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Communications

Broadcast media [time series]

4 television 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 [time series]

.ky

Internet users (Internet hosts) [time series]

21,910 (2010) country comparison to the world: 108

Internet users [time series]

23,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 188

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

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) (2007)

Telephones - fixed lines (Telephones - main lines in use) [time series]

37,400 (2010) country comparison to the world: 174

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

99,900 (2010) country comparison to the world: 190

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

vegetables, fruit; livestock; turtle farming

Budget [time series]

revenues: $503.4 million expenditures: $674.7 million (2010 est.)

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-) [time series]

-7.6% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 181

Commercial bank prime lending rate [time series]

14.5% (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 64 14.5% (31 December 2009 est.)

Current account balance [time series]

-$384.5 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 105 -$335.4 million (2009 est.)

Debt - external [time series]

$70 million (1996) country comparison to the world: 188

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

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. About 90% of the islands' food and consumer goods must be imported. The Caymanians enjoy a standard of living roughly equal to that of Switzerland.

Electricity - consumption [time series]

537.5 million kWh (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 163

Electricity - exports [time series]

0 kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - imports [time series]

0 kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - production [time series]

597.4 million kWh (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 156

Exchange rates [time series]

Caymanian dollars (KYD) per US dollar - NA (2007) 0.8496 (2006)

Exports [time series]

$17 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 208 $19.5 million (2009 est.)

Exports - commodities [time series]

turtle products, manufactured consumer goods

GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]

$2.25 billion (2008 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP (purchasing power parity)) [time series]

$2.25 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 183 $2.23 billion (2003 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin (GDP - composition by sector) [time series]

agriculture: 0.5% industry: 50.7% services: 48.8% (2010 est.)

Real GDP per capita (GDP - per capita (PPP)) [time series]

$43,800 (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 15

Real GDP growth rate (GDP - real growth rate) [time series]

1.1% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 168 0.9% (2004 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

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

Imports [time series]

$795 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 179 $897.4 million (2009 est.)

Imports - commodities [time series]

foodstuffs, manufactured goods, fuels

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

NA%

Industries [time series]

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

0.3% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 11 -1.5% (2009 est.)

Investment (gross fixed) [time series]

25.6% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 53

Labor force [time series]

39,000 country comparison to the world: 196 note: nearly 55% are non-nationals (2007)

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

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

Market value of publicly traded shares [time series]

$NA (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 115 $183.5 million (31 December 2007) $188.4 million (31 December 2006)

Natural gas - consumption [time series]

0 cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 161

Natural gas - exports [time series]

0 cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 77

Natural gas - imports [time series]

0 cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 101

Natural gas - production [time series]

0 cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 167

Natural gas - proved reserves [time series]

0 cu m (1 January 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 122

Oil - consumption [time series]

3,000 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 177

Oil - exports [time series]

0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 147

Oil - imports [time series]

3,700 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 169

Oil - production [time series]

0 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 162

Oil - proved reserves [time series]

0 bbl (1 January 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 116

Population below poverty line [time series]

NA%

Stock of broad money [time series]

$5.564 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 119

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad [time series]

$NA

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home [time series]

$NA

Stock of narrow money [time series]

$334.3 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 166

Taxes and other revenues [time series]

22.4% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 136

Unemployment rate [time series]

4% (2008) country comparison to the world: 35 4.4% (2004)

Geography

Area [time series]

total: 264 sq km country comparison to the world: 210 land: 264 sq km water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative [time series]

1.5 times the size of Washington, DC

Climate [time series]

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

Coastline [time series]

160 km

Elevation (Elevation extremes) [time series]

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

Environment - current issues [time series]

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

Geographic coordinates [time series]

19 30 N, 80 30 W

Geography - note [time series]

important location between Cuba and Central America

Irrigated land [time series]

Land boundaries [time series]

0 km

Land use [time series]

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

Location [time series]

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 [time series]

Central America and the Caribbean

Maritime claims [time series]

territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm

Natural hazards [time series]

hurricanes (July to November)

Natural resources [time series]

fish, climate and beaches that foster tourism

Terrain [time series]

low-lying limestone base surrounded by coral reefs

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

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

Capital [time series]

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 [time series]

The Cayman Islands Constitution Order 2009, 6 November 2009

Country name [time series]

conventional long form: none conventional short form: Cayman Islands

Dependency status [time series]

overseas territory of the UK

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

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

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor Duncan TAYLOR (since 15 January 2010) head of government: Premier McKeeva BUSH (since 6 November 2009) 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 (Flag description) [time series]

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 [time series]

parliamentary democracy

Independence [time series]

none (overseas territory of the UK)

International organization participation [time series]

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

Judicial branch [time series]

Grand Court; Cayman Islands Court of Appeal; Summary Court

Legal system [time series]

English common law and local statutes

Legislative branch [time series]

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(s) (National anthem) [time series]

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 [time series]

Constitution Day, first Monday in July

Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]

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

Political parties (Political pressure groups and leaders) [time series]

National Trust other: environmentalists

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age; universal

Introduction

Background [time series]

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.

Military

Manpower available for military service [time series]

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

Manpower fit for military service [time series]

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

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually [time series]

male: 333 female: 342 (2010 est.)

Military - note [time series]

defense is the responsibility of the UK

Military and security forces (Military branches) [time series]

no regular military forces; Royal Cayman Islands Police Force (2010)

People and Society

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 19% (male 4,924/female 4,858) 15-64 years: 71.1% (male 17,766/female 18,743) 65 years and over: 9.9% (male 2,401/female 2,692) (2011 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

12.24 births/1,000 population (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 162

Death rate [time series]

5.1 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 181

Drinking water source [time series]

improved: urban: 95% of population total: 95% of population unimproved: urban: 5% of population total: 5% of population (2008)

Education expenditure (Education expenditures) [time series]

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

Ethnic groups [time series]

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

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS [time series]

Infant mortality rate [time series]

total: 6.63 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 168 male: 7.6 deaths/1,000 live births female: 5.65 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

Languages [time series]

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

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 80.68 years country comparison to the world: 21 male: 78.02 years female: 83.39 years (2011 est.)

Literacy [time series]

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

Major urban areas - population (Major cities - population) [time series]

GEORGE TOWN (capital) 32,000 (2009)

Median age [time series]

total: 38.7 years male: 38.2 years female: 39.2 years (2011 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Caymanian(s) adjective: Caymanian

Net migration rate [time series]

15.72 migrant(s)/1,000 population country comparison to the world: 5 note: major destination for Cubans trying to migrate to the US (2011 est.)

Population [time series]

51,384 (July 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 206 note: most of the population lives on Grand Cayman

Population growth rate [time series]

2.287% (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 35

Religions [time series]

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 [time series]

improved: urban: 96% of population total: 96% of population unimproved: urban: 4% of population total: 4% of population (2008)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) [time series]

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

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth: 1.016 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.89 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

1.87 children born/woman (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 146

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) (Unemployment, youth ages 15-24) [time series]

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

Urbanization [time series]

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

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international [time series]

none

Illicit drugs [time series]

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

Transportation

Airports [time series]

3 (2010) country comparison to the world: 194

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (2010)

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

total: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2010)

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 113 country comparison to the world: 46 by type: bulk carrier 20, cargo 3, chemical tanker 56, liquefied gas 1, petroleum tanker 8, refrigerated cargo 10, vehicle carrier 15 foreign-owned: 99 (Germany 6, Greece 11, Italy 6, Japan 19, Switzerland 1, UK 2, US 54) (2010)

Ports (Ports and terminals) [time series]

Cayman Brac, George Town

Roadways [time series]

total: 785 km country comparison to the world: 186 paved: 785 km (2007)