Bermuda, also know as the Somers Isles, is a British territory that is located in the North Atlantic. Bermuda is not a single land mass but consists of 138 islands which have a total land mass of 53 square miles. The climate is sub-tropical thanks to the warn winds off the Gulf Stream and the azure blue waters and pink beaches make Bermuda and true paradise.

            Bermuda was discovered by the Europeans in the early 1500’s, probably by the Spanish explorer, Juan de Bermudez. Although Europeans had known of the islands for over 100 years, they were not settled until 1609 when King James the I of England granted a Royal Charter to the Virginia Company. It was in that year that a flotilla of ships, under the command of Sir George Somers, sailed from England to relieve the colony at Jamestown, which had been settled a mere 2 years earlier. The flotilla met with disaster when a hurricane caused the flag ship The Sea Venture to wreck off the coast of Bermuda. The survivors claimed the islands for England and the charter of the Virginia Company was extended to include Bermuda. Among the survivors of the ship wreck was John Rolfe, who buried his wife and baby on the island before continuing on to Virginia in 1610. The settlement of Bermuda began in earnest with the arrival of colonists aboard the Plough in 1612.

            Ship building became the first successful industry on the island. Native cedar trees were grown and used for this purpose. The salt trade was also widely successful for many decades. Confederate States of America (CSA) blockade runners regularly used Bermuda to hide from Union navy ships. The Globe Hotel in St. George’s was a center for Confederate agents and it is now a museum.

            Today Bermuda is a British protectorate which enjoys a thriving tourist trade due to its wonderful climate and friendly people. Located on the northern end of the archipelago, St. George’s is a World Heritage Site and a must see for all travelers. Snorkelers and scuba divers can explore many shipwrecks located along the shores and especially at Church Bay. The Royal Navel Dockyard, the Bermuda Maritime Museum, Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo, Crystal Caves and lighthouses are just a few of the wonders of Bermuda.

            For more information please go to the Bermuda Board of Tourism’s web site –     www.bermudatourism.com