Bermuda

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and 98 percent literacy due to Bermuda's development as a major offshore financial center and holiday destination.

Cultural attractions, gardens, museums and historic forts permeate the island. Hamilton, Bermuda's capital, offers museums and galleries. Front Street's pastel-colored shops and restaurants are popular with the cruise ship passengers who disembark directly onto the street. Cruise ships also moor on each end of this 21sq.mi/34sq.km fishhook-shaped island.

The highlight of the west end is The Royal Naval Dockyards. On the east end, the town of St George, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is the earliest English settlement in the New World. Bermuda's architecture features brightly painted limestone houses with contrasting white roofs. The roofs are designed to collect rain, Bermudians only source of pure water.

Bermuda is usually toured on its pink buses or taxis, because non-residents may not rent cars, although they may rent scooters.

Bermuda is composed of six small islands joined by bridges and evenly divided into nine parishes. Bermuda offers botanic gardens, nature trails and scenic caves. Bermuda claims 350 bird species, 650 species of fishes and 1,000 varieties of plants. Bird-watchers in Bermuda can observe a combination of native and migrating birds. Most of Bermuda's pink-toned beaches are open to the public. Water sports, boat tours, diving and fishing are available and tours operate throughout Bermuda. Divers explore many historic shipwrecks. Golf is played year round.

Bermuda first appeared on maps as early as 1511, but as many unfortunate sailors were shipwrecked on the nearby coral reefs, it was referred to as "The Isle of Devils". It was soon after such a wreck in 1609 that the island was claimed for England and is now Britain's oldest colony. The story of these early adventurers is said to have inspired Shakespeare's play The Tempest. Bermuda is now a blend of African and British heritage. Bermuda's black population became free citizens in 1834, 30 years before American emancipation. The history of black Bermudians can be traced by following the African Diaspora Heritage Trail that covers the whole island.