Bermuda
Bermuda
- Capital
- Hamilton
- Population
- 63,903
- Region
- Americas
- Languages
- English
Bermuda is world-renowned for its distinct pink sand beaches, which get their unique hue from the crushed shells of microscopic red organisms called foraminifera. The territory is also credited with the accidental invention of the 'Bermuda shorts' fashion trend, which originated when local businesses began tailoring British military uniforms for the subtropical climate. Furthermore, the island is the oldest remaining British Overseas Territory, having been continuously inhabited since the shipwreck of the Sea Venture in 1609.
Currency
The official currency is the Bermudian Dollar, which uses the ISO code BMD and is pegged at a one-to-one ratio with the United States Dollar. Historically, Bermuda initially used British sterling before switching to its own decimal-based currency system in 1970. Today, the colorful banknotes are vertically oriented and feature distinctive local imagery like songbirds and maritime scenes.
Flag symbolism
The flag is unique among British Overseas Territories as it utilizes the Red Ensign rather than the Blue Ensign typically reserved for government vessels. The Union Jack in the canton signifies Bermuda's historical and ongoing ties to the United Kingdom, while the red field echoes standard British maritime traditions. On the fly, the coat of arms distinguishes the island's identity, representing its specific colonial heritage and local wildlife symbols.
Emblem history
The coat of arms features a red lion sitting upright and holding a shield that depicts the 1609 wreck of the Sea Venture. The lion represents the British Crown, while the ship identifies the historical event that led to the permanent settlement of the islands after a hurricane drove the vessel onto a reef. Below the shield, the Latin motto 'Quo Fata Ferunt' translates to 'Whither the Fates Carry Us,' reflecting the providential nature of the territory's discovery by the English.