Introduction

Background: |  |
`The Cayman Islands were colonized from Jamaica by the British during the 18th and 19th centuries and were administered by Jamaica after 1863. In 1959, the islands became a territory within the Federation of the West Indies. When the Federation dissolved in 1962, the Cayman Islands chose to remain a British dependency.`

Geography

Location: |  |
`Caribbean, three-island group (Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac, Little Cayman) in Caribbean Sea, 240 km south of Cuba and 268 km northwest of Jamaica`
Geographic coordinates: |  |
`19 30 N, 80 30 W`
Map references: |  |
`Central America and the Caribbean`
Area: |  |
`total: 264 sq km country comparison to the world: 209 land: 264 sq km water: 0 sq km`
Area - comparative: |  |
`1.5 times the size of Washington, DC`
Land boundaries: |  |
`0 km`
Coastline: |  |
`160 km`
Maritime claims: |  |
`territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm`
Climate: |  |
`tropical marine; warm, rainy summers (May to October) and cool, relatively dry winters (November to April)`
Terrain: |  |
`low-lying limestone base surrounded by coral reefs`
Elevation extremes: |  |
`lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: The Bluff on Cayman Brac 43 m`
Natural resources: |  |
`fish, climate and beaches that foster tourism`
Land use: |  |
`arable land: 3.85% permanent crops: 0% other: 96.15% (2005)`
Irrigated land: |  |
`NA`
Natural hazards: |  |
`hurricanes (July to November)`
Environment - current issues: |  |
`no natural freshwater resources; drinking water supplies must be met by rainwater catchments`
Geography - note: |  |
`important location between Cuba and Central America`

People

Population: |  |
`51,384 (July 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 205 note: most of the population lives on Grand Cayman`
Age structure: |  |
`0-14 years: 19% (male 4,924/female 4,858) 15-64 years: 71.1% (male 17,766/female 18,743) 65 years and over: 9.9% (male 2,401/female 2,692) (2011 est.)`
Median age: |  |
`total: 38.7 years male: 38.2 years female: 39.2 years (2011 est.)`
Population growth rate: |  |
`2.287% (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 35`
Birth rate: |  |
`12.24 births/1,000 population (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 163`
Death rate: |  |
`5.1 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 182`
Net migration rate: |  |
`15.72 migrant(s)/1,000 population country comparison to the world: 5 note: major destination for Cubans trying to migrate to the US (2011 est.)`
Urbanization: |  |
`urban population: 100% of total population (2010) rate of urbanization: 0.9% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)`
Major cities - population: |  |
`GEORGE TOWN (capital) 32,000 (2009)`
Sex ratio: |  |
`at birth: 1.016 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.89 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2011 est.)`
Infant mortality rate: |  |
`total: 6.63 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 168 male: 7.6 deaths/1,000 live births female: 5.65 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)`
Life expectancy at birth: |  |
`total population: 80.68 years country comparison to the world: 21 male: 78.02 years female: 83.39 years (2011 est.)`
Total fertility rate: |  |
`1.87 children born/woman (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 146`
HIV / AIDS - adult prevalence rate: |  |
`NA`
HIV / AIDS - people living with HIV / AIDS: |  |
`NA`
HIV / AIDS - deaths: |  |
`NA`
Drinking water source: |  |
`improved: urban: 95% of population total: 95% of population unimproved: urban: 5% of population total: 5% of population (2008)`
Sanitation facility access: |  |
`improved: urban: 96% of population total: 96% of population unimproved: urban: 4% of population total: 4% of population (2008)`
Nationality: |  |
`noun: Caymanian(s) adjective: Caymanian`
Ethnic groups: |  |
`mixed 40%, white 20%, black 20%, expatriates of various ethnic groups 20%`
Religions: |  |
`Church of God 25.5%, Roman Catholic 12.6%, Presbyterian / United Church 9.2%, Seventh Day Adventist 8.4%, Baptist 8.3%, Pentecostal 6.7%, Anglican 3.9%, other religions 4%, non-denominational 5.7%, other 6.5%, none 6.1%, unspecified 3.2% (2007)`
Languages: |  |
`English (official) 95%, Spanish 3.2%, other 1.8% (1999 census)`
Literacy: |  |
`definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school total population: 98% male: 98% female: 98% (1970 est.)`
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): |  |
`total: 12 years male: 11 years female: 12 years (2008)`
Education expenditures: |  |
`2.6% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 146`

Government

Country name: |  |
`conventional long form: none conventional short form: Cayman Islands`
Dependency status: |  |
`overseas territory of the UK`
Government type: |  |
`parliamentary democracy`
Capital: |  |
`name: George Town (on Grand Cayman) geographic coordinates: 19 18 N, 81 23 W time difference: UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC during Standard Time)`
Administrative divisions: |  |
`8 districts; Creek, Eastern, Midland, South Town, Spot Bay, Stake Bay, West End, Western`
Independence: |  |
`none (overseas territory of the UK)`
National holiday: |  |
`Constitution Day, first Monday in July`
Constitution: |  |
`The Cayman Islands Constitution Order 2009, 6 November 2009`
Legal system: |  |
`English common law and local statutes`
Suffrage: |  |
`18 years of age; universal`
Executive branch: |  |

`
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor Duncan TAYLOR (since 15 January 2010)
head of government: Premier McKeeva BUSH (since 6 November 2009)
cabinet: The Cabinet (six members are appointed by the governor on the advice of the premier, selected from among the elected members of the Legislative Assembly)
(For more information visit theWorld Leaders website )
elections: the monarchy is hereditary; the governor appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or coalition appointed by the governor as premier
`

Legislative branch: |  |
`unicameral Legislative Assembly (20 seats; 18 members elected by popular vote and 2 ex officio members from The Cabinet; to serve four-year terms) elections: last held on 20 May 2009 (next to be held not later than May 2013) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - UDP 9, PPM 5, independent 1`
Judicial branch: |  |
`Grand Court; Cayman Islands Court of Appeal; Summary Court`
Political parties and leaders: |  |
`People's Progressive Movement or PPM [Kurt TIBBETTS]; United Democratic Party or UDP [McKeeva BUSH]`
Political pressure groups and leaders: |  |
`National Trust other: environmentalists`
International organization participation: |  |
`Caricom (associate), CDB, Interpol (subbureau), IOC, UNESCO (associate), UPU`
Diplomatic representation in the US: |  |
`none (overseas territory of the UK)`
Diplomatic representation from the US: |  |
`none (overseas territory of the UK); consular services provided through the US Embassy in Jamaica`
Flag description: |  |

`
a blue field, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Caymanian coat of arms centered on the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms includes a crest with a pineapple, representing the connection with Jamaica, and a turtle, representing Cayman's seafaring tradition, above a shield bearing a golden lion, symbolizing Great Britain, below which are three green stars (representing the three islands) surmounting white and blue wavy lines representing the sea and a scroll at the bottom bearing the motto HE HATH FOUNDED IT UPON THE SEAS
`

National anthem: |  |
`name: "Beloved Isle Cayman" lyrics/music: Leila E. ROSS note: adopted 1993; served as an unofficial anthem since 1930; as a territory of the United Kingdom, in addition to the local anthem, "God Save the Queen" is official (see United Kingdom)`

Economy

Economy - overview: |  |

`
With no direct taxation, the islands are a thriving offshore financial center. More than 93,000 companies were registered in the Cayman Islands as of 2008, including almost 300 banks, 800 insurers, and 10,000 mutual funds. A stock exchange was opened in 1997. Tourism is also a mainstay, accounting for about 70% of GDP and 75% of foreign currency earnings. The tourist industry is aimed at the luxury market and caters mainly to visitors from North America. Total tourist arrivals exceeded 1.9 million in 2008, with about half from the US. About 90% of the islands' food and consumer goods must be imported. The Caymanians enjoy a standard of living roughly equal to that of Switzerland.
`

GDP (purchasing power parity): |  |
`$2.25 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 183 $2.23 billion (2003 est.)`
GDP (official exchange rate): |  |
`$2.25 billion (2008 est.)`
GDP - real growth rate: |  |
`1.1% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 169 0.9% (2004 est.)`
GDP - per capita (PPP): |  |
`$43,800 (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 15`
GDP - composition by sector: |  |
`agriculture: 1.4% industry: 3.2% services: 95.4% (1994 est.)`
Labor force: |  |
`39,000 country comparison to the world: 197 note: nearly 55% are non-nationals (2007)`
Labor force - by occupation: |  |
`agriculture: 1.9% industry: 19.1% services: 79% (2008 est.)`
Unemployment rate: |  |
`4% (2008) country comparison to the world: 37 4.4% (2004)`
Population below poverty line: |  |
`NA%`
Household income or consumption by percentage share: |  |
`lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%`
Budget: |  |
`revenues: $423.8 million expenditures: $392.6 million (2004)`
Inflation rate (consumer prices): |  |
`4.1% (2008) country comparison to the world: 118 4.4% (2004)`
Stock of narrow money: |  |
`$334.3 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 165`
Stock of broad money: |  |
`$5.564 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 117`
Market value of publicly traded shares: |  |
`$NA (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 114 $183.5 million (31 December 2007) $188.4 million (31 December 2006)`
Agriculture - products: |  |
`vegetables, fruit; livestock; turtle farming`
Industries: |  |
`tourism, banking, insurance and finance, construction, construction materials, furniture`
Industrial production growth rate: |  |
`NA%`
Electricity - production: |  |
`546 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 156`
Electricity - consumption: |  |
`507.8 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 162`
Electricity - exports: |  |
`0 kWh (2008 est.)`
Electricity - imports: |  |
`0 kWh (2008 est.)`
Oil - production: |  |
`0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 159`
Oil - consumption: |  |
`3,000 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 178`
Oil - exports: |  |
`0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 154`
Oil - imports: |  |
`3,294 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 168`
Oil - proved reserves: |  |
`0 bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 115`
Natural gas - production: |  |
`0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 111`
Natural gas - consumption: |  |
`0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 158`
Natural gas - exports: |  |
`0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 75`
Natural gas - imports: |  |
`0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 165`
Natural gas - proved reserves: |  |
`0 cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 120`
Exports: |  |
`$13.8 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 211 $2.52 million (2004)`
Exports - commodities: |  |
`turtle products, manufactured consumer goods`
Imports: |  |
`$876.5 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 175 $866.9 million (2004)`
Imports - commodities: |  |
`foodstuffs, manufactured goods, fuels`
Debt - external: |  |
`$70 million (1996) country comparison to the world: 184`
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: |  |
`$NA`
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: |  |
`$NA`
Exchange rates: |  |
`Caymanian dollars (KYD) per US dollar - NA (2007) 0.8496 (2006)`

Communications

Telephones - main lines in use: |  |
`38,000 (2009) country comparison to the world: 171`
Telephones - mobile cellular: |  |
`33,800 (2004) country comparison to the world: 200`
Telephone system: |  |

`
general assessment: reasonably good overall telephone system with a high fixed-line teledensity
domestic: liberalization of telecom market in 2003; introduction of competition in the mobile-cellular market in 2004
international: country code - 1-345; landing points for the MAYA-1, Eastern Caribbean Fiber System (ECFS), and the Cayman-Jamaica Fiber System submarine cables that provide links to the US and parts of Central and South America; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2007)
`

Broadcast media: |  |
`4 television stations; cable and satellite subscription services offer a variety of international programming; government-owned Radio Cayman operates 2 networks broadcasting on 5 stations; 10 privately-owned radio stations operate alongside Radio Cayman (2007)`
Internet country code: |  |
`.ky`
Internet hosts: |  |
`21,910 (2010) country comparison to the world: 108`
Internet users: |  |
`23,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 189`

Transportation

Airports: |  |
`3 (2010) country comparison to the world: 193`
Airports - with paved runways: |  |
`total: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (2010)`
Airports - with unpaved runways: |  |
`total: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2010)`
Roadways: |  |
`total: 785 km country comparison to the world: 186 paved: 785 km (2007)`
Merchant marine: |  |
`total: 113 country comparison to the world: 46 by type: bulk carrier 20, cargo 3, chemical tanker 56, liquefied gas 1, petroleum tanker 8, refrigerated cargo 10, vehicle carrier 15 foreign-owned: 99 (Germany 6, Greece 11, Italy 6, Japan 19, Switzerland 1, UK 2, US 54) (2010)`
Ports and terminals: |  |
`Cayman Brac, George Town`

Military

Military branches: |  |
`no regular military forces; Royal Cayman Islands Police Force (2010)`
Manpower available for military service: |  |
`males age 16-49: 12,238 (2010 est.)`
Manpower fit for military service: |  |
`males age 16-49: 9,981 females age 16-49: 10,417 (2010 est.)`
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: |  |
`male: 333 female: 342 (2010 est.)`
Military - note: |  |
`defense is the responsibility of the UK`

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international: |  |
`none`
Illicit drugs: |  |
`major offshore financial center; vulnerable to drug transshipment to the US and Europe (2008)`

PAGE LAST UPDATED ON MAY 25, 2011