Bermuda Bermuda History

Bermuda is a British Overseas Territory located in the North Atlantic. It is named for Juan de Bermudez, a Spanish sailor who visited the territory in 1503. It was settled in 1609 by a group of Englishmen who, on their way to a settlement in Virginia, USA, ran aground on its shores during a hurricane. For a time the territory was called Somers Isles, after the captain of that ship, Admiral Sir George Somers. Control of the territory was initially given to a company called The Somers Isles Company which traded tobacco.

In the early 1600s Bermuda was included under the charter of Virginia as part of its holdings. However, by 1620 a parliament was established in the territory. Bermuda has the second oldest parliament in the British Commonwealth, the oldest being Britain itself.

In the eighteenth century Bermuda became well known for boat building which was made possible by large supplies of juniper trees on the island. The Bermuda sloop was one of the fastest boats made at that time.

Due to its location, Bermuda became a strategic military base for the British Royal Navy and later for the US government, which built naval and air bases on the island. These were closed in 1995. In the early twentieth century, tourism was developed and Bermuda became, and still is, a favourite location for those looking to get away from cold northern winters. Financial services also accounts for a large proportion of the territory’s economy. In a referendum in 1995 Bermuda voted against independence from Britain.