Bermuda Information

Full country name: Bermuda
Area: 53 sq km (20.59 sq miles).
Population: 61,688 (official estimate 2000).
Population Density: 1,163.9 per sq km.
Capital: Hamilton. Population: 1100 (1991).

Climate: Semi-tropical, with no wet season. The Gulf Stream which flows between Bermuda and the North American continent keeps the climate temperate. A change of seasons comes during mid-November to mid-December and from late March through to April. Either spring or summer weather may occur and visitors should be prepared for both. Showers may be heavy at times but occur mainly at night. Summer temperatures prevail from May to mid-November with the warmest weather in July, August and September - this period is occasionally followed by high winds. Visitors should note that such high winds between June and November can (albeit rarely) turn into hurricanes and tropical storms.

Required clothing: Lightweight cottons and linens. Light waterproofs or umbrellas are advisable and warmer clothes for cooler months.

GEOGRAPHY: Bermuda consists of a chain of some 180 coral islands and islets lying 1046km (650 miles) off the coast of North Carolina, in the Atlantic Ocean. 10 of the islands are linked by bridges and causeways to form the principal mainland. There are no rivers or streams and the islands are entirely dependent on rainfall for fresh water. Coastlines are characterised by a succession of small bays with beaches of fine pale pink coral sand. The surrounding waters are a vivid blue-green. Inland there is an abundance of subtropical plants and flowers.

Government: British Crown Colony since 1684. Gained internal autonomy in 1968. Head of State: HM Queen Elizabeth II, represented locally by Governor Sir John Vereker since 2002. Head of Government: Prime Minister Alex Scott since 2003.
Language: English is the official language. There is a small community of Portuguese speakers.
Religion: Anglican, Episcopal, Roman Catholic and other Christian denominations.
Time: GMT - 4 (GMT - 3 from first Sunday in April to last Sunday in October).
Electricity: 120 volts AC, 60Hz. American (flat) two-pin plugs are standard.

Communications:
Telephone: IDD is available. Country code: 1 441. Outgoing international code: 011. The internal telephone system is operated by the Bermuda Telephone Company. Bermuda numbers dialled from within Bermuda should be prefixed with the last two digits of the country code (29 or 23) but there are no conventional area codes.
Mobile telephone: GSM 1900. Operators are A&T Wireless (www.attwireless.bm) and Mobility LTD (www.mobilityltd.bm). Coverage is excellent. TDMA and AMPS (800 MHz) networks operated by Cellular One (website: www.cellularone.bm) and Mobility LTD.
Fax: This service is available from many hotels and offices.
Internet: ISPs include Logic Communications (website: www.logic.bm) and NorthRock Communications (website: www.northrock.bm). There are Internet cafes in Hamilton and St George.
Telegram: Cable & Wireless Ltd operates Bermuda's international telecommunications system. Cablegrams may be sent from the C&W office in Hamilton.
Post: Most letters will automatically travel airmail even if surface rates are paid, although paid-for airmail will be given priority. Airmail letters to Europe take five to seven days. Poste Restante facilities are available. Post office hours: Mon-Fri 0830-1700. In addition, the General Post Office in Hamilton is open on Saturday mornings until 1200.
Press: The main newspapers are The Mid-Ocean News (weekly), The Royal Gazette (daily) and The Bermuda Sun (twice weekly).
Radio: BBC World Service (website: www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice) and Voice of America (website: www.voa.gov) can be received. From time to time the frequencies change and the most up-to-date can be found online.

Facts for the Traveler
Visas: No visas are required for citizens of the USA, Canada, the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Israel and Western European countries. Visas are required by citizens of the former Soviet Union, most countries in North Africa and the Middle East, China, Sri Lanka and some former Soviet Bloc countries in Eastern Europe.
Time Zone: GMT/UTC -4
Dialling Code: 441
Electricity: 120V ,60Hz
Weights & measures: Imperial

When to Go
Bermuda can be visited year round, but the busiest tourist season is from April through to October when the weather is warmest and water temperatures comfortable for swimming and diving. It's also the liveliest time on the island, with plenty of events and entertainment options to keep visitors amused.

The winter season is a bit too cool for swimming, and many tourist-related agencies, like diving companies and boat tours, suspend operations for part of the season. January is the quietest month, so if you're more interested in tennis and golf or seeing the island when it's free of large numbers of tourists, this is the time to come.

The advantage of visiting during the cooler months is that accommodation prices can be up to 40% lower and you can escape the colder winter of more northern climes. The best conditions for windsurfing also tend to be in winter.