How many islands are in the Bermuda archipelago. Bermuda

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 bermuda triangle, nevertheless, there is a grain of 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 lovers of diving and other water 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. The total area of ​​Bermuda is 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 of 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 this time gusts of strong winds are observed in Bermuda, however, their destructive power is small. Once every few years, strong hurricanes are also possible. 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, direct flight from Russia to Bermuda does not exist: 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.

Buses are the most popular public transport. 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 anywhere on the island, and secondly, for the convenience of ordering: almost all major hotels in Bermuda have their 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 in the Bermuda archipelago, you can buy a ticket for a ferry that runs regularly between the islands, and also arrange sightseeing tours.

Communication and Wi-Fi

Internet connection in Bermuda is 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 Bermuda has a fairly high level of solar radiation, you should regularly apply sunscreen to your skin and wear a hat to prevent heat stroke.

Big cities

The largest city is 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 used by local restaurants are imported as the island cannot produce enough food to feed local population and numerous tourists.

The most popular dishes in Bermuda are:

• Bermuda lobster. A delicious delicacy that is prepared in the best restaurants in the world. 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.

Many people dream of visiting Bermuda. Some lucky people are happy to rest here. Why do they attract many tourists and where is Bermuda? Let's figure it out.

Where is Bermuda located?

The islands of interest to us are located in the center of the Atlantic. On a plane from England, it takes six and a half hours to fly there. Distance from North Carolina - 1046 km to the east. They are located at the crossroads of sea routes. North America is only 900 kilometers away. This archipelago consists of 180 coral islands, as well as tiny islets, most of which are uninhabited. Bermuda is the main one.

Interesting facts related to Bermuda

Historically, Bermuda belonged to Britain. Therefore, the first inhabitants (back in 1609) were the British, although the Spaniards discovered the islands. Incredible stories and there are plenty of secrets. Everyone knows, for example, the Bermuda Triangle. Several lines of communication of various airlines pass over Bermuda, and inexplicable catastrophes often occur here in the sea and in the air. However, tourists do not usually swim in these places. On 150 islands there is where to relax. Enough space for everyone!

In 1503, Juan Bermudez, a Spanish navigator, discovered Bermuda. They bore for a long time the name of one British admiral, George Somers, who in 1609 was wrecked after an expedition off the coast of Bermuda. He returned here in the same year, but died soon, so the name did not stick. The settlers he left here are believed to have been the subject of Shakespeare's The Tempest. Bermuda as we know it today was famous only for its cedar forests in Somers' time. Today it resort area with many attractions.

Climate and beaches

The climate on all the islands is subtropical. The temperature ranges from +19 to +28 degrees Celsius, so you can visit Bermuda for a beach holiday all year round. The sea is always warm here (from December to April, however, its temperature is +20 ... +22 degrees, but this does not stop many tourists). The rainiest period is from late June to October. The best time to visit is probably May, June and November. At this time, the humidity level will not be very high. The peak of hurricanes falls on other months. And the temperature for a beach holiday will be optimal.

The beaches here are famous for their unique pink sand, which is very rare in nature. You can find it on the island of Bermuda, on a stretch of coast between Horseshoe Bay and Warwick Long. The beaches are both public and owned by hotels. At night, the public are closed.

Infrastructure Bermuda

The population of all the islands combined is almost 70 thousand people. There are dozens of times more vacationers here, so the economy is almost entirely connected with the tourism business. However, the agricultural, shipbuilding and pharmaceutical industries are also developed here.

A variety of hotels are located along the entire coast, which is unique in its beauty. These are both intricate and traditional houses, as well as modern luxurious buildings. All categories of vacationers can find a suitable option for themselves. In addition, there is the opportunity to go golf and tennis, cricket and rugby, horseback riding, snorkeling and diving, yachting and kayaking, as well as take a course of spa treatments, which are very popular here.

There are many interesting things to explore on these islands - these are botanical gardens, and crystal caves, and 365 places for diving to the sunken different time near the shores of ships. Lucky treasure hunters still find treasures on seabed owned by Spanish galleons and British merchant ships. In addition, there is a 120-kilometer ridge of coral colonies in clear coastal waters, among sea grass, which creates excellent conditions for the habitat of marine animals.

About 350 different bird species can be found in Bermuda. Some of the rarest are Bermuda petrels, blue herons, bright blue bunting, kiskade, arctic plovers. The islands are covered with tropical vegetation all year round due to the mild climate. You will find everywhere bougainvilleas, oleanders, lilies, white, yellow and red flowers of hibiscus, bermudiana. This is real paradise!

Reserves and national parks

The waters around Bermuda are among the richest in the western Atlantic in terms of species diversity. About 4.5 thousand species of marine organisms live here, as well as about 650 species of fish and 350 species of birds. Local ecosystems, of course, are significantly damaged due to the numerous tourists. It is not surprising, therefore, that there is a strict environmental legislation, as well as many small nature protection zones. For example, Nonsach Island. He guards the kahu, the Bermuda pigeon, which is one of the rarest bird species on the planet. Access is, of course, limited, although Bermuda Biological Station sometimes organizes visits for some tour groups.

Several conservation areas created to protect the underwater world include Castle Island, Gilbert Nature Reserve, Hungry Bay, Charlie Island, Coopers Island, Wallsingham, and others.

Hamilton (capital)

Bermuda has several important cities. However, the main one is Hamilton - a cosmopolitan and dynamic capital with a cheerful and laid-back rhythm of life. Its main attractions are: the historical Bermuda Museum, containing an exposition of the period of the Great Geographical Discoveries, as well as objects that were found at the bottom of the sea; Bermuda Cathedral (Neo-Gothic style), Bermuda National Gallery, where you will find works by Winslow Homer, Joshua Reynolds, Thomas Gainsborough. All this and much more you will see by visiting Hamilton (Bermuda).

Saint George

St. George is a city declared by UNESCO as a heritage of mankind. It reproduces with its architecture the attributes and events of bygone days. This Bermuda city has many attractions. It should be noted the Royal Square, where the City Hall with a pillory dating back to the 18th century is located. Once upon a time, criminals were punished in this place. Also of interest is the Old State House, which was built in 1620. The fort, restored and given a second life, is also very curious. It currently contains: Bermuda Maritime Museum, a cinema, a traditional pub, an artisan market and the famous Snorkeling Park (one of the best diving centers in Bermuda).

The hospitable and friendly inhabitants of the islands are rightfully proud of their historical heritage, which combines various cultures. Bermuda shorts (traditional clothing) are worn with dignity, a rum cocktail and a plate of fish soup are always available. You will find more than 150 restaurants on the islands - from gastronomic, gourmet to democratic.

Local kitchen

Bermuda, which is now in high demand for tours, has its own special cuisine. It is the result of mixing different cultures. As a rule, traditional dishes include pork, rice, peas. In Bermuda, one of the favorite dishes is fish stew served with spicy sauce. Residents of the islands make cassava pies for Christmas. Local delicacies also include sea bass fish soup flavored with black rum, shark meat fish soup, cod pies, Bermuda lobsters, etc.

Tips

The cost of service in most restaurants is approximately 10-15% of the check amount. It is usually included in the bill. Tipping in hotels is not accepted, it is usually already included in it. It should be said that hotels add a special tax to the room rate. Its size is 7.5%. In addition, there may be some other fees. Porters and porters at hotels and the airport are usually given a few dollars. Taxi drivers expect approximately 10-15% tip of the fare.

Bermuda money

Many tourists bring Bermuda coins as a souvenir. Let's talk a little about local money. The Bermuda dollar is the national currency. It is 100 cents. On the islands, before the introduction of this currency in 1970, there was a Bermuda pound equal to the pound sterling. The Bermuda dollar was introduced on February 6, 1970. It is equal to the US dollar. On the front side of all banknotes is the image of Queen Elizabeth II. The banknotes are similar in appearance. There is also no fundamental difference between the designs of new and old samples.

Festivals and holidays

In Bermuda, as well as in general in Caribbean region, various festivals, carnivals and festivities are held. The most famous is the SOCA Caribbean Music Festival, which is held in Royal Naval Dockyard in late July or early August. The Bermuda Reggae Festival, no less colorful, takes place in mid-August. It should also be noted the three-day "Bermuda Tatu", ending with a large fireworks display (time - early November).

Where are the mysterious Bermudas located?

Bermuda (Bermuda) is 150 coral islands and reefs in the Northwest Atlantic Ocean, 900 km from the US coast. To the airports East coast USA from Bermuda fly 2- 2.5 hours

Do I need a visa for Bermuda?

Bermuda is a British overseas territory with broad autonomy. Bermuda is governed by a governor appointed from London and a local prime minister.
Russians to visit Bermuda a special Bermuda visa is required, which can be obtained through a British embassy or consulate. Also, citizens of Russia and citizens of the CIS who have a valid visa (or residence permit) of the United States, Great Britain or Canada can visit Bermuda without a special visa.

History of Bermuda

Bermuda was discovered in 1503 by the Spaniard Juan Bermudez, but Spain did not lay claim to barren and uninhabited patches of land, so in 1609 they were "rediscovered" by the English captain George Somers. Since Bermuda, located at the crossroads of trade routes, was of great strategic importance, following Somers, a stream of white settlers and black slaves poured here. However, due to the scarcity of local soils, the settlers became completely dependent on supplies from the United States, which played a cruel joke on them during the war for independence. Then Bermuda became a transshipment base for the British fleet and came under blockade by the States.
Officially, Bermuda became a territory of Great Britain in 1648, and only in 1968 received the right to internal self-government.
The economy of Bermuda is entirely based on tourism, and until 1995, the local population also served the American military base, which appeared here during the Second World War.

Attractions Bermuda

Bermuda Triangle

The main attraction of Bermuda, known throughout the world, cannot be seen, because. The Bermuda Triangle is a conditional region of the Atlantic Ocean, delineated by lines from Florida to Puerto Rico, from Puerto Rico to the Bahamas and from the Bahamas to Florida.

Thanks to ufologists, psychics and esotericists, the Bermuda Triangle is considered a place where ships and aircraft regularly disappear inexplicably. Although venerable scientists believe that the notoriety of this region of the Atlantic is just a fruit of the wild imagination of journalists and individual exalted personalities.

The secrets of the Bermuda Triangle are analyzed in great detail in the film The Bermuda Triangle Under Water.

Detailed map of Bermuda

However, you can learn about all the mysterious incidents in the Bermuda Triangle on an excursion to the house of the chief postmaster of Bermuda - Pa-La-Ville, which is located in the capital of the islands - the city of Hamilton.

The main attraction of the capital itself is the Anglican Church of the Holy Trinity, from the tower of which you can see the whole city.
Not far from Hamilton is large complex, which combines a zoo, an aquarium and a museum. In this complex, you can learn about the history of the islands and get acquainted with their extremely unusual flora, fauna and underwater world.
In Hamilton County, you can also visit the Crystal Caves, which Mark Twain described in his books.

The former Royal Naval Dockyard is located in the small village of Somerset. Its territory now houses an interactive dolphinarium where you can swim with dolphins and feed them, and a maritime museum.
One of oldest buildings in Bermuda is Fort St. Catherine, built in 1614. The fort is located away from all major tourist routes near the town of St. George.

Information about Bermuda, geography, nature and climate of the Bahamas

Information about Bermuda, geography, nature and climate of the Bahamas, political structure

Ccontent

1. History

2. Geography

3. Population

4. Economy

6. Culture

8. Hamilton - the capital of Bermuda

9. Best beaches

10. The main attractions of Bermuda

11. Bermuda Triangle

Bermuda, or Bermuda -This 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 - it 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

Story

Bermuda was named after the Spanish captain Juan de Bermudez. 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 unexplored, uninhabited territories. But the Spaniards did not consider it necessary to claim their rights to Bermuda. Therefore, now the rights to them belong to the UK.

A British subject, 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 these fertile lands, Somers left part of the team here, and he hurried to report his find in America. Soon, the admiral returned, but he had to meet death right here on the islands. By the way, they were even named after him, but, as we 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 heading to Virginia, but shipwrecked. They took up farming on the islands, and from 1684 Bermuda was officially declared a crown possession of England.

The economic development of the colony was accompanied by the importation of Negro 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 the help of bridges.

Under a 1941 agreement, the British government leased to the United States for 99 years a plot of about 6 km² for the construction of naval and air bases. In 1995, the United States terminated the use of these bases ahead of schedule.

Under the 1968 constitution, Bermuda is self-governing.

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 the already meager fertilizers. That 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 sugar cane, which was then in demand. 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 a long 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 which were blacks. The slaves were kept in terrible conditions, the attitude towards them was humiliating - they mainly served the white masters, did all the menial work. This position of the slaves forced them to adapt to the conditions of the islands in order to simply survive. 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 sushi without finding a "worthy" use for themselves.

But during the years of the American War of Independence, Bermuda found itself in a rather difficult economic and political position. On the one hand, the lion's share of supplies was still provided by the states, and on the other hand, do not forget about it, they belonged to Britain. During the hostilities, Bermuda had to serve as a base for the British naval forces. In response to this, America blocked trade supplies from the islands. Naturally, this could not but affect the economy of Bermuda. Despite all these circumstances, the American Civil War brought a good profit to the islands.

The geographical location of Bermuda turned out to be strategically advantageous for intelligence 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 to the United States part of the islands for a period of 99 years in order to strengthen military forces against a common aggressor. And now, one of the American air bases is located on the site of the international airport.

In 1963, for the first time, issues related to the rights and interests of non-white citizens were publicly announced. Then most of the government seats were occupied just by white-skinned Bermudians. The Progressive Labor Party also raised the issue of constitutionally securing the internal rights and freedoms of the citizens of Bermuda. As a result of the party's activities, constitutional norms were drawn up providing for internal self-government and coordination of all decisions with Great Britain at the diplomatic level.

After the almost complete removal of discrimination based on race in 1970, the inhabitants of Bermuda can rightfully be proud of the internal harmony of interracial relations. In addition, judging by the election for the post of prime minister, which resulted in the victory of Pamela Gordon, the inhabitants of the islands are also 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 more than a year. And a few years ago, many US military bases 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 1770 km northeast of Miami, Florida and 1350 km south of Halifax, Nova Scotia. The nearest point of the continent 1030 km - Cape Hatteras (North Carolina). Bermuda has volcanic origin, the volcanoes themselves were formed on the expansion line tectonic plates, in the Bermuda hotspots. So, an underwater volcanic ridge was formed, it is also the Mid-Atlantic, and far to the west of this ridge are the Bermuda Islands.

To the southwest of Bermuda, there are two more seamounts that form the Argus and Challenger Banks. Both support coral reefs and are popular with anglers. Although the basis of Bermuda is formed on a volcanic base, limestone caps, which appeared as a result of bacterial activity, completed their formation. During the Ice Age, when sea levels were lower, the 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.

Bermuda's environment is constantly under pressure, due to the small size of the islands, high population density and the 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 ongoing commercial fishing. But it's not all that bad this moment, the ecological consciousness of citizens and local legislation allows not only to keep the ecology in a stable state, but also to re-introduce 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. Humidity is high and evenly distributed. The mild climate makes the island beautiful during the flowering of beautiful flowers such as hibiscus and oleander. Bermuda cedar and juniper are on the verge of extinction, for the most part, the reason for this was the importation 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 a giant toad, which often dies on the roads, for which it was nicknamed the “road toad”. Bermuda's only native terrestrial mammal is the mountain lizard, which has been living here since the time when there were no people here. Also, it is the only place in the North Atlantic where corals thrive.

The main island is characterized by a hilly terrain (the highest point is 76 m), a rather indented coastline with a large number of bays and sandy beaches.

About 35% of the territory is occupied by shrubs, mainly on the hills. In the lowlands on fertile soils - cultivated plants. There are no rivers, streams, lakes on the islands.

The climate of Bermuda is subtropical. It plays the role of the main factor that determined the specialization of the local economy in the tourism business.

Bermuda offers so many varied, amazing and exciting adventures! This and calm hiking along the coast, and top-class golf courses, dive into the most interesting history of famous shipwrecks, dance the night away and dine under the stars in the bottomless black sky! Many people come to Bermuda to experience the magnificent underwater world with a huge number of tropical inhabitants, underwater caves and coral reefs, or just 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 above 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 - late March) - about +17 C at minimum values in the region of +14 C. The winter period is characterized by strong winds of the north-western direction, bringing cold and rain.

Precipitation falls up to 1000 mm, and there is no pronounced rainy season - powerful, but short-term tropical downpours are possible at any time of the year. During the passage of hurricanes (from June to November), windy and rainy weather, however, in comparison with other island states of the region, the danger of destructive hurricanes is small - the main route of their movement passes much to the west of the territory of Bermuda.

Beautiful beaches frame almost the entire coast of Bermuda. The largest number of first-class beach hotels concentrated on the south coast of the islands, including around the bays of Horseshoe Bay, Warwick Long Bay and Jobsons Cove. The beaches of Elbow Beach near Hamilton, Clearwater Beach and Turtle Bay near St. David, as well as the long coastline of the exotic John Smith Bay in Paget County, are well-deserved fame. Great places for swimming and diving are located in Church Bay in Southampton County, in the bays of Mangrove Bay, Black Bay, Parsons Bay, Shelly Bay, Somerset Long Bay, Warwick Long Bay, Chaplin Bay, Church Bay, West Vale Bay, Tobacco Bay north of St. George and isolated Clarence Cove.

The best time to visit the country is from April to October, when the weather is warm and relatively dry. However, during the same period, there is a peak tourist season, when many festivals are held in the country, and prices for all goods and services rise almost several times.

Population

The population is 67.8 thousand (July 2009 estimate).

Annual growth - 0.6%.

Birth rate - 11.6 per 1000;

Mortality - 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 (out of 224 countries and territories of the world - only Singapore is lower).

The fertility rate is 1.99 births per woman.

Literacy - 98% of men, 99% of women.

Infection with the immunodeficiency virus (HIV) - 0.3% (2005 estimate).

Ethno-racial composition: blacks 54.8%, whites 34.1%, mulattos 6.4%, other 4.7% (according to the 2000 census).

Religions: Anglicans 23%, Catholics 15%, African Methodist Bishops 11%, other Protestants 18%, other cults 12%, undecided 7%, atheists 14% (2000 census).

A 2005 estimate put Bermuda's population at about 65,365. Of these, about 54 percent are black, 35 percent are white, and 6 percent are 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.

In the history of some residents, the ancestry of Native Americans can be traced. Hundreds have arrived here from Mexico. Some were exiled from the New England colonies or sold into slavery as early as the 17th century.

Residents from other countries live and work in Bermuda, most of all they are employed in the financial sectors, insurance, and are also employed in specialized professions, these are residents of Great Britain, Canada, the West Indies, and the USA. The total workforce in Bermuda is about 39,000 people (data for 2005), of which approximately 11,000 are visitors.

Over Bermuda there are air links from the USA and Canada to Europe, Central and South America. Due to a series of unexplained crashes of aircraft and ships in the space between Bermuda, the Antilles and the Bahamas, the term Bermuda Triangle appeared.

From 1941 to 1995 - during the 2nd World War and the Cold War - there were several naval and air bases of the United States and Great Britain 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 visited annually by about 600 thousand people (90% from the USA).

The operations of foreign companies on the islands are exempt from taxes, which has made Bermuda an important financial center. More than six thousand foreign companies are registered on the islands; in terms of tonnage of ships (three million gross registered 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, building materials.

Agriculture and fishing employ 3% of the able-bodied 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 the food consumed by Bermuda is forced to be imported from abroad. Fuel, manufactured goods, clothing, building materials are also imported.

Bermuda's main trading partners: 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, banks in the United States charge a small percentage on the purchase (exchange) of US dollars for Bermuda dollars. On the banknotes of their currency, Queen Elizabeth II is depicted.

The 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 about 76 thousand dollars per capita, thus they occupy one of the most high places in the world.

Housing prices are quite high and have long been the focus of attention. The median house price in June 2003 was just under a million dollars, and according to real estate agencies, this figure exceeded one and a half million dollars by 2006 and a little less than two million in early 2007. Although such high prices can be controversial.

Bermuda is one of the offshore financial centers, this 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 and 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. About half a million visitors visit the island each year, 80% of which are US citizens, followed by Canada and the UK. Available means of arrival on the island for tourists - sea cruise or air way. 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 Bermudian dollars or US dollars at local banks. Credit cards are accepted in most restaurants, shops, and hotels, but smaller hotels and guesthouses may be inconsistent and may not always accept them. ATMs, of which there are many in Bermuda, mainly serve credit cards Visa and American Express.

Most convenient way import money - traveler's checks in US dollars.

Bermuda is one of the most reliable and respected offshore centers in the world. There is no sales tax on the islands, everyone who leaves the islands is subject to a $20 tax. In most restaurants, the cost of service (about 15% of the total cost) is included in the bill. In hotels, tips for service personnel are not accepted, since the cost of service is usually already included in the bill, 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 of the people living here. Various peoples took part in its formation, a small trace was left by the Native Americans, part of the culture was borrowed from the Spanish-Caribbean, African, Irish and Scottish cultures. In the seventeenth century, the Anglo-Saxon culture became dominant. Although the main language spoken by the inhabitants of Bermuda is English, a considerable part of them speak Portuguese - the reason for this is almost 160 years of immigration from the Portuguese Atlantic Islands. British and Afro-Caribbean culture had a significant impact, the first being the second wave of immigration from the English-speaking islands that occurred in the 20th century. Calypso music was introduced by Western Indian musicians around the time of World War II and directed more towards visitors, and in the late 1970s, the islands were embraced by reggae, with an influx of Jamaican emigrants.

The literature of Bermuda 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 among them there were few books of a creative nature. Some degree of success has been achieved by Brian Burland, the novelist who wrote the story of Mary Prince, a slave woman who helped end slavery in british empire. Bermuda literature reflects many aspects of American culture associated with proximity to the United States. Also, Bermuda has become home to many non-Bermuda writers.

Not unimportant in Bermuda are dances, the dance of colorful Gombay ballerinas, and music are more famous. Bermuda has been the home of some 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 Beardsey, his impressionistic landscapes are known far beyond the borders of Bermuda. And for 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. Particularly noteworthy are sailing, cricket, golf, rugby, and football, which is popular everywhere. Athletes from this country have participated and continue to participate in world competitions.

In 2007, the Bermuda national team participated in the West Indies Cricket World Cup. And the most famous cricket players in the country are police officer Dwayne Leverock and David Hemp. Perhaps a lot of attention in Bermuda is given to golf, here in comparison with with total area lands, a lot of golf courses and tournaments and championships in this interesting sport are often held. As an example, we can mention the Royal Bermuda Golf Club, which has 16 first-class courses, considered among the best 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, not to mention tourists who specially come to the islands for the sake of 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 officially established in 1793 by an act of parliament. This is where 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 fairly large trading hub for its time and region. A full-fledged city, Hamilton became after the construction of a cathedral (an Anglican church) in it in 1897. Later, a Catholic cathedral was also built.

Today, Hamilton is the administrative center of Bermuda, the location of most of the country's government and commercial institutions. The city of Hamilton belongs to the district of Pembroke, and it received its name in honor of Sir Henry Hamilton. This was the governor of Bermuda from 1778 to 1794, and the district of Hamilton 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 value of more or less is not particularly noticeable.

Like most seaside towns, the city center is located on a street that runs along the coast of the island's harbor, and such a street in Bermuda is considered to be Front Street.

The sights of the city can be explored on foot in just a few hours. The main attractions of Hamilton include the Holy Trinity Bridge 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, as well as Fort Hamilton (1870-1876), shaped like a pentagon.

The fort itself is quite an imposing structure, which is located on top of the hills, and has an excellent panorama of the Hamilton harbor. The fort's ramparts are equipped with devastating 10-inch fortress cannons capable of firing 400-pound shells at 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 world wars (1920 an exact copy of the Memorial in Whitehall London), Waterville (1842) - the headquarters of the Bermuda National Trust Fund, on its territory there is a garden of Bermuda-Rose-Sisayeti, Mary Jean Mitchell Memorial Garden and a beautiful gazebo, as well as 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 Pas-la-Ville. The Bermuda Public Library is located in the same building. 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 the history of Bermuda, because. this is the former mansion of the first head of the post office - William Perot.

The Bermuda National Gallery (1992) is quite well known, its exposition contains works by famous European masters of the 17th-19th centuries, as well as paintings by local artists. Many will be interested in the Institute of Underwater Research. It is located on East Broadway and is widely recognized as one of the best scientific and cultural centers in the region. Also popular with tourists is the Flatts Village Museum and Zoo, and the Bermuda Aquarium, which is a copy of the local reef, which is part of this complex.

The Aquarium contains about 50 varieties of marine animals and about 200 species of fish. Nearby is the entrance to the Crystal Caves (Crystal and Fantasy), where you can walk along the pontoon bridge thrown over the underground lake Kaho. The water in the lake is so pure that it allows you to freely examine the bottom at a depth of 16 meters. famous caves Church Caves are closed to the public. These karst formations, also known as Painter Vale Cave. According to scientists, in ancient times they were used for religious rites. And in the center of this cave complex is the largest underground lake Bermuda.

Because Bermuda is still an island, then a ferry service is developed. Ferries directly connect Hamilton with the Paget, Warwick, Somerset and Royal Naval Dockyard areas, also connect the shores of Hamilton Harbor, run to the Great Sound, Somerset Bridge and other areas of Main Island ( main island). Therefore, a lot of excursion programs picturesque places Bermuda are conducted directly from the ferry.

The best places for a beach holiday in the capital of Bermuda are located on the coast of the South Shoe Park area, near Bay Beach and Elbow Beach, as well as on the coast of John Smith Bay in Paget County. South Shoe Park Natural Park provides protection to some of Bermuda's best 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 part of the coast, which 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 house or mansion; greenery is everywhere: numerous lawns, flowerbeds 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 hue, extremely rare in nature. The pinkest sand can be found on the stretch of coast between Warwick Long Bay and Horseshoe Bay, Bermuda. In Bermuda, there are both public and private beaches owned by hotels. Public beaches are closed at night. There are no nude beaches in Bermuda.

Horseshoe Bay is the most popular beach O. Bermuda, so it is often quite crowded. The beach is located in a bay shaped like a horseshoe and framed picturesque rocks. On the beach there are bars with soft drinks and ice cream, rental equipment for snorkelling; there are sunbeds, umbrellas, changing rooms and showers. A secluded area on the west side of the beach, characterized by calm waters, perfect for children.

Jobsons Cove is a beach in a tiny, idyllic bay surrounded by serene cliffs. Few beaches in the world can match the beauty of Jobson's Cove. The sea in this place is calm, shallow, with a gently sloping sandy bottom.

Tobacco Bay is the most popular beach on the island. Saint Georges. Here you can not only relax, but also do amazing snorkeling between 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. On windy days, quite strong waves rise here.

West Vale Bay is a small beach on the west coast of about. Bermuda. In April you can see migratory whales here. You can watch whales from a fort located on a hill, or from a boat specially sent out to sea to watch the animals. West Vale Bay - perfect place to watch the most beautiful sunsets.

Main AttractionsBErmud Islands

Bermuda is known for its pink beaches and natural beauty. But among all this, there are many others wonderful places where you can visit. Numerous shipwrecks and coral reefs at relatively shallow depths are available to scuba divers. 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 Yard and the museum, it will be great to visit the local aquarium and zoo. An exciting trip will be to the Bermuda Institute of Underwater Research, Botanical Gardens, lighthouses and Crystal Caves. In these caves, by the way, you can see impressive stalactites and underground reservoirs.

Unfortunately, you can't rent a car on the islands, but you can rent scooters or use public transport.

Now it is, in fact, one big luxury resort with beautiful beaches separated from the ocean by coral reefs, beautiful gardens, quiet coves and clear water. Bermuda culture is a quirky mix of British and African heritage.

British influence prevails in institutions including the government, educational system and legal structures - judges still wear powdered wigs, police officers dress in English standard, cricket is the most popular sport (however, there are numerous tennis courts), and a pint of beer in the local pub is 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 area, and a very high level - the Royal Bermuda Golf Club has 16 first-class courses. The African influence is more subtle, but can be found in the music and dance - especially the influence of music of African origin, such as "reggae" and "calypso", as well as in the dance rhythms of "gombi" - the most interesting art form unique to Bermuda. To the uninitiated, gombi dancers may appear to be little 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 featuring bible stories. Dancers traditionally take to the streets on Boxing Day (the second day of Christmas) and on New Year's Eve. There are beautiful beaches and hotels on the South coast of the islands, including in the Horseshoe Bay area, Warwick Long Bay and Jobson's Cove. Hamilton is the center of Bermuda, its capital and commercial center. This is a small town (population of only 15 thousand) constantly has a surprisingly large number of tourists who are constantly jostling and creating constant turmoil in its streets, at least compared to the rest of the island.

Locals call Hamilton simply "the city". The city center is located along the harbor road, surrounded by old Victorian buildings framed by limestone fences, apricot orchards and blue skies. Many buildings have overhanging verandas, made in a wide variety of architectural traditions, but with indispensable elegant wrought-iron railings. The main cultural attractions of the city include

Bermuda Cathedral is 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 items salvaged from the shipwrecked ship "Sea Venture" by Admiral George Somers, and the Bermuda National Gallery , containing works by Thomas Gainsborough, Joshua Reynolds, and Winslow Homer. Fort Hamilton is an imposing structure perched on top of the hills, with a majestic panorama of Hamilton Harbour.

It is one of a number of fortifications built in the middle of the 19th century during a period of heightened tension between England and the United States. The ramparts of the fort are equipped with 10-inch fortress guns capable of firing 400-pound shells on any ship entering the harbor. This devastating weapon, fortunately, was never used for its intended purpose. Ferries connect Hamilton with the Pages Islands, Warwick, the Somerset area and the Dockyards.

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 the South Shore Park area, which has almost a dozen picturesque bays, Elbow Beach near Hamilton, and John Smith Bay in Paget County. St. George, the first capital of Bermuda, and to this day remains the most charming sightseeing area of ​​the islands.

The city is literally immersed in the charm of the period of the Great Geographical Discoveries, as befits the place, which was the second British settlement in the New World. Many of its concentric paths and colonial-era buildings remain intact, and several older structures have been preserved as museums. The main attractions of the city include the Royal Square, which houses the City Hall, built in 1782, and the "pillory", near which public actions of condemning criminals were held in the past.

Nearby is 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. The Old State House, built in 1620, is also located here - 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 the heart, the body is buried in England) are buried in a modest grave in the park . Tucker House, built in the 18th century, the imposing 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. Dated around the same period, the Old Rectory (Rectory) - interesting place, no less famous than the Tucker house, this is one of the first buildings on the island with a stone roof.

The Bermuda National Trust Museum occupies a stately colonial building and is mainly dedicated to Bermuda's role in the American Civil War, when St. George enjoyed unprecedented wealth from aid southern states, and supplies that provided the famous naval blockade of the rebellious northern states.

The original St. George's Church, built of wood and thatch in 1612, is one of the oldest Anglican churches in the western hemisphere. This is a beautiful building, as if "lit" by the play of sunlight on wooden walls, with marble commemorative steles, installed with the money of the early governors of the island, and a mahogany altar, which is the oldest example of local furniture. Excellent swimming and diving sites are found in Church Bay in Southampton County and Tobacco Bay north of St. George.

South Shore Park Nature Park protects a number of the most good shores Bermuda, encompassing a series of bays and inlets separated by outcrops of stone cliffs. Warwick Long Bay is also located here - a beautiful stretch of coastline 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 sailing between Nova Scotia and the British West Indies.

The fort was built of huge Georgian limestone blocks between 1814 and 1863. an entire "army" of nearly 10,000 criminals who were housed in disgusting conditions on prison ships anchored in a deep bay and first used by the British Navy as a base for raids on Washington in 1814.

The buildings were later renovated and the fort got a "second life". It now houses the charming Bermuda Maritime Museum, a traditional pub, cinema, craft market and Snorkeling Park - one of the best centers scuba diving lessons in Bermuda. sea ​​world Bermuda is rich and diverse. It is especially interesting to swim under water at north coast, where the remains of ships of the 15th-20th centuries lie at the bottom of the ocean.

Bermuda was once called the "Islands of the Devils", in the old days many ships were in distress here. Bermuda's size, relatively high population density and half a million visitors a year inevitably harm the environment. Fortunately, increased awareness of the need for environmental protection and modern legislation have succeeded in protecting and even somewhat increasing the numbers of previously endangered species, especially sea turtles. Nonsuch Island, located southeast of Bermuda Airport, is used as protected area guarding the endangered Bermuda pigeon (or "kahu") - one of the rarest and most endangered bird species in the world. Not surprisingly, access to the island is limited, although Bermuda Biological Station occasionally hosts visits to the island for tour groups. Bermuda is home to the northernmost corals in the Atlantic, and the reefs attract a huge variety of colorful tropical creatures such as angelfish, surgeonfish and clownfish.

Unfortunately dangerous Marine life jellyfish like the "Portuguese Man of War" jellyfish also abound in Bermuda waters, especially between March and July. As with the rest of the Caribbean, Bermuda hosts numerous carnivals, festivals and festivities. One of the most famous is the OCA (Caribbean Music Festival) held by the Royal Navy 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 Tattoo festival takes place, which in the finale reaches its climax with grandiose fireworks. Yacht race Newport - Bermuda, starting at the end of June - one of the world's major ocean regattas.

Like the nearby Caribbean region, Bermuda hosts numerous carnivals, festivals and festivities. One of the most famous is the SOCA (Caribbean Music Festival) 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. For three days, the Bermuda Tatu festival takes place, which in the finale reaches its climax with grandiose fireworks (early November).

Also world famous are the Bermuda Performing Arts Festival and Photo Exhibition (January, Hamilton), the Bermuda Music Festival Charity Festival (February, Princess Hotel), the Spring Student Festival (March) and the Brass Music Festival held within its framework, the annual Jazz Night in building Municipal Theater(March, Hamilton), traditional "Peppercorn" ceremony at King's Square in St. George (end of April), accompanied by numerous ceremonies and concerts Agricultural Exhibition (April, Hamilton), series of "Spring Concerts" (end of April, Maine Island) , a huge number of festivities as part of Heritage Month Bermuda (May, Main Island), Cooking Competition (May, Hamilton) and Young Artists Competition (May, Cedar Bridge), Pilgrimage of Mercy (first Saturday in May, St. George), Bermuda International Film Festival (May, Hamilton), colorful parade in honor of Bermuda Day (Hamilton) and others.

The scenic Queen's Birthday Parade (Hamilton) is held on the third Monday in June. In autumn, the annual Sandcastle Competition (September, Horseshoe Bay), the Jazzscape Festival (October), the country's largest reggae festival - "Kulche-Shock" (November, Hamilton), the Jazz and Razzmatazz jazz festival ( November, Hamilton), lasting from the end of November to the first week of January, the Dockyard Illumination Festival (Royal Naval Dockyard) and the Christmas Ship Parade under the auspices of the Bermuda Underwater Research Institute (December, Hamilton Harbour).

Of the sporting events, the most interesting are the "South Region Tournament" (January, Hamilton) and the "Bermuda Rendezvous" (February, Warwick) bowling, the February Open Chess Tournament at the Princess Hotel (February), the Kite Festival (March, Horseshoe Bay ), a five-day Spring Golf Festival (March) on the best courses in the country, a four-day Coners Dill and Pearman Grand Prix (starts and ends in Hamilton), a golf championship "Samuel L. Jackson Classic Golf" in the club Port Royal Golf Course (Southampton, May), Bermuda Karate Open (end of May, Bermuda College), Ironkids Junior Triathlon (June, Clearwater Beach), and the Atlantic International Junior Golf Championship ( July). Yacht race Newport - Bermuda, starting at the end of June, is considered one of the main ocean regattas of the planet.

Bermuda Triangle

The Bermuda Triangle is an area in the Atlantic Ocean where mysterious disappearances of marine and aircraft. The area is bounded by lines from Florida to Bermuda to Puerto Rico and back to Florida via the Bahamas. A similar "triangle" in pacific ocean called Devilish.

Various hypotheses are put forward to explain these disappearances, from unusual weather events to alien abductions. Skeptics argue, however, that the disappearance of ships in the Bermuda Triangle occurs no more often than in other areas of the world's oceans and is due to natural causes. The same opinion is shared by the US Coast Guard and the insurance company Lloyd's.

Associated Press correspondent Jones was the first to mention "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 about 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 Kouchet published The Bermuda Triangle: Myth and Reality, in which he attempted to prove that nothing supernatural or mysterious was happening in the area. This book is based on years of research on documents and interviews with eyewitnesses, which have revealed numerous factual errors and inaccuracies in the publications of supporters of the existence of the Bermuda Triangle mystery.

Proponents of the theory mention the disappearance of approximately 100 large ships and aircraft over the past hundred years. In addition to disappearances, there are reports of serviceable boats abandoned by the crew, and other unusual phenomena, such as instantaneous movements in space, anomalies with time, etc. Kusche and other researchers have shown that some of these cases occurred outside the Bermuda Triangle. For some incidents, no information could be found in official sources.

Most famous case mentioned in connection with the Bermuda Triangle is the disappearance of a flight of five Avenger-class torpedo bombers. These planes took off on December 5, 1945 from the US Naval Forces base in Fort Lauderdale (Florida) and did not return back. Their wreckage has not been found.

According to Berlitz, a squadron of 14 experienced pilots mysterious reasons disappeared during a normal flight in clear weather over calm sea.

It is also reported that in radio communications with the base, the pilots allegedly spoke of unexplained failures of navigation equipment and unusual visual effects - “we cannot determine the direction, and the ocean does not look like it usually does,” “we are sinking into white waters.” After the disappearance of the Avengers, other planes were sent to search for them, and one of them - the Martin Mariner seaplane - also disappeared without a trace.

According to Kusche, in fact, the link consisted of cadets who performed a training flight. Only their instructor, Lieutenant Taylor, was an experienced pilot, but he had only recently been transferred to Fort Lauderdale and was new to the flying area.

Recorded radio conversations say nothing about any mysterious phenomena. Lieutenant Taylor reported that he lost his bearings and both compasses failed him. Trying to determine his location, he mistakenly thought that the link was over the Florida Keys, south of Florida, so he was asked to orient himself by the sun and fly north. Subsequent analysis showed that, in fact, the planes were probably much to the east and, adhering to the course to the north, moved parallel to the coast. Poor radio conditions (interference from other radio stations) made it difficult to determine the exact position of the squadron.

After some time, Taylor decided to fly west, but failed to reach the coast, the aircraft ran out of fuel. The Avenger crews were forced to attempt a water landing. By this time it was already dark, and the sea, according to the reports of the ships that were then in that area, was very restless.

After it became known that the Taylor link was lost, other aircraft were sent to search for them, including two Martin Mariners.

According to Kouchet, aircraft of this type had a certain disadvantage, which consisted in the fact 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 that he observed an explosion and falling debris and then found an oil slick on the surface of the sea.

The C-119 aircraft with 9 crew members disappeared on June 5, 1965 in the Bahamas. Exact time and the place of disappearance is unknown, and his search turned up nothing. Although the disappearance of a plane while flying across the Atlantic can be explained by many natural causes, this case is often associated with alien abduction. It is reported that just on this day, American astronaut James McDivitt, who flew on 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 space aliens or Atlanteans hijacking ships, travel through holes in time or rifts in space, and other paranormal causes. Other authors are trying to give a scientific explanation for these phenomena.

Their opponents argue that reports of mysterious events in the Bermuda Triangle are greatly exaggerated. Ships and aircraft are also dying in other parts of the world, sometimes without leaving a trace.

A radio malfunction or the suddenness of a disaster can prevent the crew from transmitting a distress call. Searching for debris at sea is not an easy task, especially in a storm or when the exact location of the disaster is not known. Given the very heavy traffic in the Bermuda Triangle, frequent cyclones and storms, a large number of shallows, the number of disasters that have happened here that have not been explained is not unusually large.

Several hypotheses have been proposed to explain the sudden death of ships and aircraft by gas emissions - for example, as a result of the decay of methane hydrate on the seabed. According to one of these hypotheses, large bubbles saturated with methane form in the water, in which the density is reduced so much that ships cannot swim and instantly sink.

Some speculate that once airborne, methane could also cause plane crashes, for example, by lowering air density, which reduces lift and distorts altimeter readings. In addition, methane in the air can cause engines to stop.

Experimentally, the possibility of a fairly quick (within tens of seconds) flooding of a vessel that was on the border of such a gas release was indeed confirmed.

It has been suggested that the cause of the death of some ships, including those in the Bermuda Triangle, may be the so-called. wandering waves, which are believed to reach a height of 30 m.

It is assumed that under certain conditions, infrasound can be generated in the sea, which affects the crew members, causing panic, as a result of which they leave the ship.

Sources

en.wikipedia.org Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

country.turmir.com Tourist world

Bermuda-islands.ru/ Bermuda

bermuds.ru/histr.html Bermuda

bermuda-islands.ru/pljaz/ Bermuda

tour.bigmir.net Tourism.bigmir.net

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 overseas territory Great Britain.

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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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xorolik.livejournal.com

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. During the year there are occasional tropical rains and showers, but sunny weather prevails. The usual temperature is 20-23°C - very comfortable.

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xorolik.livejournal.com

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. They chose for a long time, but in the end they did not lose by booking a room at Pompano beach club. This family-run Southampton hotel dates back to 1956. Owned by the third generation of the Lamb family. Here you can feel the homely, family atmosphere, friendly attitude of the staff.

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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. And free Wi-Fi is 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!

xorolik.livejournal.com

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 of fuel and luggage basket are included in the rental price. The use of a helmet is mandatory.

xorolik.livejournal.com

You can get to different parts of Bermuda by taxi and buses, ferries run. 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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xorolik.livejournal.com

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 cruise ship stop 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 the colonial capital of 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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xorolik.livejournal.com

But the world's smallest functioning drawbridge— 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 the ice ages, when the sea level was 100-130 m lower. Rainwater 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 an underground lake through which a pontoon bridge has been laid. The water is crystal clear. And nearby there is another cave connected to the first one, it is called Fantasy.