2009 Edition
CIA World Factbook 2009 (Project Gutenberg)
Introduction
Background
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
Area
total: 264 sq km country comparison to the world: 210 land: 264 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 (Cayman Brac) 43 m
Environment - current issues
no natural fresh water resources; drinking water supplies must be met by rainwater catchments
Geographic coordinates
19 30 N, 80 30 W
Geography - note
important location between Cuba and Central America
Irrigated land
NA
Land boundaries
0 km
Land use
arable land: 3.85% permanent crops: 0% other: 96.15% (2005)
Location
Caribbean, three-island group (Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac, Little Cayman) in Caribbean Sea, 240 km south of Cuba and 268 km northwest of Jamaica
Map references
Central America and the Caribbean
Maritime claims
territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 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: 19.6% (male 4,824/female 4,783) 15-64 years: 71.1% (male 16,994/female 17,884) 65 years and over: 9.3% (male 2,139/female 2,411) (2009 est.)
Birth rate
12.36 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 165
Death rate
4.89 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 192
Education expenditures
2.8% of GDP (2005) country comparison to the world: 150
Ethnic groups
mixed 40%, white 20%, black 20%, expatriates of various ethnic groups 20%
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths
NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS
NA
Infant mortality rate
total: 6.94 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 169 male: 7.96 deaths/1,000 live births female: 5.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Languages
English 95%, Spanish 3.2%, other 1.8% (1999 census)
Life expectancy at birth
total population: 80.44 years country comparison to the world: 16 male: 77.8 years female: 83.14 years (2009 est.)
Literacy
definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school total population: 98% male: 98% female: 98% (1970 est.)
Median age
total: 38.1 years male: 37.7 years female: 38.6 years (2009 est.)
Nationality
noun: Caymanian(s) adjective: Caymanian
Net migration rate
16.48 migrant(s)/1,000 population country comparison to the world: 3 note: major destination for Cubans trying to migrate to the US (2009 est.)
Population
49,035 country comparison to the world: 207 note: most of the population lives on Grand Cayman (July 2009 est.)
Population growth rate
2.394% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 34
Religions
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)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)
total: 13 years male: 12 years female: 13 years (2001)
Sex ratio
at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.89 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate
1.88 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 146
Urbanization
urban population: 100% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1.5% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Government
Administrative divisions
8 districts; Creek, Eastern, Midland, South Town, Spot Bay, Stake Bay, West End, Western
Capital
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)
Constitution
The Cayman Islands Constitution Order 2009, 6 November 2009
Country name
conventional long form: none conventional short form: Cayman Islands
Dependency status
overseas territory of the UK
Diplomatic representation from the US
none (overseas territory of the UK)
Diplomatic representation in the US
none (overseas territory of the UK)
Executive branch
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor Stuart JACK (since 23 November 2005) head of government: Premier McKeeva BUSH (since 6 November 2009) cabinet: The Cabinet (six members appointed by the governor on the advice of the premier, selected from among the elected members of 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 as premier
Flag description
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
Government type
parliamentary democracy
Independence
none (overseas territory of the UK)
International organization participation
Caricom (associate), CDB, Interpol (subbureau), IOC, UNESCO (associate), UPU, WFTU
Judicial branch
Grand Court; Cayman Islands Court of Appeal; Summary Court
Legal system
British common law and local statutes
Legislative branch
unicameral Legislative Assembly (20 seats; 18 elected by popular vote and 2 ex officio members from The Cabinet; to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 20 May 2009 (next to be held not later than May 2013) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - UDP 9, PPM 5, independent 1
National holiday
Constitution Day, first Monday in July
Political parties and leaders
United Democratic Party or UDP [McKeeva BUSH]; People's Progressive Movement or PPM [Kurt TIBBETTS]
Political pressure groups and leaders
National Trust other: environmentalists
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Economy
Agriculture - products
vegetables, fruit; livestock; turtle farming
Budget
revenues: $423.8 million expenditures: $392.6 million (2004)
Debt - external
$70 million (1996) country comparison to the world: 191
Economy - overview
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.
Electricity - consumption
507.8 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 162
Electricity - exports
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - production
546 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 157
Exchange rates
Caymanian dollars (KYD) per US dollar - NA (2007), 0.8496 (2006)
Exports
$2.52 million (2004) country comparison to the world: 216
Exports - commodities
turtle products, manufactured consumer goods
GDP - composition by sector
agriculture: 1.4% industry: 3.2% services: 95.4% (1994 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP)
$43,800 (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 14
GDP - real growth rate
0.9% (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 177
GDP (official exchange rate)
$NA
GDP (purchasing power parity)
$1.939 billion (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 182 $1.922 billion (2003 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share
lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%
Imports
$866.9 million (2004) country comparison to the world: 173
Imports - commodities
foodstuffs, manufactured goods
Industrial production growth rate
NA%
Industries
tourism, banking, insurance and finance, construction, construction materials, furniture
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
4.4% (2004) country comparison to the world: 74
Labor force
23,450 (2004) country comparison to the world: 200
Labor force - by occupation
agriculture: 1.4% industry: 12.6% services: 86% (1995)
Market value of publicly traded shares
$NA (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 107 $183.5 million (31 December 2007) $188.4 million (31 December 2006)
Natural gas - consumption
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 198
Natural gas - exports
0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 183
Natural gas - imports
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 193
Natural gas - production
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 197
Natural gas - proved reserves
0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 195
Oil - consumption
3,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 175
Oil - exports
0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 203
Oil - imports
3,294 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 168
Oil - production
0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 199
Oil - proved reserves
0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 197
Population below poverty line
NA%
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad
$NA
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home
$NA
Unemployment rate
4.4% (2004) country comparison to the world: 54
Communications
Internet country code
.ky
Internet hosts
21,428 (2009) country comparison to the world: 102
Internet users
23,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 186
Radio broadcast stations
AM 1, FM 4, shortwave 0 (2004)
Telephone system
general assessment: reasonably good system domestic: liberalization of telecom market in 2003; introduction of competition in the mobile-cellular market in 2004 international: country code - 1-345; landing point for the MAYA-1 submarine telephone cable network that provides links to the US and parts of Central and South America; submarine cable provides connectivity to Jamaica; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2007)
Telephones - main lines in use
38,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 172
Telephones - mobile cellular
33,800 (2004) country comparison to the world: 202
Television broadcast stations
4 with cable system (2004)
Transportation
Airports
3 (2009) country comparison to the world: 196
Airports - with paved runways
total: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (2009)
Airports - with unpaved runways
total: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2009)
Merchant marine
total: 109 country comparison to the world: 49 by type: bulk carrier 30, cargo 2, chemical tanker 42, petroleum tanker 15, refrigerated cargo 10, roll on/roll off 3, vehicle carrier 7 foreign-owned: 107 (Denmark 3, Germany 15, Greece 16, Italy 4, Japan 13, Norway 1, Singapore 10, UK 3, US 42) (2008)
Ports and terminals
Cayman Brac, George Town
Roadways
total: 785 km country comparison to the world: 186 paved: 785 km (2007)
Military and Security
Manpower available for military service
males age 16-49: 11,790 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service
males age 16-49: 9,735 females age 16-49: 10,145 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually
male: 334 female: 345 (2009 est.)
Military - note
defense is the responsibility of the UK
Military branches
no regular military forces; Royal Cayman Islands Police Force (2008)
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international
none
Illicit drugs
major offshore financial center; vulnerable to drug transshipment to the US and Europe (2008) page last updated on November 10, 2009