of the viewer. The lion holds a shield depicting the wreck of the Virginia Company Sea Luck frigate, which sank in 1609 off the coast of Bermuda. The red lion, clutching the heraldic shield with its front paws and pinning it with its hind legs, is the symbol of Great Britain. Her possession - she holds.
Under the shield on the ribbon is the motto in Latin: "Where will destiny take [us]."
It is believed that the wreck of "Sea Fortune" near Bermuda became the plot for the famous play "The Tempest" by W. Shakespeare.
State structure
Form of government- British ownership.
Head of state- the monarch of Great Britain represented by the governor. The governor is in charge of matters of foreign policy, defense, police.
Head of the government- Prime Minister.
Capital, port and largest city- Hamilton.
Official language- English.
Territory- 53.2 km².
Administrative division- 9 districts and 2 municipalities.
Bermuda carnival
Population- 64 237 people Of these, Negroids make up 54.8%, whites 34.1%, mulattos 6.4%, and the other 4.7%.
Religion- Anglicans 23%, Catholics 15%, African Methodist Bishops 11%, other Protestants 18%, etc.
Currency- Bermuda dollar.
Economy- the main income from foreign tourism (60% of foreign exchange earnings).
Foreign company operations on the islands are tax-exempt, making Bermuda an important financial center. More than six thousand foreign companies are registered on the islands; in terms of the tonnage of sea vessels, Bermuda occupies the 5th place in the world.
In Bermuda, there are enterprises for the repair of ships, the manufacture of boats, pharmaceutical products, and building materials.
Bananas, potatoes, tomatoes, cabbage are grown on the islands, fishing is developed, floriculture is export-oriented.
80% of the food consumed in Bermuda is imported from abroad. Fuel, industrial goods, clothing, and construction materials are also imported.
Nature
Bermuda is made up of coral formations that formed on top of an extinct volcano. There are many small sandy and coral islands, reefs and lagoons.
The main island is characterized by a hilly relief, a rather indented coastline with a large number of bays and sections of sandy beaches.
Bermuda juniper
Before the discovery of the islands by man, almost the entire territory was occupied by forests of endemic Bermuda juniper. Deforestation and the epidemic of the mid-20th century. destroyed more than 99% of these slow-growing trees. Measures are now being taken to increase the population.
Shrubs mainly grow on the hills. In the lowlands, on fertile soils, there are cultivated plants.
Bermuda is home to about 350 bird species, one of the rarest is the Bermuda petrel. Buntings of bright blue color, blue herons, arctic plovers, kiskade are numerous. Thanks to the mild climate, the islands are covered with lush tropical vegetation all year round - they delight with their catchy beauty oleanders, bougainvillea, lilies, red, yellow and white hibiscus flowers, yellow-purple bermudians. For the riot of tropical vegetation, Bermuda is often compared to a blooming fragrant garden.
The only source of fresh water is tropical rain. There are no rivers and streams on the islands. There are a number of small bodies of water located at sea level and filled with sea or brackish water. There are desalination plants, but desalination is expensive, so the local population accumulates rainwater. For this, the roofs of the houses are specially designed to channel water into a reservoir under the house.
Climate Bermuda is subtropical.
The beaches of Bermuda are fenced off from the ocean by coral reefs, so the danger of shark attacks is excluded.
This beautiful royal lives in the coral reefs of Bermuda. triggerfish.
The Bermuda Triangle Phenomenon
Bermuda Triangle- an area in the Atlantic Ocean in which the mysterious disappearances of ships and aircraft occur (it is shown on the map). There is a similar "triangle" in the Pacific Ocean, "devilish" - as it is called by Japanese fishermen. These are the Pacific waters around the island of Miyakejima (128 km south of Tokyo), located in the northern part of the Philippine Sea.
The Bermuda area is very difficult to navigate: there are a large number of shoals, cyclones and storms often originate. Mysterious phenomena do occur in this zone, but they are explained in different ways: some argue that disappearances of ships in the Bermuda Triangle do not occur more often than in other regions of the oceans, and are explained by natural reasons (unusual weather phenomena). The same opinion is shared by the US Coast Guard and the insurance market Lloyd "s. Other unexplained (so far) phenomena are attributed to abductions by aliens or inhabitants of Atlantis (the island-state known according to legend, which was swallowed by the sea on the same day along with its inhabitants - Atlanteans about 9500 g BC) In modern science, questions about the existence of Atlantis are controversial.
For the first time, the Associated Press correspondent Jones spoke about the "mysterious disappearances" in the Bermuda Triangle, in 1950 he called the area "the devil's sea." The author of the phrase “Bermuda Triangle” is considered to be Vincent Gaddis, who published an article in one of the magazines in 1964 “The Deadly Bermuda Triangle”.
The most famous case is the disappearance of a flight of 5 Avenger-class torpedo bombers. These aircraft took off on December 5, 1945 from the US naval base in Fort Lauderdale and never returned. Their wreckage has not been found.
The C-119 aircraft with 9 crew members disappeared on June 5, 1965 in the Bahamas. The exact time and place of disappearance is unknown, and his searches yielded nothing. While the disappearance of a plane across the Atlantic can be attributed to many natural causes, this incident is often associated with alien abduction.
Scientific point of view: Reports of mysterious events in the Bermuda Triangle are greatly exaggerated. Ships and aircraft die in other parts of the world, sometimes without a trace. A radio malfunction or sudden disaster can prevent the crew from sending a distress signal. Finding wreckage at sea is not an easy task, especially during a storm or when the exact location of the disaster is not known. Considering the very busy traffic in the Bermuda Triangle area, frequent cyclones and storms, a large number of shoals, then the number of disasters that have occurred here that have not received an explanation is not unusually large. But in itself, the notoriety of the Bermuda Triangle can lead to the fact that catastrophes are attributed to it, which in reality did not happen here, and this introduces artificial distortions in statistics.
Proposed and other scientific hypotheses: the sudden death of ships and aircraft is the result of the release of methane gas from the seabed. Large bubbles are formed in the water, saturated with methane, in which the density is lowered so that ships cannot swim and instantly sink. Some speculate that methane, once lifted into the air, can also cause aircraft crashes due to a decrease in air density, which leads to a decrease in lift and distortion of altimeters. Methane in the air can stop engines.
It is suggested that the cause of the death of some ships may be the so-called. wandering waves, which are believed to be as high as 30 m.
It is also assumed that under certain conditions, infrasound can be generated at sea, which affects the crew members, causing panic, as a result of which they leave the ship.
But back to the natural beauty of Bermuda.
We have already said that 10 islands of the archipelago are connected by bridges and overpasses and form the main island - Main Island.
Bermuda landmarks
These are, of course, numerous hotels and beaches. One of Bermuda's public beaches is located in Horseshoe Bay.
South Coast of Bermuda (Sinki Bay)
Gibbs Hill Lighthouse
One of the two lighthouses of the islands. It began its work on May 1, 1846. It is said that before its installation, about 40 ships were shipwrecked in coastal waters.
Previously, the lighthouse ran on kerosene, then finally switched to electricity and was equipped with advanced technologies. The height of the lighthouse is 36 m. 185 steps lead to the tower. This lighthouse offers panoramic views of the Bermuda Coast.
City Hall (Hamilton)
Hamilton- the capital and largest city. It is developing dynamically. The main attractions of Hamilton: Bermuda Cathedral, created in the neo-Gothic style; The Bermuda Historical Public Museum, which contains an exhibition of the Age of Discovery and items raised from the bottom of the sea; Bermuda National Gallery containing works by Thomas Gainsborough, Joshua Reynolds and Winslow Homer.
Cathedral bermuda
City of St. George- one of the first settlements of the British in the New World. The city and the surrounding fortifications of the 17th-20th centuries. included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Its architecture reproduces the events and attributes of bygone days.
Harbor city
The city hall of the 18th century is located on the Royal Square. with a "pillar of shame" that once served as a place of punishment for criminals.
St. Peter's Church is the oldest surviving Anglican church in the Western Hemisphere.
Of interest are the old state residence of 1620, the Bermuda National Trust Museum, the Royal Naval Dockyard Bermuda with an old fort. The St. George Defensive Structures are the oldest surviving English fortifications in the New World.
Snorkeling Park is one of the best diving training centers in Bermuda.
The friendly and hospitable islanders take pride in their cultural heritage and wear the famous bermuda shorts.
Their history began at the beginning of the 20th century: short trousers above the knee were introduced in the British colonial forces and the Royal Navy for wearing in tropical and desert climates. This was the beginning of their mass popularity at the beginning of the 20th century. century in Bermuda, where they are still considered business clothes for men. They were sewn from suiting fabric and worn with golfs, a suit shirt, and sometimes a sports jacket. As a rule, they were made in pastel shades, but there were also darker colors. The piping can be folded or folded approximately one inch. Nowadays, of course, there is a greater variety of these trousers.
A plate of thick fish soup with seafood and a cocktail with rum are always available for hospitable Bermudians.
History of Bermuda
The islands were discovered by a Spanish navigator Juan Bermudez in 1503, they are named after him. But the Spaniards did not begin to develop these islands.
The first English settlement appeared on the islands in 1609. It was founded by English colonists who were heading for Virginia, but were shipwrecked. They named the archipelago "Somers Islands" after their captain, Admiral George Somers.
Statue of Admiral George Somers in St. George
The settlers took up agriculture on the islands, and from 1684 Bermuda was officially declared the crown possession of England.
Negro slaves from Africa were brought here until slavery was abolished in 1838. From the late 19th - early 20th centuries. Bermuda's economy came to be based on serving tourists.
In 1941, the British government leased an area of about 6 km² to the United States for 99 years for the construction of naval and air force bases, but in 1995 the United States stopped using them ahead of schedule.
Under the 1968 constitution, Bermuda has internal self-government.
Information about Bermuda, geography, nature and climate of the Bahamas
Information about Bermuda, geography, nature and climate of the Bahamas, political structure
Cobsession
1. History
2. Geography
3. Population
4. Economy
6. Culture
8. Hamilton - the capital of Bermuda
9. The best beaches
10. The main attractions of Bermuda
11. Bermuda Triangle
Bermuda, or Bermuda -this is overseas territory of Great Britain, located on a group of coral islands in the northwestern part of the Atlantic Ocean, 900 km from North America.
- this is the possession of Great Britain in the northwestern part of the Atlantic Ocean - includes about 157 islands, of which only 20 are inhabited. Bermuda is a magnificent bouquet of tropical aromas, bright colors of nature and the clearest sea. Here you can swing in a large hammock and dream under the whisper of palm trees and the sea breeze. Even the houses on the island are blue, pink, lilac under a white roof
History
Bermuda was named after the Spanish captain Juan de Bermuda. It was he who discovered these pieces of land in the middle of the ocean and opened them to the rest of the world. In those distant times (approximately 1503-1515), they were not yet inhabited and were uncharted, uninhabited territories. But the Spaniards did not consider it necessary to claim their rights over Bermuda. Therefore, the rights to them now belong to the UK.
British citizen, Admiral George Somers accidentally discovered them on the way from his kingdom to one of the US states. Having damaged the ship on the reefs surrounding the islands, he had no choice but to go ashore in search of materials suitable for repair. Here the admiral's team discovered not only tree species valuable for shipbuilding, but also everything necessary for life. To claim the rights to these fertile lands, Somers left part of the team here, and he himself hastened to announce his discovery in America. Soon, the admiral returned, but he had to meet death here, on the islands. By the way, they were even named after him, but, as we can see, the name did not take root, leaving this honor for the discoverer.
The first English settlement appeared in 1609 - it was founded by English colonists who were heading to Virginia, but were shipwrecked. They took up agriculture on the islands, and in 1684 Bermuda was officially declared the crown possession of England.
The economic development of the colony was accompanied by the import of black slaves from Africa. Slavery was abolished in 1838. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Bermuda's economy began to specialize in serving tourists.
From 1931 to 1948 there was a railway connecting the islands with bridges.
Under a 1941 agreement, the British government leased a plot of about 6 km² to the United States for 99 years - for the construction of naval and air force bases. In 1995, the United States stopped using these bases ahead of schedule.
Under the 1968 constitution, Bermuda has internal self-government.
The United States, in turn, was very interested in Somers' discovery. A settlement of 60 people was organized on the islands. But still, one should not discount the fact that these land areas are not full-fledged lands, for many centuries they have been washed by the waters of the ocean, which wash out already scarce fertilizers. This is why the topsoil is not fertile enough to support agriculture. The United States, in the person of its settlers, tried to grow various agricultural crops here, including the then-demanded sugar cane. As a result of futile attempts, the entire settlement became dependent on food supplies from the United States.
The United States kept Bermuda for quite some time. But, in 1684, they became a British colony. African and Indian slaves were brought here. At that time, the population of the islands already amounted to 9 thousand people, 5 of whom were black. The slaves were kept in terrible conditions, the attitude towards them was humiliating - they mainly served the white masters, did all the dirty work. This position of the slaves forced them to adapt to the conditions of the islands in order to survive elementary. So, after the abolition of slavery, which, of course, could not but affect the British possessions, already former slaves could easily provide for themselves and their families. What can not be said about the "gentlemen", many of them left the heavenly land, not finding a "worthy" use for themselves.
But during the American War of Independence, Bermuda found itself in a rather difficult economic and political situation. On the one hand, the lion's share of the supply was still provided by the states, but on the other, do not forget about it - they belonged to Britain. During the hostilities, Bermuda had to act as a base for the British naval forces. In response, America blocked trade from the islands. Naturally, this could not but affect the economy of Bermuda. Despite all these circumstances, the American Civil War brought good profits to the islands.
The geographical location of Bermuda proved to be strategically advantageous for reconnaissance operations and the transfer of military forces during the Second World War. It was she who rallied the previously aggressive countries. Great Britain even leased part of the islands to the United States for a period of 99 years in order to strengthen its military forces against the common aggressor. And now, on the site of the international airport, there is one of the American air bases.
In 1963, for the first time, issues related to the rights and interests of non-white citizens were publicly announced. Then the majority of government positions were occupied by just white-skinned Bermudians. The progressive Labor Party also touched on the issue of constitutional consolidation of the internal rights and freedoms of Bermuda citizens. As a result of the party's activities, constitutional norms were drawn up providing for internal self-government and the coordination of all decisions with Great Britain at the diplomatic level.
After the almost complete elimination of racial discrimination in 1970, the inhabitants of Bermuda can rightfully be proud of the inner harmony of interracial relations. In addition, judging by the election for the post of prime minister, as a result of which the victory was won by Pamela Gordon, the inhabitants of the islands are deprived of sexual prejudice. True, Gordon's reign ended in 1998, and Jennifer Smith was elected to her post. The issue of independence from Great Britain has been discussed for several years. And a few years ago, many bases of the US military forces were closed in Bermuda. Perhaps soon Bermuda will finally gain independence. In any case, now inside the islands, between their inhabitants, peace and harmony reign.
Geography
Bermuda is located in the northern part of the Atlantic Ocean, east of North America. It is approximately 1,770 km northeast of Miami, Florida and 1,350 km south of Halifax, Nova Scotia. The closest point of the continent is 1030 km - Cape Hatteras (North Carolina). Bermuda is of volcanic origin, the volcanoes themselves were formed on the line of expansion of tectonic plates, in Bermuda "hot spots". So, an underwater volcanic ridge was formed, it is also the Mid-Atlantic ridge, and Bermuda is located far to the west of this ridge.
Southwest of Bermuda, there are two more seamounts that form the Argus and Challenger banks. Both support coral reefs and are popular with fishing enthusiasts. Although the base of Bermuda is formed on a volcanic base, limestone caps, which appeared as a result of the activity of bacteria, completed their work in their formation. During the ice age, when sea levels were lower, limestone corroded into sand. The archipelago also includes a line of underwater coral reefs, approximately 20 km north of the northern tip of the coast.
The environment of Bermuda is constantly under stress due to the small size of the islands, high population density and a constant influx of millions of holidaymakers. For example, there is a risk of a decrease in the number of some species of marine life due to the ongoing commercial fishing. But not everything is so bad at the moment, the ecological consciousness of citizens and local legislation allows not only to keep the ecology in a stable state, but also to reintroduce some types of living beings.
Bermuda has a mild climate, in particular due to the influence of the warm Gulf Stream. The average annual temperature here is 20 - 23 degrees Celsius. The humidity is high and evenly distributed. The mild climate makes the island beautiful when beautiful flowers such as hibiscus and oleander are in bloom. Bermuda cedar and juniper are on the verge of extinction, for the most part, the reason for this was the import of two species of insects that are not inherent in this region - cicadas and moths.
Some species of mammals were also brought here, these are various lizards, several species of tree frogs, and the giant toad, which often dies on the roads, for which it was nicknamed the "road toad". Bermuda's only native terrestrial mammal is a mountain lizard, which has lived here since the days when there were no people here. It is also the only place in the North Atlantic where corals thrive.
The main island is characterized by a hilly relief (the highest point is 76 m), a rather indented coastline with a large number of bays and sections of sandy beaches.
About 35% of the territory is covered with shrubs, mainly on highlands. In the lowlands, on fertile soils, there are cultivated plants. There are no rivers, streams, lakes on the islands.
Bermuda has a subtropical climate. It plays the role of the main factor that determined the specialization of the local economy in the tourism business.
Bermuda offers so many different, amazing and exciting adventures! This includes calm walks along the coast, and the highest class golf courses, immersion in the most interesting history of the famous shipwrecks, dancing all night long and dinner under the stars on the bottomless black sky! Many people come to Bermuda to dive into the magnificent underwater world with a huge number of tropical inhabitants, underwater caves and coral reefs, or simply swim in the crystal clear waters of the ocean. And, of course, be sure to visit one of the colorful carnivals and festivals that Bermuda is famous for!
The climate is temperate maritime. The main weather-forming factor here is the Gulf Stream, which passes between Bermuda and the coast of North America. All year round, warm air masses formed over the surface of the Gulf Stream maintain warm and relatively even weather over the islands - the average temperature in summer (May-September) is about +26 C, in winter (mid-December - end of March) - about +17 C with minimum values in the area of +14 C. Strong winds of the north-western direction, bringing cold and rain, are characteristic of the winter period.
Precipitation falls up to 1000 mm, and there is no pronounced rainy season - powerful, but short-term tropical showers are possible at any time of the year. During the period of hurricanes passing (from June to November), windy and rainy weather is possible, however, in comparison with other island states in the region, the danger of destructive hurricanes is small - the main route of their movement runs much west of Bermuda.
Beautiful beaches line almost the entire coast of Bermuda. The largest number of first-class beach hotels are concentrated on the southern coast of the islands, including the Horseshoe Bay, Warwick Long Bay and Jobsons Cove. Elbow Beach near Hamilton, Clearwater Beach and Turtle Bay near St. David, as well as the long coastline of exotic John Smith Bay in Padget County are well known. Excellent swimming and diving spots are found in Church Bay in Southampton County, Mangrove Bay, Black Bay, Parsons Bay, Shelley Bay, Sommerset Long Bay, Warwick Long Bay, Chaplin Bay, Church Bay, West Vale Bay, and Tobacco Bay north of St. George and the isolated Clarence Cove.
The best time to visit the country is from April to October, when the weather is warm and relatively dry. However, the same period is the peak of the tourist season, when many festivals are held in the country, and prices for all goods and services rise almost several times.
Population
Population - 67.8 thousand (as of July 2009).
The annual growth rate is 0.6%.
Fertility - 11.6 per 1000;
Mortality rate - 7.3 per 1000;
Immigration - 2.2 per 1000.
The average life expectancy is 77.2 years for men, 83.7 years for women.
Infant mortality - 2.46 per 1000 (from 224 countries and territories of the world - lower only in Singapore).
The fertility rate is 1.99 births per woman.
Literacy - 98% of men, 99% of women.
Immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection rate is 0.3% (2005 estimate).
Ethno-racial composition: blacks 54.8%, white 34.1%, mulatto 6.4%, other 4.7% (according to the 2000 census).
Religions: Anglicans 23%, Roman Catholic 15%, African Methodist Bishops 11%, other Protestants 18%, other cults 12%, undecided 7%, atheists 14% (2000 census).
According to a 2005 estimate, the population of Bermuda was about 65,365. Of these, about 54 percent are black, 35 are white and 6 percent are of other nationalities. The islands have a developing Asian community, although it is not distinguished by its size. About 10 percent of the white population is of Portuguese descent.
The history of some residents can be traced back to the ancestry of Native Americans. Hundreds have arrived here from Mexico. Someone was exiled from the colonies of New England or sold into slavery in the 17th century.
Residents from other countries live and work in Bermuda, most of all they are employed in financial spheres, insurance, and also employed in specialized professions, these are residents of Great Britain, Canada, West Indies, USA. The total workforce in Bermuda is about 39 thousand people (data for 2005), of which about 11 thousand are newcomers.
Air lines run over Bermuda from the USA and Canada to Europe, Central and South America. Due to a series of unexplained aircraft and ship crashes in the space between Bermuda, Antilles and the Bahamas, the term Bermuda Triangle appeared.
From 1941 to 1995 - during World War II and the Cold War - there were several US and British naval and air bases in Bermuda, which occupied 11% of the total area of the islands.
Economy
The main income comes from foreign tourism (60% of foreign exchange earnings). The islands are annually visited by about 600 thousand people (90% from the United States).
Foreign company operations on the islands are tax-exempt, making Bermuda an important financial center. More than six thousand foreign companies are registered on the islands, in terms of the tonnage of sea vessels (three million gross register tons), Bermuda ranks 5th in the world.
Industry employs 17% of the active population. In Bermuda, there are enterprises for the repair of ships, the manufacture of boats, pharmaceutical products, and building materials.
Agriculture and fishing employ 3% of the working-age population. Bananas, potatoes, tomatoes, cabbage are grown on the islands, fishing is developed (the catch is about 800 tons per year), floriculture is export-oriented.
80% of consumed food Bermuda is forced to import from abroad. Fuel, industrial goods, clothing, and construction materials are also imported.
Major trading partners of Bermuda: South Korea 31.7%, Italy 21.7%, USA 14.9%, UK 6.8%, Singapore 4.4%.
The currency of Bermuda is the dollar, pegged to the US dollar, the banks of the United States charge a small percentage on the purchase (exchange) of US dollars for Bermuda dollars. Queen Elizabeth II is depicted on the banknotes of their currency.
Average per capita income in Bermuda is about 50 percent higher than that of the United States. And the GDP in 2005 amounted to 4.857 billion dollars, which is approximately 76 thousand dollars per capita, thus they occupy one of the highest places in the world.
Housing prices are quite high and have long been the focus of attention. The average home price in June 2003 was just under a million dollars, and according to real estate agencies, this figure exceeded one and a half million by 2006 and a little less than two million at the beginning of 2007. Although such high prices can be controversial.
Bermuda is one of the offshore financial centers, which is facilitated by low direct taxes on personal and corporate income. And as an offshore center for many foreign companies, Bermuda has a developed economy, is an exporter of financial services (insurance, reinsurance, investment funds, etc.). Now the territory of Bermuda is one of the largest centers for reinsurance, a large number of leading international insurance companies are concentrated here.
The second largest industry in Bermuda is tourism. The island is visited by about half a million visitors annually, 80% of whom are US citizens, followed by Canada and the UK. The available means of arriving on the island for tourists is a sea cruise or an air route. There is only one airport in Bermuda - Bermuda International Airport.
Currency
Bermuda dollar (100 cents), equal to the US dollar. You can pay with US dollars absolutely everywhere. Other currencies are not accepted in stores, but you can exchange almost any currency in the world for Bermuda dollars or US dollars at local banks. Credit cards are accepted in most restaurants, shops and hotels, but small hotels and guesthouses can be fickle and do not always accept them. ATMs, of which there are many in Bermuda, mainly accept Visa and American Express credit cards.
The most convenient way to bring in money is traveller's checks in US dollars.
Bermuda is one of the most trusted and respected offshore centers in the world. There is no sales tax on the islands, and a tax of $ 20 is levied on anyone leaving the islands. In most restaurants, the cost of service (about 15% of the total cost) is included in the bill. In hotels, tips to service personnel are not accepted, since the bill usually already includes the cost of service, some hotels add a 7.5% occupancy tax to the bill, and also add another 10% to pay tips to hotel workers. At airports, porters are given a few dollars for services, taxi drivers are given 10-15% of the fare.
Culture
The culture of Bermuda is rich, and is formed from the mixture of cultures that live here. Various peoples took part in its formation, the Native Americans left a small trace, part of the culture was borrowed from the Spanish-Caribbean, African, Irish and Scottish cultures. In the seventeenth century, Anglo-Saxon culture became dominant. Although the main language spoken by the inhabitants of Bermuda is English, a large proportion of them speak Portuguese - the reason for this is almost 160 years of immigration from the Portuguese Atlantic islands. British and Afro-Caribbean culture has had a significant impact, with the second wave of immigration from the English-speaking islands in the 20th century being the first. Western Indian musicians introduced calypso music around after World War II and directed this music more towards visitors, and in the late 1970s, the islands were engulfed in reggae, with an influx of Jamaican emigrants.
Bermuda's literature was initially not very rich, and it was limited by foreign authors commenting on the islands. Already a greater number of books written and published locally, literature received in the 20th century, although there were few books of a creative nature among them. Some degree of success was achieved by Brian Burland, the novelist who wrote the story of Mary Prince, the slave woman who helped end slavery in the British Empire. In the literature of Bermuda, many aspects of American culture associated with proximity to the United States are reflected. Similarly, Bermuda has become home to many non-Bermuda authors.
Dances are not unimportant in Bermuda, the dance of colorful ballerinas Gombay, and music are better known. Bermuda has been the home of several actors, notably the Earl of Cameron, Diana Dill, and even Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones. Paintings by local artists are sold in various galleries, and local artisans carve beautiful sculptures from cedar. One of the famous colorists was Alfred Beardsay, his impressionistic landscapes are known far beyond the borders of Bermuda. And on every Easter holiday, Bermudians make kites, in flight they symbolize the rise of Christ.
Sport
One of the most popular pastimes in Bermuda is sports. Especially sailing, cricket, golf, rugby, and football, which is popular everywhere, can be singled out. Athletes of this country have participated and continue to participate in world competitions.
In 2007, the Bermuda national team participated in the Cricket World Cup in the West Indies. And the most famous cricket players in the country are police officer Dwayne Leverock and David Hemp. Perhaps a lot of attention is paid to golf in Bermuda, here, compared to the total land area, there are a lot of golf courses and tournaments and championships in this interesting sport are often held. An example is the Royal Bermuda Golf Club, which has 16 first-class courses considered to be some of the finest in the region.
In 2006, Bermuda formed the first professional football team to play in the United Leagues. Residents are interested in sailing and equestrian sports, as well as fishing for the sake of sports interest, let alone tourists who come to the islands specifically for sports entertainment.
Hamilton is the capital of Bermuda
In 1790, the Government of Bermuda reserved 587 thousand square meters. m (145 acres) of land for the residence, which was formally established in 1793 by Act of Parliament. This is how the story of Hamilton began. But it became the capital of the colony later, after the transfer of the administrative center from St. George in 1815. By this year, Hamilton was already a large enough trading hub for its time and region. And Hamilton became a full-fledged city after the construction of a cathedral (Church of England) in it in 1897. Later, a Catholic cathedral was also erected.
Today Hamilton is the administrative center of Bermuda, the seat of most of the government and commercial institutions of the country. The city of Hamilton belongs to the Pembroke County, and it got its name in honor of Sir Henry Hamilton. This was the Governor of Bermuda from 1778 to 1794, and Hamilton County was already in existence by that time. Hamilton is the only official city in Bermuda. But it is much smaller than the historic city of St. George, although with the modern development of the island, the importance of more or less is not particularly noticeable.
Like most coastal cities, the city center is located on a street that stretches along the coast of the island's harbor, and Front Street is considered such a street in Bermuda.
The sights of the city can be walked around in just a few hours. The main attractions of Hamilton include the Holy Trinity Cathedral (Holy Trinity Cathedral, 1884-1886, fully completed in 1905), the Cabinet building (1833), the House of Assembly and the Senate between Parliament Street and Court Street, and also Fort Hamilton (1870-1876), which has the shape of a pentagon.
The fort itself is quite an impressive structure, which is located on top of the hills, and has an excellent panorama of Hamilton Harbor. The fort's ramparts are equipped with devastating cannons - 10-inch fortress cannons capable of firing 400-pound shells on any ship that enters the city's harbor. Also of interest will be the Cenotaph - a monument to the inhabitants of Bermuda who died in the world wars (1920. An exact copy of the Memorial in London Whitehall), Waterville (1842) - the headquarters of the Bermuda National Trust Fund, on its territory the Bermuda-Rose-Sisayeti garden is located, Mary Jean Mitchell Memorial Gardens and beautiful gazebo, and Fort Scar (19th century).
The richest exposition of the era of the Great Geographical Discoveries can be viewed in the Bermuda Historical Public Museum (1814) in Pa-la-Ville. The same building houses the Bermuda Public Library. The building itself, located in the city center and surrounded by a park with shady alleys and flower beds, is remarkable from the standpoint of Bermuda history, because it is the former mansion of the first postmaster, William Perot.
The Bermuda National Gallery (1992) is well-known; its exposition contains works by famous European masters of the 17th-19th centuries, as well as canvases by local artists. Many people will be interested in the Institute of Underwater Research. Located on East Broadway and is widely regarded as one of the region's finest scientific and cultural centers. Also popular among tourists are the Museum and Zoo in Flatts Village, and the Bermuda Aquarium, which is part of this complex, which is a replica of a local reef.
The Aquarium contains about 50 species of marine animals and about 200 species of fish. Nearby is the entrance to the Crystal Cave (Crystal and Fancy) caves, where you can walk along a pontoon bridge thrown over the underground lake Kaho. The water in the lake is so clean that it allows you to freely examine the bottom at a depth of 16 meters. The famous Church Cave caves are closed to the public. These karst formations are also known as Painter Vale Cave. According to scientists, in ancient times they were used for religious rituals. And in the center of this cave complex is the largest underground lake in Bermuda.
Because Bermuda is still an island, so there is a developed ferry service. Ferries directly connect Hamilton with the islands of Padget, Warwick, Somerset and Royal Naval Dockyard, also connect the shores of Hamilton Harbor, run to Great Sound, Somerset Bridge and other areas of Main Island (Main Island). Therefore, a lot of excursion programs in the picturesque places of Bermuda are carried out directly from the ferry board.
The best beach destinations in the capital of Bermuda are on the coast of South Shoe Park, near Bay Beach and Elbow Beach, and on the John Smith Bay coast in Padget County. The South Shohe Park Natural Park offers the opportunity to be protected by some of Bermuda's finest shores. It covers a number of bays and bays, which are separated by natural barriers - outcrops of stone rocks. Warwick Long Bay forms the eastern edge of the park. This is the most beautiful stretch of coastline that is formed by a long beach of pink and white coral sands. Warwick Long Bay is famous among surfers for its rather high waves.
Trees and plants surround almost every home or mansion; greenery is everywhere: numerous lawns, flower beds and parks, sometimes quite small, create a unique atmosphere in the capital, and perhaps throughout the country.
The best beaches
Bermuda beaches are famous for their white sand with an amazing pink tint, which is extremely rare in nature. The pinkest sand can be found on the stretch of coastline between Warwick Long and Horseshoe Bay on Bermuda Island. There are both public and private beaches in Bermuda that are owned by hotels. Public beaches are closed at night. There are no nudist beaches in Bermuda.
Horseshoe Bay is the most popular beach on. Bermuda, so it is often quite crowded here. The beach is located in a horseshoe-shaped bay framed by picturesque rocks. On the beach, there are bars with soft drinks and ice cream, rental shops for snorkelling equipment; there are sun loungers, umbrellas, changing cabins and showers. A secluded area on the western side of the beach with calm waters perfect for children.
Jobsons Cove is a beach in a tiny, idyllic cove surrounded by serene cliffs. Few beaches in the world can match the beauty of Jobsons Cove. The sea in this place is calm, shallow, with a shallow sandy bottom.
Tobacco Bay is the most popular beach on the island. St. Georges. Here you can not only relax, but also do amazing snorkelling between the impressive rock formations.
Warwick Long Bay is a beach that remains uncrowded even at the height of the summer season: the length of the beach strip is 8 km. Quite strong waves rise here on windy days.
West Vale Bay is a small beach on the west coast of Fr. Bermuda. In April, you can see migrating whales here. You can watch whales from a fort located on a hill, or from a boat specially sent to the sea to watch animals. West Vale Bay is the ideal spot for spectacular sunsets.
Major attractionsBYermuda islands
Bermuda is known for its pink beaches and natural beauty. But in the midst of all this, there are many other great places you can visit. Scuba divers have access to numerous shipwrecks and relatively shallow coral reefs. The water is clear, its visibility is almost unlimited. There are many reefs around the islands, but the reefs in Church Bay may be of particular interest.
It is also worth visiting the Royal Navy Dockyard and Museum, it will be great to visit the local aquarium and zoo. A trip to the Bermuda Institute for Underwater World Research, Botanical Gardens, lighthouses and Crystal Caves will be fascinating. In these caves, by the way, you can see impressive stalactites and underground reservoirs.
Unfortunately, you cannot rent a car on the islands, but you can rent scooters or use public transport.
Now it is, in fact, one large luxury resort with beautiful beaches separated from the ocean by coral reefs, beautiful gardens, quiet coves and clear water. Bermuda culture is a whimsical blend of British and African heritage.
British influence prevails in institutions including government, education and legal structures - judges still wear powdered wigs, police are dressed to English standards, cricket is the most popular sport (there are numerous tennis courts though), and a pint of beer at a local pub - the same "holy" tradition after a working day, as in the former metropolis.
Bermuda has an unusually large number of golf tournaments for such a small territory, and of a very high level - the Royal Bermuda Golf Club has 16 first-class courses. African influences are more subtle, but can be found in music and dance - especially African music such as reggae and calypso, as well as gombi dance rhythms, the most interesting artistic form unique to Bermuda. To the uninitiated viewer, the gombi dancers may appear to be nothing more than wildly costumed characters jumping up and down to the beat of loud music, but in fact the dance is a carefully crafted performance with powerful choreography and rhythm, often depicting biblical stories. Dancers traditionally take to the streets on Boxing Day (the second day of Christmas) and New Years. Beautiful beaches and hotels on the southern coast of the islands, including the area of Horseshoe Bay, Warwick Long Bay and Jobson's Cove. Hamilton is the center of Bermuda, its capital and commercial center. It is a small town (population of only 15 thousand) constantly has a surprisingly large number of tourists who constantly hustle and bustle its streets, at least compared to the rest of the island.
Locals call Hamilton simply "the city". The city center is located along a harbor-spanning road surrounded by old Victorian buildings framed by limestone hedges, apricot orchards and blue skies. Many buildings have overhanging verandas made in a wide variety of architectural traditions, but with the indispensable graceful wrought iron railings. The city's main cultural attractions include
Bermuda Cathedral - A heavy neo-Gothic building that is one of the city's dominant landmarks, the Bermuda Historical Public Museum, which contains an exhibition of the Age of Discovery and recovered items from the shipwrecked Sea Venture of Admiral George Somers, as well as the Bermuda National Gallery containing works by Thomas Gainsborough, Joshua Reynolds and Winslow Homer. Fort Hamilton is an imposing hilltop structure with a majestic panorama of Hamilton Harbor.
It is one of a number of numerous fortifications built in the mid-19th century during a period of heightened tensions between Britain and the United States. The fort's shafts are equipped with 10-inch fortress guns capable of firing 400-pound shells on any ship entering the harbor. Fortunately, this destructive weapon was never used for its intended purpose. Ferries connect Hamilton with the Paget Islands, Warwick Islands, the Somerset area and the Shipyards.
Walking is the best way to get to know the city, but walking is not easy here as the narrow roads rarely have sidewalks. The best beach areas are located in South Shore Park, which has nearly a dozen scenic bays, Elbow Beach near Hamilton, and John Smith Bay in Paget County. St. George, the first capital of Bermuda, remains the most enchanting sightseeing area of the islands to this day.
The city is literally immersed in the charm of the Geographical Discovery period, as befits a site that was the second British settlement in the New World. Many of its concentric paths and colonial-era buildings remain intact, with several older structures preserved as museums. The main attractions of the city include the Royal Square, which houses the City Hall, built in 1782, and the "pillar of shame", around which in the past public actions were held to convict criminals.
Nearby there was a "revolving throne" on which "petty" criminals were executed, most often they were publicly thrown into the waters of the harbor, which was considered a rather shameful punishment. Here is also the Old State Residence built in 1620 - the oldest building in Bermuda. Although it is rather small in size, it is built in the Italian style and has a majestic appearance.
To the north of the square lies Somers Garden ("Somers Garden"), named after Admiral Somers, who literally "left his heart" in Bermuda - his ashes (or rather, only his heart, the body is buried in England) is buried in a modest grave in the park ... Tucker House, the imposing 18th century home of one of the most prestigious families on the islands, has been carefully preserved for history as a museum - even the furniture and interior utensils of the Victorian period are in immaculate condition. Dating back to roughly the same period, the Old Rectory (Parish House) is an interesting place, no less famous than the Tucker House, it is one of the first buildings on the island with a stone roof.
The Bermuda National Trust Museum is housed in a stately colonial building and is largely dedicated to Bermuda's role in the American Civil War, when St. George enjoyed unparalleled wealth from aid to the southern states and supplies that provided the famous naval blockade of the rebellious northern states.
Built of wood and thatch in 1612, the original St. George's Church is one of the oldest Anglican churches in the western hemisphere. It is a beautiful building, as if "illuminated" by the play of sunlight on the wooden walls, with marble commemorative stelae installed with money from the island's early governors, and a mahogany altar, which is the oldest example of local furniture. Excellent swimming and diving spots are found in Church Bay in Southampton County and Tobacco Bay north of St. George.
South Shore Park Natural Park protects some of Bermuda's finest shores, encompassing a series of coves and bays separated by rock outcrops. Warwick Long Bay is also here, a beautiful stretch of pink and white coral sands that forms the eastern edge of the park. Since this place is practically not protected by capes, this beach is also famous for its good waves, suitable for high level surfing. The Royal Naval Dockyard Bermuda previously served as a shipbuilding and resupply depot for ships plying between Nova Scotia and the British West Indies.
The fort was built from huge blocks of Georgian limestone between 1814 and 1863. an entire "army" of nearly 10,000 criminals, who were housed in hideous conditions on prison ships in a deep-sea bay, and were first used by the British Navy as a base for raids on Washington in 1814.
Later, the buildings were renovated, and the fort received a "second life". It now houses the charming Bermuda Maritime Museum, a traditional pub, movie theater, craft market and Snorkeling Park, one of the best diving centers in Bermuda. The marine world of Bermuda is rich and varied. It is especially interesting to sail underwater off the northern coast, where the remains of ships of the 15th-20th centuries rest at the bottom of the ocean.
Once Bermuda was called "the islands of the Devils", in the old days many ships suffered a disaster here. Bermuda's size, relatively high population density and half a million visitors a year inevitably cause harm to the environment. Fortunately, increased awareness of the need for environmental protection and modern legislation have succeeded in protecting and even slightly increasing the numbers of previously endangered species, especially sea turtles. Nonsuch Island, southeast of Bermuda Airport, is used as a conservation area for the endangered Bermuda pigeon (or "kahu"), one of the world's rarest and most endangered bird species. Not surprisingly, access to the island is limited, although Biological Station Bermuda does occasionally make visits to the island for tourist groups. Bermuda is home to the northernmost coral in the Atlantic, and the reefs attract a huge variety of colorful tropical creatures such as angelfish, surgeonfish and clownfish.
Unfortunately, dangerous marine life like the Portuguese Naval Jellyfish also abounds in the waters of Bermuda, especially between March and July. As in the entire Caribbean world, Bermuda hosts numerous carnivals, festivals and celebrations. One of the most famous is the OCA (Caribbean Music Festival), which is held by the Royal Naval Yards in late July or early August, while the Bermuda Reggae Festival takes place in mid-August. For three days in early November, the Bermuda Tatu festival takes place, which culminates in the finale with a grandiose fireworks display. The Newport - Bermuda Yacht Race, starting at the end of June, is one of the world's premier ocean regattas.
Like the nearby Caribbean region, Bermuda hosts numerous carnivals, festivals and celebrations. One of the most famous is the SOCA (Caribbean Music Festival), which is held at the Royal Naval Dockyard (Royal Naval Dockyards) in late July or early August. No less colorful Bermuda reggae festival takes place in mid-August. The Bermuda-Tatu festival takes place for three days, which culminates in the finale with a grandiose fireworks display (early November).
Also world famous are the Bermuda Festival of the Performing Arts and Photo Exhibition (January, Hamilton), the Bermuda Charity Festival Music Festival (February, Princess Hotel), the Spring Student Festival (March) and the Wind Music Festival held within its framework, the annual Jazz Evening in the building of the Municipal Theater (March, Hamilton), the traditional Peppercorn ceremony at King Square in St. George (end of April), accompanied by numerous ceremonies and concerts Agricultural Exhibition (April, Hamilton), a series of "Spring concerts" (end of April, Maine -Iland), a huge number of festive events within the framework of Bermuda Heritage Month (May, Main Island), Chef Contest (May, Hamilton) and Young Artist Contest (May, Cedar Bridge), Pilgrimage of Mercy (first Saturday of May, St. George ), Bermuda International Film Festival (May, Hamilton), colorful parade in honor of Bermuda Day (Hamilton) and others.
The picturesque Queen's Birthday Parade (Hamilton) is held on the third Monday in June. In autumn, the annual Sandcastle Competition (September, Horseshoe Bay), the Jazzcape Festival (October), the largest reggae festival in the country - Kalche Shock (November, Hamilton), the Jazz and Razzmatazz festival of jazz performers ( November, Hamilton), the Dockyard Illumination (Royal Naval-Dockyard) holiday from late November to the first week of January and the Bermuda Undersea Research Institute Christmas Parade (December, Hamilton Harbor).
Of the sporting events, the most interesting are the South Region Tournament (January, Hamilton) and Bermuda Rendezvous (February, Warwick) bowling, the February Open Chess Tournament at the Princess Hotel (February), the Kite Festival (March, Horseshoe Bay ), the five-day Spring Golf Festival (March) on the best courses in the country, the four-day Coners Dill & Pearman Grand Prix (starts and ends in Hamilton), the Samuel L. Jackson Classic Golf golf championship at the Port Royal Golf Course (May, Southampton), Bermuda Open Karate Championship (end of May, Bermuda College), Ironkids Children's Triathlon (June, Clearwater Beach) and Atlantic International Junior Golf Championship ( July). The Newport - Bermuda yacht race, starting at the end of June, is considered one of the main ocean regattas on the planet.
Bermuda Triangle
The Bermuda Triangle is an area in the Atlantic Ocean in which the mysterious disappearances of ships and aircraft supposedly take place. The area is bounded by lines from Florida to Bermuda, further to Puerto Rico and back to Florida through the Bahamas. A similar "triangle" in the Pacific Ocean is called the Devilish.
Various hypotheses have been put forward to explain these disappearances, from unusual weather events to alien abductions. Skeptics argue, however, that ship disappearances in the Bermuda Triangle are no more frequent than in other areas of the world's oceans and are due to natural causes. The same opinion is shared by the US Coast Guard and the insurance company Lloyd "s.
Associated Press correspondent Jones first mentioned the "mysterious disappearances" in the Bermuda Triangle, in 1950 he called the area "the devil's sea." The author of the phrase "Bermuda Triangle" is usually considered Vincent Gladdis, who published in 1964 in one of the journals devoted to spiritualism, the article "The Deadly Bermuda Triangle."
In the late 60s and early 70s of the XX century, numerous publications began to appear about the secrets of the Bermuda Triangle.
In 1974, Charles Berlitz published The Bermuda Triangle, which collected descriptions of various mysterious disappearances in the area. The book became a bestseller, and it was after its publication that the theory of the unusual properties of the Bermuda triangle became especially popular. Later, however, it was shown that some of the facts in Berlitz's book were presented incorrectly.
In 1975, Lawrence David Couchet published the book "The Bermuda Triangle: Myths and Reality", in which he tried to prove that nothing supernatural and mysterious is happening in the area. This book is based on years of documentary research and interviews with eyewitnesses that have revealed numerous factual errors and inaccuracies in the publications of supporters of the Bermuda Triangle mystery.
Proponents of the theory mention the disappearance of about 100 large ships and aircraft over the past hundred years. In addition to disappearances, there have been reports of serviceable ships abandoned by the crew and other unusual phenomena such as instantaneous movements in space, anomalies over time, etc. Kusche and other researchers have shown that some of these cases occurred outside the Bermuda Triangle. It was not possible to find any information about some incidents in official sources.
The most famous case cited in connection with the Bermuda Triangle is the disappearance of a flight of five Avenger-class torpedo bombers. These aircraft took off on December 5, 1945 from the US naval base in Fort Lauderdale (Florida) and never returned. Their wreckage has not been found.
According to Berlitz, the squadron, which consisted of 14 experienced pilots, mysteriously disappeared during a normal clear-weather flight over a calm sea.
It is also reported that in radio communications with the base, the pilots allegedly spoke about unexplained failures of navigation equipment and unusual visual effects - "we cannot determine the direction, and the ocean does not look the same as usual", "we are sinking into white waters." After the disappearance of the Avengers, other planes were sent in search of them, and one of them - the seaplane "Martin Mariner" - also disappeared without a trace.
According to Kushe, the flight actually consisted of cadets performing a training flight. The only experienced pilot was their instructor, Lieutenant Taylor, but he had only recently been transferred to Fort Lauderdale and was new to the area.
The recorded radio communications do not say anything about any mysterious phenomena. Lieutenant Taylor reported that he lost his bearings and both compasses failed. While trying to determine his location, he mistakenly assumed that the link was located above the Florida Keys, south of Florida, so he was asked to orient himself by the sun and fly north. Subsequent analysis showed that it was possible that the planes were in fact much to the east and, keeping their course north, moved parallel to the coast. Poor radio communication conditions (interference from other radio stations) made it difficult to determine the exact position of the squadron.
After a while, Taylor decided to fly west, but failed to reach the coast, the planes ran out of fuel. The Avenger crews were forced to try to land on the water. By this time it was already dark, and the sea, according to the reports of the ships then in that area, was very restless.
After it became known that Taylor's flight was lost, other planes were sent in search of them, including two Martin Mariners.
According to Kusche, aircraft of this type had a certain drawback, which was that fuel vapors penetrated into the cabin and a spark was enough for an explosion to occur. The captain of the tanker Gaines Mills reported seeing an explosion and falling debris and then finding an oil slick on the sea surface.
The C-119 aircraft with 9 crew members disappeared on June 5, 1965 in the Bahamas. The exact time and place of disappearance is unknown, and his searches yielded nothing. While the disappearance of a plane across the Atlantic can be attributed to many natural causes, this incident is often associated with alien abduction. It is reported that on this very day, American astronaut James McDivitt, who flew in the Gemini 4 spacecraft, allegedly saw and photographed an unidentified flying object over the Caribbean.
Proponents of the mystery of the Bermuda Triangle have put forward several dozen different theories to explain the mysterious phenomena that, in their opinion, occur there.
These theories include assumptions about the abduction of ships by aliens from outer space or the inhabitants of Atlantis, travel through holes in time or rifts in space, and other paranormal causes. Other authors try to provide a scientific explanation for these phenomena.
Opponents argue that reports of mysterious events in the Bermuda Triangle are greatly exaggerated. Ships and aircraft die in other parts of the world, sometimes without a trace.
A radio malfunction or the suddenness of a disaster can prevent the crew from transmitting a distress signal. Finding wreckage at sea is not an easy task, especially during a storm or when the exact location of the disaster is not known. Considering the very busy traffic in the Bermuda Triangle area, frequent cyclones and storms, a large number of shoals, the number of disasters that have happened here that have not received an explanation is not unusually large.
Several hypotheses have been proposed explaining the sudden death of ships and aircraft by gas emissions - for example, as a result of the decay of methane hydrate at the bottom of the sea. According to one such hypothesis, large bubbles are formed in the water, saturated with methane, in which the density is lowered so much that ships cannot swim and instantly sink.
Some speculate that methane, once lifted into the air, can also cause aircraft crashes - for example, due to a decrease in air density, which leads to a decrease in lift and distorted altimeter readings. In addition, methane in the air can cause engines to stall.
Experimentally, the possibility of a fairly fast (within tens of seconds) sinking of a ship that found itself on the border of such a gas release was actually confirmed.
It is suggested that the cause of the death of some ships, including in the Bermuda Triangle, may be the so-called. wandering waves, which are believed to be as high as 30 m.
It is assumed that under certain conditions, infrasound can be generated at sea, which affects the crew members, causing panic, as a result of which they leave the ship.
Sources of
ru.wikipedia.org Wikipedia - the free encyclopedia
country.turmir.com Travel World
Bermuda-islands.ru/ Bermuda
bermuds.ru/histr.html Bermuda
bermuda-islands.ru/pljaz/ Bermuda
tour.bigmir.net Tourism.Bigmir.net
Bermuda is a British overseas territory located in the northwest Atlantic Ocean. In total, the archipelago contains 150 islands and reefs, inhabited - only 20, 10 of them form Main Island and are connected by bridges and overpasses.
Total area - 53,200 sq. km, the population is about 70,000 people, among whom 54% are blacks, 31% are from Europe and North America, 4% are Asians and Indians, 4% are mulattos. 23% of the population attends the Anglican Church, 15% - Catholic, 11% identify themselves as African Methodists - bishops, 18% - Protestants, 14% - atheists. The official language is English.
The capital - the port - the city of Hamilton.
The largest city in Bermuda is Hamilton. The city embankment offers magnificent landscapes. It is always crowded here, since the main attractions are concentrated in the capital.
No less famous is the former capital of Bermuda - the city of St. George, included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. It is noteworthy that St. George is the oldest English-speaking colonial city on the planet.
Ireland Island is famous for the largest fort in Bermuda with the Maritime Museum and Arts Center.
How to get to Bermuda
There is no direct flight between Belarus and Bermuda.
You will have to fly with a connection in London with British Airways (the cost of a round-trip flight is about 1300 euros).
You can also get to Bermuda by sea on a cruise ship, which has become very popular in recent years.
For the purchase of air tickets and tours to Bermuda, please contact the travel company "Thank you - travel" - our experienced managers will select the travel option that best suits your needs.
Bermuda climate
The climatic conditions of Bermuda are directly influenced by the Gulf Stream. The territory of the archipelago is located in a zone of temperate maritime climate.
The average air temperature in summer is +26 degrees, in winter - +14 - +17 degrees and strong winds.
Annual precipitation is about 1000 mm.
During the period from June to November, severe hurricanes and rains are possible.
The best time to travel to Bermuda is from April to October.
Bermuda has a large number of hotels for every taste. The local all-inclusive system has proven itself well.
Bermuda beaches
The entire coastline of Bermuda is in excellent condition, the beaches here are covered with pink sand, surrounded by picturesque gardens and a clear transparent sea. Bermuda's beaches can be private or municipal. It is prohibited to be on the beaches at night.
Many good beaches can be seen in the south of the archipelago - in Horseshoe Bay, Warwick Long Bay, Jobsons Cove.
In the vicinity of Hamilton, the beaches of Elbow Beach are famous, in the vicinity of St. David's - Turtle Bay, Padget is famous for the beaches of John Smith Bay.
Not only sea and sun, but also wonderful diving in Church Bay, Mangrove Bay, Black Bay, Parsons Bay and others.
Banks, money, exchange offices
The currency of Bermuda is the Bermuda dollar, which is equal to 100 cents. In circulation there are paper notes in denominations of $ 2,5,10,20,50,100 and coins in denominations of $ 1, 1.5,10.25 cents. You can also pay in US dollars everywhere.
Banking hours:
On weekdays - from 9.00 to 16.30
Saturdays - from 10.00 to 15.00 (only one bank in Hamilton)
You can exchange currencies at banks and exchange offices. It is forbidden to make an exchange "by hand". ATMs in Bermuda are quite common, but credit cards from local banks, American Express and Visa have priority.
Credit cards of the world's major payment systems (American Express, Master Card and Visa) are accepted for payments in most hotels, shops and restaurants, but in small establishments, settlement "by bank transfer" is difficult. Travel - checks (preferably in US dollars) can be cashed at any bank.
Goods and services in Bermuda are not subject to VAT.
Tipping is 10 - 15% of the total cost to waiters, porters, doormen, taxi drivers, you can simply round the amount up.
Tourist safety
Nothing will spoil your stay in Bermuda (which is considered one of the safest countries in the Western Hemisphere), if you adhere to certain rules of conduct:
- When visiting an expensive establishment, be sure to wear an evening dress and a formal suit with a tie.
- You can not smoke or drink alcohol in public places
- Always wear sunscreen before going outside
- It is advisable to eat bottled water
- It is recommended to follow basic hygiene rules and regulations
Transport
Public transport in Bermuda includes buses, minitrains, cars, taxis, motorcycles, bicycles, horse-drawn vehicles and ferries. Since the country has very narrow streets, all transport moves at a low speed.
Entertainment, excursions, attractions
The city of Hamilton enjoys increased attention of tourists with its picturesque landscapes, parks and squares. Among the local attractions should be noted the Bermuda Cathedral Bridge - Holi - Trinity, government buildings, a fort, a monument to those killed in world wars. Museums are very popular among tourists - the Historical, the National Gallery, the Desmond-Fontaine Gallery, the Institute for Underwater Research, the zoo, and the aquarium. In urban surroundings, you can enjoy nature at the Blue Hole Park Conservation Area and Botanical Gardens. The ferry offers excursions to nearby islands.
The visiting card of the city of St. George, included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, is the Royal Square of the 18th century, the Town Hall, the State Residence. The most visited museums are the Bermuda National Trust Museum (1700 building), Heritage Museum, Historical, Tucker House Museum. The oldest church here is St Peters Church.
The small islet of Ireland Island is famous for its fort, the largest in Bermuda, as well as the Maritime Museum and Arts Center. The island has a well-developed infrastructure - a large number of pubs, shops, there is even a cinema and a market. Snorkeling - The park is considered the best diving center in Bermuda. Here you can also visit the Michael Swann Gallery of Local Arts and the picturesque Lagoon Park.
A large flow of tourists in Bermuda is due not only to the sights, sea and sun, but also to active pastime. There are excellent conditions for windsurfing, sailing, snorkeling and, of course, diving (visibility under water is often 60 meters). And the ships sunk near the coast give free rein to imagination. Bermuda also hosts a large number of golf tournaments - there are 16 modern golf courses on the islands.
Bermuda is famous for its festivals and carnivals. In early August - the famous Caribbean Music Festival, in the middle - the reggae festival, in November - Bermuda - Tatu, in January - a photo exhibition, in March - the Brass Music Festival and Jazz Evening.
Newlyweds in Bermuda love to hold wedding ceremonies and honeymoons.
And adventure seekers have been trying to solve the mystery of the "Bermuda Triangle" for many years.
Cuisine and restaurants
The national cuisine of Bermuda combines the traditions of Europe and America. The following exotic dishes are popular with tourists and locals:
sea bass fish soup seasoned with black rum
shark fish soup seasoned with sherry or rum
"Sunday breakfast" - fried cod with potatoes, eggs, bananas, avocado with onion-tomato sauce
bermuda lobster
cassava pies, with cod, with mussels
king mackerel steak
all kinds of seafood salads
fried Cuban yellowtail
Hoppin john - boiled black peas and rice
"Tostones" - fried bananas
a variety of fruits
sweet potato pudding
grape jelly
jam from medlar
From alcohol - local rum Golsing * s Bermuda Black Seal and cocktails based on it
Shopping and shops
Store opening hours:
Monday to Saturday - from 9.00 to 17.00 (on Thursday - until 15.00 - 16.00)
Duty-free shopping attracts visitors to the archipelago. Here you can buy not only souvenirs from local craftsmen, but also high-quality cashmere and leather goods from European manufacturers.
Bargaining in shops in Bermuda is inappropriate.
Customs
Import and export of local and foreign currency is allowed in unlimited quantities. Amount exceeding USD 10,000 and gold must be declared.
Persons over 18 are allowed to import:
- Up to 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 450 g of tobacco
- Up to 0.94 l of spirits and up to 0.94 l of wine
It is forbidden to import:
- Drugs
- Explosives
- Items of historical and cultural value and weapons without a permit
- Medicines containing narcotic substances must have a prescription certified by a notary
It is forbidden to import and export:
- Plants
- Animals, including marine
- Coral
- Items raised from the bottom of the sea
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