Jean Leonard, age 13, of New Bedford, Mass., for her question:
WHY DO WE CALL THEM BERMUDA ISLANDS?
Midway between Nova Scotia and the West Indies, about 670 miles from New York City, you'll find the Bermuda Islands. Bermuda is a British dependency. There are more than 300 islands in the group although only 20 of them are inhabited.
Bermuda, the most northerly group of coral islands in the world, was named after Juan de Bermudez, a Spaniard who discovered them early in the 1500s.
The Sea Venture, a shop carrying colonists to Virginia, was destroyed at sea near the Bermuda Islands during a storm on July 28, 1609. For a time, the colony was called Somers Islands after Admiral Sir George Somers, the captain of the Sea Venture. The town of Saint George was also named after him.
The reef on which the ship crashed still bears the name of Sea Venture. And Bermudians celebrate Somers Day every July 28.
The passengers of the Sea Venture remained for a time, but all except two of the group sailed to Virginia in 1610. The two who stayed became Bermuda's first permanent white settlers.
King James I of England awarded Bermuda to the Virginia Company about 1610. The company sold its rights in 1613 to a group of British merchants. In 1684, the British Crown took over the administration of the islands. The town of Saint George served as the capital until the seat of government was moved to Hamilton in 1815.
During the 1800s, Bermuda carried on a thriving merchant trade with the West Indies and the North American continent. The salvage of ships destroyed by storms in nearby waters also contributed to Bermuda's income.
Blockade running for the confederacy became profitable during the Civil War. Some Bermudians made great fortunes as privateers.
During World War I and II, the United States maintained large naval stations in Bermuda.
The_20 inhabited islands today have a population of about 60,000. The tourist industry is the major source of income. The country's mild climate and excellent hotels, beaches and recreational resources attract about 100,000 tourists each year.
The average yearly temperature is 70 degrees Fahrenheit. The average rainfall is about 58 inches. And since Bermuda has few sources of fresh water, rain is caught on the roofs of buildings and stored in tanks under the buildings.
Bermuda has hills and ridges that rise as high as 250 feet above sea level. The hills add to the beauty of Bermuda, which is noted for winding roads, palm trees, colorful flowers and shining beaches.
About 300 species of fish can be found in nearby waters.
Bermuda imports about four fifths of its food. It carries on most of its trade with Canada, Great Britain and the United States. There are about 1,400 acres of farmland where vegetables, dairy and poultry foods are produced.