Bermuda Sun, Bermuda
April 15 2005
The changing face of Bermuda
By James Whittaker
Bermuda is officially among the most multi-cultural countries in the
developed world – with more than a quarter of the island’s population
coming from overseas.
Government statisticians say the ratio is higher than any country in
the OECD – an economic forum and unofficial `rich list’ of the
world’s most influential countries. The analysis, carried out as part
of the sustainable development research, indicates our culture is
among the most diverse in the world.
And Government stats expert Melinda Williams said the figures showed
that more and more people from a wider variety of countries were
coming to Bermuda than ever before.
For years Bermuda’s guest population has been dominated by Brits,
Americans and Canadians but the picture in 2005 is very different.
Though those countries, along with the Azores and the Caribbean,
still feature heavily – the face of Bermuda is changing.
Evidence, both statistical and anecdotal, tells us that people are
coming from all corners of the world to Bermuda.
The newest and most noted influx has come from Asia. But the island
is home to Ghanaians, Armenians, Zimbabweans, Colombians… the list
goes on.
The Government does not know just how many different nationalities
are here – but, it seems, it’s just about any country you can name.
In a special four-page report we talked to 20 of the island’s foreign
workers about their lives, their homelands and their Bermudian
journeys.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress