City North America
Hamilton
Hamilton is a small city by a harbor in Bermuda. Many of its buildings are white or brightly colored!
Hamilton is the main town of Bermuda, a group of small islands in the Atlantic Ocean. It sits by a sheltered harbor on Bermuda's main island. Only 854 people lived in the city at the 2016 census, but its own website says more than 13,000 people come in to work each day.
Hamilton, chef-lieu (main town) of Bermuda on Main Island (Larousse), was declared a town by an Act of the Bermuda legislature in 1793 and became the seat of government in January 1815 (City of Hamilton). The census of 20 May 2016 counted 854 residents in the 80-hectare city (City Population, from Bermuda's Department of Statistics), while the city says over 13,000 people are there every day with commuters.
Photo: R Danny A, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Discover Hamilton
Hamilton is a small city in Bermuda.
Bermuda is a group of small islands in the Atlantic Ocean. Hamilton sits beside a harbor.
Hamilton is the main town of Bermuda. The French encyclopedia Larousse describes Bermuda as many small islets in the Atlantic Ocean, about 1,000 kilometers east-southeast of Cape Hatteras, and places Hamilton on the main island.
Few people live in the city itself: the 2016 census counted 854. But the city's own history page says that more than 13,000 people are in Hamilton every day, as commuters come from both ends of the island to work.
Larousse ('Hamilton'): chef-lieu of Bermuda, on Main Island; 1,010 inhabitants (2010 census); agglomeration 11,065 (2011 estimate). Larousse ('Bermudes'): an archipelago in the Atlantic, 1,000 km ESE of Cape Hatteras; 53 km²; numerous islets of coral origin on a volcanic base. City Population (from the Department of Statistics, Government of Bermuda), Hamilton City: 1,617 (census 12 May 1980), 1,100 (1991), 969 (2000), 1,010 (2010), 854 (20 May 2016); area 80 ha. City of Hamilton ('History of Hamilton'): a little over 1,000 residents, and over 13,000 people each day with commuters.
- Where
- on Main Island, the main island of Bermuda, in the Atlantic (Larousse)
- People in the city (census, 20 May 2016)
- 854
- Role
- main town (chef-lieu) of Bermuda (Larousse)
- Every day
- more than 13,000 people in the city, with commuters (City of Hamilton)
A city across the harbor
Look across the blue water!
White and colorful buildings and palm trees line the shore. Boats rest by the quays.
R Danny A took this photo of Hamilton around 2016, looking across the blue water of the harbor. White and pastel buildings and palm trees line the waterfront, boats line the quays, a large white ship stands at the right, and big white clouds fill the sky.
On Wikidata, Hamilton Harbour, a natural harbor, has its point about 0.7 kilometers south of the city's point.
Commons: 'City of Hamilton, from North Warwick Parish, Bermuda', own work by R Danny A (CC BY-SA 4.0); the photographer's description reads 'City of Hamilton, Bermuda from North Warwick Parish, Harbour, c 2016' (the file's date field says 21 April 2016, the description says about 2016, so only the year is used). The camera's recorded point is about 1.25 km SW of the city's point. The photo shows white and pastel buildings, palm trees and moored boats along the waterfront, a large white ship at the right and big white clouds. Wikidata from the city's point (Q30985): Victoria Park (Q7926911), a park, 0.16 km WNW; Hamilton Harbour (Q5644970), natural harbor, 0.66 km S.
- In the photo
- Hamilton from the harbor, about 2016 (R Danny A)
- Hamilton Harbour
- a natural harbor; its point about 0.7 km south of the city's point (Wikidata)
- Victoria Park
- a park about 0.2 km west-northwest of the city's point (Wikidata)
A new town for trade
Hamilton began as a new town for trade, by a sheltered harbor.
It is named after Henry Hamilton, who was Bermuda's governor.
The city's history page says people had long wanted a more central place for trade in Bermuda. Land buyers built warehouses and wharves, places where ships load and unload, along the waterfront of a sheltered harbor. Governor Henry Hamilton, who arrived in 1788, supported the new town, and it took his name.
An Act of Bermuda's legislature declared Hamilton a town in 1793. In January 1815, the seat of government moved to Hamilton, and in 1897 the legislature gave it the title of city.
City of Hamilton ('History of Hamilton'): for more than a century people across Bermuda discussed the need for a more central place for commerce; with Governor Henry Hamilton's arrival in 1788, the parish of Pembroke took on the role of the heart of trade; buyers bought lots in the proposed new town and built warehouses and wharves along its waterfront, with its sheltered harbour; the governor supported the town and gave it his name. 1793: an Act of the Bermuda Legislature declared Hamilton a town; the land set aside measured 145 acres (about 59 ha). January 1795: the freeholders elected a corporation, the Corporation of Hamilton, which still serves the city. January 1815: the seat of government moved to Hamilton, with the motto Sparsa Collegit, 'to gather the scattered'. 1897: the Legislature conferred the title of city. 11 February 1960: City Hall, 17 Church Street, officially opened.
- 1793
- an Act of the Bermuda legislature declares Hamilton a town (City of Hamilton)
- January 1815
- the seat of government moves to Hamilton (City of Hamilton)
- 1897
- the legislature gives Hamilton the title of city (City of Hamilton)
Wharves, streets and walks
Ships once brought goods to Hamilton's wharves.
Today, visitors can walk around the city with a guide called the Town Crier!
Hamilton grew around its harbor. The city's history page says trade ships came to its wharves from as far south as the West Indies, and the port's import and export trade grew quickly.
Today, the city says, visitors can take a walking tour of the whole city with the Town Crier, or a self-guided walking tour that includes North Hamilton, a neighborhood where people live. On Wikidata, Albuoy's Point, a point of land, is about 0.6 kilometers southwest of the city's point.
City of Hamilton ('History of Hamilton'): the sheltered harbour became a thoroughfare for trade ships from as far south as the West Indies, and the import and export business through the port's wharves grew quickly; visitors can take a walking tour with the Town Crier or a self-guided walking tour, including North Hamilton, a residential enclave; the Corporation of Hamilton looks after the wharf, streets and sidewalks, roads and parks. Wikidata from the city's point: Albuoy's Point (Q21790404), a cape, 0.61 km SW.
- Harbor
- a sheltered harbor with wharves for trade ships (City of Hamilton)
- Walking tours
- a walking tour with the Town Crier, and a self-guided walking tour (City of Hamilton)
- Albuoy's Point
- a point of land about 0.6 km southwest of the city's point (Wikidata)
Mild all year
Bermuda is mild all year.
People catch rain on their white roofs. The water runs into tanks under the ground, for drinking!
Bermuda's tourism board says the island has a mild, subtropical climate thanks to the Gulf Stream, a warm ocean current, and a zone of high air pressure called the Bermuda-Azores High. Daytime highs across the island average about 18 °C (65 °F) in January and about 29 °C (84 °F) in July.
Bermuda has no rainy season. Its people collect rain for drinking water, using white roofs, pipes and tanks under the ground.
No climate table: Hamilton is not in the World Meteorological Organization's city list, and no station table for the city itself is used. Bermuda Tourism Authority ('Bermuda Weather', for the whole island): a temperate, sub-tropical climate owing to the Gulf Stream and the Bermuda-Azores High; daytime highs average 65 °F (18.3 °C) in January, 71 °F (21.7 °C) in April, 84 °F (28.9 °C) in July and 80 °F (26.7 °C) in October (no averaging period given); no rainy season; rain is collected for drinking water via white slate roofs, pipes and underground tanks.
- Average daytime highs (Bermuda Tourism Authority, whole island)
- 65 °F (about 18 °C) in January; 84 °F (about 29 °C) in July
- Rainy season
- none: Bermuda has no rainy season (Bermuda Tourism Authority)
- Drinking water
- rain collected from white roofs, through pipes, into underground tanks (Bermuda Tourism Authority)
Parks and a City Hall
Hamilton has many parks, and no pest-killing chemicals are used in them.
Its City Hall opened with art galleries and a theater.
The City of Hamilton runs many public parks, among them Barr's Bay Park, Jubilee Park, Point Pleasant Park, Queen Elizabeth Park and Victoria Park. The city says no pesticides, chemicals that kill pests, are used in any of them.
City Hall, on Church Street, opened on 11 February 1960. It held the city's offices, two art galleries and a theater. On Wikidata, the Bermuda National Library is about 0.4 kilometers southwest of the city's point.
City of Hamilton ('City Parks'): the city owns and operates public parks and spaces within its limits, among them Barr's Bay Park, Jubilee Park, Point Pleasant Park at Albouy's Point, Queen Elizabeth Park, Victoria Park, Donleigh Park and Dudley Eve Park; no pesticides are used in any of them. ('History of Hamilton'): City Hall, 17 Church Street, opened 11 February 1960, housing the municipal offices, two art galleries and a theatre. Wikidata: Bermuda National Library (Q4892643), 0.40 km SW. Larousse ('Bermudes'): tourism is the islands' main resource.
- City parks
- Barr's Bay Park, Jubilee Park, Point Pleasant Park, Queen Elizabeth Park, Victoria Park and more; no pesticides used (City of Hamilton)
- City Hall
- opened 11 February 1960, with offices, two art galleries and a theater (City of Hamilton)
- Bermuda National Library
- about 0.4 km southwest of the city's point (Wikidata)
Hamilton on the map
Find North America on the globe. Bermuda is far out in the ocean, to its east.
Hamilton lies at about 32.30° north and 64.78° west. Larousse places Bermuda about 1,000 kilometers east-southeast of Cape Hatteras.
On Wikidata, Victoria Park is about 0.2 kilometers west-northwest of the city's point, the Bermuda National Library about 0.4 kilometers southwest, Albuoy's Point about 0.6 kilometers southwest and Hamilton Harbour's point about 0.7 kilometers south.
Hamilton lies at about 32.295° N, 64.783° W (Wikidata point of the city, Q30985; the sheet point is 0.12 km SW of it; Wikidata gives the city 0.7 km², City Population 80 ha). Larousse ('Bermudes'): 1,000 km ESE of Cape Hatteras. City Population: Hamilton City lies in Pembroke parish; the city's history page also places the new town in Pembroke. Wikidata from the city's point: Victoria Park 0.16 km WNW; Bermuda National Library 0.40 km SW; Albuoy's Point 0.61 km SW; Hamilton Harbour 0.66 km S.
- Latitude
- about 32.30° north
- Longitude
- about 64.78° west
- Distance
- Bermuda is about 1,000 km east-southeast of Cape Hatteras (Larousse)
Amazing facts
-
In 2016, only 854 people lived in Hamilton, but thousands come to work there every day!
The 2016 census counted 854 people living in Hamilton, yet the city says more than 13,000 people are there each day as commuters arrive.
Census 20 May 2016: 854 residents (City Population); City of Hamilton: over 13,000 people every day with commuters, about fifteen times the residents.
-
In Bermuda, people catch rain on their roofs to drink!
Bermuda's tourism board says people collect rainwater for drinking, using white roofs, pipes and tanks under the ground.
Bermuda Tourism Authority: rain is collected for drinking water via white slate roofs, pipes and underground tanks; the island has no rainy season.
-
Hamilton has a motto that means "to gather the scattered"!
When the seat of government moved to Hamilton in 1815, the town took the motto Sparsa Collegit, "to gather the scattered", for a town that brought people together from all over Bermuda.
City of Hamilton: in January 1815 the new capital took the motto Sparsa Collegit, 'to gather the scattered', representing people from all corners of Bermuda brought together.
Words to know
- harbor
- a sheltered area of water where boats and ships can stay safely
- wharf
- a platform by the water where ships load and unload
- commuter
- a person who travels into a place each day to work
- census
- an official count of all the people living in a place
- motto
- a short saying that tells what a place or group stands for
- pesticide
- a chemical used to kill insects and other pests
Discovery challenge
-
Hamilton is the main town of which islands?
Hamilton is the main town of which group of islands in the Atlantic?
Larousse calls Hamilton the chef-lieu (main town) of which archipelago?
- Bermuda
- Iceland
- Fiji
Show the answer
Bermuda
Bermuda!
Bermuda.
Bermuda.
-
What do people in Bermuda catch on their roofs to drink?
How do people in Bermuda collect drinking water?
According to the Bermuda Tourism Authority, what is collected via white roofs, pipes and underground tanks?
- Rain
- Snow
- Sea water
Show the answer
Rain
Rain, caught on the roofs!
Rain, collected from white roofs into underground tanks.
Rainwater.
-
Hamilton is named after a governor. What was his name?
Which governor supported the new town and gave it his name?
Which governor, who arrived in 1788, gave the new town in Pembroke parish his name?
- Henry Hamilton
- Juan Bermúdez
- James Cook
Show the answer
Henry Hamilton
Henry Hamilton!
Governor Henry Hamilton.
Governor Henry Hamilton (City of Hamilton).
-
How many people lived in Hamilton at the 2016 count?
How many people did the 2016 census count living in Hamilton?
What was Hamilton City's resident population at the census of 20 May 2016?
- 854
- 85,400
- 8
Show the answer
854
854 people!
854 people.
854 (Department of Statistics, via City Population).
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For parents & teachers
What children will learn
- Locate Hamilton and Bermuda in the Atlantic Ocean, east of North America.
- Compare how many people live in a city with how many work there each day.
- Explain how a harbor helped a new town grow through trade.
- Describe how an island without rainy seasons can still collect drinking water.
Recommended ages: 3 to 17 · About 15 minutes
Talk about it
- Why might a city have far more people in it by day than at night?
- Why would a sheltered harbor be a good place for a trading town?
- What would your town's motto be, and why?
Try at home or in class
- Rain catcher: set a clean tray on a slope over a cup outside and see how much rain it collects.
- Day and night: draw 854 as one small block and 13,000 as fifteen blocks to compare residents and workers.
- Harbor map: draw a harbor with wharves, boats and a waterfront street, and label each part.
Key vocabulary: harbor, wharf, commuter, census, motto, pesticide
Where these facts come from
- Wikidata , Wikimedia Foundation (CC0 1.0)
- Natural Earth vector data , Natural Earth (NACIS) (Public domain)
- Hamilton , Larousse encyclopédie
- Bermudes , Larousse encyclopédie
- Bermuda: parishes and municipalities (census populations and areas, from the Department of Statistics) , City Population (Thomas Brinkhoff)
- History of Hamilton , City of Hamilton
- City Parks , City of Hamilton
- Bermuda weather , Bermuda Tourism Authority
- City of Hamilton, from North Warwick Parish, Bermuda , Wikimedia Commons
- Wikimedia Commons , Wikimedia Foundation (Per file (public domain, CC0, CC BY or CC BY-SA); see each media record)
Checked, not yet human-reviewed. Last updated November 2, 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.