Bermuda's history, as one of the oldest British overseas territories, has seen the coming together of European settlers and African people, who form the basis of its unique population. The island's prosperity grew from maritime activities to a thriving tourism and international finance sector, shaping a distinct Bermudian way of life that values community and tradition. Christianity, primarily various Protestant denominations, has been a continuous spiritual influence, deeply embedded in its social and community structures, contributing to a polite and orderly society.