1 (1995 est.)
total: 4 (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 5,632 GRT/8,872 DWT
Airports:
total: 6
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 1
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 5 (1995 est.)
Communications———————
Telephones: 1,740 (1987 est.)
Telephone system:
domestic: interisland microwave radio relay system
international: 2 coaxial submarine cables; HF radiotelephone to
Senegal and Guinea-Bissau; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat
(Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 6, shortwave 0
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 1 (1987 est.)
Televisions: 7,000 (1991 est.)
Defense———
Branches: People's Revolutionary Armed Forces (FARP; includes Army
and Navy), Security Service
Manpower availability: males age 15–49: 84,003 males fit for military service: 48,885 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $3.4 million, NA% of GDP (1994)
======================================================================
@Cayman Islands———————
(dependent territory of the UK)
Map—
Location: 19 30 N, 80 30 W—Caribbean, island group in Caribbean
Sea, nearly one-half of the way from Cuba to Honduras
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
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 area: 260 sq km
land area: 260 sq km
comparative area: 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
International disputes: none
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 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%
meadows and pastures: 8%
forest and woodland: 23%
other: 69%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:
current issues: no natural fresh water resources, drinking water
supplies must be met by rainwater catchment
natural hazards: hurricanes (July to November)
international agreements: NA
Geographic note: important location between Cuba and Central
America
People———
Population: 34,646 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure: 0–14 years: NA 15–64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA
Population growth rate: 4.27% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 14.52 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 4.98 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 33.2 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
note: major destination for Cubans trying to migrate to the US
Sex ratio:
at birth: NA male(s)/female
under 15 years: NA male(s)/female
15–64 years: NA male(s)/female
65 years and over: NA male(s)/female
all ages: NA male(s)/female
Infant mortality rate: 8.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 77.1 years male: 75.37 years female: 78.81 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.4 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality: noun: Caymanian(s) adjective: Caymanian
Ethnic divisions: 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: age 15 and over has ever attended school (1970 est.)
total population: 98%
male: 98%
female: 98%
Government—————
Name of country: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Cayman Islands
Data code: CJ
Type of government: dependent territory of the UK
Capital: George Town
Administrative divisions: 8 districts; Creek, Eastern, Midland,
South Town, Spot Bay, Stake Bay, West End, Western
Independence: none (dependent 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 (of the United Kingdom since 6
February 1952) is a hereditary monarch
head of government: Governor and President of the Executive Council
John OWEN (since 15 September 1995)
cabinet: Executive Council - three members are appointed by the
governor, four members are elected by the Legislative Assembly
Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Assembly: election last held 18 November 1992 (next to be held NA November 1996); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (15 total, 12 elected) independents 12
Judicial branch: Grand Court; Cayman Islands Court of Appeal
Political parties and leaders: