Bermuda

VIEWED FROM THE AIR, Bermuda presents a kaleidoscope of pink beaches, blue-green ocean and patchwork isles. The mainland is a graceful chain of seven islands joined by roads and bridges; the colony comprises more than 150 isles. A closer view reveals well-ordered homes with white roofs and a profusion of flowers Easter lilies, amaryllis, oleander, gladioli, hibiscus and poinsettias. Because Bermuda is the northernmost of the coral islands, limestone, the residual product of coral, is seen everywhere. The island is 650 miles (1,040 km) east of Cape Hatteras, N.C., and about a 2-hour flight from New York, Atlanta and other East Coast gateway cities.
Thanks to a mild climate and beautiful beaches, Bermuda's main business is tourism. However, Bermuda is not a tropical island, and the weather during December, January and February can be brisk enough to keep most people out of the water. The peak tourist season runs from spring until fall.

Bermuda's discoverer and namesake, Juan de Bermudez of Spain, is thought to have anchored off the islands as early as 1503. The first settlers, however, were Virginia-bound British colonists who were shipwrecked off St George's Island in 1609. Some historians credit the event with providing Shakespeare with background for The Tempest.

Although tourism, banking and international business are today's primary industries, Bermuda relied on shipbuilding as the mainstay of its economy 1684-1775. Vessels constructed of cedar were the basis of the island's flourishing economy until wooden ships were replaced by those made of steel during the late l800s and tourism began to take on economic importance.

As a British colony Bermuda is administered by a governor appointed by the reigning British monarch; a cabinet appointed by the premier; a senate jointly formed by the governor, the premier and the opposition party; and a house of assembly elected by the citizens. The country's nine parishes are governed by separate advisory councils. The islands hold the distinction of being the oldest self-governing colony in the British Commonwealth. Bermuda's constitution, adopted in June 1968, provides for a large measure of self-government.

Browsing for antiques and bric-a-brac is enter-taming in itself. Shops in Hamilton have given Bermuda its reputation as the Showcase of the British Commonwealth. Choice woolens, cashmeres, silver, English china, leather gloves and slacks, French perfumes, German cameras, Swiss watches, Swedish crystal and Italian leather can be purchased at great savings.

A.S. Cooper & Sons Ltd., on Front Street, sells Wedgwood china, and William M. Bluck and Co. deals in china and antiques. Archie Brown & Son, H.A. and E. Smith's and Trimingham's offer sweaters, tweeds and leather. The Calypso Shop on Front Street specializes in locally made play clothes, and the Irish Linen Shop features linens from Ireland, Italy and Switzerland. Perfumes can be found at Peniston Brown.

Fine selections of jewelry are displayed at Astwood Dickenson on Front Street and at Crisson's on Queen, Reid and Front streets in Hamilton and York Street in St. George's. The specialty shops composing The Emporium, entered from Front Street, allow visitors with limited time to purchase an array of interesting Bermudian items in one stop.

The Bermuda Perfumery and Gardens in Hamilton Parish welcomes visitors to observe the traditional creative processes employed by this native industry.