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.

Caribbean, three-island group (Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac, Little Cayman) in Caribbean Sea, 240 km south of Cuba and 268 km northwest of Jamaica

19 30 N, 80 30 W

Central America and the Caribbean

1.5 times the size of Washington, DC

0 km

160 km

tropical marine; warm, rainy summers (May to October) and cool, relatively dry winters (November to April)

low-lying limestone base surrounded by coral reefs

fish, climate and beaches that foster tourism

NA

hurricanes (July to November)

no natural fresh water resources; drinking water supplies must be met by rainwater catchments

important location between Cuba and Central America

49,035

2.394% (2009 est.)

12.36 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)

4.89 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.)

16.48 migrant(s)/1,000 population

1.88 children born/woman (2009 est.)

NA

NA

NA

mixed 40%, white 20%, black 20%, expatriates of various ethnic groups 20%

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%, Pentecostal 5.3%, other Christian 2.7%, non-denominational 5.8%, other 3.8%, none 9.8%, unspecified 1.1% (1999 census)

English 95%, Spanish 3.2%, other 1.8% (1999 census)

2.8% of GDP (2005)

overseas territory of the UK

British crown colony

8 districts; Creek, Eastern, Midland, South Town, Spot Bay, Stake Bay, West End, Western

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Constitution Day, first Monday in July

1959; revised 1962, 1972, and 1994

British common law and local statutes

18 years of age; universal

unicameral Legislative Assembly (18 seats; 3 appointed members from The Cabinet and 15 elected by popular vote; to serve four-year terms)

Summary Court; Grand Court; Cayman Islands Court of Appeal

United Democratic Party or UDP [McKeeva BUSH]; People's Progressive Movement or PPM [Kurt TIBBETTS]

National Trust

Caricom (associate), CDB, Interpol (subbureau), IOC, UNESCO (associate), UPU, WFTU

none (overseas territory of the UK)

none (overseas territory of the UK)

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

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.

$1.939 billion (2004 est.)

$1.922 billion (2003)

$NA

0.9% (2004 est.)

$43,800 (2004 est.)

23,450 (2004)

4.4% (2004)

NA%

4.4% (2004)

$183.5 million (31 December 2007)

vegetables, fruit; livestock; turtle farming

tourism, banking, insurance and finance, construction, construction materials, furniture

NA%

546.1 million kWh (2007 est.)

546.1 million kWh (2007 est.)

0 kWh (2007 est.)

0 kWh (2007 est.)

0 bbl/day (2007 est.)

2,767 bbl/day (2006 est.)

0 bbl/day (2005)

2,818 bbl/day (2005)

0 bbl (1 January 2006 est.)

0 cu m (2007 est.)

0 cu m (2007 est.)

0 cu m (2007 est.)

0 cu m (2007 est.)

0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.)

$2.52 million (2004)

turtle products, manufactured consumer goods

$866.9 million f.o.b. (2004)

foodstuffs, manufactured goods

$70 million (1996)

$NA

$NA

Caymanian dollars (KYD) per US dollar - NA (2007), 0.8496 (2006)

38,000 (2002)

33,800 (2004)

AM 1, FM 4, shortwave 0 (2004)

4 with cable system (2004)

.ky

4,648 (2008)

22,000 (2007)

3 (2008)

Cayman Brac, George Town

no regular military forces; Royal Cayman Islands Police Force (2007)

defense is the responsibility of the UK

none

major offshore financial center; vulnerable to drug transshipment to the US and Europe (2008)