Country: 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: 0% arable land; 0% permanent crops; 8% meadows and pastures; 23% forest and woodland; 69% other Environment: within the Caribbean hurricane belt Note: important location between Cuba and Central America - People Population: 26,356 (July 1990), growth rate 4.3% (1990) Birth rate: 14 births/1,000 population (1990) Death rate: 5 deaths/1,000 population (1990) Net migration rate: 33 migrants/1,000 population (1990) Infant mortality rate: 10 deaths/1,000 live births (1990) Life expectancy at birth: 74 years male, 80 years female (1990) Total fertility rate: 1.5 children born/woman (1990) 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% Labor force: 8,061; 18.7% service workers, 18.6% clerical, 12.5% construction, 6.7% finance and investment, 5.9% directors and business managers (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: 12 districts; Bodden Town, Creek, East End, George Town, Jacksons, North Side, Prospect, South Town, Spot Bay, Stake Bay, West Bay, West End 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), 3 July 1989 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: Commonwealth 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: $238 million, per capita $10,000 (1989 est.); real growth rate 12% (1987 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.4% (1986) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues $46.2 million; expenditures $47.0 million, including capital expenditures of $9.1 million (1986) Exports: $2.2 million (f.o.b., 1986 est.); commodities--turtle products, manufactured consumer goods; partners--mostly US Imports: $134 million (c.i.f., 1986 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: 59,000 kW capacity; 213 million kWh produced, 8,960 kWh per capita (1989) Industries: tourism, banking, insurance and finance, real estate and construction Agriculture: minor production of vegetables, fruit, livestock; turtle farming Aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-87), $26.7 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-87), $32.2 million Currency: Caymanian dollar (plural--dollars); 1 Caymanian dollar (CI$) = 100 cents Exchange rates: Caymanian dollars (CI$) per US$1--0.835 (fixed rate) Fiscal year: 1 April-31 March - Communications Highways: 160 km of main roads Ports: George Town, Cayman Brac Merchant marine: 32 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 355,055 GRT/576,622 DWT; includes 1 passenger-cargo, 8 cargo, 8 roll-on/roll-off cargo, 4 petroleum, oils, and lubricants (POL) tanker, 1 chemical tanker, 1 specialized tanker, 1 liquefied gas carrier, 8 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 Note: defense is the responsibility of the UK