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General Information
Area: 53 sq km (20.59 sq miles).
Population: 62,997 (official estimate 2000).
Population Density: 1188.6 per sq km.
Capital: Hamilton. Population: 1100 (1991).
GEOGRAPHY: Bermuda consists of a chain of some 180 coral islands and islets lying 1046km (650 miles) off the coast of North Carolina, in the Atlantic Ocean. Ten of the islands are linked by bridges and causeways to form the principal mainland. There are no rivers or streams and the islands are entirely dependent on rainfall for fresh water. Coastlines are characterised by a succession of small bays with beaches of fine pale pink coral sand. The surrounding waters are a vivid blue-green. Inland there is an abundance of subtropical plants and flowers.
Government: British Crown Colony since 1684. Gained internal autonomy in 1968. Head of State: HM Queen Elizabeth II, represented locally by Governor Sir John Vereker since 2002. Head of Government: Premier Jennifer Smith since 1998.
Language: English is the official language. There is a small community of Portuguese speakers.
Religion: Anglican, Episcopal, Roman Catholic and other Christian denominations.
Time: GMT - 4 (GMT - 3 from first Sunday in April to last Sunday in October).
Electricity: 110 volts AC, 60Hz. American (flat) two-pin plugs are standard.
Communications:
Telephone
IDD is available. Country code: 1 441. Outgoing international code: 011. The internal telephone system is operated by the Bermuda Telephone Company. Bermuda numbers dialled from within Bermuda should be prefixed with the last two digits of the country code (29 or 23) but there are no conventional area codes.
Mobile telephone
GSM 1900. Main operator is Telecom Bermuda (website: www.telecom.bm). Coverage is excellent. TDMA and AMPS (800 MHz) networks operated by BDC (website: www.cellularone.bm).
Fax
This service is available from many hotels and offices.
Internet
ISPs include Logic Communications (website: www.logic.bm) and NorthRock Communications (website: www.northrock.bm). There are Internet cafes in Hamilton and St George.
Telegram
Cable & Wireless Ltd operates Bermuda’s international telecommunications system. Cablegrams may be sent from the C&W office in Hamilton.
Post
Most letters will automatically travel airmail even if surface rates are paid, although paid-for airmail will be given priority. Airmail letters to Europe take five to seven days. Poste restante facilities are available. Post offices are open from Mon-Fri 0830-1700. In addition, the General Post Office in Hamilton is open on Saturday mornings until 1200.
Press
The main newspapers are The Mid-Ocean News (weekly), The Royal Gazette (daily) and The Bermuda Sun.
BBC World Service and Voice of America frequencies: From time to time these change.
BBC (website: www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice):
Voice of America (website: www.voa.gov):
Copyright © 2003 Columbus Publishing Ltd.
Terms and Conditions apply.
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