What country is Bermuda a colony of? Culture of Bermuda. Geography of Bermuda

Bermuda is known to the average domestic lover of recreation and tourism for the presence mysterious Triangle, actively absorbing ships. But seasoned travelers claim that vacationing in Bermuda is more than safe.

Panoramic view of Bermuda and the capital Hamilton

In addition, this place, thanks to the magnificent pink beaches and warm ocean water, as well as a favorable location on the map, is considered a real tourist paradise. It is noteworthy that citizens of the Russian Federation do not need a special visa to Bermuda.

Officially, Bermuda is part of the British Empire, and visiting it is possible if you have any valid, or Canadian, or residence permit in any of these countries.

Unfortunately, on the map of the location unexplained phenomena at sea in the Bermuda area are not yet marked. Experienced sailors, experienced travelers, as well as those who are interested in the Bermuda Triangle solely as a phenomenon, believe that ships, sea and air, disappeared in the zone between the Bahamas and Florida. The sea is restless here, and storms sometimes rage up to eighty days a year.

Detailed map of Bermuda showing all cities

One of the secrets of these places are huge waves, called "killers". The height of these giants is tens of meters, so you should not be surprised that the ships that met them died at sea.

The secrets of this amazing place for centuries excite the imagination of science fiction writers and ufologists. So, it is believed that Bermuda has sheltered not only primitive sea monsters that crack down on ships, but also fantastic creatures that are characters of world folklore.

The abundance of secrets is constantly replenished with more and more evidence, most of which, nevertheless, are not worth close attention. Today, scientists are convinced that all the numerous secrets are explainable without hoax.

Resort Features

On the world map, a luxurious natural area called Bermuda is located in the northwestern part of the Atlantic Ocean.
The distance to the North American coast is nine hundred kilometers. Bermuda includes seven large and about one hundred and thirty small coral islands. Only twelve of them are inhabited.

On the map of the area, a mini-archipelago of eight big islands interconnected by a road network. This is Main Island, which is of interest to most Russians who are thirsty for the exotic with its pristine bays and magnificent beaches with soft sand. From the vegetation here you can see pretty shrubs and unusual plants that are not found anywhere else in the world.

Mystery Zone

It is believed that the islands, named five hundred years ago in honor of the Spanish navigator Bermudez, are in the anomalous zone. The legendary Bermuda Triangle includes not only the archipelago.

Diving in Bermuda

In the anomalous zone there are also such geographic features like Florida.

What to see

Looking at this resort tourist map, then you should forget about all the gloomy legends and myths. The main attraction of one of the most beautiful and mysterious corners The world is not the Bermuda Triangle at all, but stunning gardens and magnificent coral reefs. There are also many attractions here, among which are:

Fort Hamilton.
Crystal Caves.
Pas-la-Ville and Blue Hole parks.
National Gallery.

Marine lovers will probably be interested in visiting Devil's Hole, a luxurious natural aquarium. Prices for excursions are quite democratic.

Where to have fun

Bermuda is not only one of the most mysterious places world, but also a real paradise for lovers of various entertainments.
Connoisseurs of extreme sports at sea will be able to appreciate all the delights:

spearfishing;
yachting;
surfing.

There are several extreme schools in Bermuda for both beginners and real aces. The prices are quite high, but the pleasure is worth it.

Those Russians who prefer peaceful entertainment will certainly like the opportunity to play tennis, cricket or golf. Bermuda will also delight connoisseurs of living flora and fauna: ecotourism is very popular in this fabulous corner of the world.

beach holiday

Most Russians go to Bermuda not so much for extreme tourism or the opportunity to see the most interesting sights, but to swim in the sea and sunbathe on luxurious beaches, a feature of which is surprisingly soft pale pink sand. All beaches are superbly equipped and are amazingly clean. In addition to the general ones, there are also private beaches, the prices for which are quite high.

How much does a holiday cost

Bermuda is famous for its gourmet cuisine. This is due to the amazing fusion of numerous cultures, as well as the proximity of the ocean. Lunch prices in most restaurants are reasonable.

It is important to remember that the price of lunch includes service (approximately ten to fifteen percent), which is always indicated on the bill.

The price of hotel accommodation includes a special tax, the amount of which is seven and a half percent. The tip of taxi drivers is ten to fifteen percent of the fare. It is noteworthy that depending on the nature and thickness of the tourist's wallet, the price may be rounded up.

The price of an air ticket for one person in economy class and in both directions is one thousand three hundred euros.
The average price for a hotel room in 2019 is 320-350 thousand rubles.

visa issue

Russians wishing to visit Bermuda will have a pleasant surprise regarding the visa issue. So, citizens of the Russian Federation do not need a visa to Bermuda. Of course, this bonus is relevant for those Russians who have in their hands, England or the United States. Also, a tourist who wants to visit this resort can present to representatives local authorities residence permit in one of these powers.

So, during the passage of passport control, the Russian undertakes to present:

International passport.
Visa.
Tickets (return, or to a third country).

The period of stay on the territory of the archipelago for Russians, as well as for tourists from other states, is ninety days.

What does a Bermuda visa look like?

Depending on the purpose for which a person arrived in Bermuda, the period of stay is doubled.

Russians who do not have a visa or Canada or the UK need to get a special visa to Bermuda. This can be done at the consular section of the British Embassy.

Accompanying documents

A person who wants to visit the archipelago and see the Bermuda Triangle with his own eyes should take into account that:

accompanying documentation in without fail translated into English;
the translation must be attached to each of the accompanying documents;
the translation does not need to be notarized.

Application procedure and deadlines

You can apply for a visa to Bermuda at any of those located on the territory of the Russian Federation.

UK Visa Application Center location map in Moscow

There is currently no opportunity for a tourist to submit a corresponding application to the British Consulate. A package of documents can be submitted personally or through an intermediary. Applications sent by fax or email will not be considered.

The applicant must remember that the corresponding form must be certified by a personal signature. Otherwise, he will be denied entry. Getting a visa for a person who wants to see the Bermuda Triangle takes from ten to twenty days.

Xorolik.livejournal.com

And in September 2012, the media are full of reports that a visa to Bermuda is no longer needed. We start to check everything, and it turns out that visa-free entry It is possible for citizens of Russia, India and China with a visa from the USA, Canada or the UK. We just had a US visa, so we were delighted: we would finally get to these mysterious islands. We flew to Bermuda from Buffalo via New York, with a 2.5 hour connection, with United Airlines. And they flew back with Delta Air Lines to New York.

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By the way, the plane flies to Bermuda without crossing the borders of the so-called Bermuda Triangle. Let me remind you that this is such an area in the Atlantic Ocean, in which mysterious disappearances of ships and aircraft allegedly occur. The area is bounded by imaginary lines from Miami (Florida) to Bermuda, then to Puerto Rico and back to Florida through the Bahamas.

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Passport control went quickly, no questions about visas arose.

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Bermuda is a group of coral islands in the northwestern Atlantic Ocean. They were discovered at the beginning of the 16th century by the Spanish navigator Juan Bermudez and named the Devil's Islands because of the difficult navigational conditions.

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Today, Bermuda is a self-governing British Overseas Territory.

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Despite the large number of islands, the population of the archipelago is only about 60 thousand people, and the total length of roads in Bermuda is 30 km.

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The monetary unit is the Bermuda dollar. A phaeton is depicted on the 25-cent coin. This bird was almost destroyed by egg collectors, but after the organization of protection, the number of phaetons was restored, and now they again nest in abundance on the islands. When we walked along the rocks, the phaetons circled over our heads: apparently, there were nests there, and the birds protected them.

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Houses and fences in Bermuda are built primarily from sandstone. The walls are bright, multi-colored, and the roofs are white and stepped. Such roofs are made in order to collect water and filter it: dirt lingers on the steps.

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In Bermuda they say: if you come to a house with a dirty roof, do not ask for water to drink. When we traveled around the island, we constantly saw people on the roofs of houses who cleaned them. Gutters are placed in such a way that the concrete cellars are filled with rainwater through vertical pipes. In such tanks, water is kept cold, as in wells. Each owner is personally responsible for collecting water, and if it is still not enough until the next rainy season, you need to pay money for water to the government.

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The walls of houses, according to local GOST, must withstand winds up to 160 km / h, so they are quite thick here, and the shutters on the windows open from below. Almost all houses have fireplaces because it gets chilly in winter.

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In general, the climate of Bermuda is mild due to the Gulf Stream. There are occasional tropical rains and showers throughout the year, but the prevailing sunny weather. The usual temperature is 20-23°C - very comfortable.

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The best time to visit is from April to October. But until June, the water in the ocean is not very warm, because it does not have time to warm up. During our stay, from May 1 to May 10, the water was at first 21.3 ° C, and then 23.8 ° C maximum - cool enough for us.

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The hotel was booked five months in advance. The selection was small and the prices were not very low. I would like, of course, that the hotel was on the shore and the beach was good. It took a long time to choose, but in the end they did not lose by booking a room at the Pompano Beach Club. This family-run Southampton hotel dates back to 1956. Owned by the third generation of the Lamb family. Feels like home, family atmosphere here. friendly attitude personnel.

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Pompano Beach Club is located on a hill, the rooms are in two-story houses, the neighbors are never seen or heard. There is a large golf course nearby. A free wifi caught in the rooms and throughout the hotel.

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The ocean is very beautiful! The water is clear, with a blue tint. During our stay, there was a complete calm for a whole week, and even from the balcony of our room we could watch the fish swimming in the water: they were clearly visible, especially the parrots, as they are very bright. Then the wind changed, and waves appeared, but very tiny. On the water, you can walk to the left along the beach: there are rock formations, small coves - in general, beauty!

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When we decided to explore the archipelago, we found out that car rental is prohibited in Bermuda. There are many reasons for this: the density of transport in Bermuda per 1 sq. km. km is one of the highest in the world, there are frequent traffic jams, problems with parking, left-hand traffic. You can rent a scooter, you do not need a driver's license, but you must be over 16 years old. helmet, lock, full tank fuel and a luggage basket are included in the rental price. The use of a helmet is mandatory.

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Get to different corners Bermuda is also possible by taxi and buses, there are ferries. The cost of a taxi is $4 for the first mile (1.6 km) plus $1.4 for each additional mile.

Buses run on 11 routes. They are easily recognizable by their pink or blue colors, they are all air-conditioned and usually run from 7.00 to 23.00. Tickets can be purchased from the driver or bought at some shops. Buses stop on demand and do not take passengers with large luggage.

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The pink or blue bollards that stand right next to the stops indicate where the bus is going. Pink is a stop for buses to Hamilton, blue is for buses from Hamilton.

We examined the island in a taxi twice, going first in one direction, then in the other, so as to slowly consider all the sights and beauties.

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To begin with, we decided to see the oldest iron lighthouse in Bermuda - Gibbs Hill Lighthouse.

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There are actually two lighthouses in Bermuda. One can be seen when approaching the airport from an airplane. Just on it they filmed an episode from the movie "Abyss" in 1977. Gibbs Hill Lighthouse is unique in that it is made of cast iron and bolted from individual sheets. There are very few such lighthouses in the world! Its height is 177 feet. On the territory there is a parking lot, a cafe, a gift shop. You can climb to the very top for $2.

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Only 185 steps and you are at the top! It is from here that an amazing panoramic view of the Bermuda coast opens. In the photo - a view of the western tip of the archipelago, Dockyard. There is a parking lot cruise ships and the largest fortress in Bermuda. And the poorest citizens live on that side, but you can’t tell this from their houses.

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The southern part of the island, where the most beautiful beaches.

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Arrived in the city of St. George. This is one of the first English settlements in the New World. The city and its surrounding fortifications are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Until 1814 it was colonial capital Bermuda.

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The symbol of the city is the dragon. St. George has retained its original appearance, and many historical Buildings are still used in the same way as they were 200-300 years ago. Royal Square- city center. It was built 200 years ago.

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There is an unfinished church in the city. Its construction began in 1874 and ended in 1894, when the city council decided to restore St. Peter's Church.

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Fort Saint Catherine is the first building in Bermuda. The building has housed a museum since 2000.

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The world's smallest functioning drawbridge is the Somerset Bridge. It was built in 1620 and reconstructed in the middle of the 20th century. Initially, the structure was bred manually, now it is mechanical.

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And here (well, not on the beach) we saw a Portuguese boat jellyfish. They write that just from May to September, these beauties periodically appear on the beaches of Bermuda.

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Next we had an excursion to the Crystal Cave. It was discovered over 100 years ago by two 12-year-olds who descended into a crevasse in search of a cricket ball. The cave is located at a depth of 36 m below the surface of the earth.

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It is believed that the cave was formed during ice ages when the sea level was 100-130 m lower. Rain water seeped through the soil, and the resulting underground stream with high acidity dissolved the limestone. As a result of this process, voids appeared in the rocks. When the water level in the seas rose, these voids filled with sea water. Now there is underground lake through which the pontoon bridge is laid. The water is crystal clear. And nearby there is another cave connected to the first one, it is called Fantasy.

Welcome to mysterious Bermuda! This place is still shrouded in a haze of mysteries and secrets, and history keeps the memory of the many sunken ships in the very Bermuda Triangle, the extreme points of which are located in Florida, Puerto Rico and Bermuda. Some researchers are skeptical about the mystical past of the Bermuda Triangle, however, there is some truth in it, as they say, "a fairy tale is a lie, but there is a hint in it." The fact is that Bermuda is completely surrounded by a chain of coral reefs, where numerous ships crashed. In addition, forecasters note that the Bermuda Triangle is a place where cyclones and storms often originate. That is mysterious disappearances The ships in the "devil's triangle" are not otherworldly in nature, but rather scientific, since the captains of the missing ships could simply not be able to manage the ship in such difficult weather conditions.

Today, Bermuda is a favorite vacation spot for diving enthusiasts and others. aquatic species sports. Snow-white beaches, amazing exotic nature and animal world Bermuda, as well as colorful corals under water, make tourists from all over the world come here every year.

Geographically, Bermuda is located in the northwest of the Atlantic, 900 km from North America. Bermuda is a British territory. The capital is Hamilton. The most amazing thing is that researchers still do not know exactly how many islands and reefs are exactly part of Bermuda. Some call the number 138, others - 157, the next - 181. It is known for sure that only 20 islands of Bermuda are inhabited. total area Bermuda has only 53.2 km²: all the islands are so small that each of them can be crossed in 15 minutes to an hour. The population of Bermuda is about 64,237 (according to the 2010 census). The vast majority of the population is mulatto and dark-skinned (approximately 50/50).

The official language of Bermuda is English, but in everyday life, many people speak Portuguese. The population of Bermuda professes a considerable number different religions and cults, among them: Anglicans - 23%, Catholics - 15%, African Methodist Bishops - 11%, other Protestants - 18%, other cults - 12%, undecided - 7%, atheists - 14%.

Regions and resorts

Bermuda is divided into nine districts and two municipalities.

Districts:

Sandys;
Southampton;
Warwick;
Paget;
Pembroke;
Devonshire;
Smiths;
Hamilton;
Saint Georges.

Municipalities:

Hamilton;
Saint George.

Bermuda resorts:

Hamilton;
Hamilton County;
district of Devonshire;
Paget County;
Pembroke County;
Southampton County;
St. George;
St. George's County;
Smith County;
Sandys County;
Tuckers Town;
District of Warwick;
Flatts Village.

Difference in time

Climate

The climate in Bermuda is dominated by subtropical. Most weather forecasters believe that the main influence on Bermuda's weather patterns is the Gulf Stream, which flows between the Bermuda archipelago and North America. The water cycle in nature ensures the evaporation of water from the warm current, which has a significant impact on the formation of a warm and stable climate in Bermuda.

The water temperature in summer ranges from +26…+29 °С, and in winter it is about +18…+21 °С.

Throughout the year, approximately equal amounts of precipitation fall in Bermuda, there are no rainy seasons as such, but sometimes there are powerful tropical downpours.

From June to November, the so-called "hurricane season" is possible, at which time gusts are observed in Bermuda strong wind However, their destructive power is small. Once every few years, it is possible strong hurricanes. The most catastrophic for Bermuda in terms of its destructiveness was the hurricane of September 5, 2003.

Visa and customs

Citizens of the Russian Federation will need a visa to travel to Bermuda, which can be obtained from a British embassy or consulate.

What you need to apply for a visa:

International passport.
Photocopy of the first page of the passport.
Questionnaire (filled in English).
Photo (3.5x4.5 cm).
Documents that confirm the financial well-being of the tourist for the trip.
Certificate from the place of work, which indicates the amount of the salary of the tourist.
Owners of private enterprises need to prepare a certificate of payment of taxes and a copy of the certificate of registration of the PE.
For pensioners, a copy of the pension certificate or bank statement may be required, which confirms sufficient funds for the trip.
Students are required to present a student ID and have a statement from a person who undertakes to pay all travel expenses.
Students at the school also require an application and proof of employment from one of the guardians that covers travel expenses and a proof from the place of study.

The customs regulations of Bermuda do not prohibit the import and export of any amount of both foreign and local currency. However, if you have more than $10,000, you must declare it. Any amount of gold is subject to mandatory declaration.

Persons over 18 years old can import:

200 cigarettes;
50 cigars;
450 grams of tobacco;
up to 0.94 strong alcohol;
0.94 wine.

It is forbidden to transport:

drugs;
explosives;
items that are of historical value;
spearfishing harpoons;
animals;
plants;
corals;
marine finds.

How to get there

Tourists get to Bermuda mainly through flights. Unfortunately, there is no direct flight from Russia to Bermuda: you will have to fly with transfers (mainly in London or the USA). It is worth noting that about 90 percent of all flights to Bermuda are carried out through the territory of the United States of America. There are also several flights to Bermuda from Toronto (Canada).

Some lovers of romance prefer to carry out sea cruises to Bermuda.

Excursions

Bermuda Aquarium, Museum, Zoo.
botanical gardens.
Royal Navy Dockyard Bermuda.
Bermuda Maritime Museum.
Crystal caves.
Sightseeing tour of Hamilton.
Sightseeing tour of St. George.
Hog Bay Park.
Dolphin Adventure.
Fort St. Catherine.

Transport

Driving in Bermuda is left-handed, which means that the steering wheel is not on the left, as we are used to, but on the right. For this reason, in order to rent a car in Bermuda, you need to have a local driver's license. This means that our tourists are not allowed to drive here. The speed limit on the roads is very impressive - 35 km / h. Nevertheless, the locals practically never observe it.

Among public transport Buses are the most popular. They go on 11 routes. The buses are pink or blue in color and run regularly from 7 am to 11 pm. Most of them are equipped with air conditioning. By bus you can get almost anywhere in Bermuda.

Taxis are very popular among tourists. Firstly, because by taxi you can get to any point of the island, and secondly, for the convenience of ordering: almost everything large hotels Bermuda has its own taxis. If you have local taxi numbers, you can also order a car by phone. In addition, taxi drivers can arrange excursions for tourists and thus earn extra money.

To get to any island Bermuda archipelago you can buy a ticket for the ferry, which runs regularly between the islands, and also arrange sightseeing tours.

Communication and Wi-Fi

Internet connection in Bermuda is of very good quality. In the capital and major cities, there are a large number of Internet cafes that provide almost all types of network services.

You can call home from almost all the islands of the archipelago: mobile communications are at a high level. If you do not catch mobile communications, you can use the pay phone, which are common in all major cities. All city telephones can go to long-distance lines.

Money

The official currency of Bermuda is the Bermuda dollar (BMD), which is equal to approximately 100 cents. Nevertheless, US dollars are also widely used in the archipelago.

Almost all restaurants and catering establishments in Bermuda include tips (about 10-15% of the total amount), so it is not necessary to leave them separately. In hotels, the situation is exactly the same, therefore it is not advisable to give money to the attendants (this may be regarded incorrectly). Accommodation in a hotel already includes a tax - about 7.5% (included in the cost of living). Nevertheless, it is customary for airport staff to leave a few dollars for a tip, taxi drivers should leave a tip in the amount of 10-15% of the fare.

Food prices:

Lunch at a restaurant - 30 USD.
Lunch at a catering restaurant (McDonalds) - 11 USD.
A bottle of local beer - 9 USD.
Bottle of imported beer - 8 USD.
Coca Cola \ Pepsi (0.33 l) - 3 USD.
Water (0.33 l) - 2.3 USD.
Cappuccino - 4.6 USD.
Milk (1 l) - 3.8 USD.
Bread - $6.1
Eggs (12 pcs.) - 5.1 USD.
Local cheese (1 kg) - 16 USD.
A bottle of wine - 18 USD.
A pack of cigarettes - 12 USD.
Chicken breast (1 kg) - 23 USD.
Apples (1 kg) - 10 USD.
Oranges (1 kg) - 6.9 USD.
Potatoes (1 kg) - 3.5 USD.
Tomato (1 kg) - 7.6 USD.
Banana (1 kg) - 4.9 USD.
Onion (1 kg) - 3.6 USD.
Beef (1 kg) - 14 USD.

How to avoid problems

Bermuda is one of the safest holiday destinations. Here, robberies are rare, and any kind of violence is unheard of. Therefore, in order to have a good rest, you don’t have to not show up on the street after dark, just don’t wear too many gold jewelry and “shine” with expensive equipment, and it’s better to keep money on a card, and not carry large amounts of cash everywhere. Originals important documents it is better to store it in a hotel safe.

When going fishing, do not even think about using a harpoon weapon (if you somehow managed to hide it from the customs officers) - on the islands this is considered a criminal offense.

Since the level of solar radiation is quite high in Bermuda, it should be regularly applied to the skin. sunscreen and wear a hat to prevent heat stroke.

Big cities

Most Big City— Hamilton.

shopping

Bermuda's most visited stores are along Front Street in Hamilton. Here, a lot of goods are imported from Great Britain and Ireland, among them fine china, crystal, high quality cashmere sweaters, classic tweed jackets. Among the abundance of imports, local goods are practically lost.

Due to the fact that Bermuda is part of the UK, the prices for British-made goods here are quite low, lower than in the USA. Tourists love porcelain, silver, watches, perfumes, elite alcohol, Cuban cigars.

Often young couples buy wedding gifts here as there are a large number of shops in Bermuda that offer a wide selection of the best crystal and porcelain in the US and UK.

Kitchen

The recipes of the national dishes of Bermuda are mostly based on American and European (British) cuisine. Indigenous recipes are quite rare here.

The basis of Bermuda cuisine is seafood. They like to eat the rhizomes of the local cassava plant and authentic vegetables and fruits that grow in abundance here. However, most of the products that local restaurants use are imported, as the island cannot produce enough food to feed the local population and numerous tourists.

The most popular dishes in Bermuda are:

Bermuda lobster. Delicious delicacy prepared in the best restaurants peace. In Bermuda, this food is seasonal, from autumn to mid-spring.
Sea bass ear is a national dish in Bermuda. Black rum is used as a seasoning.
Shark meat ear. In itself, an exotic dish is seasoned with sherry and marinated in a large amount of spices.
Roasted cod is marinated in sherry and lots of hot spices, giving this simple dish a wonderful flavor.
In Bermuda, it is customary to cook various types of shellfish. Traditionally, their meat is stewed with vegetables, seasoned with various sauces.

Entertainment and attractions

Blue grotto;
Devil's Hole Natural Aquarium;
Bermuda Botanic Gardens;
Pembroke Marsh Park;
Spanish Point Park;
Admiralty House Park (Pembroke County);
Robinson Bay Park;
Devonshire Marsh Park;
Penkhurst park;
Devonshire Bay Park (Devonshire Parish);
Palmetto Park (Devonshire Parish);
Paget Marsh Park (Paget County);
White Island Park (Paget County);
Shelly Bay Park;
Abbots Cliff Park;
Coney Island park;
Wilkinson Memorial Park (Hamilton Parish);
Crawl Waterfront Park (Hamilton Parish);
Spittal Pound Park;
Watch Hill Park (Smiths Parish);
Winter Haven Park (Smiths Parish);
Ferry Point Park;
Rocky Hill Park;
Mallet Bay Park;
Great Head Park;
Kindley Field Park;
horseshoe bay beach;
Jobson's Cove beach;
Tobacco Bay beach;
Warwick Long Bay beach;
West Vale Bay beach.

Holidays and events

National holidays:

January 1-2 - New Year.
March-April - Easter.
May 24 - Bermuda Day.
June 11-12 is the Queen's birthday.
August 3 - Liberation Day.
August 4 - Somers Day.
September 4 is Labor Day.
November 11-13 - Memorial Day.
December 25 - Christmas.
December 26 - Boxing Day.

Historical facts

1503 - Bermuda is discovered by the Spanish navigator Juan Bermudez.
1609 - British colonists began to explore the islands.
1838 - the abolition of slavery. Slave colonists began to actively populate the island.
1931-1948 - the existence of a railway that connected the islands of the Bermuda archipelago.
1941 - the British leased part of the territory of Bermuda to the Americans under a military base.
1968 - Bermuda gained autonomy: the right to self-government.

You can't use a harpoon in Bermuda.
The system of measures in Bermuda is British.
You can order sightseeing tour taxi drivers with blue flags on the car.
Foreigners cannot rent a car under Bermuda law.
It is better to drink bottled water on the islands.

Bermuda was originally known as the Somers Islands.
Bermuda juniper is endemic. This means that such a plant cannot be seen anywhere else in the world.
Until 1948, it was impossible to buy a car in Bermuda. Instead of cars, local residents actively used bicycles.
Bermuda has the highest number of golf courses per capita.
There are no rivers or streams in Bermuda. The only way to get usable water here is to collect rainwater.
Due to the displacement of magnetic fields, the compass needle here shows not magnetic, but geographic north, although many believe that the laws of physics do not apply here and find something mystical in this phenomenon. In addition, Bermuda is not the only such place in the world.

Map of Bermuda.

Bermuda (English version - Bermuda) is an island archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean, located northeast of Bahamas and about 900 kilometers east of the coast of North America. The islands got their name in honor of their discoverer, the Spanish navigator Juan Bermudez.

The Bermuda archipelago includes more than 150 islands and reefs, the largest of which are Mine Aland, Somerset, St. Davids, St. Georges and others.

Bermuda have common geographic coordinates: 32°19′00″ s. sh. 64°45′00″ W d.

The total land area of the islands and reefs in the Bermuda archipelago exceeds 53 square kilometers.

Currently, Bermuda has the status of a British Overseas Territory, while not being, at the same time, part of the United Kingdom.

Satellite image of Bermuda.

Story.

The archipelago was discovered by the Spaniards, it happened in 1503 during the voyage of an expedition led by Juan Bermudez. The Spaniards at that time did not pay due attention to this discovery, and they did not begin to develop the islands, which were named after their discoverer.

The very first settlement in Bermuda was founded by the British around 1609, who, on their way to colonize Virginia, were shipwrecked. The colonists named the Somers Island archipelago after their leader, Admiral George Somers.

For a long period, the British colonists were engaged in agriculture on the islands, and also mined salt on the Turks and Caicos Islands, establishing their colony there.

In 1684, Bermuda received the status of the crown possession of England.

In the 17th century, slaves from Africa began to be imported to work on plantations, this continued until 1838, when the abolition of slavery in the British colonies was declared.

After some decline, the economy of the islands was reoriented towards serving tourists in the late 19th century. This industry is a priority on the islands today.

In 1931, the archipelago was opened Railway, connecting through bridges almost all major islands. In 1948, the use of the road was considered unprofitable and it was closed.

In 1941, the governments of the United States and Great Britain entered into an agreement to lease for a period of 99 years a piece of land on Main Island for the construction of the American construction of naval and naval bases. The bases functioned on the islands until 1995, when the US government stopped their use ahead of schedule.

In 1968, Bermuda received broad autonomous powers and internal self-government, and a little later - the status of the British Overseas Territory, which they still have.

St. David's Island in Lighthouse Hill.

Origin and geography of the islands.

The islands in the Bermuda archipelago are of coral origin. Their formation began approximately 20-22 million years after the cessation of activity of the volcano that rose above the surface of the ocean, which eventually began to collapse. Corals, as well as silt and sand applied sea currents, a little later formed the real look of the islands. Bermuda is the northernmost coral islands in the Atlantic.

Main Island has geographical coordinates: 32°14′00″ s. sh. 64°47′00″ W e. Its shape is quite complex, and the coastline meanders quite strongly, and therefore the island has a large number of bays and lagoons, especially for it north coast. The largest in area is the Big Lagoon, which has branches in the form of the Small Lagoon. They wash the coast of Main Island in the northwest. central part The northern coast of the island is washed by Hamilton Harbor Bay, and in the northeast, the Harrington Peninsula, curved along the contour, limits the lagoon of the same name, connected to the open Atlantic by the narrow Flatts Strait. The relief of Mine Island is mostly hilly, its highest point is Town Hill, 76 meters above sea level, which is located in the northeast of the island. This hill is not only the highest point of Main Island, but of the entire Bermuda archipelago. Natural sources of fresh water in the form of rivers and freshwater lakes the island does not, however, there are several isolated salt lakes on the southeast coast, among which Mangrove, Trotts, Spital and Warwick stand out. The total area of Main Island exceeds 31 square kilometers, which makes it the largest in terms of this indicator in the archipelago.

Somerset Island has geographic coordinates: 32°16′25″ s. sh. 64°50′49″ W e. It is remote to the northwest of Main Island by the narrow Somerset Sound and Alice Harbour. This island also has a rather complex shape with a winding coastline. Its eastern coast is washed by the waters of the Great Lagoon, and the northern and northwestern coasts are washed by the Mangrove and Somerset bays, respectively. The relief of Somerset is mostly flat with low hills, among which the highest is Scotts Hill, 39 meters above sea level. There are no rivers or lakes in Somerset. The area of Somerset Island is approximately 5 square kilometers.

St. Davids Island has geographical coordinates: 32 ° 24′46 ″ s. sh. 64°41′58″ W e. It is remote to the northeast of Main Island by a fairly large area of Castle Harbor Bay. The coastline of St. Davids forms a fairly large number of bays and bays along its length, especially in the east and north. The relief of the island is flat with no big amount hills. The highest point on the island is Lighthouse Hill, 41 meters above sea level. The area of St. David's Island is just over 7 square kilometers.

Saint George's Island has geographical coordinates: 32°25′26″ N. sh. 64°41′48″ W e. It is located north of St. Davids Island and is separated from it by Ferry Reach and St. George's Harbor and Smiths. The shape of the island largely resembles an equilateral triangle, and the coastline along its length also forms quite a few small bays and bays. The relief of St. George's in its western part is predominantly flat, and in the northern part it is hilly with highest point retreat hill, 48 meters above sea level. There are no rivers on the island, but there is salt Lake Lovers. The area of St. George's Island is about 6 square kilometers.

The Great Lagoon off the northwest coast of Main Island.

Climate.

Bermuda is located in the subtropics and has a humid subtropical climate. The islands of the archipelago have rather hot and humid summers with a lot of precipitation falling in the form of heavy rains with thunderstorms. Tropical cyclones are also likely in summer, sometimes blowing over the islands in the form of damaging winds and prolonged downpours. Winters in Bermuda are mild with temperatures rarely falling below +10°C. Precipitation in winter time depend largely on atmospheric fronts moving westward towards the North American continent. In January-February in Bermuda, these fronts bring northwest gales and showers of medium duration, which sometimes fall with small hail. In summer, the air temperature here can rise to + 34 ° C, which, with high humidity, brings some discomfort to everyday life local population.

Panorama of the city of Hamilton.

Population.

Of the total number of islands and rocks in the archipelago, only 20 of them are officially inhabited. The total population of Bermuda exceeds 64 thousand people. Ethnically, the population of the islands is approximately equally divided into representatives of the Negroid and Caucasian races, as well as into descendants from common marriages of these two races. The official language in Bermuda is English.

The administrative center of the British Overseas Territory of Bermuda and at the same time the largest settlement in terms of population is the City of Hamilton, located on the northeast coast of the island, on the shores of the bay of the same name, and inhabited by about 3 thousand inhabitants. In addition to it, in terms of population and size, it is worth highlighting such cities on the islands as St. George, Flatts and Somerset.

The main activity of the islanders is still tourism and agriculture.

As a British Overseas Territory, Bermuda has its own Constitution, but is governed by a Governor General appointed by the Queen of Great Britain, who, in turn, approves a popularly elected Prime Minister and Parliament. Administratively, Bermuda is divided into nine counties of Sandys, Southampton, Warwick, Paget, Pembroke, Devonshire, Smith and Hamilton and two municipalities of Hamilton and St. George.

The currency in circulation in Bermuda is the Bermuda dollar (BMD, code 60), consisting of 100 cents. In addition to him, in fact, in parallel money circulation there are both the US dollar and the currencies of the territorial entities that are subjects of the UK.

Juniper and cedar forest on the west coast of Somerset Island.

Flora and fauna.

Both the animal world and the vegetation of Bermuda are quite rich and diverse, which is rather atypical for similar islands in this region.

Of the 165 plant species growing in Bermuda today, 14 are endemic and 25 are rare or endangered. At the time of discovery in 1503, the primeval forest of Bermuda juniper (Juniperus bermudiana) dominated the islands. Underwater archeology of the basin caldera carried out on the northern coast of Main Island has shown that the area was once under dense juniper forest during its stay above the sea surface. In addition to juniper trees, Bermuda cedar, which is a local symbol, is quite common on the islands. Among other plant species, not as numerous as the juniper, it is worth noting the Bermuda olive tree (Elaeodendron laneanum), and the Bermuda palmetto (Sabal bermudana), which are emdemics. It is also worth noting the large number of species of ferns and mangroves growing on the islands of the archipelago. A special place among them is occupied by the rare cave fern of Bermuda (Ctenitis sloanei) and the endangered species Diplazium laffanianum, which does not take root anywhere else on the globe.

Before the colonists arrived on the islands, several species of land animals lived here. Among vertebrates, the population of the Bermuda skink or the long-legged rock lizard (Eumeces longirostris) stood out. At present, this species has survived only on uninhabited islands archipelago due to the vital activity of people and the animals they introduced. Other large land animals in Bermuda include crustaceans, in particular two subspecies of the land crab (Cardisoma quantami). The most numerous animals on the islands were and still are birds, among which the emdemic species of the eastern bluebird (Sialia Sialis) and the white-eyed vireo (Vireo bermudianus) stand out.

Cambridge Beaches Resort & Spa Hotel.

Tourism.

Bermuda local authorities concerned about security environment, limited the number of tourists arriving on the islands to 600,000 per year. But despite this, Bermuda remains one of the most visited in the region. You can get to the islands both by air and sea view transport. There is a small but fairly modern international airport on the island of St. Davids, and the seaports of the islands are quite capable of receiving even cruise ships various class. At the service of tourists on the islands of the archipelago are several dozen luxurious hotels and beach and hotel complexes located in Hamilton and on the coast near the beaches. Numerous tourists come to the islands for beach holiday, as well as for the exotic, inspired by the notoriety of the archipelago, located in the area of the famous anomalous Bermuda Triangle. For divers and scuba divers, Bermuda is a real find, as there are simply no number of sunken ships in the coastal waters.

One of the beaches on Main Island.

Bermuda or Bermuda is an overseas territory of Great Britain, which is located in the northwestern part of the Atlantic Ocean and is large archipelago. It is noteworthy that these lands are closer to North America than to the UK. The archipelago includes 157 islands, only 20 of which are inhabited. Bermuda attracts tourists from all over the world with the bright colors of local landscapes and the purest water. Today we will get acquainted with the history of Bermuda and figure out what they are in terms of geography, economy and tourism.

Story

Having learned who discovered Bermuda, one can understand to whom they owe their name. The archipelago was discovered by the Spanish navigator, Captain Juande Bermudez. He saw the islands around 1503-1515, when they were still uninhabited, and the Spaniards did not lay claim to them.

Some time later, 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 the UK.

Despite the fact that the first English settlement appeared here in 1609, they were declared an official possession of England only in 1684. Up until 1838, the economic development of Bermuda was accompanied by the importation of slaves of African American origin. At the end of the 19th century, the main income here was serving tourists.

In 1941, the British government leased to America a 6 km² plot of Bermuda for a period of 100 years. The United States intended to equip it with a military base. 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 located. They are located in the northern part of the Atlantic, 1770 kilometers northeast of Miami (Florida) and 1350 kilometers south of Halifax ( Nova Scotia). The closest point on the continent (1030 km) is Cape Hatteras ( North Carolina). That is why, having learned where the Bermuda Islands are, 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 coral reefs. Despite the fact that the archipelago was formed on a volcanic base, limestone caps, which appeared as a result of bacterial activity, played an important role in its formation.

The island complex also includes a line of underwater reefs that extends from it for about 20 kilometers to the north. By the way, Bermuda is the only place North Atlantic where corals grow.

Bermuda has a mild subtropical climate, largely due to the influence of the warm Gulf Stream. average temperature for the year here is 20-23 °C. Humidity in the archipelago is high and approximately the same in all its parts.

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 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 species of Bermuda is the mountain lizard. She lived here long before the appearance of people.

The main island (Maine Island) has a predominantly hilly terrain ( maximum height- 76 m) and quite rugged coastline, with a lot of sandy beaches and bays. About 35% of the territory is occupied by shrubs that grow on hills. In the lowlands, on fertile soils, they grow cultivated plants. 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 off Greenwich Mean Time by -4 hours. The local time zone is indicated as follows: UTC/GMT -4 hours.

Population

The population of Bermuda is about 65 thousand people. Local men live an average of 77.2 years, while women live 83.7 years. The ethno-racial composition of the archipelago: 54% - Negroids, 31% - whites, 8% - mulattos, 4% - Asians, 3% - others.

In terms of religious preferences, the population is divided as follows: 23% - Anglicans, 15% - Catholics, 11% - African Methodist Bishops, 18% - other Protestants, 12% - other cults, 14% - atheists, 7% - undecided.

Many Bermudians have Native American ancestry in their history. Some of the ancestors came here from Mexico. Some were sold into slavery or exiled from New England as early as the 17th century.

Citizens of other states also live and work on the archipelago. Most of all they can be found in the financial sector and specialized processions. They are mainly residents of Great Britain, 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 visitors.

Economy

Bermuda receives the main income (about 60% of foreign exchange earnings) from foreign tourism. About 600 thousand people come here every year, 90% of which are US residents. 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. Potatoes, tomatoes, cabbage, bananas are grown in Bermuda. 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. Fuel, household goods, clothing and building materials are also supplied here.

Bermuda's main partner is South Korea(31.7%). It is followed by Italy (21.7%), America (14.9%), the UK (6.8%) and Singapore (4.4%). Given who owns Bermuda, this 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 one of the world leaders. Housing prices are very high here, as the archipelago has long attracted the attention of the world's 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 act as 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. Both currencies can be easily paid at local outlets. Other currencies are not accepted here, but exchange offices a lot in the region. pay off credit card You can practically in all hotels, boarding houses, restaurants and shops. The most convenient way to bring money into Bermuda is to buy traveler's checks in US dollars.

There is no sales tax on the islands of the archipelago, but everyone who leaves the region is charged a $20 fee. Most local restaurants, the cost of maintenance (on average, 15% of the total amount) is automatically included in the bill. You do not need to pay tips to the staff of local hotels here, as they are also taken into account when paying for the room. Porters local airport as a tip, they usually give a few dollars, and taxi drivers - up to 15% of the cost of the trip.

Capital

The capital of Bermuda is the city of 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, it was already a major trading hub. It was recognized as a full-fledged city even later - in 1897, after the construction of the Anglican Church in it. Somewhat later, a Catholic cathedral was erected here.

The city belongs to the district of Pembroke. It was named after Henry Hamilton, who served as governor of Bermuda from 1778 to 1794. Today, the capital of the archipelago is its only city and the location of most institutions, both government and commercial.

Hamilton's downtown is located on Front Street, which runs along the harbor coast of the main island. You can get around the sights of the city in just a couple of hours. With other islands of the Hamilton archipelago are connected ferry crossings.

National symbols

The flag of Bermuda was adopted in 1910 and changed slightly in 1967 and 1999. At the heart of the flags of all overseas territories Great Britain lies the blue English ensign. In Bermuda, this practice was not applied. The flag of Bermuda is represented by a red English maritime banner, in the lower right part of which is the local coat of arms.

The coat of arms of the region features a lion holding a shield depicting the wreck of the Virginia Company frigate Sea Fortune in 1609 near Bermuda. The passengers of the ship 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. The Native Americans left the greatest trace in it. Along with their customs, there are echoes of African, Irish, Spanish-Caribbean and Scottish customs, and that's 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 the Second World War, Western Indians introduced calypso music to the archipelago, and in the late 70s, with the influx of Jamaican emigrants, the islands were embraced by a love of reggae music.

Initially, literature in Bermuda was not very rich and was limited to works commenting on the features of the archipelago. Only in the 20th century, books by local authors began to be massively published here, but only a small part of this literature was fiction.

An important role in the culture of Bermuda is played by dances, especially the colorful gombey. Here in different years lived such celebrities as: Michael Douglas, Earl Cameron, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Diana Dill and others. Paintings by a number of local artists are successfully sold around the world. So, the impressionistic landscapes of Alfred Beardsey glorified him far beyond the borders of his homeland.

A popular pastime among local artisans is the carving of various cedar sculptures. Every year, on Easter, the inhabitants of the archipelago make and fly kites into the sky, which symbolize the rise of Christ.

Sport

One of the most popular leisure activities for the people of Bermuda is sports. For many local residents he became the meaning of life. In the archipelago, cricket, golf, rugby, football, sports fishing as well as equestrian and sailing. In 2007, the Bermuda 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, which has 16 first-class courses, is very popular.

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 vertices of the conditional triangle are: Bermuda, Florida and Puerto Rico. This area is also called the devil's.

To explain the facts of the disappearance of ships, many different hypotheses have been put forward, ranging from specific weather conditions to the activity of aliens. According to skeptics, the ships and in the specified area for natural reasons, and this happens no more often than in other places of the Atlantic and the oceans as a whole. This opinion is officially shared by the large insurance agency Lloyd's. One way or another, to Bermuda Triangle travelers are wary. This, however, does not affect the popularity of Bermuda.

Attractions

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, where interesting buildings, made in the Victorian style with hanging porches and wrought iron fences.

Wildlife lovers are advised to visit the Pas-la-Ville park, where you can not only walk along the picturesque shady alleys, but also visit the local historical Museum. Those who are interested in painting should look into the Bermuda National Gallery. Well, connoisseurs of architecture will be happy to see the Trinity Bridge-Holy Cathedral, the pentagonal Fort Hamilton, Fort Scar, Waterville, as well as the buildings of the Senate and the Assembly House.