Camp bermuda conversations. Bermuda is

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 part of 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 main island- Maine Island.

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

State

State structure

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

Language

State language: English

AT Everyday life most often used is a kind of jargon, 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

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.

The 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.

For most people, Bermuda is associated with the famous Bermuda Triangle and many fantastic theories that explain the mystical disappearances in this mysterious area. Nevertheless, scientists and analysts around the world have long confirmed that these are just speculations, and the number of ships that have disappeared here is no more than in other places on the planet.

Today, Bermuda is an integral part of the British Commonwealth and one of the most famous resorts in the Atlantic Ocean with a whole scattering of luxury hotels, beautiful beaches and flowering parks. The key to such popularity of the islands is their natural beauty, excellent climate, crystal clear waters and pink sand. And here you can afford both a serene vacation on the beaches and in hammocks, as well as an active pastime with horseback riding, diving and nightlife.

Capital	Hamilton
Population
Population density	1275 people/km²
	English
Religion	23% - Anglicans, 18% Protestant 15% - Catholics, 11% - other confessions
Form of government	a constitutional monarchy
	bermuda dollar
Timezone	UTC-4, UTC-3 (summer)
International dialing code
Internet domain zone
Electricity

Climate and weather

The weather conditions of Bermuda form a temperate maritime climate, as well as the Gulf Stream, which maintains a relatively even temperature here (not higher than +29 ° C). On average, in summer the air warms up to +26 °C and above, and in winter sometimes the temperature drops to +15...+18 °C. There is no rainy season in Bermuda, but brief tropical downpours do occur. Basically, comfortable sunny weather prevails on the islands.

The best time to travel to Bermuda is from April to October.

Nature

Bermuda is located in the northwest of the Atlantic Ocean, at a distance of 900 km from the coast of North America. The archipelago includes 7 large and more than 130 small islands of coral origin, of which only 12 are inhabited. Eight fairly large islands are connected by a network of bridges and viaducts, forming the so-called "Island" Main Island. Its relief is quite hilly, and the coastline is indented by many bays with sandy beaches.

The vegetation of all the islands is mainly represented by shrubs and exotic trees. There are no rivers, streams or lakes on the islands.

Attractions

The main attractions of Bermuda are beautiful coral reefs, beautiful gardens, pink sand coves and clear water. However, in addition to this, there are many interesting buildings and historical monuments.

The "heart" of Bermuda is the capital of Hamilton, where most of the country's commercial and government institutions are concentrated. Its main thoroughfare, Front Street, is lined with old Victorian buildings, notable for their overhanging verandas, apricot orchards and limestone fences.

Among the most popular tourist sites of the city, it is worth highlighting Holy Trinity Bridge Cathedral, Fort Hamilton, Senate Building, Assembly House, Cenotaph Monument, Pas-la-Ville Park, Victoria Park, Mary Jean Mitchell Gardens and Bermuda Rose Sisayeti, Bermuda historical Museum, the Desmond Fontaine Gallery and the National Gallery.

It is also recommended to visit Crystal Cave and Bermuda Aquarium. In addition, not far from Hamilton there are such interesting places how blue hole park with many birds, natural Devil's Hole Aquarium and magnificent botanical gardens.

No less interesting is the city of St. George, which is listed world heritage UNESCO. Among its many attractions, it is necessary to mention Royal Square, City Hall, Pillory, State House and Somers Garden.

Also noteworthy is Ordnance Island, which is connected to St. George by a small bridge. It boasts such interesting objects as old St. Peter's Church, Sir Somers statue, 85m St. David Lighthouse, Tucker House Museum, Unfinished Church, National Trust Museum and St. George Historical Museum.

In addition, it is worth visiting Ireland Island, which is interesting for its fort. Royal-Naval-Dockyard, on the territory of which there is Arts Center, Bermuda Maritime Museum, Craft Market and many shops. Also on this island it is recommended to see the fortress tower clock tower, historical Clock Tower Alley, Michael Swann Gallery and Lagoon Park.

If we talk about the natural attractions of Bermuda, then it should be noted numerous National parks and nature reserves, such as Nonsuch Island, where kahu(endangered Bermuda pigeon).

In addition, the islands have protected areas underwater world:

• Sir Hughes Nature Reserve;
• Coopers Island;
• Charlie Island;
• Gilbert Nature Reserve;
• Hangry Bay;
• Castle Island.

Food

Bermuda is one of the most popular and visited resorts in this region, so here you can find establishments with a wide variety of menus, from European to Caribbean. If we talk about national culinary traditions, they are based on American and English cuisines. The main product of local chefs is all kinds of seafood, which is simply masterfully cooked here.

Therefore, in any restaurant you can try such delicacies as spicy shark meat soup, the famous Bermuda lobsters, sea bass fish soup with black rum and fried cod with sherry sauce. Also everywhere it is offered to taste " Sunday breakfast» (fried cod with potatoes, bananas, eggs and avocado), mussel pie, beef steak wahoo(king mackerel), seafood salads and fried Cuban yellowtail. Most often served as a side dish "hoppin john"(a mixture of black peas and rice), cornmeal tortillas with rice and peas, fried bananas " tostones”, Bermuda onions, all kinds of vegetables and rice with sauces.

It is also worth trying the local cassava pie, which, by the way, saved the first settlers of Bermuda from starvation.

For dessert, it offers all kinds of fruits, jam from loquat, grape jelly and sweet potato pudding. In addition, it is recommended to try local honey. It is quite expensive, but you will remember its taste for a long time.

The main drink of Bermuda is Golsing's Bermuda Black Seal rum, as well as cocktails based on it, for example, "swizzle"(rum, lemon juice, bitters and sugar). In addition, other alcoholic drinks are widely represented here, including a variety of imported beers.

Accommodation

Hotels in Bermuda are able to satisfy the needs of almost any vacationer. Most of them represent resort hotels with great service and comfortable rooms. Meals in many of them are organized in a buffet format, but breakfast is not always included in the price. Moreover, the most luxurious hotels have fitness centers, spas, golf courses and tennis courts. In addition, many hotels offer scooter rentals. Also a nice feature of some establishments are culinary weekends, during which professional chefs teach guests cooking and give lectures on proper nutrition.

It is worth saying that the most diverse hotels and hotels - both luxurious and budget - are concentrated on Main Island. However, other islands also offer a variety of accommodation options. In addition, in Bermuda you can always rent a villa, cottage or apartment.

Entertainment and recreation

Bermuda is an ideal place to relax: the number of activities on the islands promises a great pastime even for the most demanding. Fans of outdoor activities are invited to do any kind of water sports: diving, yachting, spearfishing, water skiing and surfing. Golf, cricket and tennis are also very popular in Bermuda, so there are a lot of clubs and schools dedicated to these sports. In addition, ecotourism is widespread on the islands, offering to watch rare birds, explore underground caves and wander through lush nature reserves and botanical gardens.

The main vacation spot in Bermuda is the beaches with pale pink sand. And there are both public and private beaches. The best public beaches are Horseshoe Bay, Jobsons Cove, Tobacco Bay, West Vale Bay and Elbow Beach near Hamilton. Almost all beaches have sun loungers, cafes and restrooms.

But Bermuda is not only famous for its beaches. Luxurious restaurants, nightclubs and reggae-style beach parties are popular here, which will certainly appeal to lovers of noisy holidays and cheerful companies. If we talk about family vacation, then for it there also exists a set interesting options. Among them, it is worth highlighting rafting, horse-drawn carriage rides, swimming with dolphins in maritime museum, visits to the Zoo, Aquarium and Underwater Institute, as well as excursions to underground crystal caves and numerous reserves.

Besides entertainment Bermuda includes many festivals, celebrations and carnivals. Among them, the most famous are:

• Caribbean Music Festival;
• Bermuda Reggae Festival;
• festival "Bermuda Tattoo";
• Spring Student Festival;
• Bermuda International Film Festival;
• Sand castle competition;
• holiday "Docyard Illumination" and many others.

Purchases

Bermuda is a duty-free zone, so goods from the EU countries are much cheaper here than on the continent. Most of the large shopping centers and various shops are concentrated in Hamilton, Devonshire and Saint George. It is there that you can buy fashionable clothes of famous brands, magnificent Scottish cashmere, high-quality Italian leather goods and many other excellent goods at affordable prices.

It is better to buy souvenirs not in shopping centers, but in small specialized shops, as there is more choice, and the quality is often better. In such establishments, first of all, it is recommended to pay attention to all kinds of tropical crafts made of wood, shells and straw (hats, jewelry, baskets, etc.), as well as local rum. In addition, all kinds of T-shirts, magnets, toys and dishes with the symbols of the islands are sold everywhere.

Payment in all stores is made in Bermudian dollars, US dollars and credit cards. Other currencies are not accepted in stores, but you can always exchange it at local banks.

Usually, almost all shops are open from 09:00 to 17:00, but on Thursdays many of them close quite early (around 15:00).

Transport

Bermuda airport Wade is the only international airport Bermuda. It is located 16 km from the city of Hamilton and is connected to it by regular bus service. Passenger ferries run between all the inhabited islands.

Public transport in Bermuda is represented by buses, taxis, small trains and tourist horse teams. The streets in all cities are narrow, so the maximum speed here is 35 km/h. The main way to get around the city is bus service. Buses run from 7:00 to 23:00. Travel tickets are sold from drivers, and travel cards are sold in large stores. All buses stop at the first request of passengers.

Taxis are a good alternative to buses. Moreover, many of them can conduct an introductory tour (cars with blue flag on the hood). The fare is $4 for landing and the first mile, and $1.4 for subsequent miles.

Car rental is prohibited in Bermuda. The fact is that the road congestion on the islands is very high, and therefore there are often traffic jams and problems with parking. However, in any city you can rent a scooter. It is worth noting that the traffic in Bermuda is left-handed, which is rather unusual for most tourists.

Connection

The telecommunications system of Bermuda can be called quite developed and quite modern. Public pay phones with access to international lines are found almost everywhere. They work on plastic cards, which are sold in any supermarket or street kiosk. In addition, telephone cards from UK, US and Canadian companies, such as Prepaid Global Calling Cards, operate in Bermuda.

Mobile communication is carried out in the GSM 1900 standard and covers almost the entire territory of the islands. International roaming is available to subscribers of all major operators. Local telephones can be rented from mobile companies (Wireless Ltd and Bermuda & West Indies Ltd) and specialized kiosks.

Network technologies on the islands are well developed. Round-the-clock Internet access is provided in almost all hotels. In addition, in large cities (Hamilton, St. George, etc.) there are many Internet cafes. The cost of their services is $ 3-5 per hour.

Safety

Bermuda is recognized as one of the most safe places in the western hemisphere of the earth. Crime is practically absent here, and violent offenses are considered something out of the ordinary. Therefore, for personal safety, it is recommended that you simply follow general precautions.

It should be noted that in most establishments, as well as in all in public places Smoking is strictly prohibited, and violation of this ban is punishable by a huge fine. A similar measure of punishment awaits those who drink alcohol in public places.

No special vaccinations are required to travel to Bermuda. The level of medical care here is very high. Tap water is safe, but it is advised to drink bottled water during the first days of your stay on the islands.

Sharks and other dangerous marine animals are absent from most beaches. True, from March to July, large accumulations of " Portuguese boats which are extremely poisonous. Therefore, when diving and swimming in the open ocean, precautions must be taken.

Business climate

Tourism is Bermuda's main source of income, and the industry is represented mainly by ship repair and boat building, as well as pharmaceuticals and building materials. In this regard, approximately 80% of the food consumed on the islands is imported from abroad.

The main economic advantage of the islands is the fact that literally all operations of foreign companies here are completely exempt from taxes. Thanks to this, Bermuda is the most important financial center, where more than 6 thousand large and small foreign companies are registered.

Real estate

In June of this year, the Bermuda government made a number of changes to the property law, which made the purchase of real estate by foreign nationals more affordable. According to the new provisions of this law, Foreign citizens can buy twice as much real estate as before. In addition, Bermuda residents are now allowed to sell their property to foreigners without any licenses or permits, however, only in cases where the market value of the property does not exceed $177,000.

Needless to say, these new provisions have generated increased interest in all Bermuda real estate - both residential and commercial. Moreover, analysts suggest that prices for local real estate will jump up in the near future, as large foreign investors are very interested in investing their capital here.

The inhabitants of Bermuda are friendly, polite and democratic. However, it should be borne in mind that beachwear and swimwear outside the beaches are not allowed here. Evening wear is required to visit almost all restaurants, and many fashionable establishments have a strict dress code. Tips are not accepted in most restaurants and hotels, as they are usually included in the bill in advance.

Visa Information

To visit Bermuda for citizens of the Russian Federation who have Valid Visa Canada, UK or USA, a separate visa is not required. In this case, at the border, you must present a passport with visas of the indicated countries and return tickets (or tickets to a third country).

Citizens of the Russian Federation who do not have the above visas should apply to the consular department of the British Embassy (Moscow, Smolenskaya nab., 10) or the Consulate General (St. Petersburg, Proletarskaya dictatorship street, 5).

The maximum stay in Bermuda is three months.

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

Story

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

Some time later, these Bermudas were discovered by British Admiral George Somers. Due to damage to the ship on the reefs, he had to go ashore. Having studied the area, the sailor concluded that it was quite suitable for life. So Bermuda began to belong to the UK.

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

In 1941, the British government leased to America a 6 km² plot of Bermuda for a period of 100 years. The United States intended to equip it with a military base. But in 1995, the use of the site was terminated ahead of schedule.

In 1968, Bermuda adopted a constitution, according to which they have internal self-government.

Geography

The first step is to clarify where Bermuda is located. They are located in the northern part of the Atlantic, 1770 kilometers northeast of Miami (Florida) and 1350 kilometers south of Halifax (Nova Scotia). The closest point on the continent (1030 km) is Cape Hatteras ( North Carolina). That is why, having learned where the Bermuda Islands are, many attribute them to America.

The islands are of volcanic origin and are located in the western part of the Mid-Atlantic submarine ridge. To the southwest of them are two more seamounts that support coral reefs. Despite the fact that the archipelago was formed on a volcanic base, limestone caps, which appeared as a result of bacterial activity, played an important role in its formation.

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

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

Due to the mild climate, the islands are very picturesque during the flowering period of the hibiscus or oleander growing on them. And plants such as juniper and Bermuda cedar are on the verge of extinction. The fact is that they do not get along with insects brought to the region - moths and cicadas. Amphibians were also brought to the islands: all kinds of lizards, tree frogs and giant toads. The only endemic species of Bermuda is the mountain lizard. She lived here long before the appearance of people.

The main island (Maine Island) has a predominantly hilly terrain (maximum height - 76 m) and a rather rugged coastline, with many sandy beaches and coves. About 35% of the territory is occupied by shrubs that grow on hills. In the lowlands, cultivated plants are grown on fertile soils. There are no rivers, streams or lakes on the islands.

During the year, up to 1000 millimeters of precipitation falls in Bermuda, and as such, there is no rainy season here.

Time in Bermuda is off Greenwich Mean Time by -4 hours. The local time zone is indicated as follows: UTC/GMT -4 hours.

Population

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

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

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

Citizens of other states also live and work on the archipelago. Most of all they can be found in the financial sector and specialized processions. They are mainly residents of Great Britain, America, Canada, and the West Indies. According to 2005 data, the full work force islands is 39 thousand people, of which about 11 thousand are visitors.

Economy

Bermuda receives the main income (about 60% of foreign exchange earnings) from foreign tourism. About 600 thousand people come here every year, 90% of which are US residents. You can get to Bermuda by ship or plane.

Only 17% of Bermuda's working population is employed in industry. In the region there are enterprises for the manufacture and repair of ships, as well as the production of pharmaceutical products, building materials and other things. The agricultural sector employs 3% of the working population. Potatoes, tomatoes, cabbage, bananas are grown in Bermuda. Fishing is also developed here (the annual catch is about 800 tons) and floriculture, which is export-oriented.

About 80% of food is brought to the archipelago from abroad. Fuel, household goods, clothing and building materials are also supplied here.

Bermuda's main partner is South Korea(31.7%). It is followed by Italy (21.7%), America (14.9%), the UK (6.8%) and Singapore (4.4%). Given who owns Bermuda, this distribution of foreign policy contacts is paradoxical.

The average per capita income on the islands is about 50% higher than in America. In terms of GDP, the region is one of the world leaders. Housing prices are very high here, as the archipelago has long attracted the attention of the world's elite.

Low direct taxes on personal and corporate income have contributed to the fact that Bermuda has become one of the world's offshore centers. They have a developed economy and act as an exporter of a wide range of financial services (investment funds, insurance, reinsurance, etc.).

Currency

The Bermuda dollar (100 cents or Bermuda coins) is equal to the US dollar. Both currencies can be easily paid at local outlets. Other currencies are not accepted here, but there are a lot of exchange offices in the region. You can pay by credit card in almost all hotels, boarding houses, restaurants and shops. The most convenient way to bring money into Bermuda is to buy traveler's checks in US dollars.

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

Capital

The capital of Bermuda is the city of Hamilton. Its history began in 1790, when the local government reserved 145 acres for the residence. However, Hamilton became the official capital of Bermuda only in 1815, when the administrative center was moved from St. George. At that time, it was already a major trading hub. It was recognized as a full-fledged city even later - in 1897, after the construction of the Anglican Church in it. Somewhat later, a Catholic cathedral was erected here.

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

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

National symbols

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

The coat of arms of the region features a lion holding a shield depicting the wreck of the Virginia Company frigate Sea Fortune in 1609 near Bermuda. The passengers of the ship escaped and founded the first settlement on the islands of the archipelago.

culture

The culture of Bermuda is very rich and diverse, as it was formed from a mixture of cultures of different peoples. The Native Americans left the greatest trace in it. Along with their customs, there are echoes of African, Irish, Spanish-Caribbean and Scottish customs, and that's not all. In the 17th century Anglo-Saxon culture became predominant. And immigration to Bermuda from the Portuguese Atlantic Islands has led to the fact that a large part of the local population speaks Portuguese.

In the XX century. there was a second wave of immigration from the English-speaking islands, which could not but affect the local culture. After the Second World War, Western Indians introduced calypso music to the archipelago, and in the late 70s, with the influx of Jamaican emigrants, the islands were embraced by a love of reggae music.

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

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

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

Sport

One of the most popular leisure activities for the people of Bermuda is sports. For many local residents, it has become the meaning of life. In the archipelago, cricket, golf, rugby, football, sport fishing, as well as equestrian and sailing are practiced. In 2007, the Bermuda cricket team took part in the World Cup.

Particular attention is paid to golf on the islands. Tournaments and championships in this elite sport are often held here. The Royal Bermuda Golf Club, which has 16 first-class courses, is very popular.

In 2006, a professional football team was formed on the islands, which plays in the games of the United Leagues.

Bermuda Triangle

Speaking of Bermuda, one cannot ignore the famous Bermuda Triangle. This is the name of the area of ​​the Atlantic Ocean, in which the sea and aircraft. The vertices of the conditional triangle are: Bermuda, Florida and Puerto Rico. This area is also called the devil's.

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

Attractions

The main attractions of the region are concentrated in Hamilton and St. George. Of particular interest among tourists are the narrow central streets of the capital, on which there are interesting buildings made in the Victorian style with hanging verandas and wrought iron fences.

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

Bermuda (or as they are also called, Bermuda) is a small coral island archipelago located in the northwestern Atlantic and about 900 kilometers away from the North American continent to the east.

The archipelago consists of more than 140 coral islands, reefs and rocks, most of of which are officially uninhabited. The population lives mainly on 20 larger islands, among which are the islands of Bermuda, Ireland, Somerset, St. Davids and St. George. total area Bermuda's landmass is slightly over 53 square kilometers.

Bermuda was discovered by the Spaniards in the course of the Spanish expedition of Juan Bermudez to the New World in 1503. The Spaniards did not have much interest in the islands, since they were uninhabited at the time of discovery. The first European settlement in Bermuda appeared around 1609, following the shipwreck of a ship carrying British settlers to North America. Subsequently, Britain strengthened its power on the islands, and developing agriculture, began to import slaves from Africa. With the abolition of slavery, tourism becomes the main branch of the national economy of Bermuda. In the middle of 1968, Bermuda received internal self-government.

Currently, Bermuda is a territorial entity with the status overseas territory Great Britain, which, in fact, is an offshore economic zone with liberal tax laws that attract financiers from all over the world.

The currency of Bermuda is the Bermuda dollar, which is also called the Bermuda or Bermuda dollar (BMD, code 060), which consists of 100 cents.

Bermuda has a population of just over 68,000 people. In racial and ethnic terms, the majority are blacks and mulattos, which are about 60% of the total population on the islands, the rest are Europeans and Asians. The official language of Bermuda is English.

The administrative center of Bermuda is the small port city of Hamilton, which is located in the northwest of the island of Bermuda and is inhabited by less than a thousand inhabitants. Among other more or less large settlements the towns of Pas La Ville, Tuckers Town and Somerset can be noted.

The main direction of the national economy of the territorial entity is tourism. Bermuda, in itself, is a fabulous place for arriving tourists and visitors to the islands.

Getting to the islands is very easy. Not far from Hamilton, there is an airport that has international status and receives flights from both Europe and the Americas. There is a small airport on the island of St. Davids. You can get to the islands sea ​​view transport, Hamilton is also seaport capable of accommodating medium and small cruise ships. A problem in visiting the islands may be the fact that the autonomous government of the islands is very sensitive to the protection of nature and ecology, and therefore limited the number of tourists to 600,000 people.

Accommodation and resettlement of tourists is carried out in hotels and hotels of Hamilton, as well as on the coast of both the island of Bermuda and other inhabited islands connected by bridges. In Bermuda in this moment two luxurious hotels for VIP clients and about twenty hotels and hotels of a lower rank were built. But customer service in hotels does not depend on their rank, it is the same here and is at a high level.

Thanks to the Gulf Stream, a subtropical humid warm climate has formed on the islands, without sharp seasonal changes (in winter the air temperature does not fall below 18 degrees, and in summer it is in the range of 20-29). The coral origin of the islands contributed to the formation of extensive beaches with pinkish sand. All this together contributes to the development of beach tourism on the islands. Beaches are located almost throughout the northern and south coast the islands of Bermuda, especially on the shores of the Great Sound, there are also a lot of beaches on the islands of Somerset, St. Davids and St. George, but the level of service on them is slightly lower than on the big island archipelago.

The water world of Bermuda is quite unusual and is able to charm even the most sophisticated divers. Divers who come to the islands from almost all over the world mainly prefer the northern coast of the islands of Bermuda, St. George and Somerset. It is on the northern coast of the islands that there are a lot of underwater rocks and coral reefs, and the presence of many sunken ships at the bottom different eras, do leisure divers are simply unique.

The islands also attract many surfers who visit the islands during the storm season, which begins in July and lasts until November, during this period Bermuda has especially high waves.

For lovers of antiquity and sights, you can imagine the Holy Trinity Bridge Cathedral, built by the second wave of immigrants from Europe, the once impregnable Fort Hamilton, an old British fortification located on a hill and in the past reflecting the encroachments of Spanish pirates, from the walls of the fort you can admire the panorama of Hamilton , Bermuda and the coastal waters of the Great Saunt. In the town of Pas-La-Ville is the Bermuda Museum, which abounds in its number of exhibits from ships that sank in the surrounding waters.

There is something here to attract the attention of connoisseurs of pristine nature. Although animal world The islands do not shine with a variety of species and are represented only by imported animals, the flora of Bermuda is represented by lush vegetation. Some plant species in Bermuda are unique to the islands and are found nowhere else on earth. Among them are the Bermuda cedars and the herbaceous plant Bermudiana. Also on the islands, olive and banana trees, several species of oleander, and hibiscus grow in large quantities.

The existence of the so-called Bermuda Triangle in the vicinity of Bermuda gives a special piquancy to Bermuda, in which, as many say, both ships and planes disappear without a trace. This side of the islands also attracts lovers of the unknown and unusual.

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

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 Russian Federation to travel to Bermuda, you will need a visa, 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 must present student ticket and have on hand a statement from a person who undertakes to pay all expenses for the trip.
• Students at the school also require an application and proof of employment from one of the guardians who 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 exercise 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 license. This means that our tourists are not allowed to drive here. The speed limit on the roads is very impressive - 35 km / h. Nevertheless, the locals practically never observe it.

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

Taxis are very popular among tourists. Firstly, because by taxi you can get 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 of very good quality. In the capital and major cities, there are a large number of Internet cafes that provide almost all types of network services.

You can call home from almost all the islands of the archipelago: mobile connection is 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 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. It is better to keep the originals of important documents in the hotel safe.

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

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

Big cities

Most Big City— Hamilton.

shopping

Bermuda's most visited stores are along Front Street in Hamilton. Here, a lot of goods are imported from Great Britain and Ireland, among them fine porcelain, crystal, cashmere sweaters. High Quality, 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 wide selection the finest crystal and porcelain in the US and UK.

Kitchen

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

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

The most popular dishes in Bermuda are:

• Bermuda lobster. 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.
• Cooking in Bermuda different kinds 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 - Existence railway, which 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 a car locals 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.