1992 Edition
CIA World Factbook 1992 (Project Gutenberg)
Geography
Climate
tropical marine; warm, rainy summers (May to October) and cool, relatively dry winters (November to April)
Coastline
160 km
Comparative area
slightly less than 1.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Disputes
none
Environment
within the Caribbean hurricane belt
Exclusive fishing zone
200 nm
Land area
260 km2
Land boundaries
none
Land use
arable land 0%; permanent crops 0%; meadows and pastures 8%; forest and woodland 23%; other 69%
Natural resources
fish, climate and beaches that foster tourism
Note
important location between Cuba and Central America
Terrain
low-lying limestone base surrounded by coral reefs
Territorial sea
3 nm
Total area
260 km2
People and Society
Birth rate
16 births/1,000 population (1992)
Death rate
5 deaths/1,000 population (1992)
Ethnic divisions
40% mixed, 20% white, 20% black, 20% expatriates of various ethnic groups
Infant mortality rate
8 deaths/1,000 live births (1992)
Labor force
8,061; service workers 18.7%, clerical 18.6%, construction 12.5%, finance and investment 6.7%, directors and business managers 5.9% (1979)
Languages
English
Life expectancy at birth
75 years male, 79 years female (1992)
Literacy
98% (male 98%, female 98%) age 15 and over having ever attended school (1970)
Nationality
noun - Caymanian(s); adjective - Caymanian
Net migration rate
33 migrants/1,000 population (1992)
Organized labor
Global Seaman's Union; Cayman All Trade Union
Population
29,139 (July 1992), growth rate 4.4% (1992)
Religions
United Church (Presbyterian and Congregational), Anglican, Baptist, Roman Catholic, Church of God, other Protestant denominations
Total fertility rate
1.5 children born/woman (1992)
Government
Administrative divisions
8 districts; Creek, Eastern, Midland, South Town, Spot Bay, Stake Bay, West End, Western
Capital
George Town
Chief of State
Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor Michael GORE (since May 1992)
Constitution
1959, revised 1972
Diplomatic representation
as a dependent territory of the UK, Caymanian interests in the US are represented by the UK US: none
Executive branch
British monarch, governor, Executive Council (cabinet)
Flag
blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Caymanian coat of arms on a white disk 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 HE HATH FOUNDED IT UPON THE SEAS
Head of Government
Governor and President of the Executive Council Alan James SCOTT (since NA 1987)
Independence
none (dependent territory of the UK)
Judicial branch
Grand Court, Cayman Islands Court of Appeal
Legal system
British common law and local statutes
Legislative Assembly
last held November 1988 (next to be held November 1992); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (15 total, 12 elected)
Legislative branch
unicameral Legislative Assembly
Long-form name
none
Member of
CARICOM (observer), CDB, IOC
National holiday
Constitution Day (first Monday in July)
Political parties and leaders
no formal political parties
Suffrage
universal at age 18
Type
dependent territory of the UK
Economy
Agriculture
minor production of vegetables, fruit, livestock; turtle farming
Budget
revenues $83.6 million; expenditures $98.9 million, including capital expenditures of $13.6 million (1990)
Currency
Caymanian dollar (plural - dollars); 1 Caymanian dollar (CI$) = 100 cents
Economic aid
US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $26.7 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $35 million
Electricity
74,000 kW capacity; 256 million kWh produced, 9,313 kWh per capita (1991)
Exchange rates
Caymanian dollars (CI$) per US$1 - 1.20 (fixed rate)
Exports
$1.5 million (f.o.b., 1987 est.) commodities: turtle products, manufactured consumer goods partners: mostly US
External debt
$15 million (1986)
Fiscal year
1 April - 31 March
GDP
exchange rate conversion - $384 million, per capita $14,500 (1989); real growth rate 8% (1990)
Imports
$136 million (c.i.f., 1987 est.) commodities: foodstuffs, manufactured goods partners: US, Trinidad and Tobago, UK, Netherlands Antilles, Japan
Industrial production
growth rate NA%
Industries
tourism, banking, insurance and finance, construction, building materials, furniture making
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
8% (1990 est.)
Overview
The economy depends heavily on tourism (70% of GDP and 75% of export earnings) and offshore financial services, with the tourist industry aimed at the luxury market and catering mainly to visitors from North America. About 90% of the islands' food and consumer goods needs must be imported. The Caymanians enjoy one of the highest standards of living in the region.
Unemployment rate
NA%
Communications
Airports
3 total; 3 usable; 2 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 2,439 m; 2 with runways 1,220-2,439 m
Civil air
2 major transport aircraft
Highways
160 km of main roads
Merchant marine
32 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 364,174 GRT/560,241 DWT; includes 1 passenger-cargo, 7 cargo, 8 roll-on/roll-off cargo, 6 petroleum tanker, 1 chemical tanker, 1 specialized tanker, 1 liquefied gas carrier, 5 bulk, 2 combination bulk; note - a flag of convenience registry
Ports
George Town, Cayman Brac
Telecommunications
35,000 telephones; telephone system uses 1 submarine coaxial cable and 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station to link islands and access international services; broadcast stations - 2 AM, 1 FM, no TV
Military and Security
Branches
Royal Cayman Islands Police Force (RCIPF)
Note
defense is the responsibility of the UK