Chief
of State: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February
1952); Governor Stuart JACK (since 23 November 2005) Head of Government: Leader of
Government Business Kurt TIBBETTS (since 18 May 2005)
Government Type: British crown
colony
Population Demographics
Population:
45,436
note: most of the population lives on Grand Cayman (July
2006 est.)
Languages: English Religion: United Church (Presbyterian
and Congregational), Anglican, Baptist, Church of God,
other Protestant, Roman Catholic Life Expectancy: 80.07
Economic Information
Currency:
Caymanian dollar (KYD) GDP(per capita): $32,300 (2004
est.) 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.
Location:
Caribbean, three island (Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac, Little
Cayman) group in Caribbean Sea, 240 km south of Cuba and
268 km northwest of Jamaica Area: total: 262 sq km
land: 262 sq km
water: 0 sq km
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, but when the Federation dissolved in 1962, the
Cayman Islands chose to remain a British dependency.
Independence Day: none (overseas
territory of the UK)
Capital City: George Town (Grand
Cayman) Administrative divisions: 8
districts; Creek, Eastern, Midland, South Town, Spot
Bay, Stake Bay, West End, Western
