ABOUT BERMUDA : NEW TO BERMUDA

What you need to know

Population: The population of Bermuda was estimated at 65,365 in 2005.  Approximately 8,000 jobs are held by Expatriate workers.

Size of island: Approx 21 miles long by 2 miles at the widest point

Capital: Hamilton

Location: Bermuda is in the North Atlantic Ocean (seven hundred and seventy-four miles from New York and three thousand miles from London).

Relationship with UK: Bermuda is an Over Seas Territory of the UK with internal self-government.  Queen Elizabeth II (of the UK) is the head of state of Bermuda and is represented in Bermuda by a governor. Bermuda is the oldest British Colony and has the second oldest parliamentary democracy in the world.

Currency:  Bermuda Dollar (pegged one to one with the US$)

Weather: Sub-tropical, humid at times, frost-free

Language: English

Economy:  Bermuda's economy is based on its services sector which provides the majority of the country's Gross Domestic Product (89 per cent in 2002). A major international financial centre, Bermuda provides services in investment holding, finance and insurance. Tourism, especially luxury tourism, makes a significant contribution to the country's economy.

At the heart of the international finance centre, is a vibrant insurance and reinsurance market which in terms of size equates to Lloyds of London. There are regulation and corporate tax advantages from being registered in Bermuda. Almost everything is imported as agriculture and fishing employs only three percent of the labour force.

Living: The standard of living is very high and one of the best in the world.  The cost of living is similar to that of most major European cities.  Expatriates tend to rent apartments. The Island offers plenty of bars and restaurants offering a great selection of food and drink. There is a lively bar scene.  The restaurants vary from casual eating to elegant dining. 

Transport: The transport system consists of cars, buses, ferries and taxis.  However, most new expatriates choose to get around the island via scooters/mopeds.

Sports: Bermuda has many sporting associations that welcome new members, including soccer, cricket, squash and tennis clubs, rugby, field hockey, ball hockey, volleyball, basketball and softball. Bermuda also has a great selection of golf courses to choose from.  For its size Bermuda has more golf courses than any other Country in the World. For water sports there is a fantastic selection of scuba diving, snorkeling, sailing and deep-sea fishing.  

There are also running, cycling and inline skating clubs. Bermuda also has several well-equipped gyms located around the island offering full cardio and free weight facilities, yoga, martial arts and a full range of fitness classes.

A selection of websites with high percentages of Expatriates involved is as follows (there are many more!):

Athletics: www.maac.bm

Cricket: www.legtrappers.play-cricket.com

Field hockey: www.bhf.bm

Football: www.bermudafa.com

Golf: www.bermudagolf.bm

General: www.islandstats.com

Rugby: www.renegades.bm

Sailing: www.j24.bm

Soccer: www.rhfc.bm

Squash: www.bermudasquash.com

Tennis: www.pgtc.bm

Triathlon: www.bta.bm

Volleyball: www.bermudavolleyball.bm

Travel:  The island has flights to the following cities. These can then be used as a gateway to exploring places further afield. In addition, there are often charter flights to the Caribbean.  Bermuda residents tend to be very well traveled individuals.

London (daily)
New York (daily)
Toronto (daily)
Halifax
Atlanta (daily)
Miami
Boston (daily)
Philadelphia (daily)
Baltimore (Washington)