The 2008 CIA World Factbook. United States. Central Intelligence Agency

30 N, 80 30 W

      Map references:

      Central America and the Caribbean

      Area:

      total: 262 sq km land: 262 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:

      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 (Cayman Brac) 43 m

      Natural resources:

      fish, climate and beaches that foster tourism

      Land use:

      arable land: 3.85% permanent crops: 0% other: 96.15% (2005)

      Irrigated land:

      NA

      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:

      47,862 note: most of the population lives on Grand Cayman (July 2008 est.)

      Age structure:

      0–14 years: 19.9% (male 4,774/female 4,759) 15–64 years: 71.1% (male 16,594/female 17,434) 65 years and over: 9% (male 2,022/female 2,279) (2008 est.)

      Median age:

      total: 37.8 years male: 37.4 years female: 38.2 years (2008 est.)

      Population growth rate:

      2.449% (2008 est.)

      Birth rate:

      12.43 births/1,000 population (2008 est.)

      Death rate:

      4.83 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.)

      Net migration rate:

      16.88 migrant(s)/1,000 population note: major destination for Cubans trying to migrate to the US (2008 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: 0.89 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2008 est.)

      Infant mortality rate:

      total: 7.1 deaths/1,000 live births male: 8.16 deaths/1,000 live births female: 6.03 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

      Life expectancy at birth:

      total population: 80.32 years male: 77.68 years female: 83 years (2008 est.)

      Total fertility rate:

      1.89 children born/woman (2008 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:

      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%, Pentacostal 5.3%, other Christian 2.7%, non-denominational 5.8%, other 3.8%, none 9.8%, unspecified 1.1% (1999 census)

      Languages:

      English 95%, Spanish 3.2%, other 1.8% (1999 census)

      Literacy:

      definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school total population: 98% male: 98% female: 98% (1970 est.)

      School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):

      total: 13 years male: 12 years female: 13 years (2001)

      Education expenditures:

      2.8% of GDP (2005)

      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:

      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)

      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 1962, 1972, and 1994

      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); represented by Governor Stuart JACK (since 23 November 2005) head of government: Leader of Government Business Kurt TIBBETTS (since 18 May 2005) cabinet: Executive Council (three members appointed by the governor, four members elected by 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 Leader of Government Business

      Legislative branch:

      unicameral Legislative Assembly (18 seats; 3 appointed members from the Executive Council and 15 elected by popular vote; to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 11 May 2005 (next to be held in 2009) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PPM 9, UDP 5, independent 1

      Judicial branch:

      Summary Court; Grand Court; Cayman Islands Court of Appeal

      Political parties and leaders:

      United Democratic