8 districts; Creek, Eastern, Midland, South Town, Spot Bay, Stake Bay, West End, Western.
Population:
35,527 (July 2001 est.)
Currency:
Caymanian dollar (KYD)
Languages:
English
Elevation:
highest point: The Bluff 43 m
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
Natural hazards:
hurricanes (July to November)
Climate:
tropical marine; warm, rainy summers (May to October) and cool, relatively dry winters (November to April)
Agricultural:
vegetables, fruit; livestock, turtle farming.
Economy:
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 companies; banking assets exceed $500 billion. A stock exchange was opened in 1997. Tourism is also a mainstay, accounting for about 70% of GDP and 75% of foreign currency earnings. The tourist industry is aimed at the luxury market and caters mainly to visitors from North America. Total tourist arrivals exceeded 1.2 million visitors in 1997. About 90% of the islands' food and consumer goods must be imported. The Caymanians enjoy one of the highest outputs per capita and one of the highest standards of living in the world.
Industry:
tourism, banking, insurance and finance, construction, construction materials, furniture
Ethnicgroups:
mixed 40%, white 20%, black 20%, expatriates of various ethnic groups 20%
Vaccination requirements:
No vaccination requirements for any international traveller
