British colony (pop., 2002 est.: 63,600), western Atlantic Ocean.
Comprising about 300 islands, of which only some 20 are inhabited, it lies about 570 mi (920 km) southeast of Cape Hamilton on Bermuda Island. It was named for Juan de Bermúdez, who may have visited the islands in 1503. Colonized by the English in 1612, Bermuda became a crown colony in 1684. Its economy is based on tourism and international finance; its gross national product per capita is among the world's highest.