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
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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
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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 B