CAYMAN ISLANDS (dependent territory of the UK) GEOGRAPHY Total area: 260 km2; land area: 260 km2 Comparative area: slightly less than 1.5 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: none Coastline: 160 km Maritime claims: Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm; Territorial sea: 3 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 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% Environment: within the Caribbean hurricane belt Note: important location between Cuba and Central America PEOPLE Population: 27,489 (July 1991), growth rate 4.2% (1991) Birth rate: 13 births/1,000 population (1991) Death rate: 5 deaths/1,000 population (1991) Net migration rate: 33 migrants/1,000 population (1991) Infant mortality rate: 10 deaths/1,000 live births (1991) Life expectancy at birth: 74 years male, 80 years female (1991) Total fertility rate: 1.4 children born/woman (1991) Nationality: noun--Caymanian(s); adjective--Caymanian Ethnic divisions: 40% mixed, 20% white, 20% black, 20% expatriates of various ethnic groups Religion: United Church (Presbyterian and Congregational), Anglican, Baptist, Roman Catholic, Church of God, other Protestant denominations Language: English Literacy: 98% (male 98%, female 98%) age 15 and over having ever attended school (1970) Labor force: 8,061; service workers 18.7%, clerical 18.6%, construction 12.5%, finance and investment 6.7%, directors and business managers 5.9% (1979) Organized labor: Global Seaman's Union; Cayman All Trade Union GOVERNMENT Long-form name: none Type: 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) Legal system: British common law and local statutes Constitution: 1959, revised 1972 National holiday: Constitution Day (first Monday in July), 1 July 1991 Executive branch: British monarch, governor, Executive Council (cabinet) Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Assembly Judicial branch: Grand Court, Cayman Islands Court of Appeal Leaders: Chief of State--Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor Alan James SCOTT (since NA 1987); Head of Government--Governor and President of the Executive Council Alan James SCOTT (since NA 1987) Political parties and leaders: no formal political parties Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: Legislative Assembly--last held NA November 1988 (next to be held November 1992); results--percent of vote NA; seats--(15 total, 12 elected) Communists: none Member of: CDB, IOC Diplomatic representation: as a dependent territory of the UK, Caymanian interests in the US are represented by the UK; US--none Flag: 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 Overview: The economy depends heavily on tourism (70% of GDP and 75% of export earnings) and offshore financial services, with the tourist industry aimed at the luxury market and catering mainly to visitors from North America. About 90% of the islands' food and consumer goods needs must be imported. The Caymanians enjoy one of the highest standards of living in the region. GDP: $342 million, per capita $13,670 (1989); real growth rate 15% (1988) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5.2% (1988) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues $76 million; expenditures $56 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1988) Exports: $1.5 million (f.o.b., 1987 est.); commodities--turtle products, manufactured consumer goods; partners--mostly US Imports: $136 million (c.i.f., 1987 est.); commodities--foodstuffs, manufactured goods; partners--US, Trinidad and Tobago, UK, Netherlands Antilles, Japan External debt: $15 million (1986) Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: 74,000 kW capacity; 256 million kWh produced, 9,710 kWh per capita (1990) Industries: tourism, banking, insurance and finance, construction, building materials, furniture making Agriculture: minor production of vegetables, fruit, livestock; turtle farming Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-87), $26.7 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-88), $35.0 million Currency: Caymanian dollar (plural--dollars); 1 Caymanian dollar (CI$) = 100 cents Exchange rates: Caymanian dollars (CI$) per US$1--1.20 (fixed rate) Fiscal year: 1 April-31 March COMMUNICATIONS Highways: 160 km of main roads Ports: George Town, Cayman Brac Merchant marine: 33 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 372,732 GRT/604,395 DWT; includes 1 passenger-cargo, 6 cargo, 7 roll-on/roll-off cargo, 6 petroleum, oils, and lubricants (POL) tanker, 1 chemical tanker, 2 specialized tanker, 1 liquefied gas carrier, 9 bulk; note--a flag of convenience registry Airports: 3 total; 3 usable; 2 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 2,439 m; 2 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: 35,000 telephones; telephone system uses 1 submarine coaxial cable and 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station to link islands and access international services; stations--2 AM, 1 FM, no TV DEFENSE FORCES Branches: Royal Cayman Islands Police Force (RCIPF) Note: defense is the responsibility of the UK