BERMUDA, or SOMERS, ISLANDS, a cluster of small islands in the Atlantic Ocean, belonging to Great Britain, and situated 580 miles southeast of Cape Hatteras and 677 miles from New York. They number 360, but 20 are for the most part so small and so barren that they have neither inhabitants nor name. They were first discovered by Juan Bermudez, a Spaniard, in 1522; in 1609 Sir George Somers, an Englishman, was wrecked here, and after his shipwreck, formed the first settlement. The most considerable of these islands are Saint George, Bermuda or Long Island (with the chief town, Hamilton, popu lation 2,630, forming the seat of the governor), Somerset, Saint David's and Ireland. They are chiefly used as a naval and military station, the strategic importance of which has increased since the construction of the Panama Canal and has led to improvements in the spacious harbor of Saint George. The island of Ireland is oc cupied by a government dockyard and other naval establishments, while Boaz and Watford islands have the military depots. The military headquarters are at Prospect. The climate is generally healthful and delightful, the air being mild and moist at all seasons. It is not adapted,
however, for consumptive patients. The ther mometer seldom falls below 40° F, and rarely rises above 85°. These islands with their scenic attractions have become a popular holiday re sort for Americans, and plentiful hotel accom modation is supphed at Saint George's and Hamilton. The surface is rather irregular; the soil, though light and stony, is in general rich and fertife. The islands form a nearly con tinuous chain and are connected almost unin terruptedly by roads, bridges and causeways. The water is in general salt; there is but little fresh except rain-water, preserved in cisterns. The inhabitants export early potatoes, onions, lily bulbs, etc., nearly all of these products be ing shipped to New York The value of the exports ranges from $585,000 to $635,000 an nually; that of the imports from about $2, 851,000 to $3,185,000. The revenue is about $405,000. Pop. about 20,000. Consult Bell, E. Y., (Beautiful Bermuda) (New York 1902).