Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
international sailing events, see the entry
for “International Race Week,” under April,
above.
NOVEMBER
Guy Fawkes Day. A small annual celebra-
tion with a minifair marks this day. The
celebration starts with the traditional burn-
ing of 17th-century British traitor Guy
Fawkes's effigy at the Keepyard of the
Bermuda Maritime Museum, Royal Naval
Dockyard, at 4:30pm. November 5.
The Opening of Parliament. A traditional
ceremony, with a military guard of honor,
celebrates the opening of Parliament by His
Excellency the governor, as the Queen's
personal representative. In anticipation of
the entry of the members of Parliament
(MPs) at 11am, crowds begin gathering out-
side the Cabinet Building around 9:30 or
10am. Spectators traditionally include lots of
schoolchildren being trained in civic proto-
col, as well as nostalgia buffs out for a whiff
of British-style pomp. For more information,
call &   800/223-6106. November 6.
Invitation Tennis Weeks. More than 100
visiting players vie with Bermudians during
2 weeks of matches. Unlike Wimbledon—
this event's role model—virtually everyone
buys tickets at the gate. For information,
contact the Bermuda Lawn Tennis Associ-
ation, P.O. Box HM 341, Hamilton HM BX,
Bermuda ( &   441/296-0834; www.blta.
bm). Early November.
Remembrance Day. Bermudian police, Brit-
ish and U.S. military units, Bermudians, and
veterans' organizations participate in a
small parade in remembrance of all who
have given their lives in battle. November 11.
World Rugby Classic. Former international
rugby players, who have recently retired
from the international stage, compete with
Bermudians at the Bermuda National
Sports Club ( &   441/295-6574; www.world
rugby.bm). Mid-November.
DECEMBER
Bermuda Goodwill Tournament. Pro-ama-
teur foursomes from international golf
clubs play more than 72 holes on four of
Bermuda's eight courses. Anyone who
wants to compete must pass the sponsors'
stringent requirements and may appear
only by invitation. Spectators are welcome
to watch from the sidelines for free. For
more information, contact the Bermuda
Goodwill Golf Tournament, P.O. Box WK
127, Warwick WK BX, Bermuda ( &   441/
295-4640; www.bermudagoodwill.org).
Early December.
2
THE LAY OF THE LAND
Lying 920km (570 miles) east-southeast of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, Bermuda
is actually a group of some 300 islands, islets, and coral rocks clustered in a fishhook-
shaped chain about 35km (22 miles) long and 3km (2 miles) wide at its broadest
point. The archipelago, formally known as “The Bermudas,” forms a landmass of
about 54 sq. km (21 sq. miles).
Only 20 or so of the islands are inhabited. The largest one, called the “mainland,”
is Great Bermuda; about 23km (14 miles) long, it's linked to nearby major islands by
a series of bridges and causeways. Bermuda's capital, the City of Hamilton, is on
Great Bermuda.
The other main inhabited islands include Somerset, Watford, Boaz, and Ireland in
the west, and St. George's and St. David's in the east. This chain of major islands
encloses the archipelago's major bodies of water, which include Castle Harbour, St.
George's Harbour, Harrington Sound, and Great Sound. Most of the other smaller
islands, or islets, lie within these bodies of water.
Bermuda is far north of the Tropic of Cancer, which cuts through the Bahamian
archipelago. Bermuda's archipelago is based on the upper parts of an extinct volcano,
which may date from 100 million years ago. Through the millennia, wind and water
 
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