Steve's World Blog Information and articles on cities, towns and villages around the world.

A British Overseas Territory located in the North Atlantic Ocean, Bermuda (Somers Islands) was originally discovered by a Spaniard (Juan de Bermudez) in 1503. Later used by the Spanish and Portuguese for re-stocking passing ships, the islands were not permanently settled due to rumours of spirits in what became known as the Isle of Devils, treacherous surrounding reefs also contributed to the islands remaining unpopulated. In 1543 a group of Portuguese sailors spent some months in Bermuda, after their ship was damaged on rocks. The British did not arrive until some time later and even then by accident, as a fleet of ships under Sir George Somers, were broken up in a storm off Bermuda, as they headed for Jamestown, Virginia. The survivors colonised the island and claimed it for the English Crown, St George’s was settled in 1612 and subsequently became the first capital of Bermuda. Bermuda Map.