Bermuda

Locator map for the British colony of Bermuda. The territory is made up of over 138 islands in the northwest Atlantic Ocean, off the coast of the US state of North Carolina.

Bermuda is unusual in flying a red, rather than a blue, flag. The badge shows a lion holding a shield depicting the Sea Venture – a ship which was wrecked off the coast in 1609 – foundering on rocks.

British overseas territory in the Northwest Atlantic Ocean; area 54 sq km/21 sq mi; population (1994 est) 60,500. The colony consists of 138 small islands, of which 20 are inhabited; the 6 principal islands are linked by bridges and causeways. The capital and chief port is Hamilton. Bermuda is Britain's oldest colony, officially taken by the crown in 1684. Under the constitution of 1968, it is fully self-governing, with a governor, senate, and elected House of Assembly. The principal economic activities are tourism and finance, especially insurance. Industries include pharmaceuticals and growing Easter lilies. The currency used in the colony is the Bermuda dollar, the main language spoken is English, and the main religion is Christianity.

The islands were named after Juan de Bermudez, who visited them in 1515, and were settled by British colonists in 1609. Indians and African slaves were transported from 1616 and soon outnumbered the white settlers. Racial violence in 1977 led to intervention, at the request of the government, by British troops. A 1995 referendum rejected independence. The Progressive Labour Party (PLP) won a general election in November 1998.