Suffrage:universal at age 18
Elections:
Legislative Assembly:
last held November 1988 (next to be held November 1992); results - percent
of vote by party NA; seats - (15 total, 12 elected)
Member of:
CARICOM (observer), 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
HE HATH FOUNDED IT UPON THE SEAS
:Cayman Islands 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:
exchange rate conversion - $384 million, per capita $14,500 (1989); real
growth rate 8% (1990)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
8% (1990 est.)
Unemployment rate:
NA%
Budget:
revenues $83.6 million; expenditures $98.9 million, including capital
expenditures of $13.6 million (1990)
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, 9,313 kWh per capita (1991)
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 (FY70-89), $26.7 million; Western (non-US)
countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $35 million
Currency:
Caymanian dollar (plural - dollars); 1 Caymanian dollar (CI$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates:
Caymanian dollars (CI$) per US$1 - 1.20 (fixed rate)
Fiscal year:
1 April - 31 March
:Cayman Islands Communications
Highways:
160 km of main roads
Ports:
George Town, Cayman Brac
Merchant marine:
32 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 364,174 GRT/560,241 DWT; includes 1
passenger-cargo, 7 cargo, 8 roll-on/roll-off cargo, 6 petroleum tanker, 1
chemical tanker, 1 specialized tanker, 1 liquefied gas carrier, 5 bulk, 2
combination bulk; note - a flag of convenience registry
Civil air:
2 major transport aircraft
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; broadcast stations - 2 AM, 1 FM, no TV
:Cayman Islands Defense Forces
Branches:
Royal Cayman Islands Police Force (RCIPF)
Note:
defense is the responsibility of the UK
:Central African Republic Geography
Total area:
622,980 km2
Land area:
622,980 km2
Comparative
