Cayman Islands

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

Cayman Islands as the 1992 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 69 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
1992

Every edition of Cayman Islands

Populationas each edition published it
29,139 people July 1992 · 26,356 in 1990
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 1992 · 1.5 in 1990
Infant mortalitydeaths per 1,000 live births
8 deaths per 1,000 live births 1992 · 10 in 1990
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

13 fields
Total area
260km2
Comparative area: slightly less than 1.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Coastline
160km
land boundaries: noneExclusive fishing zone: 200 nmTerritorial sea: 3 nm

Land area

260 km2

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

Land use

  • arable land 0%;
  • permanent crops 0%;
  • meadows and pastures 8%;
  • forest and woodland 23%;
  • other 69%

Environment

within the Caribbean hurricane belt

Note

important location between Cuba and Central America

People

14 fields
Population
29,139
(July 1992), growth rate 4.4% (1992)

Per 1,000 population(1992)

Birth
16Death
5Net migration
33

Ethnic divisions

mixed 40%white 20%black 20%expatriates of various ethnic groups 20%
Literacy
98%
(male 98%, female 98%) age 15 and over having ever attended school (1970)

Infant mortality rate

8 deaths/1,000 live births (1992)

Life expectancy at birth

75 years male, 79 years female (1992)

Total fertility rate

1.5 children born/woman (1992)

Nationality

noun - Caymanian(s); adjective - Caymanian

Religions

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

Languages

English

Labor force

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

Organized labor

Global Seaman's Union; Cayman All Trade Union

Government

Dependent territory of the UK

18 fields

Type

dependent territory of the UK

Capital

George Town

Administrative divisions

8 districts; Creek, Eastern, Midland, South Town, Spot Bay, Stake Bay, West End, Western

Independence

none (dependent territory of the UK)

Constitution

1959, revised 1972

National holiday

Constitution Day (first Monday in July)

Executive branch

British monarch, governor, Executive Council (cabinet)

Legislative branch

unicameral Legislative Assembly

Judicial branch

Grand Court, Cayman Islands Court of Appeal

Leaders

Chief of State:
Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor Michael GORE (since May 1992)
Head of Government:
Governor and President of the Executive Council Alan James SCOTT (since NA 1987)

Political parties and leaders

no formal political parties

Suffrage

universal at age 18

Elections

Legislative Assembly:
  • last held November 1988 (next to be held November 1992);
  • results - percent of vote by party NA;
  • seats - (15 total, 12 elected)

Member of

CARICOM (observer), CDB, IOC

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 HE HATH FOUNDED IT UPON THE SEAS

Economy

16 fields
External debt
$15million
(1986)

Budget

Revenues
$83.6 millionExpenditures
$98.9 million
expenditures, including capital expenditures of $13.6 million (1990)

Overview

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.

GDP

exchange rate conversion - $384 million, per capita $14,500 (1989); real growth rate 8% (1990)

Exports

$1.5 million (f.o.b., 1987 est.)

commodities:
turtle products, manufactured consumer goods
partners:
mostly US

Imports

$136 million (c.i.f., 1987 est.)

commodities:
foodstuffs, manufactured goods
partners:
US, Trinidad and Tobago, UK, Netherlands Antilles, Japan

Industrial production

growth rate NA%

Electricity

74,000 kW capacity; 256 million kWh produced, 9,313 kWh per capita (1991)

Industries

tourism, banking, insurance and finance, construction, building materials, furniture making

Agriculture

minor production of vegetables, fruit, livestock; turtle farming

Economic aid

US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $26.7 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $35 million

Currency

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

Exchange rates

Caymanian dollars (CI$) per US$1 - 1.20 (fixed rate)

Fiscal year

1 April - 31 March

Communications

6 fields

Merchant marine, 32 ships by typeone square, one ship

passenger-cargo 1cargo 7roll-on/roll-off cargo 8petroleum tanker 6chemical tanker 1specialized tanker 1liquefied gas carrier 1bulk 5combination bulk; note - a flag of convenience registry 232 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 364,174 GRT/560,241 DWT

Highways

160 km of main roads

Ports

George Town, Cayman Brac

Civil air

2 major transport aircraft

Airports

  • 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;
  • broadcast stations - 2 AM, 1 FM, no TV

Defense Forces

Royal Cayman Islands Police Force (RCIPF)

2 fields

Branches

Royal Cayman Islands Police Force (RCIPF)

Note

defense is the responsibility of the UK

Central Intelligence Agency. “Cayman Islands.” The World Factbook 1992. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/cayman-islands/1992.

How to cite ← 1991 edition 1993 edition →