World Facts Index
 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 of the Cayman Islands
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Location:
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Caribbean, island group in
Caribbean Sea, nearly one-half of the way from Cuba to Honduras |
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Coordinates:
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19 30 N, 80 30 W |
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Area:
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total: 262 sq km
water: 0 sq km
land: 262 sq km |
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Area comparative:
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1.5 times the size of
Washington, DC |
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Land boundaries:
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0 km |
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Coastline:
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160 km |
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Maritime claims:
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exclusive fishing zone:
200 NM
territorial sea: 12 NM |
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Climate:
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tropical marine; warm,
rainy summers (May to October) and cool, relatively dry winters
(November to April) |
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Terrain:
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low-lying limestone base
surrounded by coral reefs |
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Elevation extremes:
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lowest point:
Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point: The Bluff 43 m |
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Natural resources:
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fish, climate and beaches
that foster tourism |
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Natural hazards:
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hurricanes (July to
November) |
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Environment - current issues:
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no natural fresh water
resources; drinking water supplies must be met by rainwater catchments |
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Geography - note:
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important location between
Cuba and Central America
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Population of the Cayman Islands
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Population:
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47,862 (July 2008 est.) |
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Age structure:
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0-14 years: 20.7% (male 4,708/female 4,700)
15-64 years: 70.9% (male 15,707/female 16,504)
65 years and over: 8.4% (male 1,793/female 2,024) |
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Median age:
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37.2 years |
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Growth rate:
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2.56% |
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Infant mortality:
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8 deaths/1,000 live births |
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Life expectancy at birth:
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total population: 80.07 years
male: 77.45 years
female: 82.74 years |
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Total fertility rate:
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1.9 children born/woman |
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Nationality:
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noun: Caymanian(s)
adjective: Caymanian |
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Ethnic groups:
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mixed 40%, white 20%, black 20%,
expatriates of various ethnic groups 20% |
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Religions:
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United Church (Presbyterian and
Congregational), Anglican, Baptist, Church of God, other Protestant, Roman Catholic |
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Languages:
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English |
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Literacy:
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definition: age 15 and over has ever
attended school
total population: 98%
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Government
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Dependency status:
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overseas territory of the UK |
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Government type:
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British crown colony |
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Capital:
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George Town |
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Administrative divisions:
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8 districts; Creek, Eastern, Midland, South
Town, Spot Bay, Stake Bay, West End, Western |
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Independence:
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none (overseas territory of the UK) |
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National holiday:
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Constitution Day, first Monday in July |
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Constitution:
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1959, revised 1972 and 1992 |
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Legal system:
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British common law and local statutes |
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Suffrage:
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18 years of age; universal |
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Executive branch:
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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 |
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Legislative branch:
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unicameral Legislative Assembly (18 seats, 3 appointed
members from the Executive Council and 15 elected by popular vote; members serve four-year
terms) |
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Judicial branch:
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Summary Court; Grand Court; Cayman Islands
Court of Appeal |
Economy
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.
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GDP:
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$1.939 billion (2004 est.) |
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GDP growth rate:
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1.7% |
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GDP per capita:
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$43,800 |
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GDP composition by sector:
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agriculture: 1.4%
industry: 3.2%
services: 95.4% |
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Inflation rate:
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2.8% |
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Labor force:
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19,820 |
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Labor force - by occupation:
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agriculture 1.4%, industry 12.6%, services
86% |
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Unemployment:
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4.1% |
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Budget:
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revenues: $265.2 million
expenditures: $248.9 million |
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Electricity production by source:
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fossil fuel: 100%
hydro: 0%
nuclear: 0% |
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Industries:
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tourism, banking, insurance and finance,
construction, construction materials, furniture |
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Agriculture:
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vegetables, fruit; livestock, turtle
farming |
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Exports:
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turtle products, manufactured consumer
goods |
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Export partners:
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mostly US |
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Imports:
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foodstuffs, manufactured goods |
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Import partners:
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US, Trinidad and Tobago, UK, Netherlands Antilles, Japan |
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Currency:
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Caymanian dollar (KYD) |
SOURCES: The CIA World Factbook, U.S. Department of State, Area Handbook of the US Library of Congress
Copyright 2004 - 2008 worldfacts.us |