N1SV will be active as VP9I from Bermuda Islands, IOTA NA - 005, in ARRL DX SSB Contest, 2 - 3 March 2024.
Before and after contest he will operate as VP9/N1SV.
QSL information:
VP9I via WW3S.
VP9/N1SV via N1SV, ClubLog OQRS.
Ads for direct QSL:
LESLIE R PETERS, III, 33 HAYNES ROAD, TOWNSEND, MA, 01469, USA.
A Look at the Bermuda Islands
The Bermuda Islands is located in the Atlantic Ocean off of the eastern coast of the U.S. in the British territory. The capital is Hamilton. The closest land to the Bermuda Islands is 640 miles away in Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. Other nearby lands include Cape Sable Island, Nova Scotia, which is about 770 miles away, and Miami, Florida, which is about 1,100 miles from the island.
History of the Bermuda Islands
Bermuda was discovered in 1503 by a sea captain named Juan de Bermudez, although he never actually landed on the islands. The island also received its namesake from the captain. In this era, de Bemudez claimed the islands, which then were uninhabited, for the Spanish Empire. Later in 1609, settlement in the Bermuda Islands began. This settlement was made by the English Virginia Company after they drove their sinking ship onto the reef to make it to shore. This entity was claimed by the English Virginia Company until 1614, at which time Somers Isles Company took over. In 1684, the island would once again change hands, this time being taken by the English Crown. The island was then a part of the British colony. The Bermuda Islands is the oldest British Overseas Territory left, as well as the most populated territory.
A Look at the Bermuda Islands
The Bermuda Islands depends on tourism and offshore insurance to keep its economy afloat. The subtropical climate and beautiful scenery keep tourists coming to the islands. There is also a legend that the Bermuda Triangle, located to the north of the islands, has been the location of numerous aircraft vessel disappearances. The island, despite its tourist popularity, is known to have severe weather often since it is lying on the hurricane belt. The islands are in the direct path of hurricanes, but, most of the time they are very weak by the time they actually reach the island. It has been more than 10 years since a hurricane struck the islands. The Gulf Stream keeps the island warm and humid and the winters mild. An average summertime high temperature of about 86 degrees might seem pleasant, but the humidity causes it to feel much hotter. In the winter, winds are robust, with an average day time temperature of 68 degrees. There is also quite a bit of rain on the islands due to the Artic air masses and the cold fronts that they bring.
Approximately 64 miles of coastline exists on the Island, and it is divided into nine different parishes and 181 islands. Many of the islands have multiple names, and some of the island names are repeated; however, the largest, the Main Island, has but one name.
The parishes of the islands are:
- Paget
- Devonshire
- Warwick
- St. George’s
- Hamilton
- Southampton
- Pembroke
- Smith’s
- Warwick
- Sandys
St. George’s and Hamilton have both been incorporated into municipalities. Additionally there are two villages on the island: Somerset Village and Flatts Village.
Animals on the Islands
There are only a few animals living on the Bermuda Island, including indigenous mammals such as bats. There is a total of five different bat species that live here: Lasiurus cinereus, Lasiurus seminolus, Lasionycteris noctivagans, Lasiurus Borealis and Perimyotis Subflavus.
The Bermuda Petrel is the national bird of the island. This bird was discovered in 1951 after scientists thought that it had gone extinct in the 1600s. Marine turtles often lay eggs on the beach, and the Bermuda Rock Skink can also be found on the island.
Bermuda Islands Demographics
The islands have a population of about 64,237 individuals. Among those people, 54% are black or African-American, 4% Asian, 31% White, 8% Multi-racial and 4% are other races. There is only a 29% non-native population. Much of the population on the islands come from Portuguese ancestry.
Visiting the Islands
Thousands of people visit the Bermuda islands each year, and with a plethora of color and beauty, there is no wonder so many people enjoy their visits. There is plenty to see and do on the islands, as well as a robust history that you can easily sink yourself into with your island visit. The Bermuda Islands have been named as the best islands to visit by Conde Naste magazine and others, and many have been quoted saying this very statement. Even Mark Twain said ‘You go to heaven if you want to, I’d rather stay here,’ in 1910 after his visit to the islands.
Crime on the islands is very low. The biggest crime on the island is petty theft, but for the most part, this is not even a concern that visitors must worry about. The people of the island are always warm and welcoming, and with an eclectic mix of people from a variety of backgrounds, you always feel like you are a part of the islands. There is so much to see and do on the islands, it is perfect for singles, couples, and of course families. Beach related activities and golf are among the activities most enjoyed by locals and visitors alike.
Have you considered the food that you can enjoy on the island? There is but one franchised restaurant here, and that is Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC.) all of the other places to dine are local establishments which prepare a variety of authentic, home cooked meals. The islands are not crowded with billboards, and even at peak season, there is still plenty of open space so you do not feel crowded or bombarded by people.
Final Thoughts
Bermuda Islands could very well be the slice of heaven that you have been looking for when you want to get away from it all and do nothing but sit back, relax, and enjoy life as it was meant to be. Here things are simple, unlike in other parts of the world. No matter which of the islands is your traveling choice, enjoying every minute of time that you spend on the island is certainly easy to do. There is no better place on earth that you could be than on the Bermuda Islands!
Video Bermuda Islands