World Factbook
Bermuda
Last updated: 2026-03-28 (today)
Flag
description: a red field with the UK flag in the upper-left quadrant and the Bermudian coat of arms centered on the right half of the flag; the coat of arms is a white shield with a red lion on a green field, holding a scroll showing the sinking of the ship "Sea Venture" history: the 1609 shipwreck of the "Sea Venture" led to the settling of Bermuda
note: Bermuda is the only British overseas territory that uses a red field on its flag; all others use blue
Capital
name
Hamilton
etymology
named after Henry HAMILTON, who served as governor of Bermuda from 1788 to 1794
time difference
UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
daylight saving time
+1hr, begins second Sunday in March; ends first Sunday in November
geographic coordinates
32 17 N, 64 47 W
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Citizenship
citizenship by birth
no
citizenship by descent only
at least one parent must be a citizen of the UK
dual citizenship recognized
yes
residency requirement for naturalization
10 years
Constitution
history
several previous (dating to 1684); latest entered into force 8 June 1968 (Bermuda Constitution Order 1968)
amendment process
proposal procedure - NA; passage by an Order in Council in the UK
Country name
former
Somers Islands
etymology
named after Juan de BERMUDEZ, an early 16th-century Spanish sea captain and the first European explorer of the archipelago
conventional long form
none
conventional short form
Bermuda
Independence
none (overseas territory of the UK)
Legal system
English common law
Government type
Overseas Territory of the UK with limited self-government; parliamentary democracy
Judicial branch
highest court(s)
Court of Appeal (consists of the court president and at least 2 justices); Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice, 4 puisne judges, and 1 associate justice); the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (in London) is the court of final appeal
subordinate courts
commercial court (began in 2006); magistrates' courts
judge selection and term of office
Court of Appeal justice appointed by the governor; justice tenure by individual appointment; Supreme Court judges nominated by the Judicial and Legal Services Commission and appointed by the governor; judge tenure based on terms of appointment
Executive branch
cabinet
Cabinet nominated by the premier, approved by the governor
chief of state
King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022); represented by Governor Andrew MURDOCH (since 23 January 2025)
head of government
Premier David BURT (since 19 July 2017)
election/appointment process
the monarchy is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the governor usually appoints the leader of the majority party or majority coalition as the premier
National holiday
Bermuda Day, 24 May
note: formerly known as Victoria Day, Empire Day, and Commonwealth Day
Dependency status
overseas territory of the UK
National heritage
total World Heritage Sites
1 (cultural); note - excerpted from the UK entry
selected World Heritage Site locales
Historic Town of St. George and Related Fortifications
Political parties
Free Democratic Movement or FDM One Bermuda Alliance or OBA Progressive Labor Party or PLP
Legislative branch
legislature name
Parliament
legislative structure
bicameral
National anthem(s)
title
"God Save the King"
history
official anthem, as a UK territory
lyrics/music
unknown
National symbol(s)
red lion
National coat of arms
Bermuda's coat of arms was formally granted by Royal Warrant on 4 October 1910 but has been in use since at least 1624; the red lion is a symbol of Great Britain; the Latin motto under the coat of arms, Quo Fata Ferunt , means "Whither the Fates Carry [Us];" the ship is the Sea Venture , an English ship that was wrecked on then-uninhabited Bermuda in 1609
Administrative divisions
9 parishes and 2 municipalities*; Devonshire, Hamilton, Hamilton*, Paget, Pembroke, Saint George*, Saint George's, Sandys, Smith's, Southampton, Warwick
Legislative branch - lower chamber
chamber name
House of Assembly
term in office
5 years
number of seats
36 (directly elected)
electoral system
plurality/majority
scope of elections
full renewal
most recent election date
10/1/2020
expected date of next election
2025
percentage of women in chamber
20%
parties elected and seats per party
PLP (30); OBA (6)
Legislative branch - upper chamber
chamber name
Senate
term in office
5 years
number of seats
11 (appointed)
most recent election date
2022
expected date of next election
2027
percentage of women in chamber
63.6%
Diplomatic representation in the US
none (overseas territory of the UK)
Diplomatic representation from the US
FAX
(441) 295-1592
embassy
US Consulate Bermuda, 16 Middle Road, Devonshire, DV 03, Bermuda
telephone
(441) 295-1342
mailing address
5300 Hamilton Place, Washington, DC 20520-5300
chief of mission
Consul General Antoinette HURTADO (since 27 March 2025)
consulate(s) general
16 Middle Road, Devonshire DV O3
email address and website
HamiltonConsulate@state.gov https://bm.usconsulate.gov/
International organization participation
Caricom (associate), ICC (NGOs), Interpol (subbureau), IOC, ITUC (NGOs), UPU, WCO
International law organization participation
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt