Bermuda

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Bermuda (officially, The Bermuda Islands or The Somers Isles) is an overseas territory of the United Kingdom in the North Atlantic Ocean. Located off the east coast of the United States, it is situated around 1,100 miles (1770 km) northeast of Miami, Florida and 840 miles (1350 km) south of Halifax, Nova Scotia. The nearest landmass is Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, about 640 miles (1030 km) west-northwest (see Geography section below). It is the oldest remaining British overseas territory, settled by England a century before the Acts of Union and two centuries before the creation of the United Kingdom.

Although commonly referred to in the singular, the territory consists of approximately 138 islands, with a total area of 27.7 sq. mi. (53.3 square kilometres). Compiling a list of these islands is often complicated, as many have more than one name (as does the entire archipelago, which, in addition to its two official names, has historically been known as "La Garza", "Virgineola", and the "Isle of Devils"). Despite the limited land mass, there has also been a tendency for place names to be repeated; there are, for instance, two islands named "Long Island", three bays known as "Long Bay" and the town of St. George is located within the parish of St. George on the island of St. George, whereas Bermuda's capital, the City of Hamilton, lies in Pembroke Parish, not Hamilton Parish, on the largest island, "Main Island", which itself is sometimes called "Bermuda" (or "Great Bermuda").

Bermuda has a thriving economy, with a large financial sector and tourism industry giving it the world's highest GDP per capita in 2005. It is blessed with a sub-tropical climate, beautiful pink beaches, and cerulean blue oceans.

Contents 1 History 2 Politics 3 Military 4 Geography 5 Economy 6 Sightseeing and attractions 7 Arts and culture 8 Sports 9 Demographics 10 Holidays 11 See also 12 References 13 External links

[edit] History

Main article: History of Bermuda

Bermuda was discovered by the early 1500s, probably in 1503, according to some sources. It was certainly known by 1511, when Peter Martyr d'Anghiera published his Legatio Babylonica, which mentioned Bermuda, and the island was also included on Spanish charts of this year. The discovery is attributed to a Spanish explorer, Juan de Bermudez. Both Spanish and Portuguese ships used the islands as a replenishment spot for fresh meat and water, but legends of spirits and devils, now thought to have stemmed only from the callings of raucous birds (most likely the Bermuda Petrel, or Cahow), and of perpetual, storm-wracked conditions (most early visitors arrived under such conditions), kept them from attempting any permanent settlement on the Isle of Devils.

Bermudez and Gonzales Ferdinando d'Oviedo ventured to Bermuda in 1514 or 1515 with the intention to drop off a breeding stock of hogs on the island as a future stock of fresh meat for passing ships. The inclement weather prevented them landing however.

Some years later, a Portuguese ship on the way home from San Domingo wedged itself between two rocks on the reef. The crew tried to salvage as much as they could and spent the next four months building a new hull from Bermuda cedar to return to their initial departure point. One of these stranded sailors is most likely the person who carved the initials "R" and "P", "1543" into Spanish Rock. The initials probably stood for "Rex Portugaline" and later were incorrectly attributed to the Spanish, leading to the misnaming of this rocky outcrop of Bermuda.

For the next century, the island is believed to have been visited frequently but not permanently settled. The first two British colonies in Virginia had failed, and a more determined effort was initiated by King James I of England and VI of Scotland, who granted a Royal Charter to The Virginia Company. In 1609, a flotilla of ships left England under the Company's Admiral, Sir George Somers, to relieve the colony of Jamestown, settled two years before. Somers had previous experience sailing with both Sir Francis Drake and Sir Walter Raleigh. The flotilla was broken up by a storm, and the flagship, the Sea Venture, was wrecked off Bermuda (as depicted on the territory's Coat of Arms), leaving the survivors in possession of a new territory. (William Shakespeare's play The Tempest is thought to have been inspired by William Strachey's account of this shipwreck.) The island was claimed for the English Crown, and the charter of the Virginia Company was extended to include it. In 1615, the colony was passed to a new company, the Somers Isles Company (The Somers Isles remains an official name for the Colony), formed by the same shareholders. The close ties with Virginia were commemorated even after Bermuda's separation by reference to the archipelago in many Virginian place names, such as Bermuda City, and Bermuda Hundred. The first British coins in America were struck here.

Most of the survivors of the Sea Venture had carried on to Jamestown in 1610 aboard two Bermuda-built ships. Among these was John Rolfe, who left a wife and child buried in Bermuda, but in Jamestown would marry Pocahontas, a daughter of Powhatan. Rolfe was also single-handedly responsible for beginning Virginia's tobacco industry (the economic basis of the Colony had been intended to be lumber). Intentional settlement of Bermuda began with the arrival of the Plough, in 1612.

With its limited land area, Bermuda has had difficulty ever since with population growth. In the first two centuries of settlement, it relied on steady emigration to keep the population manageable. Before the American Revolution, more than ten thousand Bermudians emigrated, primarily to the American South, where England (later, Britain) was displacing Spain as the dominant European imperial power. A steady trickle of outward migration continued as, by the end of the eighteenth century, with seafaring being the only real industry, at least a third of the island's manpower was at sea at any one time.

In the seventeenth century, however, the Somers Isles Company suppressed shipbuilding as it needed Bermudians to farm if it was to generate any income from the land. Agricultural production met with only limited success, however. The Bermuda cedar boxes used to ship tobacco to England were reportedly worth more than their contents. The colony of Virginia far surpassed Bermuda in both quality and quantity of tobacco produced. After the dissolution of the Somers Isle Company, Bermudians rapidly abandoned agriculture for ship-building, replanting farmland with the native juniper (Juniperus bermudiana, also called Bermuda cedar) trees that grew thickly over the whole island. Establishing effective control over the Turks Islands, Bermudians deforested their landscape to begin the salt trade that would become the world's largest, and remained the cornerstone of Bermuda's economy for the next century.

Bermudian sailors would turn their hands to far more trades than supplying salt, however. Whaling, privateering, and the merchant trade were all pursued vigorously. The Bermuda sloop became highly regarded for its speed and manoeuvrability. Indeed, at the end of the Battle of Trafalgar, the Bermuda sloop HMS Pickle, one of the fastest vessels in the Royal Navy, raced back to England with news of the victory and the death of Admiral Lord Nelson.

After the American Revolution, the Royal Navy began improving the harbours and built the large dockyard on Ireland Island, in the west of the chain, as its principal naval base guarding the western Atlantic Ocean shipping lanes. As a result of Bermuda's proximity to the southeastern U.S. coast, it was regularly used by Confederate States blockade runners during the American Civil War to evade Union naval vessels and bring desperately needed war goods to the South from England. The old Globe Hotel in St. George's, which was a center of intrigue for Confederate agents, is preserved as a museum open to the public.

In the early twentieth century, as modern transport and communication systems developed, Bermuda became a popular destination for wealthy American, Canadian and British tourists. In addition, the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act 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.

[edit] Politics

Executive authority in Bermuda is invested in The Queen and is exercised on her behalf by the Governor. The Governor is appointed by the Queen on the advice of the British Government. Defence and Foreign Affairs remain the responsibility of the United Kingdom, which also retains responsibility to ensure good government. It must approve any changes to the Constitution of Bermuda.

The Constitution of Bermuda came into force on June 1, 1967 and has been amended in 1989 and 2003. The Head of Government is the Premier. A cabinet is nominated by the Premier and appointed officially by the Governor. The legislative branch consists of a bicameral parliament modelled on the Westminster system. The Senate is the Upper House consisting of eleven members appointed by the Governor on the advice of the Premier and the Leader of the Opposition. The House of Assembly, or Lower House, has thirty-six members elected by the eligible voting populace in secret ballot to represent geographically defined precincts. Elections must be held at no more than five-year intervals.

The current Governor is Sir John Vereker, appointed on April 11, 2002. Following his victory over former Premier Alex Scott at the Progressive Labour Party delegates' conference in October 2006, the current Premier is Ewart Brown. The United Bermuda Party serves in opposition.

The Progressive Labour Party leadership supports independence from the United Kingdom, although polls continue to indicate that this is not supported by the population. A referendum in 1995 on independence, held by the United Bermuda Party, was defeated.

[edit] Military

Main article: Military of Bermuda

Once known as the Gibraltar of the West, the defence of Bermuda remains the responsibility of the British Government. Until the American Revolutionary War, following which Bermuda became the Royal Navy's Western Atlantic headquarters, the Bermuda Government had maintained militia for the defence of the colony. Once the Royal Navy established a base and dockyard defended by regular soldiers, however, these militias became superfluous and were disbanded following the War of 1812. At the end of the nineteenth century, the colony did raise volunteer units to form a reserve for the military garrison.

Due to its strategic location in the North Atlantic Ocean, Bermuda was vital to the Allies' war effort during both World Wars of the twentieth century, serving as a marshalling point for trans-Atlantic convoys, as well as a naval and air base (during the Second World War).

In May, 1940, the U.S. requested base rights in Bermuda from the United Kingdom, but British Prime Minister Winston Churchill was initially unwilling to accede to the American request without getting something in return.^[1] In September, 1940, as part of the Destroyers for Bases Agreement, Great Britain granted the U.S. base rights in Bermuda. Construction began in 1941 of two airbases consisting of 5.8 km² (2.25 mi²) of land, largely reclaimed from the sea. For many years, Bermuda's bases were used by U.S. Air Force and, later, Navy planes patrolling the Atlantic for enemy submarines, first German and, later, Soviet. Although leased for 99 years, U.S. forces withdrew in 1995, as part of the wave of base closures following the end of the Cold War.

Canada, which had operated a war-time naval base, HMCS Somers Isles, on the old Royal Navy base at Convict Bay, St. George's, also established a radio-listening post at Daniel's Head, in the West End of the islands during this time.

In the 1950s, after the end of World War II, the Royal Naval dockyard and the military garrison were closed. A small supply base continued to operate within the dockyard area until it, too, was closed in 1995, along with the American and Canadian bases.

In both World War I and World War II, Bermudians served in British military forces. Amongst the latter was Major-General Glyn Charles Anglim Gilbert, Bermuda's highest ranking soldier. After the war, he was instrumental in developing the Bermuda Regiment. A number of other Bermudians and children of Bermudians had preceded him into senior ranks, including Bahamian-born Admiral Lord James Gambier, and Bermudian-born Royal Marines Brigadier Harvey, who, when promoted to that rank at age 39, following his wounding at the Anzio landings, became the youngest-ever Royal Marine Brigadier. The Cenotaph memorial in front of the Cabinet Building (in Hamilton) was erected in tribute to Bermuda's Great War dead (the tribute was later extended to Bermuda's Second World War dead) and is the site of the annual Remembrance Day commemoration (see photo, above).

Today, the only military unit remaining in Bermuda is the Bermuda Regiment, an amalgam of the voluntary units originally formed toward the end of the nineteenth century.

[edit] Geography

Main article: Geography of Bermuda

Bermuda is located in the North Atlantic Ocean, roughly 580 nautical miles (1074 kilometres) east-southeast of Cape Hatteras on the Outer Banks of North Carolina and roughly 590 nautical miles (1093 kilometres) southeast of Martha's Vineyard (see map). It has 103 km of coastline. There are two incorporated municipalities in Bermuda: the City of Hamilton and the Town of St. George. Bermuda is divided into various "Parishes", in which there are some localities called "villages", such as Flatts Village, Tucker's Town and Somerset Village.

Although Bermuda's latitude is similar to that of Savannah, Georgia, the subtropical climate of Bermuda is warmed by the nearby Gulf Stream. The climate is humid and, as a result, the summertime heat index can be high, even though mid-August temperatures rarely exceed 30 °C (85 °F). Winters are mild, with average daytime temperatures in January and February around 20 °C (68 °F), although the occasional Atlantic winter storms can produce powerful winds and heavy rain, with the "apparent air temperature" feeling like 5 °C (40 °F), even though the actual temperature rarely drops below 10 °C (50 °F).

The only source of fresh water in Bermuda is rainfall, which is collected on roofs and catchments (or drawn from underground lenses) and stored in tanks. Each dwelling usually has at least one of these tanks forming part of its foundation.

[edit] Economy

Main article: Economy of Bermuda

Bermuda's currency is the Bermuda dollar, which is pegged to the US dollar. US notes and coins are used interchangeably with Bermudian notes and coins within the islands for most practical purposes, however banks levy a small exchange rate for the purchase of US dollars with Bermudian dollars.^[2] Bermudian notes carry the image of HM Queen Elizabeth II. The Bermuda Monetary Authority is the issuing authority for all banknotes and coins, as well as being responsible for the regulation of financial institutions.

As the offshore domicile of many foreign companies, Bermuda has a highly-developed international business economy; it is a financial exporter in insurance and other financial services.

Bermuda's per-capita income is approximately 50% higher than that of the United States; according to the Bermuda Government's Economic Statistics Division, Bermuda's GDP was $4.857 billion in 2005, or $76,403 per-capita, giving Bermuda the highest GDP per capita in the world.^[3]

The average cost of a house in June 2003 had risen to $976,000, making Bermuda one of the most expensive (and exclusive) countries in the world in which to live.[[3]]

Bermuda is regarded as a premier offshore business jurisdiction, with low direct taxation on personal or corporate income. The local tax system is based upon import duties, payroll taxes and consumption taxes. The legal system prevailing is derived from that of Britain, with recourse to English courts of final appeal. This is regarded as advantageous by many international trading entities and banks.

Such are the numbers of leading international insurance companies based in Bermuda that the territory is one of the world's largest reinsurance centres.^[4] Those internationally owned and operated businesses that are physically based in Bermuda – of which there are around four hundred – are represented by the Association of Bermuda International Companies (ABIC). In total, over 1,500 exempted or international companies are currently registered with the Registrar of Companies in Bermuda.

Tourism is Bermuda's second largest industry, with the island attracting over one-half million visitors annually, of whom more than 80% are from the United States. Other significant sources of visitors are Canada and the United Kingdom. Tourists arrive either by cruise ship or by air at Bermuda International Airport, the only airport on the island.^[5]

[edit] Sightseeing and attractions

Renowned for its pink sand beaches and natural beauty, Bermuda offers a number of other attractions, as well. Historic St. Georges is a designated World Heritage Site. Scuba divers can explore numerous wrecks and coral reefs in relatively shallow water (typically 30-40 ft. depth) with virtually unlimited visibility. Many nearby reefs are readily accessible from shore by snorkelers, especially at Church Bay.

Bermuda's most popular visitor attraction is the Royal Navy Dockyard and Museum. Other attractions include the Aquarium and Zoo, Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute, the Botanical Gardens, lighthouses, and the Crystal Caves with its impressive stalactites and underground saltwater pools.

It is not possible to rent a car on the island, however visitors can hire scooters for use as private transport, or use public transport.

[edit] Arts and culture

Main article: Culture of Bermuda

Bermuda's culture is a mixture of the various sources of its population, though little trace remains of the various Native-American, Spanish-Caribbean, or African, and Irish Gaelic or Scots cultures that would have been evident in the seventeenth Century, with the culture largely homogonized to an Anglo-Saxon one. Today, the only language other than English which is spoken by any substantial part of the population is actually Portuguese, following 160 years of immigration from Portuguese Atlantic islands (primarily the Azores, though also from Madeira and the Cape Verde Islands). There are strong British influences, together with Afro-Caribbean. A second wave of immigration from the West Indies has been sustained throughout the twentieth Century, although, unlike the Blacks who immigrated from that area as indentured servants (or who were imported as slaves) in the seventeenth Century, the more recent arrivals have mostly come from English speaking countries (albeit, most of the West Indian islands whose populations now speak English were then part of the Spanish Empire). This new infusion of West Indians has both accelerated social and political change, and diversified Bermuda's culture. West Indian musicians introduced calypso music when Bermuda's tourist industry was expanded with the increase of visitors brought by post-Second World War aviation. Although calypso music always appealed more to the visitors than to the locals, Reggae has been embraced more widely by Bermudian listeners, and the island has many Rastafarians.

Bermuda's literary history was largely limited to non-Bermudian writers commenting on the island. In the twentieth Century, a large number of books were written and published locally, though few were aimed at a wider market than Bermuda (most of these being scholarly reference books, rather than creative writing). One Bermudian novelist, Brian Burland, has achieved a degree of success and acclaim internationally, although the first (and undoubtedly the most important, historically) notable book credited to a Bermudian was the History of Mary Prince, a slave narrative by a Bermudian woman, Mary Prince, which helped to end slavery in the British Empire. Bermuda's proximity to the United States means that many aspects of US culture are reflected or incorporated into Bermudian culture. Many non-Bermudian writers have also made Bermuda their home, or have had homes here, including F. Van Wyck Mason, who wrote on Bermudian subjects.

Dance and music are important in Bermuda. The dances of the colorful Gombey Dancers, seen at many events, were influenced by imported Native American and African slaves.

Bermuda has produced or been home to actors (such as Earl Cameron, Diana Dill, Michael Douglas, Catherine Zeta-Jones, William Kempe and Lena Headey) and musicians (such as Collie Buddz, Heather Nova and Lance Hayward). In 1979, Bermuda's Gina Swainson was crowned "Miss World".

Every year Bermuda hosts an International Film Festival, which shows many independent and interesting films. One of the Festival founders is film producer and director Arthur Rankin, Jr., co-founder of the Rankin/Bass production company.^[6]

Bermuda watercolors painted by local artists are sold at various galleries and elaborately hand-carved cedar sculptures are another specialty. One such 7 ft. sculpture created by Bermudian artisan Chesley Trott is on display at the airport's Baggage Claim area.

[edit] Sports

Sport is a popular pastime in Bermuda, especially cricket, golf, and football (soccer) and sailing. Bermuda's national cricket team participated in the Cricket World Cup 2007 in the West Indies. Their most famous player is a 130kg (290 lbs.) police officer Dwayne Leverock. He took a famous classic catch against India, which was amongst the most viewed videos on YouTube on the 20th of March 2007^{[citation needed]}. They now hold world record for conceeding highest total ever in the history of world cup. They conceded 413 runs in 50 overs one day international game against India. Also very well known is David Hemp, who is the current Glamorgan captain in english first class cricket. The annual "Cup Match" cricket tournament between rival parishes St. George's in the east and Somerset in the west is the occasion for a popular national holiday. A sport unique to Bermuda is racing the Bermuda Fitted Dinghy. The Government has recently announced substantial financial support will be provided to Bermuda's cricket and football teams. Bermuda's famous footballers include Clyde Best and Shaun Goater. Sailing, fishing, and equestrian sports are also popular with both residents and visitors alike. The prestigious Newport–Bermuda Yacht Race is now a 100+ year old tradition. 2007 marks the sixteenth biennial Marion-Bermuda yacht race. At the 2004 Summer Olympics, Bermuda competed in sailing and equestrian events. Bermuda has had one Olympic medal winner, Clarence Hill, in boxing.

[edit] Demographics

Main article: Demographics of Bermuda

54.8% of the population is listed as black, 34.1% as white and 6.4% as multiracial. The islands have a small but growing Asian community. A significant segment of the population is also of Portuguese heritage (10%), the result of immigration from Portuguese-held islands (especially the Azores) during the past 160 years.

Some islanders, especially in St. David's, trace their ancestry to Native Americans, such as Algonquian peoples who were exiled from the New England colonies or sold into slavery in the seventeenth century, notably in the aftermaths of the Pequot War, and King Philip's War.

Several thousand expatriate workers, principally from the UK, Canada, the West Indies, and the U.S., also reside in Bermuda, primarily engaged in specialised professions such as accounting, finance, and insurance. Others are employed in various trades, such as hotels, restaurants, construction, and landscaping services.

[edit] Holidays

Main article: Holidays in Bermuda

Date	Holiday
1 January	New Year's Day
varies	Good Friday	Bermudans fly home-made kites to celebrate Easter
24 May	Bermuda Day	Originally celebrated Queen Victoria's birthday as Empire Day; later changed to "Bermuda Day" to provide an official opportunity to celebrate the islands' heritage and culture
Second Monday in June	Queen Elizabeth II's Birthday
varies*	Emancipation Day	First day of Cup match
First Friday in August	Somer's Day	Second day of Cup match
First Monday in September	Labour Day
November 11	Remembrance Day
December 25	Christmas Day
December 26	Boxing Day

* Last Thursday in July if 31 July, otherwise first Thursday in August.

[edit] See also

• Bermuda shorts
• Flora and fauna in Bermuda
• Birds of Bermuda
• Hurricane Fabian (September 5, 2003)
• Islands of Bermuda
• Subdivisions of Bermuda

[edit] References

[edit] External links

Find more information on Bermuda by searching Wikipedia's sister projects
	Dictionary definitions from Wiktionary
	Textbooks from Wikibooks
	Quotations from Wikiquote
	Source texts from Wikisource
	Images and media from Commons
	News stories from Wikinews
	Learning resources from Wikiversity

• Bermuda travel guide from Wikitravel
• Wikimedia Atlas of Bermuda, holding maps related to Bermuda.
• Bermuda Government (official government website)
• Bermuda. Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
• Bermuda Dept. of Tourism (Bermuda Government website)
• Bermuda International Airport official website
• Bermuda Maritime Museum, a maritime museum housed in the historic Dockyard, dedicated to public education and historical, archaeological and heritage research.
• Roots Web: Ships of Bermuda (genealogy resource)
• Bermuda National Trust, a body dedicated to the preservation of historic and environmental sites of interest, including several museums.
• Bermuda's role in the War of 1812, chronicles Bermuda's little-known role in the American War of 1812
• Bermuda Online (directory of 120+ Bermuda-related websites)
• US Department Of State Post Report for Bermuda.
• Bermuda Sun, a twice-weekly newspaper.
• The Royal Gazette, a daily newspaper, published since 1828.
• CIA World Factbook entry on Bermuda
• Association of Bermuda International Companies.

Geographic locale

v • d • e Countries of North America Sovereign states Antigua and Barbuda · Bahamas · Barbados · Belize · Canada · Costa Rica · Cuba · Dominica · Dominican Republic · El Salvador · Grenada · Guatemala · Haiti · Honduras · Jamaica · Mexico · Nicaragua · Panama · Saint Kitts and Nevis · Saint Lucia · Saint Vincent and the Grenadines · Trinidad and Tobago · United States Dependencies Denmark:  Greenland   ·   France:  Guadeloupe · Martinique · Saint Barthelemy · Saint Martin · Saint Pierre and Miquelon   ·   Netherlands:  Aruba · Netherlands Antilles   ·   United Kingdom:  Anguilla · Bermuda · British Virgin Islands · Cayman Islands · Montserrat · Turks and Caicos Islands   ·   United States:  Puerto Rico · U.S. Virgin Islands * Territories also in or commonly reckoned elsewhere in the Americas (South America). v • d • e Countries on the North Atlantic Ocean Eurasia-Africa: Benin • Cameroon • Cape Verde • Côte d'Ivoire • Equatorial Guinea • France • Gabon • Gambia • Ghana • Gibraltar • Guernsey • Guinea • Guinea-Bissau • Iceland • Ireland • Isle of Man • Jersey • Liberia • Mauritania • Morocco • Nigeria • Norway • Portugal • São Tomé and Príncipe • Senegal • Sierra Leone • Spain • Togo • United Kingdom • Western Sahara Americas: Aruba • Bahamas • Belize • Bermuda • Brazil • Colombia • Canada • Cayman Islands • Costa Rica • Cuba • France (French Guiana • Saint Barthelemy • Saint Martin • Saint Pierre and Miquelon) • Greenland • Guyana • Haiti • Honduras • Mexico • Montserrat • Netherlands Antilles • Nicaragua • Panama • Saint Kitts and Nevis • Suriname • Trinidad and Tobago • Turks and Caicos Islands • United States • Venezuela

International membership

v • d • e British overseas territories and crown dependencies Overseas territories Anguilla · Bermuda · British Antarctic Territory · British Indian Ocean Territory · British Virgin Islands · Cayman Islands · Falkland Islands · Gibraltar · Montserrat · Pitcairn Islands · Saint Helena (includes Ascension Island and Tristan da Cunha) · South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands · Turks and Caicos Islands Crown dependencies  |  Sovereign base areas Guernsey · Jersey · Isle of Man  |  Akrotiri and Dhekelia v • d • e Outlying territories of European countries Territories under European sovereignty but closer to or on continents other than Europe (see inclusion criteria for further information)  Denmark Greenland  France Clipperton Island · French Guiana · French Polynesia · French Southern and Antarctic Lands (Amsterdam • Saint-Paul • Crozet • Kerguelen • Adélie Land1 • Scattered islands in the Indian Ocean: Bassas da India • Europa Island • Glorioso Islands • Juan de Nova Island • Tromelin Island) · Guadeloupe · Martinique · Mayotte · New Caledonia · Réunion · Saint Barthelemy · Saint Martin · Saint Pierre and Miquelon · Wallis and Futuna  Netherlands Aruba · Netherlands Antilles (Bonaire • Curaçao • Saba • Sint Maarten • Sint Eustatius)  Norway Bouvet Island · Peter I Island1 · Queen Maud Land1  Portugal Azores · Madeira  Spain Canary Islands · Plazas de soberanía (Ceuta • Melilla)  United Kingdom Anguilla · Ascension Island · Bermuda · British Virgin Islands · Cayman Islands · Falkland Islands · Montserrat · Saint Helena · Tristan da Cunha · Turks and Caicos Islands · British Antarctic Territory1 · British Indian Ocean Territory · Pitcairn Islands · South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands 1 Sovereignity over territories in Antarctica currently suspended under the Antarctic Treaty System. v • d • e Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Antigua and Barbuda • Bahamas¹ • Barbados • Belize • Dominica • Grenada • Guyana • Haiti¹ • Jamaica • Montserrat² • Saint Kitts and Nevis • Saint Lucia • Saint Vincent and the Grenadines • Suriname • Trinidad and Tobago Associate members: Anguilla • Bermuda • Cayman Islands • British Virgin Islands • Turks and Caicos Islands Observer status: Aruba • Colombia • Dominican Republic • Mexico • Netherlands Antilles • Puerto Rico • Venezuela ¹ member of the community but not the CARICOM (Caribbean) Single Market and Economy ² territory of the United Kingdom awaiting British instruments of entrustment to join the CSME