Cayman Islands

dependent territory of the UKIndependence none (dependent territory of the UK)

Cayman Islands as the 1990 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 65 fields, one of 36 editions from 1990 to 2025.

field in that editiontext changed from the edition beforenot in that editionthe open editionEach field below ends in its editions, 1990 to 2025. Point at a year above to follow it down.

CapitalGeorge Town

Area260 km2

Populationas each edition published it

26,356 people July 1990 · 66,653 in 2025

Population growth% a year

Not in this edition 4.35% in 1993

Median ageyears

Not in this edition 36.1 yrs in 2003

Life expectancyyears at birth

Not in this edition 77.1 yrs in 1993

Fertility ratechildren per woman

1.5 children per woman 1990 · 1.81 in 2025

Infant mortalitydeaths per 1,000 live births

10 deaths per 1,000 live births 1990 · 7.1 in 2025

GDP per capitaeach edition's own dollars

Not in this edition $23,000 in 1993

GDP real growth% a year

Not in this edition 4.4% in 1993

Geography

12 fields

Land useshare of 260 km2

permanent crops 0%meadows and pastures 8%forest and woodland 23%other 69%arable land 0% in all

Total area

260km2

land area: 260 km2Comparative area: slightly less than 1.5 times the size of Washington, DC

Coastline

160km

land boundaries: noneTerritorial sea: 3 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

Natural resources

fish, climate and beaches that foster tourism

Note

important location between Cuba and Central America

People

14 fields

Population

26,356

(July 1990), growth rate 4.3% (1990)

Per 1,000 population(1990)

Birth

14Death

5Net migration

Ethnic divisions

mixed 40%white 20%black 20%expatriates of various ethnic groups 20%

Literacy

98%

Nationality

noun--Caymanian(s); adjective--Caymanian

Religion

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

Labor force

8,061; 18.7% service workers, 18.6% clerical, 12.5% construction, 6.7% finance and investment, 5.9% directors and business managers (1979)

Organized labor

Global Seaman's Union; Cayman All Trade Union

Government

Dependent territory of the UK

17 fields

Administrative divisions

12 districts; Bodden Town, Creek, East End, George Town, Jacksons, North Side, Prospect, South Town, Spot Bay, Stake Bay, West Bay, West End

National holiday

Constitution Day (first Monday in July), 3 July 1989

Executive branch

British monarch, governor, Executive Council (cabinet)

Judicial branch

Grand Court, Cayman Islands Court of Appeal Chief of State--Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor Alan James SCOTT (since NA 1987);
Head of Government--Governor and President of the Executive Council Alan James SCOTT (since NA 1987)

Suffrage

universal at age 18 Legislative Assembly--last held NA November 1988 (next to be held November 1992);
results--percent of vote NA;
seats--(15 total, 12 elected)

Diplomatic representation

as a dependent territory of the UK, Caymanian interests in the US are represented by the UK; US--none

Flag

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

16 fields

GDP, purchasing power parity

$238million

per capita $10,000 (1989 est.); real growth rate 12% (1987 est.)

Inflation, consumer prices

2.4%

(1986)

External debt

$15million

(1986)

Budget

Revenues

$46.2 millionExpenditures

$47.0 million

expenditures, including capital expenditures of $9.1 million (1986)

The economy depends heavily on tourism (70% of GDP and 75% of export earnings) and offshore financial services, with the tourist industry aimed at the luxury market and catering mainly to visitors from North America. About 90% of the islands' food and consumer goods needs must be imported. The Caymanians enjoy one of the highest standards of living in the region.

Unemployment rate

NA%

Exports

$2.2 million (f.o.b., 1986 est.);
commodities--turtle products, manufactured consumer goods;
partners--mostly US

Imports

$134 million (c.i.f., 1986 est.);
commodities--foodstuffs, manufactured goods;
partners--US, Trinidad and Tobago, UK, Netherlands Antilles, Japan

Industrial production

growth rate NA%

Electricity

59,000 kW capacity; 213 million kWh produced, 8,960 kWh per capita (1989)

Industries

tourism, banking, insurance and finance, real estate and construction

Agriculture

minor production of vegetables, fruit, livestock; turtle farming

Aid

US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-87), $26.7 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-87), $32.2 million

Currency

Caymanian dollar (plural--dollars); 1 Caymanian dollar (CI$) = 100 cents

Exchange rates

Caymanian dollars (CI$) per US$1--0.835 (fixed rate)

Fiscal year

1 April-31 March

Communications

5 fields

Merchant marine, 32 ships by typeone square, one ship

passenger-cargo 1cargo 8roll-on/roll-off cargo 8petroleum, oils, and lubricants (POL) tanker 4chemical tanker 1specialized tanker 1liquefied gas carrier 1bulk; note--a flag of convenience registry 832 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 355,055 GRT/576,622 DWT

3 total;
3 usable;
2 with permanent-surface runways;
none with runways over 2,439 m;
2 with runways 1,220-2,439 m

Telecommunications

35,000 telephones;
telephone system uses 1 submarine coaxial cable and 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station to link islands and access international services;
stations--2 AM, 1 FM, no TV

Defense Forces

1 field

Note

defense is the responsibility of the UK

Central Intelligence Agency. “Cayman Islands.” The World Factbook 1990. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/cayman-islands/1990.

How to cite 1991 edition →