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Bermuda is a self-governing island Overseas Territory of the United Kingdom,
situated in the Atlantic Ocean.
In the early 20th century, as modern transportation and communication systems developed, Bermuda became a popular destination
for wealthy US, Canadian, and British tourists. In addition, the tariff enacted by the United States against its trading partners
in 1930 cut off Bermuda's once-thriving agricultural export trade--primarily fresh vegetables to the US--spurring the overseas
territory to develop its tourist industry, which is second behind international business in terms of economic importance to the
island.
During World War II, Bermuda became important as a military base because
of its location in the Atlantic Ocean. In 1941, the United States signed a lend-lease agreement with the United Kingdom giving
the British surplus U.S. Navy destroyers in exchange for 99-year lease rights to establish naval and air bases in Bermuda. The
bases consisted of 5.8 square kilometers (2.25 sq. mi.) of land largely reclaimed from the sea. The US Naval Air Station was on
St. David's Island, while the US Naval Air Station Annex was at the western end of the island in the Great Sound.
Effective September 1, 1995, both bases were closed, as were British and Canadian bases on the island. Unresolved issues
concerning the 1995 withdrawal of US forces-- primarily related to environmental factors--delayed the formal return of the base
lands to the Government of Bermuda. The United States formally returned the base lands in 2002.
There are two incorporated municipalities in Bermuda; the City of Hamilton, and the Town of Saint George. There are also a number of localities which are sometimes termed villages, among them Flatts and Somerset.
- History of Bermuda
- Geography of Bermuda
- Demographics of Bermuda
- Politics of Bermuda
- Economy of Bermuda
- Communications in Bermuda
- Transportation in Bermuda
- Military of Bermuda
- Bermudian English
- Culture of Bermuda (see also: Music of Bermuda)
Famous Bermudians:
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