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Hamilton, Bermuda

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Hamilton is the capital city of the British Overseas Territory of Bermuda. It serves as the main settlement for Pembroke Parish. The city is also a vital port city for the region. It functions as the primary financial and commercial center for Bermuda. Hamilton is a popular destination for tourists from around the world. Because of its small land area, it is one of the smallest capital cities on Earth. In 2016, the permanent population was recorded at 854 people. However, the city is much busier during the workday. In 2010, 13,340 people worked in the city daily. This represents 40% of Bermuda's entire working population.

The history of Hamilton as a British city began in 1790. At that time, the government of Bermuda set the area aside for a future seat of government. The city was officially incorporated in 1793 by an Act of Parliament. It was named in honor of Governor Henry Hamilton. The capital of the colony moved to Hamilton from St. George's in 1815. Since then, the city has remained the political and military heart of Bermuda. Government buildings are found throughout the area. These include the parliament building and the Government House to the north. The former Admiralty House of the Royal Navy sits to the west. The British Army garrison headquarters is located at Prospect Camp to the east.

The city has undergone many changes over the decades. Hamilton became an official city in 1897. In 1911, the Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity was consecrated. This Church of England cathedral was still under construction during that time. A Catholic cathedral, St. Theresa's, was also built in the city later. In 1940, the Royal Navy commissioned a former US Navy destroyer named HMS Hamilton. The local newspaper, The Royal Gazette, reported this news on November 2, 1940. On February 17, 1975, Queen Elizabeth II visited the city hall. She visited alongside Prince Philip during a world tour. Today, the city overlooks Hamilton Harbour and serves as a business district. Most structures are office buildings and shops. Some new buildings are planned to reach ten storeys high. However, a strict rule prevents any building from obscuring the view of the cathedral.

Hamilton Bermuda city crest
Hamilton Bermuda city crest

Economics in Hamilton are driven by international business. Bermuda is the offshore domicile for many foreign companies. This creates a highly developed international business economy. The territory is a major exporter of financial services. These services include insurance, reinsurance, and investment funds. It also includes special-purpose vehicles. Finance and international business are the largest sectors of the economy. Virtually all of this business occurs within the borders of Hamilton. The city is a global reinsurance centre. Around 400 internationally owned businesses are based in Bermuda. Over 1,500 international companies are registered with the Registrar of Companies. Hamilton is the registered headquarters for several major names. These include the spirits manufacturer Bacardi and the company Genpact. It is also the home of Tokio Millennium Re Ltd. The city is a hub for international shipping companies like Frontline Ltd. A low corporate tax rate makes the area attractive to US companies. The largest grocery store in Bermuda, The MarketPlace, is also located here.

Flag of Hamilton, Bermuda
Flag of Hamilton, Bermuda

The geography of Hamilton provides a unique climate. It is located on the north side of Hamilton Harbour. The city has a warm trade-wind tropical rainforest climate. This is classified as an Af climate. Hamilton is the city with a tropical climate at the highest latitude in the world. It is warm enough for coconut palms to grow. However, these palms may not fruit properly in winter. This is due to a lack of heat and sunshine at this latitude. The North Atlantic and the nearby Gulf Stream moderate the temperature. Because of this, it rarely gets extremely hot or extremely cold. Summers are warm and humid. Winters are described as semi-warm. Precipitation is plentiful throughout the entire year. There is no dry season in Hamilton. Summer rain often comes from thunderstorms or tropical disturbances. Winter rain comes from extra-tropical cyclones and their associated fronts.

Bermudabusterminal
Bermudabusterminal

Sports and recreation are central to life in Hamilton. The city has many parks, such as Victoria Park. This park occupies a full city block and was named for Queen Victoria. Other green spaces include Par La Ville Park and Cedar Park. The nearby beaches offer many water sports. These include surfing, windsurfing, and diving. A major event is the Bermuda Gold Cup. This is a famous sailing event on the World Match Racing Tour. It is one of only three sailing championships with 'Special Event' status from the ISAF. The races take place only 15 meters from the shore. This makes it a great spectator sport. The history of this event began with the King Edward VII Gold Cup in 1937. The first winner of the modern format was Briggs Cunningham. He was also the first skipper to win the America's Cup.

Transportation in the city is well-organized. Air travel is provided by L.F. Wade International Airport. This airport is located 11 km northeast of Hamilton. For local travel, the city uses a bus system.

Bermudabusterminal
Bermudabusterminal

Most bus routes in Bermuda begin at the Hamilton bus terminal. Almost all routes start here, except for Route 6. This system connects the city to various parts of the island. These include St. George's and Dockyard. The city remains a vital link for both locals and visitors.

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File:Hamilton Bermuda city crest.png
Hamilton Bermuda city crest.png
File:Flag of Hamilton, Bermuda.svg
Flag of Hamilton, Bermuda.svg
File:Bermudabusterminal.JPG
Bermudabusterminal.JPG
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