International Security Bulletin

Cayman Islands

Capital: George Town (on Grand Cayman)

History

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.

Geography

Metric Units

Total Area 264 sq km
Land Boundaries 0 km
Border Countries No data
Coastline 160 km
Terrain low-lying limestone base surrounded by coral reefs
Minimum Elevation 0 m
Maximum Elevation 43 m
Climate tropical marine; warm, rainy summers (May to October) and cool, relatively dry winters (November to April)
Natural Resources fish, climate and beaches that foster tourism
Arable Land 0.83%
Permanent Crops 2.08%

Economy

Gross Domestic Product $2.25 billion
GDP (per capita) $43,800
GDP Growth 1.1%
Unemployment Rate 4%
Population in Poverty No data%
GINI Index No data

Budget & Debt

Expenditures $742.8 million
Revenue $723.4 million
Current Account Balance $No data
External Debt $70 million

Trade

Exports $42.6 million
Export Items turtle products, manufactured consumer goods
Export Partners No data
Imports $796.8 million
Import Items foodstuffs, manufactured goods, fuels
Import Partners No data

People

Population 53,737
Population Growth 2.19%
Ethnic Groups mixed 40%, white 20%, black 20%, expatriates of various ethnic groups 20%
Religion 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%
Life Expectancy 80.91 years
Infant Mortality 0.95 deaths/1,000 live births
Maternal Mortality 0.9 deaths/100,000 live births

Energy

Electricity Production 593.5 million kWh
Electricity Consumption 555.6 million kWh
From Fossil Fuels 100%
From Nuclear 0%
From Hydroelectric 0%
From Renewable Sources 0%