The World Factbook CIA Home CIA Home About CIA Careers Offices of CIA News & Information Library Kid’s Page Contact CIA CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY

         
  Cayman Islands
(overseas territory of the UK)
 
Flag of Cayman Islands
Click to enlarge
Categories Banner
 Introduction
 Geography
 People
 Government
 Economy
 Communications
 Transportation
 Military
 Transnational Issues

This page was last updated on 18 December 2008


Map of Cayman Islands



Legend: DefinitionDefinition Field ListingField Listing Rank OrderRank Order
   Introduction    Cayman Islands Top of Page
Background:
Definition Field Listing
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, but when the Federation dissolved in 1962, the Cayman Islands chose to remain a British dependency.
   Geography    Cayman Islands Top of Page
Location:
Definition Field Listing
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:
Definition Field Listing
19 30 N, 80 30 W
Map references:
Definition Field Listing
Central America and the Caribbean
Area:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
total: 262 sq km
land: 262 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:
Definition Field Listing
1.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
Definition Field Listing
0 km
Coastline:
Definition Field Listing
160 km
Maritime claims:
Definition Field Listing
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
Climate:
Definition Field Listing
tropical marine; warm, rainy summers (May to October) and cool, relatively dry winters (November to April)
Terrain:
Definition Field Listing
low-lying limestone base surrounded by coral reefs
Elevation extremes:
Definition Field Listing
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point: The Bluff (Cayman Brac) 43 m
Natural resources:
Definition Field Listing
fish, climate and beaches that foster tourism
Land use:
Definition Field Listing
arable land: 3.85%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 96.15% (2005)
Irrigated land:
Definition Field Listing
NA
Natural hazards:
Definition Field Listing
hurricanes (July to November)
Environment - current issues:
Definition Field Listing
no natural fresh water resources; drinking water supplies must be met by rainwater catchments
Geography - note:
Definition Field Listing
important location between Cuba and Central America
   People    Cayman Islands Top of Page
Population:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
47,862
note: most of the population lives on Grand Cayman (July 2008 est.)
Age structure:
Definition Field Listing
0-14 years: 19.9% (male 4,774/female 4,759)
15-64 years: 71.1% (male 16,594/female 17,434)
65 years and over: 9% (male 2,022/female 2,279) (2008 est.)
Median age:
Definition Field Listing
total: 37.8 years
male: 37.4 years
female: 38.2 years (2008 est.)
Population growth rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
2.449% (2008 est.)
Birth rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
12.43 births/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Death rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
4.83 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Net migration rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
16.88 migrant(s)/1,000 population
note: major destination for Cubans trying to migrate to the US (2008 est.)
Sex ratio:
Definition Field Listing
at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1 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 (2008 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
total: 7.1 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 8.16 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 6.03 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
total population: 80.32 years
male: 77.68 years
female: 83 years (2008 est.)
Total fertility rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
1.89 children born/woman (2008 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
NA
Nationality:
Definition Field Listing
noun: Caymanian(s)
adjective: Caymanian
Ethnic groups:
Definition Field Listing
mixed 40%, white 20%, black 20%, expatriates of various ethnic groups 20%
Religions:
Definition Field Listing
Church of God 26%, United Church 11.8% (Presbyterian and Congregational), Roman Catholic 11%, Baptist 8.7%, Seventh Day Adventist 8.2%, Anglican 5.7%, Pentacostal 5.3%, other Christian 2.7%, non-denominational 5.8%, other 3.8%, none 9.8%, unspecified 1.1% (1999 census)
Languages:
Definition Field Listing
English 95%, Spanish 3.2%, other 1.8% (1999 census)
Literacy:
Definition Field Listing
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):
Definition Field Listing
total: 13 years
male: 12 years
female: 13 years (2001)
Education expenditures:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
2.8% of GDP (2005)
   Government    Cayman Islands Top of Page
Country name:
Definition Field Listing
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Cayman Islands
Dependency status:
Definition Field Listing
overseas territory of the UK
Government type:
Definition Field Listing
British crown colony
Capital:
Definition Field Listing
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:
Definition Field Listing
8 districts; Creek, Eastern, Midland, South Town, Spot Bay, Stake Bay, West End, Western
Independence:
Definition Field Listing
none (overseas territory of the UK)
National holiday:
Definition Field Listing
Constitution Day, first Monday in July
Constitution:
Definition Field Listing
1959; revised 1962, 1972, and 1994
Legal system:
Definition Field Listing
British common law and local statutes
Suffrage:
Definition Field Listing
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
Definition Field Listing
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor Stuart JACK (since 23 November 2005)
head of government: Leader of Government Business Kurt TIBBETTS (since 18 May 2005)
cabinet: Executive Council (three members appointed by the governor, four members elected by the Legislative Assembly)
elections: the monarch is hereditary; the governor is appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or coalition is appointed by the governor Leader of Government Business
Legislative branch:
Definition Field Listing
unicameral Legislative Assembly (18 seats; 3 appointed members from the Executive Council and 15 elected by popular vote; to serve four-year terms)
elections: last held 11 May 2005 (next to be held in 2009)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PPM 9, UDP 5, independent 1
Judicial branch:
Definition Field Listing
Summary Court; Grand Court; Cayman Islands Court of Appeal
Political parties and leaders:
Definition Field Listing
United Democratic Party or UDP [McKeeva BUSH]; People's Progressive Movement or PPM [Kurt TIBBETTS]; note - no national teams (loose groupings of political organizations) were formed for the 2000 elections
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Definition Field Listing
National Trust
other: environmentalists
International organization participation:
Definition Field Listing
Caricom (associate), CDB, Interpol (subbureau), IOC, UNESCO (associate), UPU, WFTU
Diplomatic representation in the US:
Definition Field Listing
none (overseas territory of the UK)
Diplomatic representation from the US:
Definition Field Listing
none (overseas territory of the UK)
Flag description:
Definition Field Listing
blue, 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 pineapple and turtle above a shield with three stars (representing the three islands) and a scroll at the bottom bearing the motto HE HATH FOUNDED IT UPON THE SEAS
   Economy    Cayman Islands Top of Page
Economy - overview:
Definition Field Listing
With no direct taxation, the islands are a thriving offshore financial center. More than 68,000 companies were registered in the Cayman Islands as of 2003, including almost 500 banks, 800 insurers, and 5,000 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 2.1 million in 2003, with about half from the US. About 90% of the islands' food and consumer goods must be imported. The Caymanians enjoy one of the highest outputs per capita and one of the highest standards of living in the world.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
$1.939 billion (2004 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):
Definition Field Listing
$NA
GDP - real growth rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
0.9% (2004 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
$43,800 (2004 est.)
GDP - composition by sector:
Definition Field Listing
agriculture: 1.4%
industry: 3.2%
services: 95.4% (1994 est.)
Labor force:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
23,450 (2004)
Labor force - by occupation:
Definition Field Listing
agriculture: 1.4%
industry: 12.6%
services: 86% (1995)
Unemployment rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
4.4% (2004)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
Definition Field Listing
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Budget:
Definition Field Listing
revenues: $423.8 million
expenditures: $392.6 million (2004)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
4.4% (2004)
Agriculture - products:
Definition Field Listing
vegetables, fruit; livestock; turtle farming
Industries:
Definition Field Listing
tourism, banking, insurance and finance, construction, construction materials, furniture
Industrial production growth rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
NA%
Electricity - production:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
546.1 million kWh (2007 est.)
Electricity - consumption:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
546.1 million kWh (2007 est.)
Electricity - exports:
Definition Field Listing
0 kWh (2007 est.)
Electricity - imports:
Definition Field Listing
0 kWh (2007 est.)
Oil - production:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
0 bbl/day (2007 est.)
Oil - consumption:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
2,767 bbl/day (2006 est.)
Oil - exports:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
0 bbl/day (2005)
Oil - imports:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
2,818 bbl/day (2005)
Oil - proved reserves:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
0 bbl (1 January 2006 est.)
Natural gas - production:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
0 cu m (2007 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
0 cu m (2007 est.)
Natural gas - exports:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
0 cu m (2007 est.)
Natural gas - imports:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
0 cu m (2007 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.)
Exports:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
$2.52 million (2004)
Exports - commodities:
Definition Field Listing
turtle products, manufactured consumer goods
Exports - partners:
Definition Field Listing
mostly US (2006)
Imports:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
$866.9 million (2004)
Imports - commodities:
Definition Field Listing
foodstuffs, manufactured goods
Imports - partners:
Definition Field Listing
US, Netherlands Antilles, Japan (2006)
Debt - external:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
$70 million (1996)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
$NA
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
$NA
Market value of publicly traded shares:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
$130 million (2005)
Currency (code):
Definition Field Listing
Caymanian dollar (KYD)
Exchange rates:
Definition Field Listing
Caymanian dollars (KYD) per US dollar - NA (2007), 0.8496 (2006)
   Communications    Cayman Islands Top of Page
Telephones - main lines in use:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
38,000 (2002)
Telephones - mobile cellular:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
33,800 (2004)
Telephone system:
Definition Field Listing
general assessment: reasonably good system
domestic: liberalization of telecom market in 2003; introduction of competition in the mobile-cellular market in 2004
international: country code - 1-345; landing point for the MAYA-1 submarine telephone cable network that provides links to the US and parts of Central and South America; submarine cable provides connectivity to Jamaica; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2007)
Radio broadcast stations:
Definition Field Listing
AM 1, FM 4, shortwave 0 (2004)
Television broadcast stations:
Definition Field Listing
4 with cable system (2004)
Internet country code:
Definition Field Listing
.ky
Internet hosts:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
4,648 (2008)
Internet users:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
22,000 (2007)
   Transportation    Cayman Islands Top of Page
Airports:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
3 (2007)
Airports - with paved runways:
Definition Field Listing
total: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (2007)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
Definition Field Listing
total: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2007)
Roadways:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
total: 785 km
paved: 785 km (2007)
Merchant marine:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
total: 109
by type: bulk carrier 30, cargo 2, chemical tanker 42, petroleum tanker 15, refrigerated cargo 10, roll on/roll off 3, vehicle carrier 7
foreign-owned: 107 (Denmark 3, Germany 15, Greece 16, Italy 4, Japan 13, Norway 1, Singapore 10, UK 3, US 42) (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Definition Field Listing
Cayman Brac, George Town
   Military    Cayman Islands Top of Page
Military branches:
Definition Field Listing
no regular military forces; Royal Cayman Islands Police Force (2007)
Manpower available for military service:
Definition Field Listing
males age 16-49: 11,790 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
Definition Field Listing
males age 16-49: 9,577 (2008 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
Definition Field Listing
male: 336
female: 336 (2008 est.)
Military - note:
Definition Field Listing
defense is the responsibility of the UK
   Transnational Issues    Cayman Islands Top of Page
Disputes - international:
Definition Field Listing
none
Illicit drugs:
Definition Field Listing
offshore financial center; vulnerable to drug transshipment to the US and Europe

This page was last updated on 18 December 2008


Bottom Banner