1997 Edition
CIA World Factbook 1997 (Project Gutenberg)
Introduction
Current issues
in 1996 the Central African Republic experienced three mutinies by dissident elements of the armed forces which demanded back pay as well as political and military reforms; continuing violence in 1997 between the government and rebel military and civilian groups over pay issues, living conditions, and lack of opposition party representation in the government has destroyed many businesses in the capital, reducing tax revenues and exacerbating the government's problems in meeting expenses
Geography
Area
total : 260 sq km land: 260 sq km water : 0 sq km
Area - comparative
1.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Climate
tropical marine; warm, rainy summers (May to October) and cool, relatively dry winters (November to April)
Coastline
160 km
Elevation extremes
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: The Bluff 43 m
Environment - current issues
no natural fresh water resources, drinking water supplies must be met by rainwater catchment
Environment - international agreements
party to : NA signed, but not ratified: NA
Geographic coordinates
19 30 N, 80 30 W
Geography - note
important location between Cuba and Central America
Irrigated land
NA sq km
Land boundaries
0 km
Land use
arable land: 0% permanent crops : 0% permanent pastures: 8% forests and woodland: 23% other: 69% (1993 est.)
Location
Caribbean, island group in Caribbean Sea, nearly one-half of the way from Cuba to Honduras
Map references
Central America and the Caribbean
Maritime claims
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
Natural hazards
hurricanes (July to November)
Natural resources
fish, climate and beaches that foster tourism
Terrain
low-lying limestone base surrounded by coral reefs
People and Society
Age structure
0-14 years : NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA
Birth rate
14.24 births/1,000 population (1997 est.)
Death rate
4.98 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.)
Ethnic groups
mixed 40%, white 20%, black 20%, expatriates of various ethnic groups 20%
Infant mortality rate
8.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.)
Languages
English
Life expectancy at birth
total population : 77.1 years male: 75.37 years female: 78.81 years (1997 est.)
Literacy
definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school total population: 98% male: 98% female: 98% (1970 est.)
Nationality
noun: Caymanian(s) adjective : Caymanian
Net migration rate
33.2 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 est.) note: major destination for Cubans trying to migrate to the US
Population
36,153 (July 1997 est.)
Population growth rate
4.25% (1997 est.)
Religions
United Church (Presbyterian and Congregational), Anglican, Baptist, Roman Catholic, Church of God, other Protestant denominations
Sex ratio
at birth: NA male(s)/female under 15 years: NA male(s)/female 15-64 years: NA male(s)/female 65 years and over: NA male(s)/female total population : NA male(s)/female
Total fertility rate
1.37 children born/woman (1997 est.)
Government
Administrative divisions
8 districts; Creek, Eastern, Midland, South Town, Spot Bay, Stake Bay, West End, Western
Constitution
1959, revised 1972 and 1992
Country name
conventional long form: none conventional short form: Cayman Islands
Data code
CJ
Dependency status
dependent territory of the UK
Diplomatic representation from the US
none (dependent territory of the UK)
Diplomatic representation in the US
none (dependent territory of the UK)
Executive branch
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II of the UK (since 6 February 1952) head of government: Governor and President of the Executive Council John OWEN (since 15 September 1995) cabinet: Executive Council (three members appointed by the governor, four members elected by the Legislative Assembly) elections : none; the queen is a hereditary monarch; the governor is appointed by the queen
Flag description
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
Government type
NA
Independence
none (dependent territory of the UK)
International organization participation
Caricom (observer), CDB, Interpol (subbureau), IOC
Judicial branch
Grand Court; Cayman Islands Court of Appeal
Legal system
British common law and local statutes
Legislative branch
unicameral Legislative Assembly (18 seats, 3 official members and 15 elected by popular vote; members serve four-year terms) elections: last held 20 November 1996 (next to be held NA November 2000) election results: percent of vote - NA; seats - National Team coalition 9, independents 6
National capital
George Town
National holiday
Constitution Day (first Monday in July)
Political parties and leaders
no formal political parties
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Economy
Agriculture - products
vegetables, fruit; livestock; turtle farming
Budget
revenues: $141.5 million expenditures: $160.7 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1991)
Currency
1 Caymanian dollar (CI$) = 100 cents
Debt - external
$15 million (1986)
Economic aid
recipient: ODA, $NA
Economy - overview
With no direct taxation, the Islands are a thriving offshore financial center; 28,000 foreign companies do business with the 600 registered banks and trust companies; banking assets exceed $500 billion. Tourism is also a mainstay, accounting for about 70% of GDP and 75% of foreign currency earnings. The tourist industry is aimed at the luxury market and caters mainly to visitors from North America. Total tourist arrivals exceeded one million visitors in 1995 and again in 1996. About 90% of the islands' food and consumer goods must be imported. The Caymanians enjoy one of the highest outputs per capita and one of the highest standards of living in the world.
Electricity - capacity
71,000 kW (1994)
Electricity - consumption per capita
7,487 kWh (1994 est.)
Electricity - production
NA kWh
Exchange rates
Caymanian dollars (CI$) per US$1 - 0.83 (3 November 1995), 0.85 (22 November 1993)
Exports
total value : $10 million (f.o.b., 1993 est.) commodities: turtle products, manufactured consumer goods partners : mostly US
Fiscal year
1 April - 31 March
GDP
purchasing power parity - $860 million (1996 est.)
GDP - composition by sector
agriculture : 1.4% industry: 3.2% services: 95.4% (1994 est.)
GDP - per capita
purchasing power parity - $23,800 (1996 est.)
GDP - real growth rate
4.5% (1996 est.)
Imports
total value: $329 million (c.i.f., 1995 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, construction materials, furniture
Inflation rate - consumer price index
2.5% (1995 est.)
Labor force
total: 8,061 by occupation: service workers 18.7%, clerical 18.6%, construction 12.5%, finance and investment 6.7%, directors and business managers 5.9% (1979)
Unemployment rate
7% (1992)
Communications
Radio broadcast stations
AM 2, FM 1, shortwave 0
Radios
28,200 (1992 est.)
Telephone system
domestic: NA international: 1 submarine coaxial cable; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Telephones
21,584 (1993 est.)
Television broadcast stations
1 (1995)
Televisions
6,000 (1992 est.)
Transportation
Airports
3 (1996 est.)
Airports - with paved runways
total: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (1996 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways
total: 1 914 to 1,523 m : 1 (1996 est.)
Highways
total: 406 km paved: 304 km unpaved : 102 km
Merchant marine
total: 42 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 736,004 GRT/1,153,058 DWT ships by type : bulk 5, cargo 10, chemical tanker 2, container 4, oil tanker 4, refrigerated cargo 11, roll-on/roll-off cargo 5, vehicle carrier 1 note : a flag of convenience registry; Greece owns 7 ships, US 7, UK 5, India 1, Japan 1, Norway 1, Sweden 1, Switzerland 1, and United Arab Emirates 1 (1996 est.)
Ports and harbors
Cayman Brac, George Town
Railways
0 km
Military and Security
Military - note
defense is the responsibility of the UK
Military branches
Royal Cayman Islands Police Force (RCIPF)
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international
none
Illicit drugs
vulnerable to drug money-laundering and drug transshipment ______________________________________________________________________ CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC