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BERMUDABermuda Factsheet  Bermuda South Shore Location - 3,000 miles from London or a six-and-a-half-hour flight and under two hours from New York. Contrary to popular belief, Bermuda is not in the Caribbean, but is actually 940 miles north of Nassau, Bahamas. Size - Twenty-one square miles (21 miles long and two miles wide at its widest point). From the air Bermuda resembles a fishhook and it consists of 181 named islands and islets. Capital - Hamilton, capital since 1815. The first capital was St. George, which has since been named a World Heritage Site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific & Cultural Organisation (UNESCO). Population - Approximately 64,500 made up of 61 percent of black descent and 39 percent white. Most Bermudians (64 percent) have been settled in Bermuda for several generations. Other original settlers include British (16 percent), West Indian (11 percent) and Portuguese (9 percent). Language - English Government - Bermuda is the oldest British Colony and has the second oldest parliamentary democracy (after England) in the world. Bermuda’s legal and legislative bodies are fashioned after Great Britain’s – the custom of wearing wigs and gowns for official occasions is still practiced. Climate - Bermuda has a year-round mild semi-tropical climate with temperatures ranging from 65 to 84 degrees. Locals divide the climate into two seasons – Beach and Sizzle from April to September and Golf and Spa from October to March. Average annual rainfall is 57.6 inches. Summer water temperatures reach 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Economy - Tourism; international company business: insurance, oil, computer software, investment holding and finance, communications, and shipping. Passport and visa requirements – Visitors from the UK must carry a valid British passport. British passport holders do not require a visa but accommodation must be booked prior to arrival. The usual length of stay permitted is 21 days and this can be extended by applying to the Department of Immigration before the end of the 21 days. Currency - Bermuda Dollar (BD$). The Bermuda dollar is divided into 100 cents and is pegged to the US dollar. US dollars are accepted by all retailers. Most hotels and stores also accept major credit cards. For a glimpse of Bermuda’s past currency, such as the hog penny, visit the Bank of Bermuda where every type of British coin minted from as early as 1603 can still be seen. Shop opening hours - Monday to Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed on bank holidays and Sundays. Some shops may vary. Most shops will pack any fragile items purchased for travel or overseas shipping. Restaurants - From simple and inexpensive to elegant and speciality dining, Bermuda has more than 150 restaurants. Most open at 11 a.m. weekdays and at midday on Saturdays. There is a restaurant for every taste and every budget. Electricity - Adapters are necessary for United Kingdom and European appliances. Getting around - Mopeds, bicycles, taxis, buses, ferries and horse-drawn carriages – Bermuda has an excellent public transport infrastructure. Bus and ferry passengers can buy a ‘Transportation Pass’ for 1,3,4 and 7 days for unlimited use. These can be purchased from the Visitor Service Bureaus and at the Central Terminal in Hamilton – see www.seaexpress.bm. Car rental is not permitted because of the island’s high level of environmental awareness and only one car is permitted per household. Most visitors and indeed many residents hire mopeds to get around. A driver’s license is not required for moped hire but any one under 16 may not drive. Drivers and passengers are required to wear a helmet. Taxis can be hired by the hour, day or mile. There are also certified ‘Blue Flag’ taxi tour guides available on request for touring at a fixed rate of US$30 per hour. A speed limit of 20 miles-per-hour is imposed on the island’s roads reflecting the relaxed pace of life appreciated by visitors. Accommodation - Bermuda has approximately 3,400 rooms, ranging from full-service resorts to more intimate cottage colonies. The average length of stay for the UK visitor is 10 nights. Special packages are available year-round. Getting there - Bermuda is six-and-a-half hours from the UK and is served by British Airways which from March 26, 2006, expanded its five-times weekly service from London Gatwick to a daily flight. A weekly scheduled charter service from Germany and Italy began on June 2. A variety of cruise lines also serve Bermuda from April to October. Visitor Centres - For maps, brochures, weekly event updates, bus schedules and more, visit the island’s Visitors Service Bureaus on Front Street (Hamilton), The Royal Naval Dockyard, Somerset Road (Sandy’s Parish), King’s Square (St. George – recently named a World Heritage Site) and Bermuda International Airport. More Information - For more information about travelling to Bermuda, contact your travel agent, or visit our website at www.bermudatourism.com.  Front Street Bermuda MAKE BERMUDA YOUR NUMBER ONE DESTINATION Top ten reasons to visit the island paradise of Bermuda If your New Year’s resolution is to have more fun, enjoy more sun and resist the stresses of daily life, then the beautiful island of Bermuda is your perfect island getaway. Only a six and a half hour flight from the UK, the sweeping pink sand beaches, intoxicating year-round sunshine, enticing restaurants and captivating atmosphere of Bermuda are closer than you think! With so much choice of what to do, where to stay and activities for you to enjoy, below are just ten of the fantastic reasons why you should make Bermuda your number one holiday destination for 2007. 1. SPEEDY ARRIVAL Only six and half hours from the UK and two and half hours from New York by plane, Bermuda is closer than you think. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing weekend beach extension following a trip to the USA or a full two weeks relaxing in the sun, paradise is nearer than you realised. 2. ALLURING PINK SAND BEACHES Relax and soak up the sun on one of the beautiful pink sand beaches that decorate the island of Bermuda. The powder soft sand, dyed pink by the miles of coral that surround the island is perfect for long, romantic strolls, soaking up the sun or creating the ultimate fairytale sand castle. 3. CLIMATE CONTROL With intoxicating year round sunshine, Bermuda benefits from a semi-tropical climate and only two seasons. In spring during the ‘Golf and Spa’ season temperatures reach a satisfying average of 65 degrees while in the summer during the ‘Beach and Sizzle’ season temperatures hit a perfect 85 degrees. 4. SPA - TACULAR Relaxation is Bermuda’s national pastime, and the spas are a haven of wellbeing and relaxation. The island offers the finest treatments and therapies to help you escape the harsh reality of winter and immerse yourself in the calming atmosphere of the island. Spa highlights include, Elbow Beach, Ocean Spa at Cambridge beaches and the Willow Stream Spa at Fairmont Southampton. 5. TEE – MENDOUS Bermuda offers more golf courses per square mile than anywhere else in the world and each with a sea view, making the destination a golfers’ paradise. The island boasts eight spectacular courses with something for everyone from novices to pros. Furthermore, visitors to Bermuda in 2007 will have the opportunity to see some of the world’s top golfers compete in The PGA Grand Slam of Golf hosted by The Mid Ocean Club and The Fairmont Southampton from 16th – 17th October 2007. 6. LOVE IS THE AIR Bermuda is one of the most romantic destinations in the world and the perfect place to celebrate an anniversary or the start of married life on your honeymoon. With beautiful beaches, year round sunshine, traditional horse drawn carriages and legendary moongates, there is no other destination to feel more inspired by romance. 7. DEEP DOWN BELOW Nicknamed “Shipwreck Alley,” Bermuda offers an impressive array of sites includes 365 documented shipwrecks (one for every day of the year!) dating from the 1500s, ranging from Spanish galleons to Confederate steamers and 20th century cargo ships. Considered the wreck diving capital of the Atlantic, Bermuda is a dive haven for travellers of all interests and skills with year-round temperate waters and an impressive array of both underwater and topside attractions. 8. PILLOW TALK Bermuda offers a wide variety of accommodation to suit all tastes, ranging from large full-service resort hotels with spas, swimming pools and beaches to bed & breakfasts, or tiny guesthouses and uniquely Bermudian cottage colonies which combine private separate cottages with all the services and facilities of a resort hotel. With such an array of choice, there is something to suit every budget. 9. A FRIENDLY BUNCH To say that the warmth of the sun is matched only by the friendliness of the welcome you’ll receive is certainly no understatement in Bermuda. Its rich heritage is a mix of many historic influences, from English colonials, Caribbean blacks and Native Americans to pirates and even US and British military. Tourists have also contributed to the mix, with artists, poets and royalty helping produce the uniquely Bermudian identity, characterised by British tradition and warm, friendly people. 10. A BITE TO EAT? From simple and inexpensive to elegant and speciality dining, Bermuda has more than 150 restaurants. Fresh fish is in abundance on the island but visitors are encouraged to try the signature fish chowder and wash it down with a delicious ‘Dark and Stormy’ or ‘Rum Swizzle Cocktail’ made from the island’s famous Gosling’s rum. Bermudian’s are so proud of their culinary heritage that they celebrate the best in local food and drink with the annual Gourmet Getaway festival, October 2007. PARADISE IS CLOSER THAN YOU THINK WITH A VISIT TO BERMUDA Make the most of your holiday and enjoy a unique blend of beautiful beaches, friendly locals and heavenly pastimes on the stunning island of Bermuda With daily afternoon flights departing from London Gatwick airport you can now reach the closest paradise to the UK in time to enjoy dinner surrounded by idyllic pink sands, the crystal clear blue ocean and the friendliest people in the world. Your holiday time is precious, so why spend ten hours sitting on a plane to the Caribbean, 12 hours to Thailand or nine hours to South Africa when in only six and a half hours you could be in Bermuda? As Mark Twain reportedly said as he soaked up the sun on the beautiful island, ‘You can go to heaven, I’m going to stay here’. The island of Bermuda can be reached in less time than it takes to cook Christmas dinner for eight, put in a day’s work at the office or drive from London to Glasgow! In just six and a half hours you could be soaking up the sun, enjoying a ‘dark and stormy’ cocktail and relaxing to the sounds of the ocean waves. Spending less time on the plane also means you can have more time to enjoy the exciting and eclectic activities on offer in Bermuda. The island may be small at only 21 miles long but every square inch is filled with exciting things to see and do and with only a four-hour time difference for UK visitors, you won’t be held back by jet lag! Powder soft sand, dyed pink by the miles of coral that surround the island welcomes you to the island and with year round sunshine, Bermuda benefits from a semi-tropical climate and only two seasons, Spring and Summer. April to September is a wonderful time to visit the island and make the most of the daily flights with British Airways as well as the fun filled festivals, diving and summer activities that make the season so special. To say that the warmth of the sun is matched only by the friendliness of the welcome you’ll receive is certainly no understatement in Bermuda. Its rich heritage is a mix of many historic influences and the focal point for an original and diverse collection of scheduled festivals celebrating the island’s history, music, and culinary background. Considered the wreck diving capital of the Atlantic, Bermuda has an impressive array of sites including 365 documented shipwrecks (one for every day of the year!) dating from the 1500s, giving the perfect opportunity to discover the origins of Bermuda’s nickname “Shipwreck Alley”. With a unique blend of colourful history, beautiful scenery, sensational weather and welcoming locals Bermuda is the perfect destination for a holiday in paradise without the long-haul flight. 
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