The 2004 CIA World Factbook. United States. Central Intelligence Agency

Cayman Islands

      Background:

       The Cayman Islands were colonized from Jamaica by the British

       during the 18th and 19th centuries. Administered by Jamaica since

       1863, they remained a British dependency after 1962 when the former

       became independent.

      Geography Cayman Islands

      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: 262 sq km

       water: 0 sq km

       land: 262 sq km

      Area - comparative:

       1.5 times the size of Washington, DC

      Land boundaries:

       0 km

      Coastline:

       160 km

      Maritime claims:

       territorial sea: 12 nm

       exclusive fishing zone: 200 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: 3.85% permanent crops: 0% other: 96.15% (2001)

      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 catchments

      Geography - note: important location between Cuba and Central America

      People Cayman Islands

      Population:

       43,103 (July 2004 est.)

      Age structure:

       0–14 years: 21.4% (male 4,608; female 4,616)

       15–64 years: 70.6% (male 14,858; female 15,593)

       65 years and over: 8% (male 1,607; female 1,821) (2004 est.)

      Median age:

       total: 36.5 years

       male: 36.2 years

       female: 36.8 years (2004 est.)

      Population growth rate:

       2.71% (2004 est.)

      Birth rate:

       13.11 births/1,000 population (2004 est.)

      Death rate:

       4.76 deaths/1,000 population (2004 est.)

      Net migration rate:

       18.75 migrant(s)/1,000 population

       note: major destination for Cubans trying to migrate to the US (2004

       est.)

      Sex ratio:

       at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female

       under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female

       15–64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female

       65 years and over: 0.88 male(s)/female

       total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2004 est.)

      Infant mortality rate:

       total: 8.41 deaths/1,000 live births

       female: 7.16 deaths/1,000 live births (2004 est.)

       male: 9.64 deaths/1,000 live births

      Life expectancy at birth:

       total population: 79.81 years

       male: 77.21 years

       female: 82.45 years (2004 est.)

      Total fertility rate:

       1.9 children born/woman (2004 est.)

      HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

       NA

      HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

       NA

      HIV/AIDS - deaths:

       NA

      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,

       Church of God, other Protestant, Roman Catholic

      Languages:

       English

      Literacy:

       definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school

       total population: 98%

       male: 98%

       female: 98% (1970 est.)

      Government Cayman Islands

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

      Dependency status:

       overseas territory of the UK

      Government type:

       British crown colony

      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);

       Governor Bruce DINWIDDY (since 29 May 2002)

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

       appointed by the monarch; the chief secretary is appointed by the

       governor

       head of government: Chief Secretary W. McKeeva BUSH (since NA

       December 2001)

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

       four members elected by the Legislative Assembly)

      Legislative branch: