What geographical region is Bermuda in? Cuisine and restaurants. Shopping and shops

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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 is possible for citizens of Russia, India and China with a US, Canadian or UK visa. 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. 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!

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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 driver license are not required, but must be over 16 years of age. Helmet, lock, full tank of fuel and 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 the colonial capital of Bermuda.

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The symbol of the city is the dragon. St. George's has retained its original appearance and many of the historic buildings are still in use today as they were 200-300 years ago. Royal Square is the center of the city. 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 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 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.

Useful information for tourists about Bermuda, cities and resorts of the country. As well as information about the population, currency of Bermuda, cuisine, features of visa and customs restrictions of Bermuda.

Geography of Bermuda

Bermuda is a British overseas territory located on a group of coral islands in the northwestern Atlantic Ocean, 900 km from North America.

Bermuda consists of 150 islands and reefs, of which about 20 are inhabited and 10 are connected by bridges and overpasses and form the main island - Main Island.

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

State

State structure

The English monarch is represented in the islands by a governor who manages matters foreign policy, defense, police. The regulation of internal life is carried out by a bicameral parliament. The head of the executive branch is the prime minister.

Language

Official language: English

In everyday life, a peculiar jargon is most often used, formed from the English language base and a large number of Spanish and Portuguese words and idiomatic expressions.

Religion

Most believers are Anglicans, there is a significant Catholic community.

Currency

International name: BMD

Popular Attractions

Bermuda Tourism

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Popular hotels

Tips

In most restaurants, the cost of service (about 10-15% of the total) is usually included in the bill. In hotels, tips for service personnel are not accepted, as they are also usually included in the bill. Hotels add a special tax of 7.5% (included in the room rate) and some additional fees to the bill.

Doormen and porters at the airport and hotels are usually given a few dollars for their services, taxi drivers expect a tip of 10-15% of the fare, but it is perfectly acceptable to round up the amount.

Medicine

Emergency Phones

Unified Rescue Service (fire department, police and ambulance) - 911.
Rescue Coordinating Center - 297-1010.
Central Police Station - 295-0011.
King Edward Memorial Hospital Dispatch Center - 236-2345.

Today, Bermuda, known in Somers' time only for cedar forests and harsh natural conditions, have turned into one large resort area, famous for its coral reefs, beautiful pink sand beaches, beautiful gardens, quiet coves and clear water.

In addition to relaxing on the magnificent beaches, guests of the islands can devote time to diving, snorkelling, horseback riding, boat racing, cricket, rugby; Numerous tennis courts, 8 professional golf courses, SPA centers, water sports centers and much more have been built here. On the islands you can find a wide variety of hotels with all kinds of accommodation options, more than 150 restaurants: from democratic to extremely elegant and refined.

Location

The archipelago is located in the western part of the Atlantic Ocean, east of the United States. Formed as a result of active volcanic activity, it covers an area of only 53 square kilometers and consists of 157 islands. The Bermuda archipelago was discovered in 1503 by the Spanish navigator Juan Bermudez, who later received the gloomy name "Devil's Islands". In the old days, many ships were wrecked here. Until now, lucky treasure hunters have found treasures of British merchant ships and Spanish galleons on the seabed.

Bermuda ( former islands Somers) are located in the western part of the Atlantic Ocean, off the coast of North America, at a distance of 1046 km east of Cape Hatteras (North Carolina coast, USA). The archipelago consists of 7 large and about 131 small coral islands surrounded by reefs (about 230), of which only 12 are inhabited. Eight relatively large islands of the central group are interconnected by a network of bridges and viaducts with a total length of about 40 km, forming the so-called "main island "- Main Island, which occupies 95% of the island's land area (locals simply call it "island"). The rest of the islands are scattered over the surface of the ocean, occupying an area of almost 1100 square meters. km. The total area of the archipelago itself is only 53.3 square meters. km.

Tourist areas of Bermuda

Beautiful beaches frame almost the entire coast of Bermuda. Nai large quantity first-class beach hotels are concentrated on the south coast of the islands, including around the bays of Horseshoe Bay, Warwick Long Bay and Jobsons Cove.

Elbow Beach near Hamilton, Clearwater Beach and Turtle Bay near St. David are well-deservedly famous, as well as a long coastline exotic John Smith Bay in Paget County. 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.

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 island of Bermuda, on the stretch of coast between Warwick Long Bay and Horseshoe Bay. 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.

The best public beaches

Horseshoe Bay is the most popular beach on the island. Bermuda, so it is often quite crowded. The beach is located in a horseshoe-shaped bay framed by picturesque rocks. On the beach there are bars with soft drinks and ice cream, rental equipment for snorkelling; here you can also find sun loungers, umbrellas, showers, changing cabins, etc. A secluded area in the western part of the beach, characterized by calm waters, especially suitable 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. Tobacco Bay also left its mark on the history of the islands: here, local conspirators loaded onto whaling ships hundreds of tons of gunpowder, looted from an English store on the island and intended for the Americans as help in the war with the British. In response, Congress lifted the Bermuda embargo placed on Britain and all of its colonies.

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 - a small beach on west coast O. Bermuda. In April, you can see whales migrating in search of food 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.

For newlyweds

Bermuda is an ideal place for honeymoon and wedding ceremonies. Special island traditions will turn the wedding into the most romantic event in a couple's life.

A traditional Bermudian wedding involves two wedding cakes, one for the groom and one for the bride. The bride's three-tier fruit cake covered with silver sugar icing symbolizes the sweetness of the wedding, while the groom's single-tier cake covered with gold icing symbolizes prosperity. Both cakes are adorned with tiny cedar trees, which the couple can plant anywhere on the island, and the tree will represent their growing love for years to come.

The bride and groom must pass through one of the stone rings (“moon gates”) decorating the island, make a wish and expect guaranteed prosperity and joy in the future. A kiss in front of such arches is the key to a long and happy life together.

From the place of marriage to the hotel, the couple is transported by a romantic carriage drawn by horses and decorated with flowers and ribbons. The driver of the wagon is dressed in formal attire with blue Bermuda shorts, knee pads and a white hat.

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.

General information

Official name - Bermuda. Overseas Territory, located on a group of coral islands in the northwestern Atlantic Ocean, 900 km from North America. The area is 53,200 km2. Population - 67 837 people. (for 2009). The official language is English. The capital is Hamilton. The monetary unit is the Bermuda dollar.

Bermuda consists of 150 islands and reefs, of which about twenty are inhabited and 10 are connected by bridges and viaducts and form the main island - Main Island.

Moderate 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 - end of March) - about + 17 ° C at minimum values around the mark at +14°C. The winter season is characterized strong winds northwest direction, bringing cold and rain.

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 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 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 situation. 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.

Geographic location 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.

Attractions Bermuda

One of the main attractions of Bermuda - botanical gardens. 35 acres of manicured, landscape park contain hundreds of identified flowers, shrubs and trees, including a significant collection of subtropical fruit plants, hibiscus, banyan trees. There are also aviaries for exotic and songbirds and a garden for the blind. The best way to experience the vast expanse of gardens is on a walking tour that extends from Point Finger Road to Berry Hill and South Shore Road. These routes are organized by the Bermuda Botanical Society. The gardens themselves are open to the public daily, except for holidays. On the territory there is a craft shop where you can buy absolutely unique souvenirs.

Royal-Naval-Dockyard- Royal Navy Yard Bermuda. Located on the very edge of the island of Ireland (Ireland) and is a majestic reflection of the history of Great Britain, since 1809, when the island was bought to build a fort. It is the main attraction of the western part of Bermuda. On its territory are located: the Bermuda Maritime Museum, the Bermuda Center for the Arts, traditional pubs, shops and a craft market. Bermuda Maritime Museum. The museum includes many buildings that display exhibits and information on navigation, whaling, expositions of treasures obtained from the seabed, various coins, etc.

Municipal buildings are unique in their structure and design. The first building in this area is the Commission House - the first building in the world of this size, which was created from ready-made cast iron blocks and framed with wrought iron. Situated on the highest point of Ireland, the Commission House offers absolutely amazing views of its northeastern part. In its many rooms are art galleries, exhibitions on the history of emigration of different nationalities and luxurious banquet halls that can be rented for various celebrations.

Hog Bay Park- the third largest (38 acres) public park in Bermuda. It borders the ocean to the west, Middle Road to the east, and Woodlawn Road to the south. The park is named after Hog's Cove (now known as Pilchard Cove), which, in turn, takes its name from wild boars that were found here by shipwrecked sailors in 1609. It was assumed that these boars were the descendants of a specially left here Spanish sailors a brood destined to be food for the sailors who survived the crash. At that time, the land was used to grow tobacco for export, which was one of the priority occupations in Bermuda at that time. During the XVIII-XX centuries, agriculture and animal husbandry flourished here. Several famous Bermuda families have owned some of these lands since the 17th century.

The territory that has passed to the government is carefully guarded, preserving its original appearance, buildings and monuments that undoubtedly have archaeological, historical and aesthetic value are also under careful supervision. Visitors to Hog Bay Park have a great bird watching opportunity. Climbing the picturesque Sugarloaf Hill on a close lookout, over 120 species of birds can be spotted here, including the tropical oriole, purple finches and upland hawks.

Fort St. Catherine- the largest of all the historic ports in Bermuda, and one of the most exciting sights. From this place, the views of the coast and the island itself are truly grandiose. Nearby is the beach where they went ashore after a shipwreck in 1607. the first settlers of the island.

This is one of the early fortifications that served as a defense against the Spaniards, the French, and much later from the Americans. The fort itself, in its original form, dating back to 1614, was built by Governor Richard More to protect the main bay where the colonists lived. In the future, it was even more strengthened and expanded. 1865-1878, these are the years of massive reconstruction of the fort. In the early 1900s, Fort St. Katerina served as a site for combat exercises of the local and British army.

Many artillery cannons, tunnels, bastions and drawbridges over the fortress moats have been preserved here. The fort was reopened in February 2000 after being renovated due to severe damage caused by the 1999 hurricane.

Here are reproductions of the British Crown Treasures, a fascinating series of filmstrips displaying early history Bermuda, new 53 inch screen located in the theatre. Visitors also have the opportunity to view a rare display of antique weapons, an audio/video presentation of other Bermuda ports and their history, and recordings of the history of the British regiments that served in Bermuda. Fort St. Catherine is also available for group tours, for various celebrations, events and corporate functions.

During the Second World War, an American indicator loop was installed here. This is the first shore marker visible to tourists on cruise ships. The sea route itself is located a little to the north, this is the place of the pier for sea transport and cruise ships. The fort is out of Bermuda's public transportation, but can be reached by local minibus, taxi, or rented moped.

Bermuda Cuisine

The culinary traditions of the islands are based on European and American traditions.

Local "sea delicacies" include sea bass or snapper fish soup seasoned with traditional black rum, shark fish soup seasoned with sherry or rum with pepper, fried cod with pepper and sherry sauce, cod pies, the so-called "Sunday breakfast" - a huge baking sheet with fried cod, potatoes, eggs, bananas and avocados in onion-tomato sauce, the famous Bermuda lobsters (a seasonal dish, it can be found on the menu from September to mid-April), mussel pie, shells stewed in vegetables and sauce types, wahoo (royal mackerel) steak, fried cod with vegetables, seafood salads, grilled snapper with bananas, gourmet guinea chik (baked sun lobster) and fried Cuban yellowtail.

All kinds of vegetables are served with fish dishes, " hopepin john"- a mixture of boiled black peas and rice, as well as grain flour cakes with peas and rice, a specific Bermuda onion, rice with sauces and fried bananas "tostones" characteristic of all the island countries of the region. Another characteristic local dish is cassava pie who is credited with saving the first settlers from starvation.

Dessert is usually served with all sorts of fruits, including local citrus fruits, sweet potato pudding, grape jelly, and loquat jam.

Golsing's Bermuda Black Seal rum and numerous cocktails based on it are considered the national drink of Bermuda, including a rum cocktail with lemon juice, bitters and sugar, called "swizzle" here, as well as rum cocktails with ginger beer. In all stores sell a variety of imported beers and other alcoholic beverages.

Bermuda on the map

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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

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 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.

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 line of expansion of tectonic plates, on the Bermuda "hot spots". 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 ice age When the sea level was 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 not everything is so bad at the moment, the ecological consciousness of citizens and local legislation allows not only to keep the environment 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. 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 native to 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! From relaxing walks along the coast to top-class golf courses, immersing yourself in the fascinating history of famous shipwrecks, dancing the night away and dining under the stars in a 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. Windy and rainy weather is possible during the passage of hurricanes (from June to November), however, in comparison with other island states region, the danger of destructive hurricanes is low - the main route of their movement passes significantly 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 are concentrated on the south coast of the islands, including in the area 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, Summerset 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, the peak of the tourist season falls on the same period, 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 was 4.857 billion dollars, which is about 76 thousand dollars per capita, thus they occupy one of the highest places in the world.

Housing prices are quite high and have long been the focus of attention. The 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 small hotels and boarding houses can be fickle and don't 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 Bermudians is English, a large proportion of Bermudians speak Portuguese due to almost 160 years of immigration from 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 the 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 is paid to golf in Bermuda, compared to the total land area, there are 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 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 (Hamilton) - administrative center Bermuda, home to 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 less historic city 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 seen 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 chief 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 are also known as the 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 excursion programs the picturesque places of 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 on the island. Bermuda, so it is often quite crowded. The beach is located in a horseshoe-shaped bay framed by picturesque rocks. On the beach there are bars with soft drinks and ice cream, rental 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.

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 is the 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 other wonderful places where you can visit. For scuba divers, numerous shipwrecks and coral reefs are available on a relatively great depth. 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 it is not possible to rent a car on the islands, but you can rent scooters or get around by 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, the gombi dancers may appear to be little more than wildly costumed characters jumping up and down to loud music, but in fact the dance is a carefully crafted performance with powerful choreography and rhythm, often depicting biblical stories. Dancers traditionally take to the streets on Boxing Day (the second day of Christmas) and on New Year. 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 exposition of the Age of Discovery and objects raised from the bottom of the sea from shipwrecked Admiral George Somers's Sea Venture; 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. Dating from around the same period, the Old Rectory (Rector's House) is an interesting site, no less famous than the Tucker house, it is one of the first buildings on the island with a stone roof.

The Bermuda National Trust Museum occupies a majestic colonial building and is mainly dedicated to Bermuda's role in the American Civil War, when St. George enjoyed unprecedented wealth from aid to the 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 Natural Park guards some of Bermuda's finest coastlines, encompassing a series of coves and bays separated by rock outcrops. 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 Bermuda's finest diving training centers. 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 to protect environment and modern legislation have succeeded in protecting and even somewhat increasing the number of formerly endangered species, especially sea turtles. Nonsuch Island, located southeast of Bermuda Airport, is used as a conservation area for the endangered Bermuda pigeon (or "kahu"), one of the world's rarest and endangered bird species. 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 in everything Caribbean world, Bermuda holds 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 of the Municipal Theater (March, Hamilton), the traditional "Peppercorn" ceremony at King Square in St. Bermuda Heritage Month Celebrations (May, Main Island), Cooking Competition (May, Hamilton) and Young Artists Competition (May, Cedar Bridge), Pilgrimage of Mercy (First Saturday in May, St. ), Bermuda International Film Festival (May, Hamilton), a 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 ships and aircraft allegedly occur. The area is bounded by lines from Florida to Bermuda to Puerto Rico and back to Florida via the Bahamas. A similar "triangle" in the Pacific Ocean is called the Devil's.

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 this district. 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. About some incidents it was not possible to find any information in official sources.

The most famous case cited in connection with the Bermuda Triangle is the disappearance of a flight of five Avenger-class torpedo bombers. These 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 seas.

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. The exact time and place of the 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.

Supporters of the mystery of the Bermuda Triangle put forward several dozen different theories to explain those mysterious phenomena that they think is happening 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