Bermuda

Bermuda was first settled in 1609 by shipwrecked English colonists headed for Virginia. Tourism to the island to escape North American winters first developed in Victorian times. Tourism continues to be important to the island's economy, although international business has overtaken it in recent years. Bermuda has developed into a highly successful offshore financial center. Although a referendum on independence from the UK was soundly defeated in 1995, the present government has reopened debate on the issue.

Regions and territories: Bermuda

This wealth is largely down to the islands' offshore finance industry; more than 13,000 international companies have made the self-governing territory their nominal base.

The arrival of some half a million visitors each year, most of them from the US, further fuels the economy. But it also makes Bermuda susceptible to the ups and downs of the tourist industry. Visitors are attracted to the beaches, golf courses, colonial buildings and subtropical climate.

The discovery of the archipelago of seven main islands and more than 170 islets has been attributed to a 16th century Spanish sea captain, Juan de Bermudez.

Bermuda came under English control in the late 17th century. Slaves, most of them brought from Africa, came to outnumber the colonists. Today, three-fifths of the population are of African descent, with the remainder being of mostly-European extraction.

Internal self-government was guaranteed by the 1968 constitution. Bermuda saw political and racial tensions in the 1970s, culminating in the assassination of the colony's governor and rioting. British troops were despatched to restore order.

Independence from Britain is a recurring theme. In a 1995 referendum nearly three quarters of voters rejected the idea, but the issue was revived in 2004 when the colony's premier called for a debate on independence.

The authorities have resolved to end "harmful" practices that have plagued the offshore financial industry and which have given the colony its reputation as a tax haven.

• Population: 65,000
• Capital: Hamilton
• Area: 53 sq km (20.6 sq miles)
• Major languages: English, Portuguese
• Major religion: Christianity
• Life expectancy: 71 years (men), 78 years (women)
• Monetary unit: Bermudian dollar
• Main exports: Pharmaceuticals
• GNI per capita: US $30,000
• Internet domain: .bm
• International dialling code: +1441

Head of state: Queen Elizabeth II, represented by Governor Sir John Vereker

Prime minister: Ewart Brown

Ewart Brown was sworn in as prime minister in October 2006 at the age of 60 after ousting three-year incumbent Alex Scott in a leadership challenge within the ruling Progressive Labor Party.

Apart from his leadership role, Brown picked up his old tourism and transport portfolio, saying: "There are certain things I need to see over the line. In particular the initiation or construction of new hotels. I anticipate that will happen within this calendar year."

He has been credited with bringing new flights and the promise of new hotel development to the territory.

Brown created a ministerial post for social rehabilitation.

"That ministry sends a message that no longer will we shy away from the fact that we have social dysfunction in Bermuda." Brown said.

He said it would address issues of child care, foster care, health care and welfare.

"We can have a so-called prosperous society but if it is eroded from beneath we have nothing to talk about. And so our plan is to address our challenges in a very assertive manner," Brown said.

On the question of Bermuda's relations with Britain, Brown told his the party conference that people wanted a leader "strategic enough, courageous enough, connected enough and, yes, stubborn enough to move them towards independence."

The centre-left Progressive Labor Party has picked up core support from blacks, who make up most of Bermuda's 63,000 residents, and has been ahead in in polls against the opposition United Bermuda Party, which ran the island for 30 years until 1998.

A general election is due before the end of 2008.

Brown ran a medical practice in California for years before returning to Bermuda to run for office in the early 1990s.

Bermuda's governor, who is advised by the cabinet, controls foreign affairs, defence and security. Bermuda is believed to have one of the oldest parliaments in the world; a representative assembly was established in 1620.