A British colony and exquisite resort in the North Atlantic of 54 sq. kms, only has a population to greet you of 65,000. Shipwrecked English colonists headed for Virginia first settled Bermuda in 1609. Tourism to the island to escape the harsh North American winters first developed in Victorian times, and continues to be vital to the island’s economy. Cruise ships now contribute to the tourism activity, with many sailings year round from east coast ports such as Boston and New York. International business has overtaken tourism in recent years, as Bermuda developed into a highly successful offshore financial center.