Cayman Islands

Broadcast media

4 TV stations; cable and satellite subscription services offer a variety of international programming; government-owned Radio Cayman operates 2 networks broadcasting on 5 stations; 10 privately-owned radio stations operate alongside Radio Cayman (2007)

Internet country code

.ky

Internet hosts

23,472 (2012) country comparison to the world: 114

Internet users

23,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 190

Telephone system

general assessment: reasonably good overall telephone system with a high fixed-line teledensity domestic: liberalization of telecom market in 2003; introduction of competition in the mobile-cellular market in 2004 international: country code - 1-345; landing points for the Maya-1, Eastern Caribbean Fiber System (ECFS), and the Cayman-Jamaica Fiber System submarine cables that provide links to the US and parts of Central and South America; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2011)

Telephones - main lines in use

37,200 (2011) country comparison to the world: 170

Telephones - mobile cellular

95,100 (2011) country comparison to the world: 193

Agriculture - products

vegetables, fruit; livestock; turtle farming

Budget

revenues: $723.4 million expenditures: $742.8 million (2012 est.)

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-0.9% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 57

Debt - external

$70 million (1996) country comparison to the world: 192

Economy - overview

With no direct taxation, the islands are a thriving offshore financial center. More than 93,000 companies were registered in the Cayman Islands as of 2008, including almost 300 banks, 800 insurers, and 10,000 mutual funds. 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 1.9 million in 2008, with about half from the US. Nearly 90% of the islands' food and consumer goods must be imported. The Caymanians enjoy a standard of living comparable to that of Switzerland.

Exchange rates

Caymanian dollars (KYD) per US dollar - 0.83 (2012 est.) 0.83 (2011 est.) 0.83 (2010 est.)

Exports

$42.6 million (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 199 $40.5 million (2011 est.)

Exports - commodities

turtle products, manufactured consumer goods

Fiscal year

1 April - 31 March

GDP (official exchange rate)

$2.25 billion (2008 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$2.25 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 189 $2.23 billion (2003 est.)

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture: 0.2% industry: 27.6% services: 72.2% (2012 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$43,800 (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 17

GDP - real growth rate

1.1% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 160 0.9% (2004 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%

Imports

$796.8 million (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 182 $851.7 million (2011 est.)

Imports - commodities

foodstuffs, manufactured goods, fuels

Industrial production growth rate

NA%

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

1.2% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 16 1.9% (2011 est.)

Labor force

39,000 country comparison to the world: 198 note: nearly 55% are non-nationals (2007)

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture: 1.9% industry: 19.1% services: 79% (2008 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$NA (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 114 $183.5 million (31 December 2007) $188.4 million (31 December 2006)

Population below poverty line

NA%

Stock of broad money

$5.564 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 126

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$NA

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$NA

Stock of narrow money

$334.3 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 169

Taxes and other revenues

32.1% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 87

Unemployment rate

4% (2008) country comparison to the world: 33 4.4% (2004)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

273,500 Mt (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 193

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 95

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 171

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 119

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 117

Electricity - consumption

555.6 million kWh (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 167

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 178

Electricity - from fossil fuels

100% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 12

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 164

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 66

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 121

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 170

Electricity - installed generating capacity

152,600 kW (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 158

Electricity - production

593.5 million kWh (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 159

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 131

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 177

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 176

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 114

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 123

Refined petroleum products - consumption

3,141 bbl/day (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 182

Refined petroleum products - exports

0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 165

Refined petroleum products - imports

4,491 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 162

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 134

Area

total: 264 sq km country comparison to the world: 211 land: 264 sq km water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative

1.5 times the size of Washington, DC

Climate

tropical marine; warm, rainy summers (May to October) and cool, relatively dry winters (November to April)

Coastline

160 km

Elevation extremes

lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: The Bluff on Cayman Brac 43 m

Environment - current issues

no natural freshwater resources; drinking water supplies must be met by rainwater catchments

Geographic coordinates

19 30 N, 80 30 W

Geography - note

important location between Cuba and Central America

Irrigated land

NA

Land boundaries

0 km

Land use

arable land: 3.85% permanent crops: 0% other: 96.15% (2005)

Location

Caribbean, three-island group (Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac, Little Cayman) in Caribbean Sea, 240 km south of Cuba and 268 km northwest of Jamaica

Map references

Central America and the Caribbean

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm

Natural hazards

hurricanes (July to November)

Natural resources

fish, climate and beaches that foster tourism

Terrain

low-lying limestone base surrounded by coral reefs

Administrative divisions

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

Capital

name: George Town (on Grand Cayman) geographic coordinates: 19 18 N, 81 23 W time difference: UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution

The Cayman Islands Constitution Order 2009, 6 November 2009

Country name

conventional long form: none conventional short form: Cayman Islands

Dependency status

overseas territory of the UK

Diplomatic representation from the US

none (overseas territory of the UK); consular services provided through the US Embassy in Jamaica

Diplomatic representation in the US

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Executive branch

chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor Duncan TAYLOR (since 15 January 2010) head of government: Premier Juliana O'CONNOR-CONNOLLY (since 19 December 2012) note: Mckeeva BUSH was defeated in a no-confidence vote on 18 December 2012 cabinet: The Cabinet (six members are appointed by the governor on the advice of the premier, selected from among the elected members of the Legislative Assembly) (For more information visit theWorld Leaders website) elections: the monarchy is hereditary; the governor appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or coalition appointed by the governor as premier

Flag description

a blue field, 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 crest with a pineapple, representing the connection with Jamaica, and a turtle, representing Cayman's seafaring tradition, above a shield bearing a golden lion, symbolizing Great Britain, below which are three green stars (representing the three islands) surmounting white and blue wavy lines representing the sea and a scroll at the bottom bearing the motto HE HATH FOUNDED IT UPON THE SEAS

Government type

parliamentary democracy

Independence

none (overseas territory of the UK)

International organization participation

Caricom (associate), CDB, Interpol (subbureau), IOC, UNESCO (associate), UPU

Judicial branch

Grand Court; Cayman Islands Court of Appeal; Summary Court

Legal system

English common law and local statutes

Legislative branch

unicameral Legislative Assembly (20 seats; 18 members elected by popular vote and 2 ex officio members from The Cabinet; to serve four-year terms) elections: last held on 20 May 2009 (next to be held not later than May 2013) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - UDP 9, PPM 5, independent 1

National anthem

name: "Beloved Isle Cayman" lyrics/music: Leila E. ROSS note: adopted 1993; served as an unofficial anthem since 1930; as a territory of the United Kingdom, in addition to the local anthem, "God Save the Queen" is official (see United Kingdom)

National holiday

Constitution Day, first Monday in July

Political parties and leaders

People's Progressive Movement or PPM [Kurt TIBBETTS]; United Democratic Party or UDP [McKeeva BUSH]

Political pressure groups and leaders

National Trust other: environmentalists

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Background

The Cayman Islands were colonized from Jamaica by the British during the 18th and 19th centuries and were administered by Jamaica after 1863. In 1959, the islands became a territory within the Federation of the West Indies. When the Federation dissolved in 1962, the Cayman Islands chose to remain a British dependency.

Manpower available for military service

males age 16-49: 12,238 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 16-49: 9,981 females age 16-49: 10,417 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

male: 333 female: 342 (2010 est.)

Military - note

defense is the responsibility of the UK

Military branches

no regular military forces; Royal Cayman Islands Police Force (2012)

Age structure

0-14 years: 18.8% (male 4,976/ female 4,907) 15-64 years: 70.9% (male 18,133/ female 19,149) 65 years and over: 10.3% (male 2,548/ female 2,847) (2012 est.)

Birth rate

12.21 births/1,000 population (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 164

Death rate

5.19 deaths/1,000 population (July 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 180

Education expenditures

2.6% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 145

Ethnic groups

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

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

NA

Infant mortality rate

total: 6.49 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 166 male: 7.43 deaths/1,000 live births female: 5.53 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)

Languages

English (official) 95%, Spanish 3.2%, other 1.8% (1999 census)

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 80.8 years country comparison to the world: 23 male: 78.12 years female: 83.51 years (2012 est.)

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school total population: 98% male: 98% female: 98% (1970 est.)

Major cities - population

GEORGE TOWN (capital) 32,000 (2009)

Median age

total: 39 years male: 38.4 years female: 39.5 years (2012 est.)

Nationality

noun: Caymanian(s) adjective: Caymanian

Net migration rate

15.37 migrant(s)/1,000 population country comparison to the world: 7 note: major destination for Cubans trying to migrate to the US (2012 est.)

Population

52,560 (July 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 207 note: most of the population lives on Grand Cayman

Population growth rate

2.239% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 40

Religions

Protestant 67.7% (Church of God 25.5%, Presbyterian/United Church 9.2%, Seventh-Day Adventist 8.4%, Baptist 8.3%, Pentecostal 6.7%, Anglican 3.9%, non-denominational 5.7%), Roman Catholic 12.6%, other religions 4%, other 6.5%, none 6.1%, unspecified 3.2% (2007)

Sanitation facility access

improved: urban: 96% of population total: 96% of population unimproved: urban: 4% of population total: 4% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 12 years male: 11 years female: 12 years (2008)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.9 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.87 children born/woman (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 146

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

total: 13.5% country comparison to the world: 85 male: 13.6% female: 13.3% (2008)

Urbanization

urban population: 100% of total population (2010) rate of urbanization: 0.9% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

Disputes - international

none

Illicit drugs

major offshore financial center; vulnerable to drug transshipment to the US and Europe (2008)

Airports

3 (2012) country comparison to the world: 196

Airports - with paved runways

total: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (2012)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2012)

Merchant marine

total: 116 country comparison to the world: 46 by type: bulk carrier 19, cargo 3, chemical tanker 61, liquefied gas 1, passenger 1, petroleum tanker 5, refrigerated cargo 10, vehicle carrier 16 foreign-owned: 102 (Germany 3, Greece 9, Italy 7, Japan 23, Switzerland 1, UK 2, US 57) (2010)

Ports and terminals

Cayman Brac, George Town

Roadways

total: 785 km country comparison to the world: 187 paved: 785 km (2007)