Cayman Islands
The Cayman Islands (/ˈkeɪmən/) is a self-governing British Overseas Territory, and the largest by population. The 264-square-kilometre (102-square-mile) territory comprises the three islands of Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman, which are located south of Cuba and north-east of Honduras, between Jamaica and Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula. The capital city is George Town on Grand Cayman, which is the most populous of the three islands.
Cayman Islands | |
|---|---|
| Motto: "He hath founded it upon the seas" | |
| Anthem: "God Save the King" | |
| National song: "Beloved Isle Cayman" | |
Location of Cayman Islands (circled in red) | |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| British control | 1670 |
| Self-government | 4 July 1959 |
| Separation from Jamaica | 6 August 1962 |
| Current constitution | 6 November 2009 |
| Capital and largest city | George Town 19.320°N 81.229°W |
| Official languages | English |
| Vernacular languages | Cayman Islands English |
| Ethnic groups (2022) | 36.5% Multiracial 30.2% Black 22.4% White 8.1% Asian 2.8% other |
| Religion |
|
| Demonym(s) | Caymanian |
| Government | Parliamentary dependency under a constitutional monarchy |
• Monarch | Charles III |
• Governor | Jane Owen |
• Premier | Julianna O'Connor-Connolly |
| Legislature | Parliament |
| Government of the United Kingdom | |
• Minister | David Rutley |
| Area | |
• Total | 259 km2 (100 sq mi) |
• Water (%) | 1.6 |
| Highest elevation | 43 m (141 ft) |
| Population | |
• 2022 estimate | 81,546 (206th) |
• Density | 275.8/km2 (714.3/sq mi) (59th) |
| GDP (PPP) | 2019 estimate |
• Total | $4.78 billion |
• Per capita | $73,600 |
| GDP (nominal) | 2020 estimate |
• Total | $5.61 billion (160th) |
• Per capita | $109,684 (7th) |
| HDI (2013) | 0.984 very high |
| Currency | Cayman Islands dollar (KYD) |
| Time zone | UTC-5:00 (EST) |
| Date format | dd/mm/yyyy |
| Driving side | left |
| Calling code | +1-345 |
| UK postcode | KYx-xxxx |
| ISO 3166 code | KY |
| Internet TLD | .ky |
| Website | www.gov.ky |
The Cayman Islands is considered to be part of the geographic Western Caribbean zone as well as the Greater Antilles. The territory is a major offshore financial centre for international businesses and wealthy individuals, largely as a result of the state not charging taxes on any income earned or stored.
With a GDP per capita of US$109,684 the Cayman Islands has the highest standard of living in the Caribbean, and one of the highest in the world. Immigrants from over 140 countries and territories reside in the Cayman Islands.