6 (1998 est.)
Airports—with paved runways: total: 6 over 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 5 (1998 est.)
Military
Military branches: Armed Forces (AF) (includes all armed force
elements, both ground and naval)
Military manpower—availability:
males age 15–49: 84,018 (1999 est.)
Military manpower—fit for military service:
males age 15–49: 47,672 (1999 est.)
Military expenditures—dollar figure: $3.8 million (1996)
Military expenditures—percent of GDP: 1.8% (1996)
Transnational Issues
Disputes—international: none
Illicit drugs: used as a transshipment point for illicit drugs moving from Latin America and Africa destined for Western Europe
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@Cayman Islands———————
Geography
Location: Caribbean, island group in Caribbean Sea, nearly one-half of the way from Cuba to Honduras
Geographic coordinates: 19 30 N, 80 30 W
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area:
total: 260 sq km
land: 260 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
Environment—international agreements:
party to: NA
signed, but not ratified: NA
Geography—note: important location between Cuba and Central
America
People
Population: 39,335 (July 1999 est.)
Age structure: 0–14 years: NA 15–64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA
Population growth rate: 4.19% (1999 est.)
Birth rate: 13.66 births/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Death rate: 4.98 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Net migration rate: 33.2 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 est.) note: major destination for Cubans trying to migrate to the US
Infant mortality rate: 8.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 77.1 years male: 75.37 years female: 78.81 years (1999 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.31 children born/woman (1999 est.)
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 denominations
Languages: English
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school
total population: 98%
male: 98%
female: 98% (1970 est.)
Government
Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Cayman Islands
Data code: CJ
Dependency status: overseas territory of the UK
Government type: NA
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)
head of government: Governor and President of the Executive Council
John Wynne OWEN (since 15 September 1995)
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 official members and 15 elected by popular vote; members serve
four-year terms)
elections: last held 20 November 1996 (next to be held NA November
2000)
election results: percent of vote—NA; seats—National Team coalition
9, independents 6
Judicial branch: Grand Court; Cayman Islands Court of Appeal
Political parties and leaders: no formal political parties
International organization participation: Caricom (observer),
CDB, Interpol (subbureau), IOC
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
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