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Bermuda, Bermuda, Bermuda. Bermuda: geography, population, economy

Map of Bermuda.

Bermuda (English version - Bermuda) is an island archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean, located northeast of the Bahamas and approximately 900 kilometers east of the coast of North America. The islands received their name in honor of their discoverer, the Spanish navigator Juan Bermudez.

The Bermuda archipelago includes more than 150 islands and reefs, the largest of which are Main Land, Somerset, St. David's, St. George's and others.

Bermuda has general geographic coordinates: 32°19′00″ N. w. 64°45′00″ W. d.

The total land area of ​​the islands and reefs in the Bermuda archipelago exceeds 53 square kilometers.

Currently, Bermuda has the status of a British Overseas Territory, but is not part of the United Kingdom.

Satellite image of Bermuda.

Story.

The archipelago was discovered by the Spaniards in 1503 during the voyage of an expedition led by Juan Bermudez. The Spaniards at that time did not pay due attention this discovery, and they did not begin to develop the islands that were named after their discoverer.

The very first settlement in Bermuda was founded by the British around 1609, who were shipwrecked on their way to colonize Virginia. The colonists named the Somers Island archipelago in honor of their leader, Admiral George Somers.

For a long period, British colonists farmed on the islands and also mined salt on the Turks and Caicos Islands, establishing their colony there.

In 1684, Bermuda received the status of a crown possession of England.

In the 17th century, slaves began to be imported from Africa to work on plantations; this continued until 1838, when the abolition of slavery in the British colonies was declared.

After some decline, the economy of the islands was reoriented towards serving tourists at the end of the 19th century. This industry is a priority on the islands today.

In 1931, it was discovered on the archipelago railway, connecting almost all the major islands through bridges. In 1948, the use of the road was considered unprofitable and it was closed.

In 1941, the US and British governments entered into an agreement to lease a plot of land on Maine Island for a period of 99 years for the construction of American naval and naval bases. The bases operated on the islands until 1995, when the US government terminated their use early.

In 1968, Bermuda received broad autonomous powers and internal self-government, and a little later - the status of a British Overseas Territory, which it still has.

St. David's Island in Lighthouse Hill.

Origin and geography of the islands.

The islands of the Bermuda archipelago are of coral origin. Their formation began approximately 20-22 million years after the cessation of activity of the volcano that rose above the surface of the ocean, which eventually began to collapse. Corals, as well as silt and sand carried by sea currents, later formed the real appearance of the islands. Bermuda is the northernmost coral island in the Atlantic.

Mine Island has geographical coordinates: 32°14′00″ N. w. 64°47′00″ W. d. Its shape is quite complex, and the coastline meanders quite strongly, and therefore the island has large number bays and lagoons, especially on its northern coast. The largest in area is the Big Lagoon, which has branches in the form of the Small Lagoon. They wash the coast of Main Island in the northwest. The central part of the northern coast of the island is washed by Hamilton Harbor, and in the northeast, the curved Harrington Peninsula borders the lagoon of the same name, connected to the open Atlantic by the narrow Flatts Strait. Mine Island's topography is largely hilly, with its highest point being Town Hill, 76 meters above sea level, which is located in the northeast of the island. This hill is not only the highest point on Main Island, but also on the entire Bermuda archipelago. There are no natural sources of fresh water in the form of rivers or freshwater lakes on the island, but there are several isolated salt lakes on the south-east coast, notably Mangrove, Trotts, Spitall and Warwick. The total area of ​​Mine Island exceeds 31 square kilometers, making it the largest in the archipelago.

Somerset Island has geographical coordinates: 32°16′25″ N. w. 64°50′49″ W d. It is located northwest of Mine Island by the narrow Somerset Channel and Alice Harbor. This island also has a rather complex shape with a winding coastline. Its eastern coast is washed by the waters of the Great Lagoon, and the northern and northwestern coasts are washed by Mangrove and Somerset bays, respectively. Somerset's terrain is largely flat with low hills, the highest of which is Scott's Hill, 39 meters above sea level. There are no rivers or lakes in Somerset. The area of ​​Somerset Island is approximately 5 square kilometers.

St. Davids Island has geographical coordinates: 32°24′46″ N. w. 64°41′58″ W d. It is located northeast of Mine Island by the rather large Bay of Castle Harbor. The coastline of St. Davids along its length forms a fairly large number of bays and bays, especially in the east and north. The island's topography is flat with a few hills. The highest point of the island is Lighthouse Hill, 41 meters above sea level. The area of ​​St. David's Island is just over 7 square kilometers.

St. Georges Island has geographical coordinates: 32°25′26″ N. w. 64°41′48″ W d. It is located north of St. David's Island and is separated from it by Ferry Reach and St. George's Harbor and Smith's Bay. The shape of the island largely resembles equilateral triangle, and the coastline along its length also forms quite a few small bays and bays. The relief of St. George's in its western part is predominantly flat, and in the northern part it is hilly with the highest point being Retreat Hill, 48 meters above sea level. There are no rivers on the island, but there is a salt lake called Lovers. The area of ​​St. George's Island is about 6 square kilometers.

Large Lagoon off the northwest coast of Mine Island.

Climate.

Bermuda is located in the subtropics and has a humid subtropical climate. The islands of the archipelago have fairly hot and humid summers with a lot of precipitation, which falls in the form of heavy rains with thunderstorms. In summer there is also a high probability of tropical cyclones, which sometimes sweep over the islands in the form of destructive winds and prolonged downpours. Winters in Bermuda are mild with temperatures rarely falling below +10°C. Precipitation in winter depends largely on weather fronts moving west towards the North American continent. In January and February in Bermuda, these fronts bring north-westerly gale force winds and moderate downpours that sometimes include small hail. In summer, the air temperature here can rise to + 34 ° C, which, with high humidity, introduces some discomfort into the everyday life of the local population.

Panorama of the city of Hamilton.

Population.

Of the total number of islands and rocks in the archipelago, only 20 of them are officially inhabited. The total population of Bermuda exceeds 64 thousand people. Ethnically, the population of the islands is divided in approximately equal proportions into representatives of the Negroid and Caucasian races, as well as into descendants from common marriages of these two races. The official language of Bermuda is English.

The administrative center of the British Overseas Territory of Bermuda and at the same time the largest settlement in terms of population is the City of Hamilton, located on the north-eastern coast of the island, on the shore of the bay of the same name, and populated by approximately 3 thousand inhabitants. In addition to it, in terms of population and size, it is worth highlighting such cities on the islands as St. George, Flatts and Somerset.

The main activities of the islanders are still tourism and agriculture.

As an Overseas Territory of Great Britain, Bermuda has its own Constitution, but is governed by a Governor-General appointed by the Queen of Great Britain, who, in turn, approves the Prime Minister and Parliament elected by the people. Bermuda is administratively divided into the nine districts of Sandys, Southampton, Warwick, Paget, Pembroke, Devonshire, Smith and Hamilton and the two municipalities of Hamilton and St. George.

The currency in circulation in Bermuda is the Bermuda dollar (BMD, code 60), divided into 100 cents. Besides him, actually in parallel money circulation There are both the US dollar and the monetary units of territorial entities that are subjects of Great Britain.

Juniper and cedar forest on the west coast of Somerset Island.

Flora and fauna.

AND fauna, and the vegetation of Bermuda is quite rich and varied, which is quite atypical for similar islands in this region.

Of the 165 plant species native to Bermuda today, 14 are endemic and 25 are rare or critically endangered. At the time of discovery in 1503, the islands were dominated by a primeval forest of Bermuda juniper (Juniperus bermudiana). Underwater archeology of the Basin Caldera, carried out on the north coast of Mine Island, has revealed that the area was once under a dense juniper forest when it was above the sea. In addition to juniper trees, Bermuda cedar, which is a local symbol, is quite common on the islands. Other plant species not as numerous as juniper include the Bermuda olive tree (Elaeodendron laneanum), and the Bermuda palmetto (Sabal bermudana), both of which are endemic. It is also worth noting the large number of species of ferns and mangroves growing on the islands of the archipelago. A special place among them is occupied by the rare Bermuda cave fern (Ctenitis sloanei) and the endangered species Diplazium laffanianum, which takes root nowhere else on the globe.

Before colonists arrived on the islands, several species of land animals lived here. Among vertebrates, the population of the Bermuda skink or long-legged rock lizard (Eumeces longirostris) stood out. Currently, this species has survived only on the uninhabited islands of the archipelago due to the activity of people and the animals they brought. Among other large terrestrial animals of Bermuda, it is worth highlighting crustaceans, in particular, two subspecies of land crab (Cardisoma quantami). The most numerous animals on the islands were and remain birds, among which the endemic species eastern bluebird (Sialia sialis) and white-eyed vireo (Vireo bermudianus) stand out.

Cambridge Beaches Resort & Spa Hotel.

Tourism.

Local authorities in Bermuda, concerned about environmental protection, have limited the number of tourists arriving on the islands to 600 thousand per year. But despite this, Bermuda remains one of the most visited in the region. You can get to the islands by both air and sea transport. There is a small but quite modern international airport on the island of St. Davids, and the seaports of the islands are quite capable of receiving even cruise ships of various classes. Tourists on the islands of the archipelago have several dozen luxury hotels and beach hotel complexes located in Hamilton and on the coast near the beaches. Numerous tourists come to the islands for a beach holiday, as well as for the exotic, inspired by the notoriety of the archipelago, located in the area of ​​​​the famous anomalous Bermuda Triangle. For divers and scuba divers, Bermuda is a real find, as there are simply countless sunken ships in the coastal waters.

One of the beaches on Mine Island.

Where are the mysterious Bermuda Islands?

The Bermuda Islands (Bermuda) are 150 coral islands and reefs in the Northwest Atlantic Ocean, 900 km from the US coast. It takes 2-2.5 hours to fly to airports on the US East Coast from Bermuda



Do I need a visa to Bermuda?

Bermuda is a British overseas territory with broad autonomy. Bermuda is governed by a governor appointed from London and a local prime minister.
For Russians to visit Bermuda a special Bermuda visa is required, which can be obtained through the British Embassy or Consulate. Also, citizens of Russia and citizens of the CIS who have a valid visa (or residence permit) of the United States, Great Britain or Canada can visit Bermuda without a special visa.

History of Bermuda

Bermuda was discovered by the Spaniard Juan Bermudez in 1503, but Spain did not lay claim to the barren and uninhabited pieces of land, so in 1609 they were “rediscovered” by the English captain George Somers. Since Bermuda, located at the crossroads of trade routes, was of great strategic importance, a stream of white settlers and black slaves poured here after Somers. However, due to the scarcity of local soils, the settlers became completely dependent on supplies from the United States, which played a cruel joke on them during the Revolutionary War. Then Bermuda became a transshipment base for the British fleet and came under blockade by the States.
Bermuda officially became a British territory in 1648, and only in 1968 received the right to internal self-government.
Bermuda's economy is entirely based on tourism, and until 1995, the local population also served the American military base that appeared here during the Second World War.

Sights of Bermuda

Bermuda Triangle

The main attraction of Bermuda, known throughout the world, cannot be seen because... The Bermuda Triangle is a conventional area of ​​the Atlantic Ocean outlined by lines from Florida to Puerto Rico, from Puerto Rico to the Bahamas and from the Bahamas to Florida.


Thanks to ufologists, psychics and esotericists, the Bermuda Triangle is considered a place where ships and aircraft inexplicably regularly disappear. Although venerable scientists believe that the bad reputation of this area of ​​​​the Atlantic is just a figment of the wild imagination of journalists and certain exalted individuals.

The secrets of the Bermuda Triangle are explored in great detail in the film Bermuda Triangle Underwater

Detailed map of Bermuda



However, you can learn about all the mysterious incidents in the Bermuda Triangle on an excursion to the house of the chief postmaster of Bermuda - Pa-La-Ville, which is located in the capital of the islands - the city of Hamilton.

The main attraction of the capital itself is the Anglican Church of the Holy Trinity, from the tower of which you can see the entire city.
Not far from Hamilton there is a large complex that combines a zoo, an aquarium and a museum. In this complex you can learn about the history of the islands and get acquainted with their extremely unusual flora, fauna and underwater world.
In Hamilton County you can also visit the Crystal Caves, which Mark Twain described in his books.

The small village of Somerset is home to the former Royal Naval Dockyard, which now houses an interactive dolphinarium where you can swim with and feed dolphins, and a maritime museum.
One of the oldest buildings in Bermuda is Fort St. Catherine, built in 1614. The fort is located off the beaten track near the town of St. George.



Information about Bermuda, geography, nature and climate of the Bahamas

Information about Bermuda, geography, nature and climate of the Bahamas, political structure

Cpossession

1. History

2. Geography

3. Population

4. Economy

6. Culture

8. Hamilton - capital of Bermuda

9. Best beaches

10. The main attractions of Bermuda

11. Bermuda Triangle

Bermuda, or Bermuda -This a British overseas territory located on a group of coral islands in the northwestern Atlantic Ocean, 900 km from North America.

- a British possession in the northwest Atlantic Ocean - includes about 157 islands, of which only 20 are inhabited. Bermuda is a magnificent bouquet of tropical aromas, bright colors nature and the cleanest sea. Here you can swing in a large hammock and dream under the whisper of palm trees and the sea breeze. Even the houses on the island are blue, pink, lilac under a white roof

Story

Bermuda was named after the Spanish captain Juan de Bermudez. It was he who discovered these pieces of land in the middle of the ocean and opened them to the rest of the world. In those distant times (approximately 1503-1515), they were not yet inhabited and were unexplored, uninhabited territories. But the Spaniards did not consider it necessary to claim their rights to Bermuda. Therefore, the rights to them now belong to the UK.

A British subject, Admiral George Somers, accidentally discovered them on the way from his kingdom to one of the US states. Having damaged the ship on the reefs surrounding the islands, he had no choice but to go ashore in search of materials suitable for repair. Here the admiral's team discovered not only tree species valuable for shipbuilding, but also everything necessary for life. To claim these fertile lands, Somers left part of the team here, and he himself hastened to report his discovery in America. Soon, the admiral returned, but he had to meet death here on the islands. By the way, they were even named after him, but, as we see, the name did not stick, leaving this honor for the discoverer.

The first English settlement appeared in 1609 - it was founded by English colonists who were heading to Virginia, but were shipwrecked. They took up farming on the islands, and in 1684 Bermuda was officially declared a crown possession of England.

The economic development of the colony was accompanied by the import of black slaves from Africa. Slavery was abolished in 1838. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Bermuda's economy began to specialize in serving tourists.


From 1931 to 1948 there was a railway connecting the islands using bridges.

Under a 1941 treaty, the British government leased an area of ​​about 6 km² to the United States for 99 years for the construction of naval and air bases. In 1995, the United States prematurely stopped using these bases.

Under the 1968 constitution, Bermuda has internal self-government.

The United States, in turn, was very interested in Somers' discovery. A settlement of 60 people was organized on the islands. But still, one should not discount the fact that these land areas are not full-fledged lands; for many centuries they are washed by ocean waters, which wash away the already meager fertilizers. This is why the top layers of soil are not fertile enough to support agriculture. The United States, represented by its settlers, tried to grow various agricultural crops here, including sugar cane, which was in demand at that time. As a result of futile attempts, the entire settlement became dependent on food supplies from the United States.

The United States maintained Bermuda for quite some time. But, in 1684, they became a colony of Great Britain. African and Indian slaves were brought here. At that time, the population of the islands already amounted to 9 thousand people, 5 of whom were black. The slaves were kept in terrible conditions, their treatment was humiliating - they mainly served white masters and did all the menial work. This situation of the slaves forced them to adapt to the conditions of the islands in order to simply survive. So, after the abolition of slavery, which, naturally, could not but affect the British possessions, former slaves could easily provide for themselves and their families. The same cannot be said about the “gentlemen”; many of them left the heavenly sushi without finding a “worthy” use for themselves.


But during the American War of Independence, Bermuda found itself in a rather difficult economic and political situation. On the one hand, the lion's share of supplies was provided by the states, and on the other, do not forget about this, they belonged to Britain. During the hostilities, Bermuda had to serve as a base for the British naval forces. In response, America blocked trade from the islands. Naturally, this could not but affect the economy of Bermuda. Despite all these circumstances, the American Civil War brought good profits to the islands.

The geographical location of Bermuda turned out to be strategically advantageous for intelligence operations and the transfer of military forces during the Second World War. It was she who united previously aggressive countries. Great Britain even leased part of the islands to the United States for a period of 99 years in order to strengthen military forces against a common aggressor. And now, on the site of the international airport, there is one of the American air force bases.

In 1963, issues related to the rights and interests of non-white citizens were publicly announced for the first time. At that time, the majority of government positions were occupied by white-skinned Bermudians. The Progressive Labor Party also raised the issue of constitutionally securing the internal rights and freedoms of Bermudian citizens. As a result of the party's activities, constitutional norms were drawn up, providing for internal self-government and coordination of all decisions with Great Britain at the diplomatic level.


Since the almost complete abolition of racial discrimination in 1970, Bermudians can rightfully be proud of the internal harmony of interracial relations. In addition, judging by the elections for the post of prime minister, as a result of which Pamela Gordon won, the islanders are devoid of sexual prejudices. True, Gordon's reign ended in 1998, and Jennifer Smith was elected to her post. The issue of independence from Great Britain has been discussed for many years. And several years ago, many US military bases in Bermuda were closed. Perhaps soon Bermuda will finally gain independence. In any case, now there is peace and harmony inside the islands, between their inhabitants.

Geography

Bermuda is located in the North Atlantic Ocean, east of North America. It is approximately 1770 km northeast of Miami (Florida) and 1350 km south of Halifax (Nova Scotia). The closest point of the continent is 1030 km - Cape Hatteras (North Carolina). Bermuda is of volcanic origin, the volcanoes themselves were formed along the line of expansion of tectonic plates, in Bermuda "hot spots". Thus, an underwater volcanic ridge was formed, also known as the Mid-Atlantic, and far to the west of this ridge are the Bermuda Islands.


To the southwest of Bermuda, there are two more seamounts that form the Argus and Challenger Banks. Both support coral reefs and are popular with fishing enthusiasts. Although the basis of Bermuda is formed on a volcanic base, its formation was completed by limestone caps, which appeared as a result of bacterial activity. During the Ice Age, when sea levels were lower, the limestone corroded into sand. The archipelago also includes a line of underwater coral reefs, approximately 20 km north of the northern tip of the coast.

Bermuda's environment is under constant stress due to the islands' small size, high population density and the constant influx of millions of holidaymakers. For example, there is a risk of a decrease in the numbers of some species of marine life due to commercial fishing. But not everything is so bad at the moment, the environmental awareness of citizens and local legislation make it possible not only to maintain the environment in a stable state, but also to reintroduce some species of living beings.

Bermuda has a mild climate, in particular due to the influence of the warm Gulf Stream. The average annual temperature here is 20 – 23 degrees Celsius. Humidity is high and evenly distributed. The mild climate makes the island beautiful when beautiful flowers bloom, such as hibiscus and oleander. Bermuda cedar and juniper are on the verge of extinction, mostly due to the import of two types of insects not native to this region - cicadas and moths.

Some species of mammals were also brought here, including various lizards, several species of tree frogs, and a giant toad, which often died on the roads, for which it was nicknamed the “road toad.” Bermuda's only native land mammal is the mountain lizard, which has lived here since before there were people here. It is also the only place in the North Atlantic where corals thrive.


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

About 35% of the territory is occupied by shrubs, mainly at higher elevations. In the lowlands on fertile soils there are cultivated plants. There are no rivers, streams, or lakes on the islands.

Bermuda's climate is subtropical. It plays the role of the main factor that determined the specialization of the local economy in tourism business.

Bermuda offers so many varied, amazing and exciting adventures! These include relaxing walks along the coast and golf courses. top class, immersing yourself in the fascinating history of famous shipwrecks, dancing the night away and dining under the stars in a bottomless black sky! Many people come to Bermuda to experience the magnificent underwater world with tons of tropical life, underwater caves and coral reefs, or simply swim in the crystal clear waters of the ocean. And, of course, be sure to visit one of the colorful carnivals and festivals for which Bermuda is famous!

The climate is temperate maritime. The main weather-forming factor here is the Gulf Stream, which passes between Bermuda and the coast of North America. All year round, warm air masses formed above the surface of the Gulf Stream maintain warm and relatively even weather over the islands - the average temperature in summer (May-September) is about +26 C, in winter (mid-December - end of March) - about +17 C with minimum values in the region of +14 C. The winter period is characterized by strong north-west winds, bringing cold and rain.


Precipitation falls up to 1000 mm, and there is no pronounced rainy season - powerful but short-term tropical downpours are possible at any time of the year. During the period of hurricanes (from June to November), windy and rainy weather is possible, however, in comparison with other island countries in the region, the danger of destructive hurricanes is low - their main route lies significantly to the west of Bermuda.

Beautiful beaches line almost the entire coastline of Bermuda. The largest number of first-class beach hotels is concentrated on the southern coast of the islands, including in the areas of Horseshoe Bay, Warwick Long Bay and Jobson's Cove. The beaches of Elbow Beach near Hamilton, Clearwater Beach and Turtle Bay near St. David are well-deservedly famous, as well as the long coastline exotic John Smith Bay in Paget County. Excellent swimming and diving spots are found in Church Bay in Southampton County, Mangrove Bay, Black Bay, Parsons Bay, Shelley Bay, Somerset Long Bay, Warwick Long Bay, Chaplin Bay, Church Bay, West Vale Bay, as well as in Tobacco Bay north of St. George and in the isolated Clarence Cove.


Best time to visit the country - from April to October, when the weather is warm and relatively dry. However, this same period marks the peak of the tourist season, when many festivals are held in the country, and prices for all goods and services rise almost significantly.

Population

Population - 67.8 thousand (estimate as of July 2009).

Annual growth - 0.6%.

Birth rate - 11.6 per 1000;

Mortality - 7.3 per 1000;

Immigration - 2.2 per 1000.

Average life expectancy is 77.2 years for men, 83.7 years for women.

Infant mortality rate is 2.46 per 1000 (out of 224 countries and territories in the world - lower only in Singapore).

The fertility rate is 1.99 births per woman.

Literacy - 98% men, 99% women.

Immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is 0.3% (2005 estimate).

Ethno-racial composition: blacks 54.8%, whites 34.1%, mulattoes 6.4%, other 4.7% (according to the 2000 census).

Religions: Anglican 23%, Catholic 15%, African Methodist Episcopalian 11%, other Protestant 18%, other cult 12%, undecided 7%, atheist 14% (2000 census).


A 2005 estimate put Bermuda's population at approximately 65,365. Of these, about 54 percent are black, 35 percent are white and 6 percent are of other ethnicities. There is a developing Asian community on the islands, although it is not particularly large. About 10 percent of the white population is of Portuguese descent.

Native American ancestry can be traced back to some of the residents. Hundreds arrived here from Mexico. Some were exiled from the New England colonies or sold into slavery as early as the 17th century.

Residents from other countries live and work in Bermuda; most of them are employed in the financial sectors, insurance, and also in specialized professions; these are residents of the UK, Canada, the West Indies, and the USA. The total workforce in Bermuda is about 39 thousand people (data for 2005), of which approximately 11 thousand are visitors.

Air lines from the USA and Canada to Europe, Central and South America pass over Bermuda. Due to a series of unexplained plane and ship crashes in the area between Bermuda, the Antilles and the Bahamas, the term Bermuda Triangle was coined.


From 1941 to 1995 - throughout the 2nd World War and the Cold War - Bermuda was home to several US and British naval and air force bases, which occupied 11% of the total area of ​​the islands.

Economy

The main income comes from foreign tourism (60% of foreign exchange earnings). About 600 thousand people visit the islands annually (90% from the USA).

The operations of foreign companies on the islands are exempt from taxes, making Bermuda an important financial center. More than six thousand foreign companies are registered on the islands, by tonnage sea ​​vessels(three million gross registered tons) Bermuda ranks 5th in the world.

Industry employs 17% of the active population. In Bermuda there are enterprises for ship repair, boat manufacturing, pharmaceutical products, and building materials.

Agriculture and fishing employ 3% of the working population. Bananas, potatoes, tomatoes, cabbage are grown on the islands, fishing is developed (the catch is about 800 tons per year), and floriculture is oriented for export.

Bermuda has to import 80% of its food consumption from abroad. Fuel, industrial goods, clothing, and building materials are also imported.

Bermuda's main trading partners: South Korea 31.7%, Italy 21.7%, USA 14.9%, UK 6.8%, Singapore 4.4%.

The currency of Bermuda is the dollar, pegged to the US dollar, United States banks charge a small percentage on the purchase (exchange) of US dollars for Bermudian dollars. The banknotes of their currency themselves feature an image of Queen Elizabeth II.

Average per capita income in Bermuda is approximately 50 percent higher than that of the United States. And the GDP in 2005 amounted to 4.857 billion dollars, which is approximately 76 thousand dollars per capita, thereby occupying one of the highest places in the world.


Housing prices are quite high and have long been the center of attention. Average cost home in June 2003 was just under a million dollars, and according to real estate agencies, this figure exceeded one and a half million dollars by 2006 and slightly less than two million at the beginning of 2007. Although such high prices may be controversial.

Bermuda is one of the offshore financial centers, which is facilitated by low direct taxes on personal and corporate income. And as an offshore center for many foreign companies, Bermuda has a developed economy and is an exporter of financial services (insurance, reinsurance, investment funds, etc.). Nowadays, the territory of Bermuda is one of the largest reinsurance centers; a large number of leading international insurance companies are concentrated here.


Bermuda's second largest industry is tourism. The island receives about half a million visitors each year, 80% of whom are US citizens, followed by Canada and the UK. The available means of arrival to the island for tourists are sea cruise or air. There is only one airport in Bermuda - Bermuda International Airport.

Currency

Bermudian dollar (100 cents), equal to the American dollar. You can pay with US dollars absolutely everywhere. Other currencies are not accepted in stores, but you can exchange almost any currency in the world for Bermudian or US dollars at local banks. Credit cards are accepted in most restaurants, shops and hotels, but small hotels and guesthouses can be inconsistent and do not always accept them. ATMs, of which there are many in Bermuda, mainly serve credit cards Visa and American Express.

Most convenient way import money - travel checks in American dollars.


Bermuda is one of the most reliable and respected offshore centers in the world. There is no sales tax on the islands; everyone leaving the islands is charged a tax of US$20. In most restaurants, the cost of service (about 15% of the total cost) is included in the bill. In hotels, tips for service personnel are not accepted, since the cost of service is usually already included in the bill; some hotels add a 7.5% occupancy tax to the bill, and also add another 10% to pay tips for hotel workers. At airports, porters are given a few dollars for services, taxi drivers are given 10-15% of the fare.


Culture

Bermuda's culture is rich and is made up of a mixture of cultures and people living here. Various peoples took part in its formation, Native Americans left a small mark, part of the culture was borrowed from the Spanish-Caribbean, African, Irish and Scottish cultures. In the seventeenth century, Anglo-Saxon culture became dominant. Although the main language spoken by Bermudians is English, a large proportion of them speak Portuguese, due to nearly 160 years of immigration from the Portuguese Atlantic Islands. Significant influence British and Afro-Caribbean culture had an impact, the former being facilitated by the second wave of immigration from the English-speaking islands that occurred in the 20th century. Calypso music was introduced by West Indian musicians around the time of the Second World War and was aimed more at visitors, and in the late 1970s, the islands were swept by reggae, with an influx of Jamaican immigrants.


Bermuda's literature was initially not very rich, and was limited to foreign authors commenting on the islands. Literature received a larger number of books written and published locally in the 20th century, although among them there were few books of a creative nature. Some success was achieved by Brian Berland, a novelist who wrote the story of Mary Prince, a slave woman who helped end slavery in the British Empire. Bermuda literature reflects many aspects of American culture due to its proximity to the United States. Also, Bermuda has become home to many non-Bermudian authors.


Not unimportant in Bermuda are dances, the dance of the colorful Gombay ballerinas, and music are more famous. Bermuda has been the home of several actors, notably Earl Camron, Diana Dill and even Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones. Paintings by local artists are sold in various galleries, and local artisans carve beautiful cedar sculptures. One of the famous colorists was Alfred Birdsay; his impressionistic landscapes are known far beyond the borders of Bermuda. And every Easter, Bermudians make paper kites, in flight they symbolize the rise of Christ.

Sport

One of the most popular pastimes in Bermuda is sports. Particularly noteworthy are sailing, cricket, golf, rugby, and football, which is popular everywhere. Athletes of this country have participated and continue to participate in world competitions.

In 2007, the Bermuda national team participated in the West Indies Cricket World Cup. And the most famous cricketers in the country are policeman Dwayne Leverock and David Hemp. Perhaps a lot of attention is paid to golf in Bermuda; there are a lot of golf courses here, compared to the total area of ​​land, and tournaments and championships in this interesting sport are often held. As an example, we can mention the Royal Bermuda Golf Club, which has 16 first-class courses, considered one of the best in the region.

In 2006, Bermuda formed its first professional football team to play in the United Leagues. Residents are interested in sailing and horse riding, as well as fishing for sport, not to mention tourists who specifically come to the islands for sports entertainment.

Hamilton is the capital of Bermuda

In 1790, the Government of Bermuda reserved 587 thousand square meters. m (145 acres) of land for the residence, which was formally established in 1793 by an Act of Parliament. This is where Hamilton's story began. But it became the capital of the colony later, after the administrative center was moved from St. George in 1815. By this year, Hamilton was already quite a large trading hub for its time and region. Hamilton became a full-fledged city after the construction of a cathedral (Anglican Church) in it in 1897. Later, a Catholic cathedral was also built.


Nowadays, Hamilton is the administrative center of Bermuda, the location of most of the country's government and commercial institutions. The city of Hamilton belongs to the parish of Pembroke, and it received its name in honor of Sir Henry Hamilton. He was Governor of Bermuda from 1778 to 1794, and Hamilton County already existed by that time. Hamilton is the only official city in Bermuda. But it is significantly smaller than the historical city of St. George, although with the modern development of the island the value is not particularly noticeable.

Like most seaside towns, the town center is located on a street that runs along the coastline of the island's harbor, and in Bermuda Front Street is considered such a street.

The city's attractions can be explored on foot in just a few hours. The main attractions of Hamilton include the Holy Trinity Cathedral (Holy Trinity Cathedral, 1884-1886, completely completed in 1905), the Cabinet building (1833), the Assembly and Senate House between Parliament Street and Court Street, and Fort Hamilton (1870-1876), shaped like a pentagon.

The fort itself is quite an impressive structure, which is located on top of the hills and has an excellent panorama of Hamilton Harbor. The fort's ramparts are equipped with devastating weapons - 10-inch fortress cannons capable of firing 400-pound shells at any vessel that enters the city's harbor. Also of interest will be the Cenotaph - a monument to the inhabitants of Bermuda who died in the world wars (1920, an exact copy of the Memorial in London Whitehall), Waterville (1842) - the headquarters of the Bermuda National Trust Fund, on its territory there are the Bermuda Rose Sissay Garden, Mary Jean Mitchell Memorial Garden and a beautiful belvedere, as well as Fort Scar (19th century).

The richest exhibition of the era of the Great Geographical Discovery can be viewed at the Bermuda Historical Public Museum (1814) in Pa-la-Ville. The Bermuda Public Library is located in the same building. The building itself, located in the city center and surrounded by a park with shady alleys and flower beds, is remarkable from the perspective of the history of Bermuda, because... This is the former mansion of the first postmaster, William Perot.

The Bermuda National Gallery (1992) is quite famous; its exhibition includes works by famous European masters of the 17th-19th centuries, as well as paintings by local artists. Many will be interested in the Institute of Underwater Research. Located on East Broadway and widely known as one of the best scientific and cultural centers in the region. Also popular among tourists are the Museum and Zoo in Flatts Village, and the Bermuda Aquarium, which is part of this complex, which is a copy of the local reef.

The Aquarium contains about 50 species of marine animals and about 200 species of fish. Nearby is the entrance to the Crystal Cave (Crystal and Fantasy), where you can walk along a pontoon bridge spanning the underground Lake Kaho. The water in the lake is so clean that it allows you to freely view the bottom at a depth of 16 meters. The famous Church Cave caves are closed to the public. These karst formations are also known as Painter Vale Cave. According to scientists, in ancient times they were used for religious rituals. And in the center of this cave complex is the largest underground lake in Bermuda.

Because Bermuda is an island after all, so ferry service is developed. Ferries directly connect Hamilton with Paget Island, Warwick Island, Somerset and Royal Bulk Dockyard, also connect the shores of Hamilton Harbor, and run to the Great Sound, Somerset Bridge and other areas of Main Island (Main Island). Therefore, many excursion programs to the picturesque places of Bermuda are conducted directly from the ferry.


The best places for a beach holiday in the capital of Bermuda are located on the coast of the South Shoe Park area, near Bay Beach and Elbow Beach, as well as on the coast of John Smith Bay in Paget County. South Shoe Park provides protection for some of Bermuda's finest coastline. It covers a number of bays and bays, which are separated by natural barriers - outcrops of rocky rocks. Warwick Long Bay forms the eastern edge of the park. This is a beautiful stretch of coastline, which is formed by a long beach of pink and white coral sands. Warwick Long Bay is famous among surfers for its fairly high waves.

Trees and plants surround almost every home or mansion; greenery everywhere: numerous lawns, flower beds and parks, sometimes quite small, create a unique atmosphere in the capital, and perhaps throughout the country.

Best beaches

Bermuda beaches are famous for their white sand with an amazing pink tint, extremely rare in nature. The pinkest sand can be found on the stretch of coast between Warwick Long Bay and Horseshoe Bay on Bermuda Island. In Bermuda there are both public and private beaches owned by hotels. Public beaches are closed after dark. There are no nudist beaches in Bermuda.


Horseshoe Bay is the most popular beach on the island. Bermuda, so it is often quite crowded. The beach is located in a horseshoe-shaped bay framed by picturesque rocks. On the beach there are bars with soft drinks and ice cream, rental shops for snorkeling equipment; there are sun loungers, umbrellas, changing rooms and showers. The secluded area at the western end of the beach, characterized by calm waters, is perfect for children.

Jobson's Cove is a beach in a tiny, idyllic cove surrounded by serene cliffs. Few beaches in the world can match the beauty of Jobsons Cove. The sea in this place is calm, shallow, with a flat sandy bottom.

Tobacco Bay is the most popular beach on the island. St. George's. Here you can not only relax, but also enjoy amazing snorkeling between the impressive rock formations.

Warwick Long Bay is a beach that remains uncrowded even at the height of the summer season: the length of the beach strip is 8 km. On windy days, quite strong waves rise here.


West Vale Bay is a small beach on the west coast of the island. Bermuda. In April you can see migrating whales here. Whale watching can be done from a fort located on a hill or from a boat specially sent out to sea to watch the whales. West Vale Bay is the perfect place to watch the most beautiful sunsets.

Main attractionsBErmuda Islands

Bermuda is known for its pink beaches and natural beauty. But among all this, there are many other wonderful places where you can visit. Numerous shipwrecks and coral reefs at relatively shallow depths are accessible to scuba divers. The water is clear, its visibility is almost unlimited. There are many reefs around the islands, but the reefs in Church Bay may be of particular interest.

The Royal Navy Dockyard and Museum are also worth a visit, and it would be great to visit the local aquarium and zoo. An exciting trip will be to the Bermuda Underwater Research Institute, Botanical Gardens, lighthouses and Crystal Caves. In these caves, by the way, you can see impressive stalactites and underground reservoirs.

Unfortunately, you can't rent a car on the islands, but you can rent scooters or use public transport.

Now it is, in fact, one big luxurious resort with beautiful beaches separated from the ocean by coral reefs, beautiful gardens, quiet coves and pure water. Bermudian culture is a bizarre mixture of British and African heritage.

British influence predominates in institutions including government, education and legal structures - judges still wear powdered wigs, police officers are dressed to English standards, cricket is the most popular sport (though there are also numerous tennis courts), and a pint of beer at the local pub - the same “holy” tradition after a working day, as in the former metropolis.


Bermuda has an unusually large number of golf tournaments for such a small area, and of a very high level - the Royal Bermuda Golf Club has 16 first-class courses. African influences are more subtle, but can be found in music and dance - especially the influence of music of African origin, such as reggae and calypso, as well as in the dance rhythms of gombie - the most interesting art form unique to Bermuda. To the uninitiated viewer, gombi dancers may appear to be nothing more than wildly costumed characters jumping up and down to the beat of loud music, but in fact the dance is a carefully choreographed performance with powerful choreography and a defined rhythm, often depicting biblical stories. Dancers traditionally take to the streets on Boxing Day (the second day of Christmas) and on New Year's Day. The beaches and hotels on the southern coast of the islands are beautiful, including in the area of ​​Horseshoe Bay, Warwick Long Bay and Jobson's Cove. Hamilton is the center of Bermuda, its capital and commercial center. This small town (population only 15 thousand) constantly has a surprisingly large number of tourists who constantly jostle and create a constant bustle on its streets, at least compared to the rest of the island.

Locals Hamilton is simply called "the city". The town center lies along the harbor road, surrounded by old Victorian buildings framed by limestone walls, apricot orchards and blue skies. Many buildings have overhanging verandas, made in a wide variety of architectural traditions, but with the indispensable graceful wrought iron railings. The city's main cultural attractions include

Bermuda Cathedral - a heavy neo-Gothic building that is one of the city's dominant landmarks, the Bermuda Historical Public Museum, which contains exhibitions from the Age of Discovery and salvaged objects from the shipwreck of Admiral George Somers' Sea Venture, and the Bermuda National Gallery , containing works by Thomas Gainsborough, Joshua Reynolds and Winslow Homer. Fort Hamilton is an imposing structure perched atop the hills, overlooking a majestic panorama of Hamilton Harbour.

It is one of a number of fortifications built in the mid-19th century during a period of heightened tension between England and the United States. The ramparts of the fort are equipped with 10-inch fortress guns, capable of firing 400-pound shells at any vessel entering the harbor. This destructive weapon, fortunately, was never used for its intended purpose. Ferries connect Hamilton to Paget Island, Warwick Island, the Somerset area and the Dockyards.

Walking is the best way to explore the city, but walking here is not easy as the narrow roads rarely have sidewalks. The best beach areas are in the South Shore Park area, which has nearly a dozen scenic coves, Elbow Beach near Hamilton, and John Smith Bay in Paget Parish. St. George, the first capital of Bermuda, remains to this day the most charming excursion area of ​​the islands.

The city is literally immersed in the charm of the period of the Great Geographical Discovery, as befits a place that was the second British settlement in the New World. Many of its concentric walkways and colonial-era buildings remain intact, and several old structures have been preserved as museums. The city's main attractions include the Royal Square, which houses the City Hall, built in 1782, and the “pillory”, where public condemnations of criminals were held in the past.

Nearby there is a “revolving throne” on which “petty” criminals were executed; most often they were publicly thrown into the waters of the harbor, which was considered a rather shameful punishment. The Old State House, built in 1620, is also located here - the oldest building in Bermuda. Although it is quite small in size, it is built in Italian style and has a majestic appearance.

To the north of the square lies Somers Garden ("Somers' Garden"), named after Admiral Somers, who literally "left his heart" in Bermuda - his ashes (or rather, only his heart, his body is buried in England) are buried in a modest grave in the park . Tucker House, an imposing 18th-century home of one of the most prestigious families on the islands, has been carefully preserved for history as a museum - even the Victorian furniture and fittings are in immaculate condition. Dating from about the same period, the Old Rectory (Rectory) is an interesting place, no less famous than the Tucker house, it is one of the first buildings on the island with a stone roof.

The Bermuda National Trust Museum occupies a grand colonial building and is primarily dedicated to Bermuda's role in Civil War in the United States, when St. George enjoyed unprecedented wealth from aid to the southern states, and supplies to support the famous naval blockade of the rebellious northern states.

The original St George's Church, built of wood and thatch in 1612, is one of the oldest Anglican churches in the Western Hemisphere. This is a beautiful building, as if “illuminated” by the play of sunlight on the wooden walls, with marble memorial steles installed with the money of the early governors of the island, and a mahogany altar, which is the oldest example of local furniture. Excellent swimming and diving spots are found in Church Bay in Southampton County and Tobacco Bay north of St. George.

South Shore Park protects some of Bermuda's finest coastline, encompassing a series of coves and bays separated by rocky outcrops. Warwick Long Bay is also located here, a beautiful stretch of pink and white coral sand that forms the eastern edge of the park. Since this place is practically not protected by capes, this beach is also famous for its good waves, suitable for fairly high-level surfing. The Royal Bermuda Naval Dockyard previously served as a shipbuilding site and resupply depot for ships sailing between Nova Scotia and the British West Indies.

The fort was built from huge blocks of limestone in the Georgian style between 1814 and 1863. an entire "army" of almost 10,000 criminals who were housed in disgusting conditions on prison ships moored in the deep-water bay, first used by the British Navy as a base for raids on Washington in 1814.

Later the buildings were repaired and the fort received a “second life”. It now houses the charming Bermuda Maritime Museum, a traditional pub, cinema, craft market and Snorkeling Park - one of Bermuda's best scuba diving training centres. Sea World Bermuda is rich and diverse. It is especially interesting to sail underwater off the northern coast, where the remains of ships from the 15th to 20th centuries rest on the ocean floor.

Bermuda was once called the “Devil Islands”; in the old days, many ships suffered disasters here. Bermuda's size, relatively high population density and half a million visitors a year inevitably cause harm to the environment. Fortunately, increased awareness of the need for environmental protection and modern legislation have succeeded in protecting and even slightly increasing the numbers of previously endangered species, especially sea turtles. Nonsuch Island, located southeast of Bermuda Airport, is used as a conservation area protecting the endangered Bermuda pigeon (or "kahu"), one of the rarest and most endangered bird species in the world. Not surprisingly, access to the island is limited, although the Bermuda Biological Station occasionally hosts tour groups. Bermuda is home to the northernmost corals in the Atlantic, and the reefs attract a huge variety of colorful tropical creatures such as angelfish, surgeonfish and clownfish.

Unfortunately, dangerous marine life like the Portuguese man-of-war jellyfish are also abundant in Bermuda waters, especially between March and July. Like the rest of the Caribbean world, Bermuda hosts numerous carnivals, festivals and celebrations. One of the most famous is the OCA (Caribbean Music Festival), held by the Royal Navy Dockyards in late July or early August, while the Bermuda Reggae Festival takes place in mid-August. The Bermuda Tattoo festival takes place over three days in early November, culminating in a grand fireworks display at the end. The Newport - Bermuda yacht race, starting at the end of June, is one of the world's main ocean regattas.

Like the nearby Caribbean region, Bermuda hosts numerous carnivals, festivals and celebrations. One of the most famous is SOCA (Caribbean Music Festival), which is held at the Royal Naval Dockyard in late July or early August. The no less colorful Bermuda Reggae Festival takes place in mid-August. The Bermuda Tattoo festival takes place over three days, which culminates in the finale with a grandiose fireworks display (early November).

Also world famous are the Bermuda Performing Arts Festival and Photo Exhibition (January, Hamilton), the Bermuda Music Festival Charity Festival (February, Princess Hotel), the Spring Student Festival (March) and its accompanying Brass Music Festival, the annual Jazz Evening in Municipal Theater building (March, Hamilton), the traditional Peppercorn ceremony in King Square in St. George (late April), accompanied by numerous ceremonies and concerts Agricultural Show (April, Hamilton), a series of "Spring Concerts" (late April, Maine Island), a huge amount festive events as part of Bermuda Heritage Month (May, Main Island), Cooking Competition (May, Hamilton) and Young Artist Competition (May, Cedar Bridge), Pilgrimage of Mercy (first Saturday in May, St. George), Bermuda International Film Festival (May, Hamilton), a colorful parade in honor of Bermuda Day (Hamilton) and others.

The picturesque Queen's Birthday Parade (Hamilton) is held on the third Monday in June. In the fall, noteworthy are the annual Sandcastle Competition (September, Horseshoe Bay), the Jazzscape festival (October), the country's largest reggae festival, Calche Shock (November, Hamilton), and the Jazz and Razzmatazz festival of jazz performers ( November, Hamilton), lasting from the end of November to the first week of January, the Dockyard Illumination holiday (Royal Naval Dockyard) and the Christmas Parade of Ships under the auspices of the Bermuda Underwater Research Institute (December, Hamilton Harbour).

Among the sporting events, the most interesting are the Southern Region Tournament (January, Hamilton) and the Bermuda Rendezvous (February, Warwick) in bowling, the February Open Chess Tournament at the Princess Hotel (February), the Kite Festival (March, Horseshoe Bay ), the five-day Spring Golf Festival (March) on the best courses in the country, the four-day Coners Dill and Pearman Grand Prix cycling race (starting and ending in Hamilton), the Samuel L. Jackson Classic Golf Championship at the Club Port Royal Golf Course (May, Southampton), Bermuda Open Karate Championship (late May, Bermuda College), IronKids Triathlon (June, Clearwater Beach) and Atlantic International Junior Golf Championships ( July). The Newport - Bermuda yacht race, starting at the end of June, is considered one of the main ocean regattas on the planet.

Bermuda Triangle

The Bermuda Triangle is an area in the Atlantic Ocean where mysterious disappearances of ships and aircraft allegedly occur. The area is bounded by lines from Florida to Bermuda, on to Puerto Rico and back to Florida through the Bahamas. A similar “triangle” in the Pacific Ocean is called the Devil’s.

Various hypotheses have been put forward to explain these disappearances, ranging from unusual weather events to alien abductions. Skeptics argue, however, that ship disappearances in the Bermuda Triangle occur no more often than in other areas of the world's oceans and are explained by natural causes. The US Coast Guard and Lloyd's insurance company share the same opinion.


Associated Press correspondent Jones was the first to mention “mysterious disappearances” in the Bermuda Triangle; in 1950, he called the area “the devil’s sea.” The author of the phrase “Bermuda Triangle” is usually considered to be Vincent Gladdis, who published the article “The Deadly Bermuda Triangle” in 1964 in one of the magazines dedicated to spiritualism.

In the late 60s and early 70s of the 20th century, numerous publications began to appear about the secrets of the Bermuda Triangle.

In 1974, Charles Berlitz published the book The Bermuda Triangle, which collected accounts of various mysterious disappearances in the area. The book became a bestseller, and it was after its publication that the theory about the unusual properties of the Bermuda Triangle became especially popular. Later, however, it was shown that some facts in Berlitz's book were presented incorrectly.

In 1975, Lawrence David Kusche published the book “The Bermuda Triangle: Myths and Reality,” in which he tried to prove that nothing supernatural or mysterious was happening in the area. This book is based on many years of document research and interviews with eyewitnesses, which revealed numerous factual errors and inaccuracies in the publications of supporters of the Bermuda Triangle mystery.


Proponents of the theory mention the disappearance of approximately 100 large ships and aircraft over the past hundred years. In addition to disappearances, there have been reports of intact vessels being abandoned by the crew, and other unusual phenomena such as instantaneous movements in space, anomalies in time, etc. Couchet and other researchers have shown that some of these cases occurred outside the Bermuda Triangle. It was not possible to find any information about some incidents in official sources.

The most famous incident mentioned in connection with the Bermuda Triangle is the disappearance of a flight of five Avenger-class torpedo bombers. These planes took off from the US Naval Base in Fort Lauderdale (Florida) on December 5, 1945 and never returned. Their wreckage was not found.

According to Berlitz, the squadron, consisting of 14 experienced pilots, mysteriously disappeared during a routine flight in clear weather over calm sea.

It is also reported that in radio conversations with the base, the pilots allegedly talked about inexplicable failures of navigation equipment and unusual visual effects - “we can’t determine the direction, and the ocean looks different than usual,” “we are descending into white waters.” After the disappearance of the Avengers, other planes were sent to search for them, and one of them - the Martin Mariner seaplane - also disappeared without a trace.

According to Kushe, in fact the flight consisted of cadets performing a training flight. The only experienced pilot was their instructor, Lieutenant Taylor, but he had only recently been transferred to Fort Lauderdale and was new to the area.

The recorded radio communications do not say anything about any mysterious phenomena. Lieutenant Taylor reported that he became disoriented and both compasses failed. Trying to determine his location, he mistakenly decided that the link was over the Florida Keys, south of Florida, so he was asked to navigate by the sun and fly north. Subsequent analysis showed that perhaps the planes were actually much further east and, heading north, were moving parallel to the coast. Poor radio communication conditions (interference from other radio stations) made it difficult to determine the exact position of the squadron.

After some time, Taylor decided to fly west, but failed to reach the shore; the planes ran out of fuel. The Avenger crews were forced to attempt a water landing. By this time it had already gotten dark, and the sea, according to reports from ships then in that area, was very rough.

After it became known that Taylor’s flight was lost, other aircraft were sent to search for them, including two Martin Mariners.

According to Kushe, aircraft of this type had a certain disadvantage, which was that fuel vapors penetrated into the cabin and a spark was enough for an explosion to occur. The captain of the tanker Gaines Mills reported that he observed an explosion and falling debris and then discovered an oil slick on the sea surface.

A C-119 aircraft with 9 crew members disappeared on June 5, 1965 in the Bahamas. Exact time and the place of his disappearance is unknown, and searches for him have yielded nothing. Although the disappearance of a plane while flying across the Atlantic can be explained by many natural causes, this case is often associated with alien abduction. It is reported that just on this day, American astronaut James McDivitt, who was flying on spaceship Gemini 4 allegedly saw and photographed an unidentified flying object over the Caribbean.

Supporters of the Bermuda Triangle mystery have put forward several dozen different theories to explain the mysterious phenomena that, in their opinion, occur there.

These theories include speculation about the abduction of ships by aliens from outer space or the inhabitants of Atlantis, movement through holes in time or rifts in space, and other paranormal reasons. Other authors try to give a scientific explanation for these phenomena.

Their opponents claim that reports of mysterious events in the Bermuda Triangle are greatly exaggerated. Ships and aircraft also perish in other areas of the globe, sometimes without a trace.

A radio malfunction or the suddenness of the disaster may prevent the crew from transmitting a distress signal. Finding debris at sea is not an easy task, especially during a storm or when the exact location of the disaster is unknown. Considering the very busy traffic in the Bermuda Triangle area, frequent cyclones and storms, a large number of shoals, the number of disasters that have occurred here that have not been explained is not unusually large.

Several hypotheses have been proposed to explain the sudden death of ships and planes by gas emissions - for example, as a result of the breakdown of methane hydrate on the seabed. According to one of these hypotheses, large bubbles saturated with methane form in the water, in which the density is reduced so much that ships cannot float and instantly sink.

Some suggest that methane rising into the air can also cause plane crashes - for example, due to a decrease in air density, which leads to a decrease in lift and distortion of altimeter readings. In addition, methane in the air can cause engines to stall.

The possibility of a fairly rapid (within tens of seconds) sinking of a ship that found itself on the border of such a gas release was indeed confirmed experimentally.

It has been suggested that the cause of the death of some ships, including in the Bermuda Triangle, may be the so-called. wandering waves, which are thought to reach a height of 30 m.

It is assumed that under certain conditions at sea, infrasound can be generated, which affects crew members, causing panic, as a result of which they abandon the ship.

Sources

ru.wikipedia.org Wikipedia – the free encyclopedia

country.turmir.com Tourism world

Bermuda-islands.ru/ Bermuda Islands

bermuds.ru/histr.html Bermuda

bermuda-islands.ru/pljaz/ Bermuda Islands

tour.bigmir.net Tourism.Bigmir.net

Every time, planning a long-awaited vacation, tourists from different countries try to choose places where it is not only warm, but also has something to see. One of these amazing places is rightfully considered Bermuda, which is part of the overseas territory of Great Britain.

The phrase “Bermuda Triangle” has long become a household word; it symbolizes a place where inexplicable events occur, accompanied by mysterious, sometimes mystical disappearances of planes, ships and even people. Those who have vacationed at least once in these picturesque places note that Bermuda is unlike any other. Therefore, they try to visit here more often, since the weather conditions and warm sun are ready to delight guests at any time of the year. And from March to April, travelers can admire the whales that often swim along the southern coast.

Bermuda is made up of 150 islands and cays of varying sizes, of which 20 are inhabited. In addition, 10 picturesque islands are connected with each other in an original way using modern overpasses and bridges, resulting in the formation of a single, largest and main island, Main Island.

Geographically, the Bermuda Triangle is located near the islands from which it gets its name. The Bermuda Islands (or Bermuda) were discovered at the very beginning of the 16th century by the Spanish navigator Juan Bermudez, so it was he who became the “father” of this whole story, giving it his surname. Oddly enough, the Spaniards were not seriously interested in the islands, leaving them to the British, who annexed Bermuda to the lands of glorious Britain only at the end of the 17th century. It is Great Britain that owns Bermuda, to this day. Interestingly, the British made an unsuccessful attempt to rename the islands in their own way, giving them a name in honor of the English admiral Somers, who was shipwrecked in these parts. But the former name has returned and is known throughout the world.

Bermuda is famous for its hospitality, with cozy hotels for different budgets - from economy class to luxury options. Each hotel considers it necessary to provide a full range of quality services and food included in this list. Guests can quickly and professionally prepare any dish, and the most popular here are local dishes, which include exotic fruits, vegetables and fish. It is worth noting that the most frequent tourists visiting the islands are Americans - almost 90% of the rest of the tourist contingent visits them on the island.

Bermuda has earned its popularity due to many factors, including last place occupy a fairly mild climate, picturesque nature, and a high level of modern service.

Riddles and secrets of the Bermuda Triangle

Bermuda's fame is not the best - mysticism and devilry surround it with an aura of mystery, but it is precisely this that attracts tourists from all over the world who want to take at least one look at the famous islands, and maybe even take an excursion to the borders of the Bermuda Triangle. This chilling attraction is at a premium here; yachts and boats await those who come from all over the world.

However, Bermuda itself makes a favorable impression: blue skies, clear water, bright greenery, colorful houses with white roofs create the feeling that you have gone straight to paradise. It is noteworthy that the roofs of the houses are maintained in perfect condition by zealous owners: their stepped design retains water during the rainy season. Through a drainage system, stormwater is sent to special basements and stored there. This is the only source of fresh water on the islands and each owner is responsible for his own supplies. Despite the fact that the Gulf Stream provides a warm climate throughout the year, the houses are equipped with fireplaces, and the walls are thick and can withstand strong hurricane winds.

The population of the islands is about 70 thousand people, who actively support and develop the shipbuilding and pharmaceutical industries. Although the main direction, undoubtedly, is tourism, because the number of guests annually is several tens of times higher than the number of the indigenous population.

In addition, people permanently residing in Bermuda are engaged in raising livestock and fishing, as well as growing exotic flowers and fruits, including for export. And in local markets, tourists prefer to purchase unusual crafts and works of applied art as souvenirs, which are created by the hands of local craftsmen.

The tourist season begins in April and lasts until November, although tourists can be found in other months. The islands are extremely rich in beaches! Fine delicate sand, cozy harbors, and a shallow sandy bottom make a beach holiday ideal. Tourists can choose a beach to their taste - private or public, each of them has all the conditions for vacationers. Here you will not find mountains of garbage, and smoking compatriots will not be bothered by tobacco smoke: smoking in public places in Bermuda is prohibited and is punishable by a very impressive fine, as is drinking alcoholic beverages.

Fans of diving and snorkeling feel in their element here: the visibility underwater is amazing, and legends about sunken ships inspire hope that a treasure chest will be found among the coral reefs. Windsurfing and sailing are popular in the coastal waters of Bermuda. Sports activities include numerous tournaments in golf, bowling, chess, karate, an annual bicycle race and a yacht race. Music lovers are invited music festivals various directions: Reggae, jazz and sacred music do not compete with each other at all. Tourists can visit a photo exhibition and a tattoo festival, an exhibition agriculture and a competition for the title of best chef, a kite festival and many more exciting events.

"Scary" secrets of Bermuda

And yet, it is not the festivals and the beauty of the island that attract tourists from all over the world here in the first place. The main driving force is the desire to touch those mysterious incidents, which have been occurring near Bermuda for centuries. Every tourist secretly hopes to witness something extraordinary and take part in uncovering the secrets of the Bermuda Triangle.

Everyone has heard about ships disappearing near the islands. The ships that turned into the “Flying Dutchmen”, having lost the entire crew and at the same time keeping the supply of provisions and all things intact, became local legends.

  • The official list opens with "Rosalie" - a French sailing ship found in excellent condition and with full luggage, but without people, whose fate remained a mystery;
  • The majestic brigantine "Mary Celeste" left New York, heading for Gibraltar. On board, in addition to the crew, was the family of Captain Benjamin Biggs. The brigantine set sail, but never arrived at its destination. One could consider her missing or sunken if, after some time, the ship had not been discovered by the Dei Gratia team. The brigantine was sailing under full sail, the cargo was safe, things and money were in place... only there was no crew - not a single soul;
  • The list was also supplemented by the British training ship Atlanta, on board which were almost three hundred British officers and cadets;
  • At the beginning of the twentieth century, the German ship Freya was discovered in the waters of the Bermuda Triangle - the four-masted ship was also abandoned by the crew;
  • In 1918, a huge cargo ship with a displacement of 19 thousand tons disappeared in the waters of the Atlantic. Manganese ore was transported on board, and the crew consisted of 309 people. The difference between the Cyclops story and all the others is that he was never found, either with or without a team.
    Further - more, over the Bermuda Triangle, one after another, aircraft began to crash and disappear.
  • 1948: the British Star Tiger disappeared without a trace. All attempts to discover him ended in failure;
  • In the same year, the Dakota passenger plane disappeared along with its crew and 27 passengers. The airliner requested permission to land at the Miami airfield, and no one knows anything else about it;
  • 1949: the British aircraft Star Erial took off from Bermuda and repeated the fate of its compatriot;
  • 1950 - a US Air Force plane disappeared with 53 people on board;
  • 1953 - an English transport plane with 39 passengers was added to the list;
  • 1954 - American military forces suffered again;
  • 1956 - an American maritime patrol bomber “disappeared” in the skies over Bermuda;
  • The year 1962 was marked by two inexplicable incidents:
    - an American military aircraft sent a distress signal, and then disappeared from radar and was no longer in contact;
    - a small plane asked for help, the pilot of which behaved inappropriately, not understanding where he was and how to behave.

This list can be continued for a long time. There are also quite a few hypotheses explaining these mysterious disappearances. Some sound frankly fabulous, some of them have been confirmed. We are talking about:

  • Methane emissions leading to the sinking of ships and stopping aircraft engines;
  • The emergence of infrasonic waves, causing panic on the ship and forcing the crew to urgently abandon the ship;
  • Underwater earthquakes, provoking the formation of giant waves that “swallow” ships;
  • Magnetic anomalies that lead astray and disrupt the operation of navigation devices;
  • A space-time trap that transports ships and planes to another dimension or another time;
  • The intervention of an alien intelligence that steals equipment from Earth along with the people on it.

Which of these assumptions is true, no one knows yet. But, one way or another, the fame of Bermuda spread throughout the world. In addition to the Bermuda Triangle, there are many other attractions on the islands. Near the capital - the city of Hamilton, a cave of crystals awaits you: stalactites, stalagmites, underwater lakes of amazing beauty will forever leave a mark on your soul. The Old State House dates back to 1620 and is one of the oldest structures in the New World. St. George will surprise you with a statue of George Somers, and the Somerset drawbridge is a very elegant solution for connecting two islands.

Smooth streets, a leisurely pace of life and the eternal holiday characteristic of hot resort islands will make your vacation unforgettable.

When they start talking about Bermuda, they immediately imagine the same mystical Bermuda Triangle, in which planes, ships and, in general, all living things mysteriously disappear. The islands really have a “devilish” fame, but the reason is more prosaic - the difficulties of navigation.

Ideal conditions for a beach holiday

One hundred and fifty islets scattered in the northwest Atlantic Ocean form Bermuda, which still belongs to Great Britain as an overseas territory.

Eight most large islands connected by bridges and overpasses, forming a kind of archipelago called Main Island.

The climatic conditions on the islands are subtropical, but thanks to the warm Gulf Stream passing nearby, the temperature in this zone remains approximately the same throughout the year.

The main thing people come to Bermuda for is a beach holiday on the purest “pink” sand.

In fact, the islands today are a large resort area where there is everything for a comfortable stay: secluded bays, shady gardens, warm sea, bright sun and convenient infrastructure.

Attractions

The capital of the islands is Hamilton, where the main attractions of the small state are concentrated, in particular the city of St. George - the colonial capital of the islands, which in the early 2000s was taken under the care of UNESCO.

The heart of the old city is the Royal Square, along the perimeter of which are the City Hall and the Pillory, where public executions of criminals were once carried out. There is also a local “Buckingham” in St. George - a state residence, where different times the government met, gunpowder was stored and balls were held.

North of St. George is another must-see Bermuda attraction - Fort St. Catherine, which became a protection for the first settlers back in 1614.

True, the appearance that the fort has now is not original - the fortress was rebuilt many times. The museum on the fort grounds houses an excellent collection of antique weapons, replicas of British family treasures, and also displays quality dioramas that allow you to better understand the history of Bermuda.

The Bermuda Naval Dockyard is located on the island of Ireland, an echo of the might of Great Britain. On the shipyard grounds you can visit the Bermuda Maritime Museum and the Arts Centre, as well as a couple of pubs or a craft market.

Cultural characteristics

The national preferences of the island state were formed from the characteristics of European and African cultures, that’s why the people in the country like to have fun, observing all the formalities.

The islanders love holidays, so various festivals are often held on the islands, but the custom of flying kites is especially loved by the local population.

The musical tastes of Bermudians range from gospel music to reggae and jazz.

National holidays and weekends

  • January 1 - New Year;
  • Easter;
  • May 24 - Bermuda Day;
  • June 11-12 - Queen's Birthday;
  • August 3 - Liberation Day;
  • August 4 - Somer's Day;
  • September 4 - Labor Day;
  • November 11-13 - Memorial Day;
  • December 25—Christmas;
  • December 26th is Boxing Day.

Kitchen

Almost all of Bermuda's cuisine is based on the taste preferences of the Old World, but the peculiarities of the area also brought their own “zest” to the gastronomy.

The Atlantic has given Bermuda a variety of seafood delicacies, for example, it is worth noting soup from shark meat, lobster, as well as chowder with rum and sea bass.

Seafood delicacies will be served as a side dish with a mixture of peas and rice, a flatbread made from grain flour, fried bananas or vegetables.

Cassava pie, which saved the first settlers from starvation, is still prepared on the islands to this day. For dessert, try honey, grape jelly or jam.

Visa

Bermuda is a British overseas territory. Accordingly, a visa to visit her is issued on British terms and through British visa centers in the Russian Federation. However, there is one relaxation: holders of multiple-entry visas from Canada, the UK and the USA can enter the islands without a national visa. The main thing is that these visas must be valid for at least 45 days after the tourist leaves Bermuda. In this case, you are allowed to stay on the islands for up to 3 months. The validity period of a passport for obtaining a visa and for entering the country - is there a difference? To enter the country, your passport must be valid for at least 45 days after the end of your trip. To submit documents to the consulate - no less than the validity period of the visa. Is it possible to enter the country if a valid visa is in an already invalid passport? A valid passport with visa is required for Bermuda. What should you pay special attention to when applying for a visa? The purpose of the trip must clearly correspond to the data indicated in the application form and attached documents. For example, if you state that the purpose of your stay is tourism, then it is very illogical to indicate your relatives’ apartment as your place of residence. Expenses for the trip must correspond to your income - both are indicated in the application form. From the point of view of an immigration officer, the trip is beyond the means of an ordinary manager or teacher. And if there is a discrepancy in planned expenses and actual income, then it is better for the applicant to refuse a visa. All documents not originally issued in English must...