Cayman Islands
British crown colonyIndependence none (overseas territory of the UK)
Cayman Islands as the 2000 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 102 fields, one of 36 editions from 1990 to 2025.
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Introduction
1 fieldBackground
The Cayman Islands were colonized from Jamaica by the British during the 18th and 19th centuries. Administered by Jamaica from 1863, they remained a British dependency after 1962 when the former became independent.
Geography
Caribbean, island group in Caribbean Sea, nearly one-half of the way from Cuba to Honduras
17 fieldsLand useshare of 259 sq km
Climate
tropical marine; warm, rainy summers (May to October) and cool, relatively dry winters (November to April)
Environment - current issues
no natural fresh water resources; drinking water supplies must be met by rainwater catchment
People
15 fieldsPer 1,000 population(2000 est.)
Male · female
Age structure
- 0-14 years:
- 22.36% (male 3,769; female 4,005)
- 15-64 years:
- 69.84% (male 11,864; female 12,416)
- 65 years and over:
- 7.79% (male 1,241; female 1,468) (2000 est.)
Net migration rate
13.12 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2000 est.) note: major destination for Cubans trying to migrate to the US
Sex ratio
- at birth:
- 0.86 male(s)/female
- under 15 years:
- 0.94 male(s)/female
- 15-64 years:
- 0.96 male(s)/female
- 65 years and over:
- 0.85 male(s)/female
- total population:
- 0.94 male(s)/female (2000 est.)
Religions
United Church (Presbyterian and Congregational), Anglican, Baptist, Roman Catholic, Church of God, other Protestant
Government
British crown colony; Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); Governor and President of the Executive Council Peter SMITH (since 5 May 1999)
19 fieldsLegislative Assembly, 6 seats, elected 20 November 1996one dot, one seat
Administrative divisions
8 districts; Creek, Eastern, Midland, South Town, Spot Bay, Stake Bay, West End, Western
Executive branch
- chief of state:
- Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952)
- head of government:
- Governor and President of the Executive Council Peter SMITH (since 5 May 1999)
- 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
Political parties and leaders
no formal political parties note: the National Team, an organization formed in 1992 to oppose some proposals in the constitutional draft, continues to exert legislative power
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
With no direct taxation, the islands are a thriving offshore financial center.
31 fieldsGDP - composition by sector(1994 est.)
Electricity
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 companies; banking assets exceed $500 billion. A stock exchange was opened in 1997. Tourism is also a mainstay, accounting for about 70% of GDP and 75% of foreign currency earnings.
The tourist industry is aimed at the luxury market and caters mainly to visitors from North America. Total tourist arrivals exceeded 1.2 million visitors in 1997. About 90% of the islands' food and consumer goods must be imported. The Caymanians enjoy one of the highest outputs per capita and one of the highest standards of living in the world.
Communications
8 fieldsTelephone system
- domestic:
- NA
- international:
- 1 submarine coaxial cable; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Transportation
7 fieldsMerchant marine, 85 ships by typeone square, one ship · (1999 est.)
Airports by runway lengthpaved only
Airports by runway lengthunpaved only
Networkskm
Military
Royal Cayman Islands Police Force (RCIPF)
2 fieldsTransnational Issues
2 fieldsIllicit drugs
vulnerable to drug money laundering and drug transshipment [Country Listing] [ The World Factbook Home]
Cite this entry
Central Intelligence Agency. “Cayman Islands.” The World Factbook 2000. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/cayman-islands/2000.