Cayman Islands
British crown colonyIndependence none (overseas territory of the UK)
Cayman Islands as the 2003 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 112 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 since 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 262 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 catchments
People
19 fieldsPer 1,000 population
Male · female
Age structure
- 0-14 years:
- 21.6% (male 4,525; female 4,541)
- 15-64 years:
- 70.6% (male 14,463; female 15,157)
- 65 years and over:
- 7.7% (male 1,515; female 1,733) (2003 est.)
Net migration rate
19.27 migrant(s)/1,000 population note: major destination for Cubans trying to migrate to the US (2003 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:
- 0.87 male(s)/female
- total population:
- 0.96 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
Religions
United Church (Presbyterian and Congregational), Anglican, Baptist, Church of God, other Protestant, Roman Catholic
Government
British crown colony; Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); Chief Secretary W. McKeeva BUSH (since NA December 2001)
19 fieldsAdministrative 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); 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
unicameral Legislative Assembly (18 seats, three appointed members from the Executive Council and 15 elected by popular vote; members serve four-year terms)
- elections:
- last held 8 November 2000 (next to be held NA November 2004)
- election results:
- percent of vote - NA%; seats - NA
Political parties and leaders
- there are no formal political parties but the following loose groupings act as political organizations;
- National Team [leader NA];
- Democratic Alliance [leader NA];
- Team Cayman [leader NA];
- United Democratic Party [leader NA]
International organization participation
Caricom (associate), CDB, Interpol (subbureau), IOC, UNESCO (associate)
Flag description
- blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Caymanian coat of arms 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.
36 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 1998, 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 in 1997, with 600,000 from the US. 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.
Exchange rates
Caymanian dollars per US dollar - 0.82 (29 October 2001), 0.83 (3 November 1995), 0.85 (22 November 1993)
Communications
8 fieldsTelephone system
- general assessment:
- NA
- domestic:
- NA
- international:
- 1 submarine coaxial cable; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Transportation
8 fieldsMerchant marine, 123 ships by typeships (1,000 GRT or over) 2,402,058 GRT/3,792,094 DWT
Airports by runway lengthpaved only
Airports by runway lengthunpaved only
Networkskm
Military
No regular indigenous military forces; Royal Cayman Islands Police Force (RCIPF)
2 fieldsTransnational Issues
2 fieldsCite this entry
Central Intelligence Agency. “Cayman Islands.” The World Factbook 2003. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/cayman-islands/2003.