Download This Sample
This sample is exclusively for KidsKonnect members!
To download this worksheet, click the button below to signup for free (it only takes a minute) and you'll be brought right back to this page to start the download!
Sign Me Up
Table of Contents
Bermuda is an independent British Overseas Territory located in the western North Atlantic Ocean. The archipelago of Bermuda consists of 181 islands. The eight main islands are connected by bridges and causeways: Ireland Island (north and south), Boaz Island, Somerset, Main, Watford, St. David’s, and St. George’s. Bermuda is located around 650 miles (1,050 kilometers) east of Cape Hatteras in North Carolina, United States, which is the closest land to the territory.
See the fact file below for more information about Bermuda, or you can download our 26-page Bermuda worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.
Key Facts & Information
ETYMOLOGY
- Bermuda was named after the Spanish sailor who discovered the islands in 1505.
- Juan de Bermudez discovered Bermuda while sailing from a Hispaniola voyage towards Spain on the ship La Garça.
GEOGRAPHY AND CLIMATE
- Bermuda comprises an archipelago or a group of islands situated in the North Atlantic Ocean, around 650 miles (1,050 kilometers) east of South Carolina in the United States.
- Its total land area is 54 square kilometers (21 sq. mi).
- The climate in Bermuda is tropical rainforest, bordering on subtropical, which means summers are mild and humid while winters are windy.
- The pink sand beaches and pristine cerulean waters are quite popular in Bermuda.
- Over 150 of Bermuda’s islands consist of limestone.
HISTORY
DISCOVERY
- In the 1500s, Bermuda, or “Bermudas”, had no indigenous population when it was discovered by Juan de Bermudez.
ENGLISH SETTLEMENT
- In the 1600s, the arrival of the Plough, which crossed the Atlantic to Bermuda, signified the start of the English settlement.
- In 1612, the then-named New London, which is now known as St. George’s Town, was designated as the first capital of the colony.
- In commemoration of Sir George Somers, an English naval hero, the colony was renamed to Somer Isles in 1615.
- During this same period, enslaved people of African descent were trafficked from Bermuda to America.
- In 1649, during the English Civil War, the Somers Isles Company’s Governor was ousted by royalists and elected John Trimingham to be their leader.
- The Bermuda Government ultimately came into an agreement with the England Parliament, retaining Bermuda’s status quo.
17TH CENTURY
- The Somers Isles Company focused on Bermudian farming over shipbuilding to exact more income from the territory.
- In the same period, Bermudians started to explore maritime trades, yet the Somers Isles Company insisted that they focus their efforts more on agriculture.
- This resulted in friction between the islanders and the Somers Isles Company.
- In 1684, the demands of the islanders led to the revocation of the Somers Isles Company charter, which resulted in its dissolution.
- In 1793, an Act of Bermuda Legislature declared Hamilton a town named after Governor Henry Hamilton.
19TH CENTURY
- In 1811, post-American Revolution, the Royal Navy started to improve Bermuda’s harbors.
- This was further fortified in 1816 by James Arnold to prepare for possible attacks by the United States.
- Bermuda’s proximity to the United States coast played a big role during the American Civil War.
- In 1833, Britain’s House of Parliament passed the Slavery Abolition Act.
- This outlawed the practice of enslavement in England.
20TH & 21ST CENTURIES
- The early 20th century saw Bermuda as one of the popular destinations for American, Canadian, and British tourists.
- In the 1930s, the US Smoot–Hawley Tariff Act was established, protecting trade tariffs on goods imported to the US.
- This led to the downfall of Bermuda’s agricultural export trade to America, which transitioned them into exploring tourism as their new source of income.
- In 1930, the first airplane landed on the island; this was the Stinson Detroiter seaplane, which flew to Bermuda from New York.
- This led to more flights, such as the Deutsche Luft Hansa, which experimented with air travel from Berlin.
- 1937 saw Imperial Airways and Pan American Airways start flying boat airline operation services.
- During World War II, the famous Hamilton Princess Hotel became a censorship center.
- In 1973, the former Bermuda governor Richard Sharples was assassinated.
- This led to a movement towards the possibility of independence for the islands.
- In 1995, the move for independence was rejected in a referendum where voters were given the decision on whether Bermuda should transition to becoming an independent sovereign state or stay as a British Dependent Territory.
DEMOGRAPHICS
- As of 2023, the estimated population of Bermuda is 72,576.
- Citizens are called Bermudian(s).
- According to a 2010 consensus, more than half of the population is of African descent, 31% is White and the minorities are Asian, mixed, and other nationalities.
- English is the official language on the islands, but Portuguese is also spoken in some areas.
- The primary religion is Protestantism (46.2%), followed by Roman Catholicism (14.5%) and other Christian denominations, as well as Jehovah’s Witnesses.
CULTURE
- The culture of Bermuda is rooted in its people who are of Native American, African, and European descent.
- Because English, Irish, and Scots cultures were evident in the 17th century, Bermudians have adopted British customs in theirs, such as driving on the left side and playing cricket.
- An image of Queen Elizabeth II is also found on their banknotes.
- Bermudian culture also reflects the territory’s strong ties with the United States.
- Bermudians often consume media and television shows from the US.
- The Bermudian Dollar is also nearly equivalent to the value of the US Dollar.
- A popular piece of clothing in Bermuda is the Bermuda shorts, used for business attire paired with a jacket and tie.
ECONOMY
- The major economic drivers in Bermuda are tourism, construction, light manufacturing, re-exportation, re-importation, international business, and offshore banking.
- Bananas, citrus fruits, vegetables, flowers, dairy products, and honey are the main agricultural products in Bermuda.
MORE INTERESTING FACTS
- Bermuda is not a part of the Caribbean, even though that’s a common misconception!
- May 25 is Bermuda Day, previously known as Victoria Day, Empire Day, or Commonwealth Day.
- Called the “Shipwreck capital of the world”, Bermuda is where about 300 wrecks have been found, which date back to the 1600s.
- Bermuda has more golf courses per capita than any other country in the world, making it a golfer’s dream destination.
- Bermuda was a well-known exporter of onions until growers in the United States planted their own.
- Every New Year’s Eve, a giant ornamental onion is dropped from the Town Hall in St. George’s Town Square.
Bermuda Worksheets
This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about Bermuda across 26 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching kids about Bermuda. Bermuda is located around 650 miles (1,050 kilometers) east of Cape Hatteras in North Carolina, United States, which is the closest land to the territory.
Complete List of Included Worksheets
Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.
- Bermuda Facts
- Bermuda Basics
- Fact Threads
- Trivia Picture Clues
- Early History Timeline
- 20th & 21st Century Blanks
- Governors of Bermuda
- Mystery of the Triangle
- Picture of Culture
- British Overseas Territories
- Happy Bermuda Day!
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Bermuda located?
Bermuda is a British Overseas Territory located in the North Atlantic Ocean. It is situated approximately 650 miles (1,050 kilometers) east of the coast of North Carolina, USA.
What is the capital city of Bermuda?
The capital city of Bermuda is Hamilton. It is the largest city and the political and financial center of the island.
What is the currency used in Bermuda?
The official currency of Bermuda is the Bermudian Dollar (BMD). However, the United States Dollar (USD) is also widely accepted and used interchangeably with the Bermudian Dollar.
What is the climate like in Bermuda?
Bermuda has a subtropical climate, which means it has mild, pleasant winters and warm, humid summers. The average temperature in the summer months is around 85°F (29°C), while in the winter months, it rarely drops below 60°F (15°C).
What is Bermuda known for as a tourist destination?
Bermuda is known for its stunning pink sand beaches, crystal-clear turquoise waters, and colorful coral reefs, making it a popular destination for beach lovers and snorkelers. It’s also famous for its distinctive architecture, including pastel-colored buildings with white roofs, and its rich maritime history, including shipwrecks and historic forts. Additionally, Bermuda is known for hosting the Newport to Bermuda Race, a prestigious yacht race.
Link/cite this page
If you reference any of the content on this page on your own website, please use the code below to cite this page as the original source.
Link will appear as Bermuda Facts & Worksheets: https://kidskonnect.com - KidsKonnect, November 16, 2023
Use With Any Curriculum
These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.