Bermuda - Paradise in the Atlantic
from WorldWeb.com Travel Guide

	Downtown St George

The approximately 140 islands and islets that make up Bermuda are known for the many things that make tropical vacations popular. Over 100 km (62 mi) of coastline, pristine waters and sandy beaches, vibrant flora and fauna, coral reefs in the rich, blue ocean and some of the best vacation resorts anywhere in the Atlantic. As one of the world's more prominent tourism destinations, not to mention offshore financial centres, Bermuda exerts a surprising influence on the global economy. It is also one of the three points that make up the infamous Bermuda Triangle.

HISTORY

It is commonly accepted that the islands were first discovered in the early 1500s, though the identity of the first explorer to sight them is in some dispute. Their discovery has been attributed to Spanish explorer Juan de Bermudez (giving rise to the name), though it is probable that sailors had seen the islands prior to Bermudez recording their location. At the time the Spanish had no interest in the lands other than as navigational reference points, and while there were no attempts at settling the land, many Spanish and Portuguese explorers were known to use the islands to replenish their stores of meat and water.

In the years before the first settlement, many Spanish, Portuguese and British ships were lost to the seabed below due to the network of treacherous reefs, and the rough ocean waters surrounding the islands. In 1609, Admiral Sir George Somers sailed for Virginia, USA with supplies for British colonies and ran aground. The Sea Venture didn't sink, but the Admiral and his crew were stuck on the main island. Cedar was plentiful and they rebuilt their ship so they could continue their journey to the new colony in America, leaving a few men behind to establish British claim to the uninhabited island paradise, renaming it Somers Islands. The new name didn't catch on outside the island colony and soon the residents were forced to return to the original honorific title it is known by to this day. Many historians believe the adventures of the settlers were the inspiration for Shakespeare’s classic The Tempest.

For the next few years, the British used the islands to produce tobacco until the quality and quantity were surpassed by production in Virginia. Islanders then developed their skill in shipbuilding, which became a strong source of economy because of the many juniper and cedar trees growing there.

In 1612, many American colonists grew tired of the constant struggle with Native American Indians and set up a colony in Bermuda. They soon discovered that the topsoil was too thin for the crops they intended to plant, and began harvesting sea salt from the Turks Islands to trade with American colonies and passing ships.

Slavery came to the islands in 1616. By the time emancipation reached Bermuda, more than two centuries later, over half the population was of African or Native American descent.

1684 saw Bermuda officially become a British Crown Colony. During the American struggle for independence, Bermuda's ties to the monarchy grew even stronger. British forces found the island to be an ideal location for attacks on the colonies and began developing the Royal Naval Dockyard in what is now Sandy’s Parish. The Dockyard also served as a base between Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada and the West Indies, as the war left the Crown without a port between the two.

Bermuda played another important role in American history during the American Civil War, becoming a shipping port for the southern states whose ships were too small for transatlantic voyages.

In 1883, Princess Louise, wife of Canada's Governor General, came to the islands and loved them so much that she had Bermuda added to all maps, and the tourism industry began. Bermuda soon became a haven for the wealthy looking to escape the winter season.

History was made again in 1883, when Bermuda elected its first African to the House of Assembly, Mr. William H.T. Joell.

Fort St Catherine

In 1930, the United States invoked the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act, limiting Bermuda's trade with the USA, seriously affecting the local economy. Focus on the tourism industry increased as a result, drawing the attention of travellers from around the world.

The small island nation would once again play an important role in world politics with the onset of the Second World War. Its strategic location made a perfect base for allied forces, and the harbours were developed considerably to support naval operations. During the war, the United States signed an agreement with the United Kingdom in which the Crown would provide military support and defence in return for rights to establish military bases on the island. Two were built, one on St. David's Island in St George's Parish, and the other at the western end of Bermuda in Great Sound. The land was returned to the Government of Bermuda in 2002.

The Shell Oil company moved to Bermuda in 1947, planting the seeds for what would soon become the strongest industry in the nation. Shell Oil sought to avoid excessive taxation by the British government on pension investment funds, and moved their investments to the Bank of Bermuda. Shell also invested in the country, buying land in Tucker's Town. The concept of international finance appealed to many businesses, and today the country of 65,365 people (2005 estimate) boasts more than 16,000 international companies (most specialising in personal or corporate investment, insurance and mutual funds).

On June 8, 1968, Bermuda established its own constitution, guaranteeing basic human rights and self-government to the islanders. Defence was left to the Crown.

The information revolution of the late 20th century brought increased attention to the island, and Bermuda became even more popular as a tourist destination in both summer and winter seasons. The widespread use of the Internet showed a side of island life that printed guidebooks could not. Following the September 11, 2001 attack on the World Trade Centre in New York City, however, slowed tourism for a few years. At the time, around 80 per cent of tourists came from North America, and the tourist based economy suffered considerably from the lack of interest in travel. This began to turn around in 2004, and the tourism industry soon bounced back with a vengeance. Many resorts underwent extensive renovations and expansion, and began offering new services to entice wary travellers.

Today, thanks to the strong international business sector and steady growth in tourism, the country of Bermuda can boast one of the highest per capita incomes in the world. Proudly multicultural, the subtropical island claims a diverse history with influences from the United Kingdom, the Americas and Africa.

CLIMATE

Contrary to popular opinion, Bermuda is not part of the Caribbean. It is found almost 1,055 km (about 570 nautical miles) off the coast of North Carolina and nearly 1,609 km (868 nautical miles) north of the Caribbean, but it experiences subtropical weather due to the Gulf Stream, a warm Atlantic Ocean current originating in the Gulf of Mexico. As a result, temperatures rarely vary to extreme degrees, averaging between 23° and 29°C (75° to 85°F) during the summer months. The off season, from November through March, sees temperatures settle around 15° to 21°C (60° to 70°F). As can be expected, it never snows on the island, but many find the waters too cold for swimming at this time of year, and many companies tailored to water based activity shut down.

Being a small island in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean leads to higher humidity than many travellers are used to, especially in July and August, and can be somewhat of an obstacle to an active vacation for some. Fortunately, rainfall is fairly even throughout the year at an average of around four inches per month. Bermuda is subject to hurricanes, but not as frequently or dramatically as in many Caribbean islands. Storm season runs from early June through November, with the highest occurrence of hurricanes in August and September.

TRANSPORTATION

Getting There
There are two ways to get to Bermuda, by plane and by boat. There is only one international airport, the Bermuda International Airport located in St. George's Parish, across the harbour from the city of St. George. Flights arrive from and depart to the United Kingdom, the United States and Canada daily, but other destinations are possible with a connecting flight through one of these countries. The airport is fairly modern, with many of the services expected by international travellers, including a branch of the Bank of Bermuda on the main level.

	Cruise Ship

Cruise ships bring almost half a million people to Bermuda each summer, and require little planning. Less time may be available for exploring the island, and there are entry requirements for cruise ship passengers regardless of point of origin, but cruise ships can be viewed as a floating resort and offer many of the amenities of the big name chains (except, of course, for the sandy beaches).

Getting Around
Rental cars are not allowed on the island. Bermuda has strict laws on who can drive cars, and foreign licences are not even recognised for automobile operation. They are, however, valid for motorized scooters, which can be rented at many locations. Due to the narrow, winding roads, and the fact that Bermuda drives on the left side of the road as in England, most scooter rental agencies will provide prospective drivers with the opportunity and space to practice and familiarize themselves with how to handle one. Many agencies will even pick clients up from their hotels or deliver the scooter to them.

For those with more relaxed tastes, bicycle rentals are also very common. As Bermuda is only 34 sq km (21 sq miles) and about 35.5 km (22 mi) long, including minor connected islands, it is possible to cycle the entire island in one day. The main island of Bermuda (conveniently called Bermuda Island) is about 22.5 km (14 mi) in length, and never more than 3.2 km (two MI) wide, and is connected to the other major islands (eight major islands in total) by bridges and highways. With proper preparation, this can be a fantastic way to spend a vacation.

Public transportation is fairly thorough, with most routes originating at the bus terminal in the City of Hamilton and travelling to either St George or to the Royal Naval Dockyard at the opposite end of the fish hook shaped nation. To make travel even simpler, bus stops are colour coded. Pink bus stops are for busses heading into the city of Hamilton, while blue bus stops head out of the city. Some minor routes stop running at 6pm, but most continue until 11pm. Schedules are available at tourism information centres.

There are also many ferry routes leaving the capital city, travelling to many parts of the country from Great Sound and Hamilton Harbour.

Taxis are easily found throughout the island, but are most common at the airport and more prominent resorts. Unlike in North America, rates depend on the number of people taking the taxi. Fares for up to four people are $5.75 for the first mile plus $2 for each additional mile. Five passengers or more raise the rates to $7.19 for the first mile and $2.50 for each additional mile.

Hamilton Harbour

SIGHTS AND ATTRACTIONS

One of the most popular attractions in Bermuda is without doubt the string of sandy beaches found in every parish. Many resorts include in their amenities a private beach, but there are plenty to go around. The beaches of South Shore Park, more than three kilometres (almost two miles) of coves and pink sand found on the south shore of Southampton Parish, are popular with locals and tourists alike. Also in Southampton is picturesque Horseshoe Bay. With full amenities, lifeguards on duty (a rarity in Bermuda), and waters that have made Bermuda renown for watersport, this has become the most popular beach in the country. With almost a kilometre (half a mile) of pink sand and Atlantic waves, Warwick Long Bay has become a hot spot for watersports like surfing and bodysurfing. About 69 metres (75 yards) from the sand lies a reef perfect for snorkelling and scuba diving. Elbow Beach, the closest beach to the city of Hamilton, is always popular with locals and tourists, and is the location of choice for perfecting that suntan.

The many parks and gardens of Bermuda provide many great opportunities for hiking and birdwatching. Parks like South Shore Park, the Bermuda Botanical Gardens and Spanish Point Park have interesting histories to go with them. Spanish Point, for example, was used as a camp by the Spanish while repairing their wrecked ships six years before the British landed there.

There isn't really anything to see in the Bermuda Triangle, since it is little more than 4,000,000 sq km (1.5 million sq mi) of Atlantic Ocean between Bermuda, Puerto Rico, and the southern tip of Florida. Still, for almost a century it has been the source of much superstition and controversy. Many ships and airplanes have disappeared in the area, and many theories have been proposed as to what is really going on. Theories range from the realm of science (such as large pockets of gas escaping from the ocean floor making the water and air above it too thin to support passing ships) to the realm of science fiction (such as the triangle being a portal for alien beings from across the cosmos), but what remains is a growing fascination in the possible.

Museums are always popular attractions, and Bermuda has a variety to visit. The Bermuda Aquarium, Museum & Zoo provides a unique look at the eco system of the island nation, including a 529, 957 litre (140,000 gallon) tank replicating life around a coral reef. The Bermuda Historical Society Museum is a fascinating exploration of Bermuda, and displays items used by Admiral Sir George Somers during his days on the ill-fated Sea Venture. The Masterworks Museum of Bermuda Art is popular for many reasons. The building, which dates to the mid-1750s, houses many works from local artists, as well as masterworks from around the world.

Galleries are gaining in popularity, as more and more local artisans make their crafts available to the public. Most galleries feature local talent, and many of the works on display are available for purchase. In some, such as Dockside Glass in the Town of St George, visitors can even watch the craftsman work. Not to be missed by art or history lovers is the Bermuda National Gallery, which proudly displays centuries old local art alongside the likes of Rembrandt and Rodin.

Historical sights, like Old Town Hall, are hard to miss, and well worth the time. Queen's View, on the grounds of Gibbs Hill Lighthouse, has been a popular destination since 1953, when Queen Elizabeth stopped here to take in the view. The remains of many military based buildings are still around, such as the Whale Bay Battery, built to defend the waterways and used as recently as the Second World War.

Religous sights are common, and there are some dating back centuries. Sites like St Peter's Church, in the town of St George, dating to 1612 (making it the oldest church in the Western Hemisphere) draw the attention of countless tourists every year. Also in St George is the Unfinished Church, which was started as a replacement for the aging St Peter's, but was never completed.

ACTIVITIES

	St David Parish

ACCOMMODATION