Page last updated on January 28, 2014

Introduction:
Background:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
19 30 N, 80 30 W
Map references:
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Central America and the Caribbean
Area:
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total: 264 sq km
country comparison to the world: 211
land: 264 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:
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1.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
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0 km
Coastline:
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160 km
Maritime claims:
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territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
Climate:
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tropical marine; warm, rainy summers (May to October) and cool, relatively dry winters (November to April)
Terrain:
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low-lying limestone base surrounded by coral reefs
Elevation extremes:
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lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point: The Bluff on Cayman Brac 43 m
Natural resources:
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fish, climate and beaches that foster tourism
Land use:
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arable land: 0.83%
permanent crops: 2.08%
other: 97.08% (2011)
Irrigated land:
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NA
Natural hazards:
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hurricanes (July to November)
Environment - current issues:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
no natural freshwater resources; drinking water supplies must be met by rainwater catchments
Geography - note:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
important location between Cuba and Central America
People and Society:
Nationality:
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noun: Caymanian(s)
adjective: Caymanian
Ethnic groups:
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mixed 40%, white 20%, black 20%, expatriates of various ethnic groups 20%
Languages:
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English (official) 95%, Spanish 3.2%, other 1.8% (1999 census)
Religions:
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Protestant 67.7% (Church of God 25.5%, Presbyterian/United Church 9.2%, Seventh-Day Adventist 8.4%, Baptist 8.3%, Pentecostal 6.7%, Anglican 3.9%, non-denominational 5.7%), Roman Catholic 12.6%, other religions 4%, other 6.5%, none 6.1%, unspecified 3.2% (2007)
Population:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
53,737 (July 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 208
note: most of the population lives on Grand Cayman (July 2013 est.)
Age structure:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0-14 years: 18.6% (male 5,030/female 4,962)
15-24 years: 12.9% (male 3,436/female 3,516)
25-54 years: 44.6% (male 11,662/female 12,283)
55-64 years: 13.2% (male 3,388/female 3,729)
65 years and over: 10.7% (male 2,707/female 3,024) (2013 est.)
population pyramid: "> Median age:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 39.3 years
male: 38.6 years
female: 39.8 years (2013 est.)
Population growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2.19% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 44
Birth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
12.17 births/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 164
Death rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
5.3 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 180
Net migration rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
15.04 migrant(s)/1,000 population
country comparison to the world: 7
note: major destination for Cubans trying to migrate to the US (2013 est.)
Urbanization:
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urban population: 100% of total population (2010)
rate of urbanization: 0.9% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
Major urban areas - population:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
GEORGE TOWN (capital) 28,000 (2011)
Sex ratio:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 0.98 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 0.95 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 0.91 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.9 male(s)/female
total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2013 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 6.35 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 168
male: 7.26 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 5.42 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total population: 80.91 years
country comparison to the world: 23
male: 78.23 years
female: 83.64 years (2013 est.)
Total fertility rate:
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1.86 children born/woman (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 147
Drinking water source:
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improved:
unimproved:
Sanitation facility access:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
improved:
unimproved:
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
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NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA
Education expenditures:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA
Literacy:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school
total population: 98.9%
male: 98.7%
female: 99% (2007 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 12 years
male: 11 years
female: 13 years (2008)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 13.5%
country comparison to the world: 94
male: 13.6%
female: 13.3% (2008)
Government:
Country name:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Cayman Islands
Dependency status:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
overseas territory of the UK
Government type:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
parliamentary democracy
Capital:
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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:
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6 districts; Bodden Town, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman, East End, George Town, North Side, West Bay
Independence:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
none (overseas territory of the UK)
National holiday:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Constitution Day, first Monday in July
Constitution:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
several previous; latest approved 10 June 2009, entered into force 6 November 2009 (The Cayman Islands Constitution Order 2009) (2013)
Legal system:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
English common law and local statutes
Suffrage:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor Helen KILPATRICK (since 6 September 2013)
head of government: Premier Alden MCLAUGHLIN (since 29 May 2013)
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 the World Leaders website )
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
unicameral Legislative Assembly (21 seats; 18 members elected by popular vote, Speaker, and 2 ex officio members - Deputy Governor and Attorney General; to serve four-year terms)
elections: last held on 22 May 2013 (next to be held in 2017)
election results: percent of vote by party - PPM 36.1%, UDP 27.8%, C4C 18.6%, independents 11.9%, PNA 5.7%; seats by party - PPM 9, UDP 3, C4C 3, independent 2, PNA 1
Judicial branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
highest court(s): Court of Appeal (consists of the court president and at least 2 judges); Grand Court (consists of the court president and at least 2 judges)
judge selection and term of office: Court of Appeal and Grand Court judges appointed by the governor on the advice of the Judicial and Legal Services Commission, an 8-member independent body consisting of governor appointees, Court of Appeal president, and attorneys; Court of Appeal judges' tenure based on their individual instruments of appointment; Grand Court judges normally appointed until retirement at age 65 but can be extended until age 70
subordinate courts: Summary Court
Political parties and leaders:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
People's Progressive Movement or PPM [Kurt TIBBETTS]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Coalition for Cayman or C4C
other: environmentalists
International organization participation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Caricom (associate), CDB, Interpol (subbureau), IOC, UNESCO (associate), UPU
Diplomatic representation in the US:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
none (overseas territory of the UK)
Diplomatic representation from the US:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
none (overseas territory of the UK); consular services provided through the US Embassy in Jamaica
Flag description:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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. Nearly 90% of the islands' food and consumer goods must be imported. The Caymanians enjoy a standard of living comparable to that of Switzerland.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$2.25 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 189
GDP (official exchange rate):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$2.25 billion (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.1% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 156
GDP - per capita (PPP):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$43,800 (2004 est.)
country comparison to the world: 17
GDP - composition, by end use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
household consumption: 62.6%
government consumption: 14.7%
investment in fixed capital: 22.3%
exports of goods and services: 60.8%
imports of goods and services: -60.5%
GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
agriculture: 0.3%
industry: 28.2%
services: 72.4% (2012 est.)
Agriculture - products:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
vegetables, fruit; livestock; turtle farming
Industries:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
tourism, banking, insurance and finance, construction, construction materials, furniture
Industrial production growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA%
Labor force:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
39,000
country comparison to the world: 198
note: nearly 55% are non-nationals (2007)
Labor force - by occupation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
agriculture: 1.9%
industry: 19.1%
services: 79% (2008 est.)
Unemployment rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
4% (2008)
country comparison to the world: 31
Population below poverty line:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Budget:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
revenues: $680.1 million
expenditures: $741.8 million (2012 est.)
Taxes and other revenues:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
30.2% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 93
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
-2.7% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 104
Fiscal year:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1 April - 31 March
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.2% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 18
Stock of narrow money:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$334.3 million (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 166
Stock of broad money:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$5.564 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 126
Market value of publicly traded shares:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$NA (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 114
Exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$15 million (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 207
Exports - commodities:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
turtle products, manufactured consumer goods
Imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$698.1 million (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 187
Imports - commodities:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
foodstuffs, manufactured goods, fuels
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$NA
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$NA
Exchange rates:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Caymanian dollars (KYD) per US dollar -
Energy:
Electricity - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
594 million kWh (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 159
Electricity - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
552 million kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 168
Electricity - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 179
Electricity - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 170
Electricity - installed generating capacity:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
151,000 kW (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 161
Electricity - from fossil fuels:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
100% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 11
Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 64
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 162
Electricity - from other renewable sources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 167
Crude oil - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 160
Crude oil - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 98
Crude oil - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 172
Crude oil - proved reserves:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 115
Refined petroleum products - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 163
Refined petroleum products - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3,141 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 180
Refined petroleum products - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 163
Refined petroleum products - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3,754 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 163
Natural gas - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 115
Natural gas - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 130
Natural gas - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 80
Natural gas - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 175
Natural gas - proved reserves:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 123
Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
592,800 Mt (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 177
Communications:
Telephones - main lines in use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
37,400 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 171
Telephones - mobile cellular:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
96,300 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 194
Telephone system:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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) (2011)
Broadcast media:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
4 TV 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:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
.ky
Internet hosts:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
23,472 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 114
Internet users:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
23,000 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 189
Transportation:
Airports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 196
Airports - with paved runways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 3
1,524 to 2,437 m: 2
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2013)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2012)
Roadways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 785 km
country comparison to the world: 188
paved: 785 km (2007)
Merchant marine:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 116
country comparison to the world: 46
by type: bulk carrier 19, cargo 3, chemical tanker 61, liquefied gas 1, passenger 1, petroleum tanker 5, refrigerated cargo 10, vehicle carrier 16
foreign-owned: 102 (Germany 3, Greece 9, Italy 7, Japan 23, Switzerland 1, UK 2, US 57) (2010)
Ports and terminals:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
major seaport(s): Cayman Brac, George Town
Military:
Military branches:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
no regular military forces; Royal Cayman Islands Police Force (2012)
Manpower available for military service:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
males age 16-49: 12,238 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
males age 16-49: 9,981
females age 16-49: 10,417 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
male: 333
female: 342 (2010 est.)
Military - note:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
defense is the responsibility of the UK
Transnational Issues:
Disputes - international:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
none