The 1999 CIA World Factbook. United States. Central Intelligence Agency

6 (1998 est.)

      Airports—with paved runways: total: 6 over 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 5 (1998 est.)

      Military

      Military branches: Armed Forces (AF) (includes all armed force

       elements, both ground and naval)

      Military manpower—availability:

       males age 15–49: 84,018 (1999 est.)

      Military manpower—fit for military service:

       males age 15–49: 47,672 (1999 est.)

      Military expenditures—dollar figure: $3.8 million (1996)

      Military expenditures—percent of GDP: 1.8% (1996)

      Transnational Issues

      Disputes—international: none

      Illicit drugs: used as a transshipment point for illicit drugs moving from Latin America and Africa destined for Western Europe

      ======================================================================

      @Cayman Islands———————

      Geography

      Location: Caribbean, island group in Caribbean Sea, nearly one-half of the way from Cuba to Honduras

      Geographic coordinates: 19 30 N, 80 30 W

      Map references: Central America and the Caribbean

      Area:

       total: 260 sq km

       land: 260 sq km

       water: 0 sq km

      Area—comparative: 1.5 times the size of Washington, DC

      Land boundaries: 0 km

      Coastline: 160 km

      Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm

      Climate: tropical marine; warm, rainy summers (May to October) and cool, relatively dry winters (November to April)

      Terrain: low-lying limestone base surrounded by coral reefs

      Elevation extremes: lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: The Bluff 43 m

      Natural resources: fish, climate and beaches that foster tourism

      Land use:

       arable land: 0%

       permanent crops: 0%

       permanent pastures: 8%

       forests and woodland: 23%

       other: 69% (1993 est.)

      Irrigated land: NA sq km

      Natural hazards: hurricanes (July to November)

      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

      Geography—note: important location between Cuba and Central

       America

      People

      Population: 39,335 (July 1999 est.)

      Age structure: 0–14 years: NA 15–64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA

      Population growth rate: 4.19% (1999 est.)

      Birth rate: 13.66 births/1,000 population (1999 est.)

      Death rate: 4.98 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.)

      Net migration rate: 33.2 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 est.) note: major destination for Cubans trying to migrate to the US

      Infant mortality rate: 8.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.)

      Life expectancy at birth: total population: 77.1 years male: 75.37 years female: 78.81 years (1999 est.)

      Total fertility rate: 1.31 children born/woman (1999 est.)

      Nationality: noun: Caymanian(s) adjective: Caymanian

      Ethnic groups: mixed 40%, white 20%, black 20%, expatriates of various ethnic groups 20%

      Religions: United Church (Presbyterian and Congregational), Anglican, Baptist, Roman Catholic, Church of God, other Protestant denominations

      Languages: English

      Literacy:

       definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school

       total population: 98%

       male: 98%

       female: 98% (1970 est.)

      Government

      Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Cayman Islands

      Data code: CJ

      Dependency status: overseas territory of the UK

      Government type: NA

      Capital: George Town

      Administrative divisions: 8 districts; Creek, Eastern, Midland,

       South Town, Spot Bay, Stake Bay, West End, Western

      Independence: none (overseas territory of the UK)

      National holiday: Constitution Day (first Monday in July)

      Constitution: 1959, revised 1972 and 1992

      Legal system: British common law and local statutes

      Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

      Executive branch:

       chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952)

       head of government: Governor and President of the Executive Council

       John Wynne OWEN (since 15 September 1995)

       cabinet: Executive Council (three members appointed by the governor,

       four members elected by the Legislative Assembly)

       elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; the governor is

       appointed by the monarch

      Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Assembly (18 seats,

       three 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

      Judicial branch: Grand Court; Cayman Islands Court of Appeal

      Political parties and leaders: no formal political parties

      International organization participation: Caricom (observer),

       CDB, Interpol (subbureau), IOC

      Diplomatic representation in the US: none (overseas territory of

       the UK)

      Diplomatic representation from the US: none (overseas territory

       of the UK)

      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

      Economy

      Economy—overview: With no direct taxation, the islands are a thriving offshore financial center. More than 40,000 companies were registered in the Cayman Islands as of 1997, including almost 600 banks and trust