The 2001 CIA World Factbook. United States. Central Intelligence Agency
the Caribbean
Area: total: 259 sq km
land: 259 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: exclusive fishing zone: 200 NM
territorial sea: 12 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 43 m
Natural resources: fish, climate and beaches that foster tourism
Land use: arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
permanent pastures: 8%
forests and woodland: 23%
other: 69% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Natural hazards: hurricanes (July to November)
Environment - current issues: no natural fresh water resources; drinking water supplies must be met by rainwater catchment
Geography - note: important location between Cuba and Central America
Cayman Islands People
Population: 35,527 (July 2001 est.)
Age structure: 0–14 years: 22.21% (male 3,807; female 4,084)
15–64 years: 69.74% (male 12,102; female 12,676)
65 years and over: 8.05% (male 1,318; female 1,540) (2001 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.12% (2001 est.)
Birth rate: 13.79 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Death rate: 5.15 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Net migration rate: 12.58 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.)
note: major destination for Cubans trying to migrate to the US
Sex ratio: at birth: 0.86 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 0.93 male(s)/female
15–64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.86 male(s)/female
total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2001 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 10.16 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 79.03 years
male: 76.24 years
female: 81.43 years (2001 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.04 children born/woman (2001 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: United Church (Presbyterian and Congregational),
Anglican, Baptist, Roman Catholic, Church of God, other Protestant
Languages: English
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school
total population: 98%
male: 98%
female: 98% (1970 est.)
Cayman Islands Government
Country name: conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Cayman Islands
Dependency status: overseas territory of the UK
Government type: British crown colony
Capital: George Town
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 1972 and 1992
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); Governor and President of the Executive Council
Peter SMITH (since 5 May 1999)
head of government: Kurt TIBBETTS (since November 2000)
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 appointed members 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
Judicial branch: Summary Court; Grand Court; Cayman Islands Court of
Appeal
Political parties and leaders: there are no formal political parties but the following loose groupings act as political organizations; National Team; Democratic Alliance; Team Cayman
Political pressure groups and leaders: NA
International organization participation: Caricom (observer), CDB,
Interpol (subbureau), IOC, UNESCO (associate)
Diplomatic representation in the US: none (overseas territory of the
UK)
Diplomatic representation from the US: none (overseas territory of the UK)
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
Cayman Islands Economy
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.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $930 million (1997 est.)
GDP - real growth rate: 4.9% (1999 est.)
GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $24,500 (1997 est.)
GDP