Editing Cayman Islands

{{short description|British Overseas Territory in the Caribbean}}
{{pp-move}}
{{Use British English|date=February 2021}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2021}}
{{Infobox dependency
| name = Cayman Islands
| settlement_type = [[British Overseas Territories|British Overseas Territory]]
| image_flag = Flag of the Cayman Islands.svg
| flag_size = 130px
| flag_link = Flag of the Cayman Islands
| image_seal =Coat of arms of the Cayman Islands.svg
| seal_size = 75px
| seal_type = Coat of arms
| seal_link = Coat of arms of the Cayman Islands
| motto = "He hath founded it upon the seas"
| anthem = "[[God Save the King]]"{{center|[[File:U.S. Navy Band - God Save the King.oga]]}}
| song_type = '''National song'''
| song = "[[Beloved Isle Cayman]]"<br/>{{center|}}
| image_map = Cayman_Islands_in_United_Kingdom.svg
| map_caption = {{map caption |location_color=circled in red}}
| mapsize = 290px
| image_map2 = PAT - Cayman Islands.gif
| mapsize2 = 290px
| map_caption2 = 
| subdivision_type = [[Sovereign state]]
| subdivision_name = {{flag|United Kingdom}}
| established_title = [[Treaty of Madrid (1670)|British control]]
| established_date = 1670
| established_title2 = Self-government
| established_date2 = 4 July 1959
| established_title3 = Separation from [[Jamaica]]
| established_date3 = 6 August 1962
| established_title4 = [[Constitution of the Cayman Islands|Current constitution]]
| established_date4 = 6 November 2009
| official_languages = English
| languages_type =
[[Vernacular|Vernacular<br />language]]s
|languages = 
[[Cayman Islands English]]<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/Cayman_Islands_Languages|title = Cayman Islands Languages|website = [[FamilySearch]]|date = 3 September 2021|access-date = 23 March 2022|archive-date = 23 March 2022|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220323062248/https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/Cayman_Islands_Languages|url-status = live}}</ref>
| demonym = [[Caymanian]]
| capital = [[George Town, Cayman Islands|George Town]]
| coordinates = {{coord|19.320|-81.229|type:isle_globe:earth_region:KY|display=ti}}
| largest_city = capital
| ethnic_groups =
36.5% [[Mixed-race Caymanians|Multiracial]]<br />30.2% [[Afro-Caribbean people|Black]]<br />22.4% [[White Caymanians|White]]<br />8.1% [[Asian Caymanians|Asian]]
<br />2.8% other<ref>{{cite web |url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/5286.htm |title=Background Note: Cayman Islands |publisher=United States Department of State |date=18 February 2011 |access-date=31 July 2011 |archive-date=31 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220331170801/https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/5286.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>
| ethnic_groups_year = 2022<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eso.ky/user_images/census_2021/Section_4.pdf |title=Ethnic Groups – Cayman Islands Headline News |publisher=Cayman Islands Ethnic Groups |date=2022-02-25 |access-date=2022-05-25 |archive-date=31 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220731033040/https://www.eso.ky/user_images/census_2021/Section_4.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>
|religion = {{vunblist
| 67% [[Christianity]]
| 27% [[Irreligion|No religion]]
| 2.4% [[Hinduism]]
| 0.4% [[Islam]]
| 0.3% [[Rastafari]]
| 0.2% [[Judaism]]
| 2.8% not specified<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.eso.ky/user_images/census_2021/Section_4.pdf|title = Cayman Islands|date = October 2021|access-date = 29 July 2022|archive-date = 31 July 2022|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220731033040/https://www.eso.ky/user_images/census_2021/Section_4.pdf|url-status = live}}</ref>}}
| government_type = Parliamentary [[Dependent territory|dependency]] under a [[constitutional monarchy]]
| leader_title1 = [[Monarchy of the United Kingdom|Monarch]]
| leader_name1 = [[Charles III]]
| leader_title2 = [[Governor of the Cayman Islands|Governor]]
| leader_name2 = [[Jane Owen]]
| leader_title3 = [[Premier of the Cayman Islands|Premier]]
| leader_name3 = [[André Ebanks]]
| legislature = [[Parliament of the Cayman Islands|Parliament]]
| national_representation = [[Government of the United Kingdom]]
| national_representation_type1 = [[Minister of State for Europe, North America and Overseas Territories|Minister]]
| national_representation1 = [[Stephen Doughty]]
| area_km2 = 259
| area_sq_mi = 
| area_rank = <!-- Area rank should match List of countries and dependencies by area:none -->
| percent_water = 1.6
| elevation_max_m = 43
| population_estimate = 87,866<ref>{{cite web|title= Cayman Islands 2024 Statistics Report|date= October 7, 2024|publisher= Cayman Islands Government|url= https://www.eso.ky/|archive-date= 11 May 2024|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20240511100418/https://www.eso.ky/|url-status= live|access-date= 11 May 2024}}</ref>
| population_estimate_year = 2024
| population_estimate_rank = 206th
| population_census_year = 2022
| population_density_km2 = 275.8
| population_density_rank = 54th
| population_density_sq_mi = 631 <!-- Do not remove per [[WP:MOSNUM]] -->
| GDP_PPP = $4.78 billion
| GDP_PPP_year = 2019<ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite web |url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/cayman-islands/ |title=Central America :: Cayman Islands — Central Intelligence Agency |website=The World Factbook |language=en-US |access-date=14 September 2019 |archive-date=13 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210113103808/https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/cayman-islands/ |url-status=live }} {{CIA World Factbook}}</ref>
| GDP_PPP_rank = 
| GDP_PPP_per_capita = $73,600 
| GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank =
| GDP_nominal = $7.139 billion<ref>{{cite web|title=Cayman Islands {{!}} Data|url=https://data.worldbank.org/country/KY|access-date=2021-08-09|website=data.worldbank.org|archive-date=9 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210809223329/https://data.worldbank.org/country/KY|url-status=live}}</ref>
| GDP_nominal_year = 2023
| GDP_nominal_rank = 160th
| GDP_nominal_per_capita = $97,750 (2023)
| GDP_nominal_per_capita_rank = 7th
| Gini =
| Gini_year =
| Gini_change = <!-- increase/decrease/steady -->
| Gini_ref = 
| HDI = 0.984 <!-- number only -->
| HDI_year = 2013 <!-- Please use the year to which the data refers, not the publication year-->
| HDI_change = <!-- increase/decrease/steady -->
| HDI_ref = 
| HDI_rank =
| currency = [[Cayman Islands dollar]]
| currency_code = KYD
| timezone = [[Eastern Time Zone|EST]]
| utc_offset = -5:00
| date_format = dd/mm/yyyy
| drives_on = left
| calling_code = [[North American Numbering Plan|+1]]-[[Area code 345|345]]
| postal_code_type = [[Postal codes in the Pitcairn Islands|UK postcode]]
| postal_code = KYx-xxxx
| iso_code = [[ISO 3166-2:KY|KY]]
| cctld = [[.ky]]
| website = {{URL|https://www.gov.ky|gov.ky}}
}}

The '''Cayman''' '''Islands''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|k|eɪ|m|ən}}) is a self-governing [[British Overseas Territories|British Overseas Territory]], and the largest by population. The {{convert|264|km2|abbr=off|adj=mid}} 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, Cayman Islands|George Town]] on Grand Cayman, which is the most populous of the three islands.

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 [[High-net-worth individual|the rich]] mainly due to the state charging no tax on income earned or stored.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/tax/schemes/cayman.html|title=Tax me if you can. Haven or Havoc?|author=Rogoff, Natasha Lance|date=19 February 2004|website=Pbs.org|access-date=25 August 2017|archive-date=22 February 2004|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040222073444/https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/tax/schemes/cayman.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

With a GDP per capita of US$97,750 in 2023,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://datacommons.org/place/country/CYM?mprop=amount&popt=EconomicActivity&cpv=activitySource%2CGrossDomesticProduction&hl=en |title=Cayman Islands – Place Explorer |publisher=Data Commons |date= |access-date=2025-05-18 }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web |last=Boxall |first=Joanna |url=https://caymanresident.com/about/caymans-facts-figures/amp |title=Facts & Figures of the Cayman Islands |publisher=Cayman Resident |date=2021-02-18 |access-date=2022-03-19 |archive-date=31 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220331170801/https://caymanresident.com/about/caymans-facts-figures/amp |url-status=live }}</ref>

== History ==
{{main|History of the Cayman Islands|Colony of Jamaica|West Indies Federation}}

=== Origins and colonization ===
[[File:2 dollar Cayman 1975.png|thumb|2 dollar Cayman 1975]]

{{As of|2017}}, no evidence has been found that the islands had been occupied before their discovery by Europeans.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Keegan |first1=William F. |title=The Caribbean before Columbus |last2=Hofman |first2=Corinne |author-link2=Corinne Hofman |publisher=Oxford University Press |year=2017 |isbn=9780190647353 |edition=ebook |location=New York, New York |pages=6}}</ref> The Cayman Islands got their name from the word for crocodile (''caiman'') in the language of the [[Arawak|Arawak-Taíno]] people.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.refworld.org/docid/4954ce0dc.html|publisher=www.refworld.org |title=World Directory of Minorities and Indigenous Peoples – Cayman Islands}}</ref> It is believed that the first [[Europe]]an to sight the islands was [[Christopher Columbus]], on 10 May 1503, during his [[voyages of Christopher Columbus|final voyage]] to the Americas.<ref name="History of Cayman Islands">{{cite web |url=http://www.gov.ky/portal/page/portal/cighome/cayman/islands/history |title=History of Cayman Islands |publisher=Cayman Islands Government |access-date=7 July 2019 |archive-date=9 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180909232014/http://www.gov.ky/portal/page/portal/cighome/cayman/islands/history |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="britannica.com">{{cite encyclopedia |url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Cayman-Islands |encyclopedia=Encyclopædia Britannica |title=Cayman Islands |access-date=7 July 2019 |archive-date=6 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210506134919/https://www.britannica.com/place/Cayman-Islands |url-status=live }}</ref> He named them "Las Tortugas", after the large number of turtles found there (which were soon hunted to near-extinction).<ref name="History of Cayman Islands"/><ref name="History of the Cayman Islands">{{cite web |url=https://www.explorecayman.com/about-cayman/history-of-the-cayman-islands |title=History of the Cayman Islands |website=Explore Cayman |access-date=7 July 2019 |archive-date=7 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210307214219/https://www.explorecayman.com/about-cayman/history-of-the-cayman-islands |url-status=live }}</ref> However, in succeeding decades, the islands began to be referred to as "Caimanas" or "Caymanes".<ref name="britannica.com"/><ref name="History of Cayman Islands"/>

No immediate colonisation followed Columbus's sighting, but a variety of settlers from various backgrounds eventually arrived, including [[pirate]]s, shipwrecked sailors, and deserters from [[Oliver Cromwell]]'s army in [[Jamaica]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Bauman |first=Robert |date=2007 |title=The Complete Guide to Offshore Residency |page=115 |publisher=The Sovereign Society |isbn=978-0-9789210-9-5}}</ref> Sir [[Francis Drake]] briefly visited the islands in 1586.<ref name="keytocayman.com">{{cite web |url=http://www.keytocayman.com/history/history-islands-that-time-forgot/ |title=Key to Cayman - HISTORY – ISLANDS THAT TIME FORGOT |access-date=7 July 2019 |date=22 January 2016 |archive-date=1 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210301014126/http://www.keytocayman.com/history/history-islands-that-time-forgot/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

[[File:Cayman Islands National Museum - George Town, Grand Cayman.jpg|thumb|left|Cayman Islands National Museum, George Town, Grand Cayman]]

The first recorded permanent inhabitant, Isaac Bodden, was born on [[Grand Cayman]] around 1661. He was the grandson of an original settler named Bodden, probably one of Oliver Cromwell's soldiers involved in the capture of Jamaica from [[Spain]] in 1655.<ref>{{cite book |first=Keith |last=Thompson |title=Life in The Caribbean |date=2010 |isbn=978-9987-16-015-0 |page=152|publisher=New Africa Press }}</ref>

[[Kingdom of England|England]] took [[English overseas possessions|formal control]] of the Cayman Islands, along with Jamaica, as a result of the [[Treaty of Madrid (1670)|Treaty of Madrid of 1670]].<ref name="britannica.com"/> That same year saw an attack on a turtle fishing settlement on Little Cayman by the Spanish under Portuguese privateer [[Manuel Ribeiro Pardal]].<ref name="keytocayman.com"/> Following several unsuccessful attempts at settlement in what had by then become a haven for pirates,<ref name="History of the Cayman Islands"/> a permanent English-speaking population in the islands dates from the 1730s.<ref name="History of the Cayman Islands"/> With settlement, after the first royal land grant by the [[governor of Jamaica]] in 1734, came the introduction of [[slavery|slaves]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gocayman.ky/history.html |title=Cayman Islands History |publisher=Gocayman.ky |archive-date=12 October 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081012073753/http://www.gocayman.ky/history.html}}</ref> Many were purchased and brought to the islands from Africa. That has resulted in the majority of native Caymanians being of African or English descent.<ref name="britannica.com"/>

On 8 February 1794, the Caymanians rescued the crews of a group of ten [[merchant ship]]s, including HMS ''Convert'', an incident that has since become known as the [[Wreck of the Ten Sail]].<ref name="History of Cayman Islands" /><ref name="History of the Cayman Islands" /> The ships had struck a reef and run aground during rough seas.<ref>{{cite book |last=Wood |first=Lawson |title=The Cayman Islands |date=2007 |publisher=New Holland Publishers, Limited |isbn=978-1-84537-897-4 |page=12}}.</ref> Legend has it that [[George III|King George III]] rewarded the islanders for their generosity with a promise never to introduce taxes, because one of the ships carried a member of the King's family. Despite the legend, the story is not true.<ref>{{cite book |last=Zayas y Alfonso |first=Alfredo |title=Lexografía Antillana |publisher=El Siglo XX Press |year=1914 |location=Havana}}</ref><ref name="History of the Cayman Islands" />

=== 19th century ===
The first census taken in the islands, in 1802, showed the population on Grand Cayman to be 933, with 545 of those inhabitants being slaves.<ref name="History of the Cayman Islands" /> Slavery was abolished in the Cayman Islands in 1833, following the passing of the [[Slavery Abolition Act 1833|Slavery Abolition Act]] by the [[Parliament of the United Kingdom|British Parliament]]. At the time of abolition, there were over 950 slaves of African ancestry, owned by 116 families.<ref>{{citation |title=The Cayman Islands Annual Report 1988 |location=Cayman Islands |date=1988 |page=127}}</ref><ref name="History of Cayman Islands" />

On 22 June 1863, the Cayman Islands was officially declared and administered as a dependency of the Crown Colony of Jamaica.<ref>{{cite book |title=Colonies in Conflict: The History of the British Overseas Territories |first=Charles |last=Cawley}}{{page needed|date=September 2022}}</ref> The islands continued to be governed as part of the [[Colony of Jamaica (1655–1962)|Colony of Jamaica]] until 1962, when they became a separate [[Crown colony]], after Jamaica became an independent [[Commonwealth realm]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Newman |first=Graeme R. |date=2010 |title=Crime and Punishment Around the World: Africa and the Middle East |page=82 |publisher=Abc-Clio, LLC |isbn=978-0-313-35133-4}}.</ref><ref name="britannica.com"/>

[[File:Heroes Square of George Town.jpg|thumb|right|The Heroes Square in the center of George Town, which commemorates the Cayman Islands' war dead. The Legislative Assembly building is at the left.]]

=== 20th century ===
In the 1950s, tourism began to flourish, following the opening of [[Owen Roberts International Airport]] (ORIA),<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.caymanairports.com/ |title=Airport Authority of Cayman Islands – CIAA |website=Caymanairports.com |access-date=13 May 2021 |archive-date=13 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210513094028/https://www.caymanairports.com/ |url-status=live}}</ref> along with a bank and several hotels, as well as the introduction of a number of scheduled flights and cruise stop-overs.<ref name="keytocayman.com"/><ref name="History of the Cayman Islands"/> Politically, the Cayman Islands were an internally self-governing territory of Jamaica from 1958 to 1962, but they reverted to direct British rule following the [[independence of Jamaica]] in 1962.<ref name="britannica.com"/> In 1972, a large degree of internal autonomy was granted by a new constitution, with further revisions being made in 1994.<ref name="britannica.com"/> The Cayman Islands government focused on boosting the territory's economy via tourism and the attraction of off-shore finance, both of which mushroomed from the 1970s onwards.<ref name="History of the Cayman Islands"/><ref name="britannica.com"/> Historically, the Cayman Islands has been a tax-exempt destination, and the government has always relied on indirect and not direct taxes. The territory has never levied [[income tax]], [[capital gains tax]], or any [[wealth tax]], making it a popular [[tax haven]].<ref name=biswas>{{cite book |last=Biswas |first=Rajiv |date=2002 |title=International Tax Competition: A Developing Country Perspective |publisher=Commonwealth Secretariat |page=38 |isbn=0-85092-688-2}}.</ref>

In April 1986, the first [[marine protected area]]s were designated in the Cayman Islands, making them the first islands in the Caribbean to protect their fragile marine life.

=== 21st century ===
The constitution was further modified in 2001 and 2009, codifying various aspects of human rights legislation.<ref name="britannica.com"/>

On 11 September 2004, the island of Grand Cayman, which lies largely unprotected at sea level, was battered by [[Hurricane Ivan]], the worst hurricane to hit the islands in 86 years.<ref>{{cite book |last=Thompson |first=Keith |date=2010 |title=Caribbean Islands: The Land and the People |page=152 |publisher=New Africa Press |isbn=978-9987-16-018-1}}</ref> It created an {{convert|8|ft|adj=on}} [[storm surge]] which flooded many areas of Grand Cayman.<ref name="britannica.com"/> An estimated 83% of the dwellings on the island were damaged, with 4% requiring complete reconstruction. A reported 70% of all dwellings suffered severe damage from flooding or wind. Another 26% sustained minor damage from partial roof removal, low levels of flooding, or impact with floating or wind-driven hurricane debris.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gov.ky/portal/page?_pageid=1143%2C5067689&_dad=portal&_schema=portal |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151223143341/http://www.gov.ky/portal/page?_pageid=1143%2C5067689&_dad=portal&_schema=portal |url-status=dead |archive-date=23 December 2015 |title=Hurricane Ivan Remembered |publisher=Hazard Management Cayman Islands |access-date=26 July 2012 }}</ref> Power, water, and communications were disrupted for months in some areas. Within two years, a major rebuilding program on Grand Cayman meant that its infrastructure was almost back to its pre-hurricane condition. Due to the tropical location of the islands, more hurricanes or tropical systems have affected the Cayman Islands than any other region in the Atlantic basin. On average, it has been brushed, or directly hit, every 2.23 years.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hurricanecity.com/city/caymanislands.htm |title=Grand Cayman's history with tropical systems |publisher=hurricanecity.com |access-date=31 July 2011 |archive-date=29 April 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110429150540/http://www.hurricanecity.com/city/caymanislands.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Geography ==
{{main|Geography of the Cayman Islands}}
[[File:Cayman Islands Map.svg|thumb|upright=1.5|Map of the Cayman Islands, showing the three main islands about {{convert|120|km|mi|abbr=off}} apart]]

The islands are in the western [[Caribbean Sea]] and are the peaks of an [[undersea mountain range]] called the [[Cayman Ridge]] (or Cayman Rise). This ridge flanks the [[Cayman Trough]], {{convert|6000|m|ft|abbr=on}} deep<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wri.org/publication/content/7880%7ctitle=Publications%7cwork=wri.org|title=Publications|access-date=23 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151223142318/http://www.wri.org/publication/content/7880%7ctitle=Publications%7cwork=wri.org|archive-date=23 December 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> which lies {{convert|6|km|mi|abbr=on}} to the south.<ref>Bush, Phillippe G. [http://www.unesco.org/csi/pub/papers/bush.htm Grand Cayman, British West Indies] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120219012554/http://www.unesco.org/csi/pub/papers/bush.htm |date=19 February 2012 }}. UNESCO Coastal region and small island papers 3.</ref> The islands lie in the northwest of the Caribbean Sea, east of [[Quintana Roo]], Mexico and [[Yucatán|Yucatán State]], Mexico, northeast of Costa Rica, north of Panama, south of Cuba and west of Jamaica. They are situated about {{convert|700|km|mi|abbr=on}} south of [[Miami, Florida|Miami]],<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.mapcrow.info/Distance_between_Cayman_Islands_CJ_and_Miami_US.html |title= Coordinates + total distance |work= web page |publisher= mapcrow |access-date= 23 October 2011 |archive-date= 4 January 2012 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120104103603/http://www.mapcrow.info/Distance_between_Cayman_Islands_CJ_and_Miami_US.html |url-status= live }}</ref> {{convert|750|km|mi|abbr=on}} east of Mexico,<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.distancesto.com/flight-distance/mx/quintana-roo-to-cayman-islands/history/17.html |title= Quintana Roo to Cayman Islands |work= web page |publisher= distancesto |access-date= 18 January 2015 |archive-date= 5 July 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170705101240/https://www.distancesto.com/flight-distance/mx/quintana-roo-to-cayman-islands/history/17.html |url-status= live }}</ref> {{convert|366|km|mi|abbr=on}} south of Cuba,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.distancefromto.net/distance-from/Cayman+Islands/to/Cuba |title=Distance from Cayman Islands to Cuba |year=2011 |work=web page |publisher=distancefromto.net/ |access-date=23 October 2011 |archive-date=4 January 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120104041828/http://www.distancefromto.net/distance-from/Cayman+Islands/to/Cuba |url-status=live }}</ref> and about {{convert|500|km|mi|abbr=on}} northwest of [[Jamaica]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mapcrow.info/Distance_between_Kingston_JM_and_George_Town_CJ.html |title=Coordinates and total distance |work=web page |publisher=Mapcrow |access-date=23 October 2011 |archive-date=4 January 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120104095733/http://www.mapcrow.info/Distance_between_Kingston_JM_and_George_Town_CJ.html |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Grand Cayman]] is by far the largest, with an area of {{convert|197|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}.<ref>[http://www.unesco.org/csi/pub/papers/bush.htm Bush] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120219012554/http://www.unesco.org/csi/pub/papers/bush.htm |date=19 February 2012 }}. Unesco.org. Retrieved on 12 April 2014.</ref> Grand Cayman's two "sister islands", [[Cayman Brac]] and [[Little Cayman]], are about {{convert|120|km|mi|abbr=on}} east north-east of Grand Cayman and have areas of {{convert|38|and|28.5|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iucn-isg.org/actionplan/ch2/lessercaymans.php |title=Lesser Caymans iguana Cyclura nubila caymanensis |author=Glenn Gerber |work=web page |publisher=The World Conservation Union |access-date=23 October 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111008061649/http://www.iucn-isg.org/actionplan/ch2/lessercaymans.php |archive-date= 8 October 2011 }}</ref> respectively. The nearest land mass from Grand Cayman is the [[Canarreos Archipelago]] (about 240&nbsp;km or 150 miles away), whereas the nearest from the easternmost island Cayman Brac is the [[Jardines de la Reina]] archipelago (about 160&nbsp;km or 100 miles away)&nbsp;– both of which are part of Cuba.
[[File:Waterfront, George Town, Grand Cayman.jpg|thumb|right|George Town waterfront]]

All three islands were formed by large [[coral heads]] covering submerged ice-age peaks of western extensions of the Cuban [[Sierra Maestra]] range and are mostly flat. One notable exception to this is [[The Bluff (Cayman Islands)|The Bluff]] on Cayman Brac's eastern part, which rises to {{convert|43|m|ft|abbr=on}} above sea level, the highest point on the islands.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.worldatlas.com/aatlas/infopage/highlow.htm |title=World Atlas Highest and Lowest points |work=web page |publisher=Graphic Maps |access-date=23 October 2011 |archive-date=24 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110824111026/http://www.worldatlas.com/aatlas/infopage/highlow.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>

The terrain is mostly a low-lying [[limestone]] base surrounded by [[coral reef]]s. The portions of [[prehistoric]] [[coral reef]] that line the coastline and protrude from the water are referred to as ''ironshore''.

===Flora===
In Cayman Islands [[forest cover]] is around 53% of the total land area, equivalent to 12,720 hectares (ha) of forest in 2020, down from 13,130 hectares (ha) in 1990. In 2020, naturally regenerating forest covered 12,720 hectares (ha) and planted forest covered 0 hectares (ha). Of the naturally regenerating forest 0% was reported to be [[primary forest]] (consisting of native tree species with no clearly visible indications of human activity). For the year 2015, 0% of the forest area was reported to be under [[State ownership|public ownership]], 12% [[Private property|private ownership]] and 88% with ownership listed as other or unknown.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://openknowledge.fao.org/server/api/core/bitstreams/a6e225da-4a31-4e06-818d-ca3aeadfd635/content |title=Terms and Definitions FRA 2025 Forest Resources Assessment, Working Paper 194 |publisher=Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations |year=2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Global Forest Resources Assessment 2020, Cayman Islands |url=https://fra-data.fao.org/assessments/fra/2020/CYM/home/overview |website=Food Agriculture Organization of the United Nations}}</ref>

===Fauna===
{{See also|List of mammals of the Cayman Islands|List of birds of the Cayman Islands|List of butterflies of the Cayman Islands}}
[[File:Blue iguana (Cyclura lewisi) male.JPG|thumb|Blue iguana]]
The [[mammal]]ian species in the Cayman Islands include the introduced [[Dasyprocta punctata|Central American agouti]]<ref name = MSW3>{{MSW3 Hystricognathi | id = 13400244 | page = 1558}}</ref> and [[Bats of the Caribbean#Grand Cayman|eight species of bats]]. At least three now extinct [[List of rodents of the Caribbean#Cayman Islands|native rodent species]] were present until the discovery of the islands by Europeans. Marine life around the island of the Grand Cayman includes [[tarpon]], silversides (''[[Atheriniformes]]''), [[French angelfish]] (''Pomacanthus paru''), and [[giant barrel sponge]]s. A number of [[List of cetacean species|cetaceans]] are found in offshore waters. These species include the [[Ziphius cavirostris|goose-beaked whale]] (''Ziphius cavirostris''), [[Blainville's beaked whale]] (''Mesoplodon densirostris'') and [[sperm whale]] (''Physeter macrocephalus'').

Cayman [[birds|avian fauna]] includes two [[endemic]] subspecies of ''[[Amazona]]'' parrots: ''Amazona leucocephala hesterna'' or [[Cuban amazon]], presently restricted to the island of [[Cayman Brac]], but formerly also on [[Little Cayman]], and ''Amazona leucocephala caymanensis'' or [[Grand Cayman parrot]], which is native to the Cayman Islands, forested areas of Cuba, and the [[Isla de la Juventud]]. Little Cayman and Cayman Brac are also home to [[Red-footed booby|red-footed]] and [[brown booby|brown]] boobies.<ref>[http://www.nationaltrust.org.ky/?p=872 Red-footed Boobies of Little Cayman – National Trust for the Cayman Islands] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151002005239/http://www.nationaltrust.org.ky/?p=872 |date=2 October 2015 }}. Nationaltrust.org.ky. Retrieved on 12 April 2014.</ref><ref>[http://www.caymanislands.ky/aboutcayman/caymanbrac.aspx Cayman Brac | Caribbean Diving, Cayman Islands Vacation | Cayman Islands] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130501151808/http://www.caymanislands.ky/aboutcayman/caymanbrac.aspx |date=1 May 2013 }}. Caymanislands.ky. Retrieved on 12 April 2014.</ref> Although the barn owl (''[[Tyto alba]]'') occurs in all three of the islands they are not commonplace. The Cayman Islands also possess five endemic subspecies of butterflies.<ref>Askew, R. R. and Stafford, P. A. van B. (2008) ''Butterflies of the Cayman Islands''. Apollo Books, Stenstrup. {{ISBN|978-87-88757-85-9}}.</ref> These butterfly breeds can be viewed at the [[Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park]] on the Grand Cayman.

Among other notable fauna at the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park is the critically threatened [[blue iguana]], which is also known as the Grand Cayman iguana (''Cyclura lewisi''). The blue iguana is endemic to the Grand Cayman<ref>[http://www.iucn.org/news_homepage/all_news_by_theme/species_news/?11299/Grand-Cayman-Blue-Iguana-takes-step-back-from-extinction Grand Cayman Blue Iguana takes step back from extinction] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121111041424/http://www.iucn.org/news_homepage/all_news_by_theme/species_news/?11299%2FGrand-Cayman-Blue-Iguana-takes-step-back-from-extinction |date=11 November 2012 }}. IUCN (20 October 2012). Retrieved on 12 April 2014.</ref> particularly because of rocky, sunlit, open areas near the island's shores that are advantageous for the laying of eggs. Nevertheless, habitat destruction and invasive mammalian predators remain the primary reasons that blue iguana hatchlings do not survive naturally.<ref>[https://www.iucnredlist.org/details/0ary/44275/0] {{Dead link|date=December 2018|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}}</ref>

The [[Cuban crocodile]] (''Crocodylus rhombifer'') once inhabited the islands.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Morgan|first=Gary |author2=Franz, Richard |author3=Ronald Crombie|year=1993|title=The Cuban Crocodile, ''Crocodylus rhombifer'', from Late Quaternary Fossil Deposits on Grand Cayman|journal=[[Caribbean Journal of Science]]|volume=29|issue=3–4|pages=153–164|url=http://www.redciencia.cu/geobiblio/paper/1993_Morgan_etal_The%20Cuban_Crocodylus%20rhombifer.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://www.redciencia.cu/geobiblio/paper/1993_Morgan_etal_The%20Cuban_Crocodylus%20rhombifer.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live}}</ref> And the [[American crocodile]] (Crocodylus acutus) is also believed to be slowly repopulating the islands from  Cuba. The name "Cayman" is derived from a [[Cariban languages|Carib]] word for the various crocodilians that inhabited the islands.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gov.ky/portal/page/portal/cighome/cayman/islands/history|title=The Cayman Islands – History|website=Gov.ky|quote=A 1523 map show[s] all three Islands with the name Lagartos, meaning alligators or large lizards, but by 1530 the name Caymanas was being used. It is derived from the Carib Indian word for the marine crocodile, which is now known to have lived in the Islands.|access-date=17 August 2018|archive-date=9 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180909232014/http://www.gov.ky/portal/page/portal/cighome/cayman/islands/history|url-status=live}}</ref>
<!-- [[List of Spanish words of Indigenous American Indian origin]]: lists the word "caimán" which is wikilinked to [[Caiman]] crocodilian -->

[[File:Hurricane signs rum point.jpg|thumb|Signs at Rum Point commemorating landed and near-miss hurricanes]]

===Climate===
{{main|Climate of the Cayman Islands}}
The Cayman Islands has a [[tropical wet and dry climate]], with a wet season from May to October, and a dry season that runs from November to April. Seasonally, there is little temperature change.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.frommers.com/destinations/cayman-islands/729787|title=When to Go in Cayman Islands {{!}} Frommer's|website=Frommers.com|access-date=28 September 2016|archive-date=2 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161002061558/http://www.frommers.com/destinations/cayman-islands/729787|url-status=live}}</ref>

A major [[natural hazard]] is the [[tropical cyclone]]s that form during the [[Atlantic hurricane season]] from June to November.
{{main|List of Cayman Islands hurricanes}}

On 11 and 12 September 2004, [[Hurricane Ivan]] struck the Cayman Islands. The storm resulted in two deaths and caused significant damage to the infrastructure on the islands. The total economic impact of the storms was estimated to be $3.4 billion.<ref>{{cite web|last=Boxall|first=Simon|title=Hurricane Ivan Remembered – Cayman Prepared|date=9 September 2008|access-date=22 April 2012|url=http://www.gov.ky/portal/page?_pageid=1143,5067689&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL|website=Gov.ky|archive-date=27 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210227154623/https://www.gov.ky/portal/page?_pageid=1143,5067689&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL|url-status=dead}}</ref>

{{Weather box
|location = George Town ([[Owen Roberts International Airport]]) 1991–2020, extremes 1962–2024
|metric first = yes
|single line = yes
|Jan maximum humidex = 39.2
|Feb maximum humidex = 42.6
|Mar maximum humidex = 43.3
|Apr maximum humidex = 43.5
|May maximum humidex = 45.4
|Jun maximum humidex = 43.8
|Jul maximum humidex = 45.5
|Aug maximum humidex = 44.8
|Sep maximum humidex = 44.8
|Oct maximum humidex = 44.1
|Nov maximum humidex = 43.1
|Dec maximum humidex = 43.1
|year maximum humidex = 45.5
|Jan record high F = 90.0
|Feb record high F = 89.0
|Mar record high F = 90.0
|Apr record high F = 91.0
|May record high F = 93.9
|Jun record high F = 94.0
|Jul record high F = 95.5
|Aug record high F = 95.0
|Sep record high F = 94.5
|Oct record high F = 92.7
|Nov record high F = 92.5
|Dec record high F = 90.0
|year record high F = 95.5
|Jan high F = 83.1
|Feb high F = 83.7
|Mar high F = 84.6
|Apr high F = 86.2
|May high F = 87.8
|Jun high F = 89.0
|Jul high F = 90.1
|Aug high F = 90.1
|Sep high F = 89.4
|Oct high F = 88.2
|Nov high F = 85.3
|Dec high F = 84.0
|year high F = 86.7
|Jan mean F = 78.8
|Feb mean F = 79.3
|Mar mean F = 80.0
|Apr mean F = 81.9
|May mean F = 83.3
|Jun mean F = 84.8
|Jul mean F = 85.5
|Aug mean F = 85.7
|Sep mean F = 85.0
|Oct mean F = 83.4
|Nov mean F = 81.7
|Dec mean F = 80.2
|year mean F = 82.5
|Jan low F = 73.6
|Feb low F = 73.2
|Mar low F = 73.6
|Apr low F = 75.7
|May low F = 77.2
|Jun low F = 78.4
|Jul low F = 78.6
|Aug low F = 78.8
|Sep low F = 78.3
|Oct low F = 77.4
|Nov low F = 76.1
|Dec low F = 74.5
|year low F = 76.3
|Jan record low F = 54.0
|Feb record low F = 52.0
|Mar record low F = 55.0
|Apr record low F = 54.0
|May record low F = 57.0
|Jun record low F = 62.1
|Jul record low F = 68.0
|Aug record low F = 66.9
|Sep record low F = 68.0
|Oct record low F = 66.0
|Nov record low F = 57.9
|Dec record low F = 57.4
|year record low F = 52.0
|rain colour = green
|Jan rain inch = 2.13
|Feb rain inch = 1.21
|Mar rain inch = 1.17
|Apr rain inch = 1.33
|May rain inch = 5.89
|Jun rain inch = 6.34
|Jul rain inch = 5.31
|Aug rain inch = 5.79
|Sep rain inch = 8.52
|Oct rain inch = 9.60
|Nov rain inch = 6.18
|Dec rain inch = 2.57
|year rain inch = 56.02
|unit rain days = 0.1mm
|Jan rain days = 7
|Feb rain days = 6
|Mar rain days = 6
|Apr rain days = 4
|May rain days = 10
|Jun rain days = 12
|Jul rain days = 12
|Aug rain days = 14
|Sep rain days = 16
|Oct rain days = 15
|Nov rain days = 12
|Dec rain days = 9
|year rain days= 
|Jan humidity = 77
|Feb humidity = 77
|Mar humidity = 76
|Apr humidity = 76
|May humidity = 78
|Jun humidity = 79
|Jul humidity = 77
|Aug humidity = 78
|Sep humidity = 80
|Oct humidity = 80
|Nov humidity = 78
|Dec humidity = 78
|year humidity = 77
|Jan sun = 242.2
|Feb sun = 224
|Mar sun = 279
|Apr sun = 300
|May sun = 279
|Jun sun = 240
|Jul sun = 322.9
|Aug sun = 248
|Sep sun = 240
|Oct sun = 248
|Nov sun = 210
|Dec sun = 217
|year sun =
|Jand sun = 7.8
|Febd sun = 8
|Mard sun = 9
|Aprd sun = 10
|Mayd sun = 9
|Jund sun = 8
|Juld sun = 10.4
|Augd sun = 8
|Sepd sun = 8
|Octd sun = 8
|Novd sun = 7
|Decd sun = 7
|yeard sun = 
|Jan uv = 8
|Feb uv = 10
|Mar uv = 12
|Apr uv = 12
|May uv = 12
|Jun uv = 12
|Jul uv = 12
|Aug uv = 12
|Sep uv = 11
|Oct uv = 10
|Nov uv = 8
|Dec uv = 7
|source 1 = National Weather Service (Cayman Islands)<ref>{{cite web
 |url         = http://www.weather.gov.ky/portal/page/portal/nwshome/climate/Data%20Table
 |publisher   = Meteorological Service (Cayman)
 |title       = Cayman Data Table
 |access-date  = 5 February 2025
 |url-status     = live
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20160923025010/http://www.weather.gov.ky/portal/page/portal/nwshome/climate/Data%20Table
 |archive-date = 23 September 2016
 |df          = dmy-all
}}</ref>
|date=March 2013|source 2=Weather in Cayman<ref>{{cite web
|url = http://weatherincayman.com/index.php
|publisher = Weather in Cayman
|title = Weather in Cayman
|access-date = 22 December 2018}}</ref> Weather Spark<ref>{{cite web
|url = https://weatherspark.com/y/17540/Average-Weather-in-George-Town-Cayman-Islands-Year-Round
|publisher = Weather Spark
|title = Weather Spark
|access-date= 4 April 2019}}</ref> Climate-Data<ref>{{cite web
|url = https://en.climate-data.org/north-america/cayman-islands/george-town/george-town-5581/
|publisher = Climate-data.org
|title = Climate-data
|access-date= 5 February 2025}}</ref>}}
{|style="width:100%;text-align:center;line-height:1.2em;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto" class="wikitable mw-collapsible"
|-
!Colspan=14|Climate data for George Town
|-
!Month
!Jan
!Feb
!Mar
!Apr
!May
!Jun
!Jul
!Aug
!Sep
!Oct
!Nov
!Dec
!style="border-left-width:medium"|Year
|-
!Average sea temperature °C (°F)
|style="background:#ff6600;color:#000000;"|26.6<br />(79.9)
|style="background:#ff6600;color:#000000;"|26.6<br />(79.9)
|style="background:#ff6600;color:#000000;"|26.8<br />(80.2)
|style="background:#ff5f00;color:#000000;"|27.7<br />(81.9)
|style="background:#ff5a00;color:#000000;"|28.3<br />(82.9)
|style="background:#ff5800;color:#000000;"|28.7<br />(83.7)
|style="background:#ff5400;color:#000000;"|29.2<br />(84.6)
|style="background:#ff4e00;color:#000000;"|30.0<br />(86.0)
|style="background:#ff4e00;color:#000000;"|29.9<br />(85.8)
|style="background:#ff5400;color:#000000;"|29.3<br />(84.7)
|style="background:#ff5a00;color:#000000;"|28.6<br />(83.5)
|style="background:#ff5a00;color:#000000;"|28.0<br />(82.4)
|style="background:#ff5f00;color:#000000;border-left-width:medium"|27.9<br />(82.2)
|-
!Colspan=14 style="background:#f8f9fa;font-weight:normal;font-size:95%;"|Source #1: seatemperature.org<ref name=seatemperature>{{cite web |url=https://www.seatemperature.org/central-america/cayman-islands/west-bay.htm |title= George Town Sea Temperature |publisher=seatemperature.org |access-date=19 December 2018 }}</ref>
|-
!Colspan=14 style="background:#f8f9fa;font-weight:normal;font-size:95%;"|Source #2: Weather Atlas<ref name="Weather Atlas">{{cite web |url=https://www.weather-atlas.com/en/cayman-islands/george-town-climate#uv_index |title=George Town, Cayman Islands – Climate data |publisher=Weather Atlas |access-date=24 January 2019 }}</ref>
|}

== Demographics ==
{{main|Demographics of the Cayman Islands}}

===Demographics and immigration===

{{bar box
|title= Population by background<ref name="demographic">{{cite web |url=https://www.caymancompass.com/2022/10/03/unemployment-rate-falls-to-3-in-first-half-of-2022/ |title=Demographic Characteristics |publisher=Cayman Islands Government |date=2021 |access-date=20 September 2022 |archive-date=4 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221004074655/https://www.caymancompass.com/2022/10/03/unemployment-rate-falls-to-3-in-first-half-of-2022/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
|titlebar=#ddd
|left1=Nationalities 
|right1=percent
|float=left
|bars=
{{bar percent|[[Caymanian]]|Blue|39.6}}
{{bar percent|[[Jamaicans|Jamaican]]|Yellow|18.9}}
{{bar percent|[[Filipinos|Filipino]]|Orange|8.2}}
{{bar percent|[[Americans|American]]|Green|5.2}}
{{bar percent|[[British people|British]] |Red|4.7}}
{{bar percent|[[Hondurans|Honduran]]|Brown|3.5}}
{{bar percent|[[Canadians|Canadian]]|Blue|3.0}}
{{bar percent|[[Indian people|Indian]]|Green|2.4}}
{{bar percent|[[Cubans|Cuban]]|Yellow|1.7}}
{{bar percent|Other|Orange|12.8}}
}}
{{clear}}

While there are a large number of generational Caymanians, many Caymanians today have roots in almost every part of the world. Similarly to countries like the United States, the Cayman Islands is a melting pot with citizens of every background. 52.5% of the population is Non-Caymanian, while 47.5% is Caymanian. Jamaicans, who make up 24% of the population, form the largest immigrant community in the country, attributable to not only the close proximity of the Cayman Islands and Jamaica, but also the close cultural, economic and social ties that go back centuries between the two nations, with the Cayman Islands once being a dependency of Jamaica from 1863 until Jamaica's independence from the United Kingdom in 1962, resulting in the Cayman Islands choosing to separate from Jamaica and remain under British rule to this day.

According to the Economics and Statistics Office of the Government of the Cayman Islands, the Cayman Islands had a population of 71,432 at the Census of 10 October 2021, but was estimated by them to have risen to 81,546 as of December 2022, making it the most populous British Overseas Territory.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.caymancompass.com/2022/08/31/caymans-population-grows-by-10-5-in-less-than-a-year/ | title=Premier: Census shows Cayman needs more careful, managed growth | date=28 July 2022 | access-date=1 September 2022 | archive-date=1 September 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220901172211/https://www.caymancompass.com/2022/08/31/caymans-population-grows-by-10-5-in-less-than-a-year/ | url-status=live }}</ref> It was revealed in the 2021 census that 56% of the workforce is Non-Caymanian; this is the first time in the territory's history that the number of working immigrants has overtaken the number of working Caymanians.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://caymannewsservice.com/2022/02/census-reveals-56-of-workers-not-caymanian/ |title=Census reveals 56% of workers not Caymanian |website=Caymannewsservice.com |date=2022-02-25 |access-date=2022-03-19 |archive-date=8 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220408215006/https://caymannewsservice.com/2022/02/census-reveals-56-of-workers-not-caymanian/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Most Caymanians are of mixed African and European ancestry. Slavery occurred but was not as common compared to other Caribbean islands, and once it was abolished, black and white communities seemed to integrate more compliantly than other Caribbean nations and territories resulting in a more mixed-race population.<ref>{{Cite web |first=Joanna |last=Boxall |date=January 11, 2023 |title=The History of Slavery in the Cayman Islands |url=https://caymanresident.com/about/government-history-politics/early-cayman-history/slavery |access-date=2023-05-23 |website=Cayman Resident |language=en}}</ref>{{Better source needed|date=January 2025}}

The country's demographics are changing rapidly. Immigration plays a large role, and the changing demographics in age have sounded alarm bells in the most recent census. In comparison to the 2010 census, the 2021 census has shown that 36% of Cayman's population growth has been in persons over age 65, while 8% growth was recorded in groups under age 15. This is due to extremely low birth rates among Caymanians, which almost forces the government to seek workers from overseas to sustain the country's economy. This has raised concerns among many young Caymanians, who worry about the workforce becoming increasingly competitive with the influx of workers, as well as rent and property prices going up.<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.caymancompass.com/2022/03/14/ageing-society-one-of-caymans-demographic-challenges/|title = Ageing society one of Cayman's demographic challenges| work=Cayman Compass |date = 14 March 2022|access-date = 14 March 2022|archive-date = 14 March 2022|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220314171956/https://www.caymancompass.com/2022/03/14/ageing-society-one-of-caymans-demographic-challenges/|url-status = live | last1=Klein | first1=Michael }}</ref>

Because the population has skyrocketed over the last decade, former government officials have stressed that the islands need more careful and managed growth. Many have worried that the country's infrastructure and services cannot cope with the surging population. It is believed that given current trends, the population will reach 100,000 before 2030.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.caymancompass.com/2022/07/28/premier-census-shows-cayman-needs-more-careful-managed-growth/ | title=Premier: Census shows Cayman needs more careful, managed growth | work=Cayman Compass | date=28 July 2022 | access-date=28 July 2022 | archive-date=28 July 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220728232021/https://www.caymancompass.com/2022/07/28/premier-census-shows-cayman-needs-more-careful-managed-growth/ | url-status=live | last1=Klein | first1=Michael }}</ref>

===District populations===
[[File:Traditional caymanian home east end.jpg|thumb|Traditional Caymanian home in East End, Grand Cayman]]
According to the Economics and Statistics Office, the final result of the 20 October 2021 Census was 71,432; however, according to a late 2022 population report by the same body, the estimated population at the end of 2022 was 81,546,<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.eso.ky/UserFiles/page_docums/files/uploads/the_cayman_islands_labour_force_survey_r-16.pdf | title=Cayman Islands Fall 2022 Labor Report | date=September 2022 | access-date=1 September 2022 | archive-date=1 September 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220901172211/https://www.caymancompass.com/2022/08/31/caymans-population-grows-by-10-5-in-less-than-a-year/ | url-status=live }}</ref> broken down as follows:

{| class="sortable wikitable"
|-
! rowspan=2|Name of<br>district !! rowspan=2|Area<br>(km<sup>2</sup>) !! colspan=3|Population
|-
!Census<br>2010 !! Census<br>2021 || Estimate<br>late 2022<ref name="auto">{{cite web|url=https://www.eso.ky/UserFiles/page_docums/files/uploads/the_cayman_islands_labour_force_survey_r-16.pdf|title=Cayman Islands Fall 2022 Labour Report|website=Eso.ky|access-date=10 April 2022|archive-date=3 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220803073105/https://www.eso.ky/user_images/census_2021/Section_1.1.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| [[West Bay, Cayman Islands|West Bay]] || align="right" |17.4|| align="right" |11,222|| align="right" |15,335|| align="right" |16,943
|-
| [[George Town, Cayman Islands|George Town]] || align="right" |38.5|| align="right" |28,089|| align="right" |34,921|| align="right" |40,957
|-
| [[Bodden Town (village)|Bodden Town]] || align="right" |50.5|| align="right" |10,543|| align="right" |14,845|| align="right" |16,957
|-
| [[North Side, Cayman Islands|North Side]] || align="right" |39.4|| align="right" |1,479|| align="right" |1,902|| align="right" |2,110
|-
| [[East End, Cayman Islands|East End]] || align="right" |51.1|| align="right" |1,407|| align="right" |1,846|| align="right" |2,274
|-
! Total Grand Cayman!! align="right" |197.0|| align="right" |53,160|| align="right" |69,175|| align="right" |79,242
|-
| [[Little Cayman]] || align="right" |26.0|| align="right" |197|| align="right" |182|| align="right" | ??
|-
| [[Cayman Brac]] || align="right" |36.0|| align="right" |2,099|| align="right" |2,075|| align="right" |2,304
|-
! Total Cayman Islands!! align="right" |259.0!! align="right" |55,456!! align="right" |71,432!! align="right" |??81,546 
|}

===Religion===
The predominant religion on the Cayman Islands is [[Christianity]]<ref name=":0">{{cite web |title=Central America :: Cayman Islands — The World Factbook – Central Intelligence Agency |url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/cayman-islands/ |access-date=5 August 2020 |website=Cia.gov |archive-date=13 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210113103808/https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/cayman-islands/ |url-status=live }}</ref> (67% in 2021, down from over 80% in 2010).<ref name="eso-ky-2021">{{cite web |url=https://www.eso.ky/UserFiles/page_docums/files/uploads/the_cayman_islands_2021_census_of_popula.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://www.eso.ky/UserFiles/page_docums/files/uploads/the_cayman_islands_2021_census_of_popula.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live |title=The Cayman Islands' 2021 Census of Population and Housing Report |date=July 2022 |publisher=Economics and Statistics Office, [[Government of the Cayman Islands]]}}</ref> Popular denominations include the [[United Church of Christ]], the [[Church of God (Cleveland, Tennessee)|Church of God]], the [[Anglican Church]], the [[Baptist Church]], the [[Catholic Church]], the [[Seventh-day Adventist Church]], and the [[Pentecostal Church]].<ref name="census">{{cite web |title=Cayman Islands' 2021 Census Report |url=https://www.eso.ky/user_images/census_2021/Section_1.2.pdf |website=Cayman Islands' Government |access-date=12 January 2025}}</ref> The [[Catholic Church|Roman Catholic]] churches in the islands are St. Ignatius Church in George Town, and Christ the Redeemer Church,<ref>{{cite web |title=Operating Hours - Port Authority of the Cayman Islands |url=https://www.caymanport.com/operating-hours/ |website=Cayman Port |access-date=19 January 2025}}</ref> West Bay and Stella Maris Churches in Cayman Brac. The majority of citizens are religious, however, atheism has been on the rise throughout the islands since 2000, with 16.7% now identifying as non-believers, according to the 2021 census.<ref name="census" /> Ports are closed on Sundays and Christian holidays. There is also an active synagogue and Jewish community<ref>The Jewish Community of the Cayman Islands [http://www.jewish.ky www.jewish.ky] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200122233538/https://www.chabadcaymanislands.com/ |date=22 January 2020 }}</ref> on the island as well as places of worship in George Town for [[Jehovah's Witnesses]] and followers of the [[Bahá'í Faith|Baháʼí faith]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Baha'i Faith in Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands |url=https://www.ecayonline.com/baha-i-faith-grand-cayman-islands_company768.html |website=ecayonline.com |access-date=January 12, 2025}}</ref>
{{table alignment}}
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed col1left" style="text-align:right;"
|+Religion in the Cayman Islands (2021 census)<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Economics & Statistics Office (ESO) Cayman Islands |url=https://www.eso.ky/ |access-date=2025-04-13 |website=www.eso.ky}}</ref>
!Religion
!Population
!%
|-
|Church of God
|13,424
|19.5
|-
|None
|11,502
|16.7
|-
|Roman Catholic
|9,348
|13.6
|-
|Seventh Day Adventist 
|5,992
|8.7
|-
|Nondenominational Christian 
|5,743
|8.3
|-
|Baptist
|4,765
|6.9
|-
|Pentecostal
|4,689
|6.8
|-
|Presbyterian
|3,914
|5.7
|-
|Anglican
|1,946
|2.8
|-
|Hinduism
|1,191
|1.7
|-
|Wesleyan Church 
|1,030
|1.5
|-
|Jehovah's Witnesses
|637
|0.9
|-
|Methodist
|347
|0.5
|-
|Islam
|258
|0.4
|-
|Rastafari
|213
|0.3
|-
|Judaism
|167
|0.2
|-
|Other religion 
|2.678
|3.9
|-
|Unknown
|967
|1.4
|-
|{{Flag|Cayman Islands}}
|'''68.811'''
|'''100.0'''
|}
[[File:Elmslie United Church (5193988328).jpg|thumb|Elmslie United Church, George Town]]

===Languages===
The official language of the Cayman Islands is English (90%).<ref name=":0" /> Islanders' accents retain elements passed down from English, Scottish, and Welsh settlers (among others) in a language variety known as Cayman Creole. Caymanians of Jamaican origin speak in their own vernacular (see [[Jamaican Patois|Jamaican Creole]] and [[Jamaican English]]). It is quite common to hear residents converse in Spanish<ref name=":0" /> as many citizens have relocated from Latin America to work and live on Grand Cayman. The Latin American nations with the greatest representation are Honduras, Cuba, Colombia, Nicaragua, and the Dominican Republic. Spanish speakers comprise approximately between 10 and 12% of the population and are predominantly of the Caribbean dialect. [[Tagalog language|Tagalog]] is spoken by about 8% of inhabitants, most of whom are Filipino residents on work permits.<ref name=":0" />

== Economy ==
{{main|Economy of the Cayman Islands}}

According to ''Forbes'', the Cayman Islands has the 7th strongest currency in the world (the CI dollar or KYD), with US$1.00 equivalent to CI$0.80.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/uk/advisor/investing/currencies/top-10-strongest-currencies-in-the-world/|title= Strongest Currencies in the World|website= [[Forbes]]|date= 5 July 2023}}</ref>

The economy of the Cayman Islands is dominated by financial services and tourism, together accounting for 50–60% of [[Gross Domestic Product]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/cayman-islands/|title=Cayman Islands – Central Intelligence Agency|website=The World Factbook |date=29 November 2021|access-date=24 January 2021|archive-date=13 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210113103808/https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/cayman-islands/|url-status=live}}</ref> The nation's zero tax rate on income and storage of funds has led to it being used as a [[tax haven]] for corporations; there are 100,000 companies registered in the Cayman Islands, more than the population itself. The Cayman Islands have come under criticism for allegations of [[money laundering]] and other financial crimes, including a 2016 statement by then US president [[Barack Obama]] that described a particular building which was the registered address of over 12,000 corporations as a "tax scam".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/jan/18/the-cayman-islands-home-to-100000-companies-and-the-850-packet-of-fish-fingers|title=The Cayman Islands – home to 100,000 companies and the £8.50 packet of fish fingers|date=18 January 2016|website=The Guardian|access-date=16 February 2020|archive-date=18 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160118191220/http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/jan/18/the-cayman-islands-home-to-100000-companies-and-the-850-packet-of-fish-fingers|url-status=live}}</ref>

The Cayman Islands holds a relatively low unemployment rate of about 4.24% as of 2015,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SL.UEM.TOTL.NE.ZS?locations=KY&name_desc=true|title=Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) (national estimate) – Cayman Islands |publisher=World Bank|access-date=22 September 2019|archive-date=22 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190922224848/https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SL.UEM.TOTL.NE.ZS%3Flocations%3DKY%26name_desc%3Dtrue|url-status=live}}</ref> lower than the value of 4.7% that was recorded in 2014.

With an average income of US$109,684 [[Caymanian]]s have the highest standard of living in the Caribbean. According to the [[CIA World Factbook|CIA ''World Factbook'']], the Cayman Islands' real GDP per capita is the tenth highest in the world, but the CIA's data for Cayman dates to 2018 and is likely to be lower than present-day values.<ref>{{cite web|title=CIA – The World Factbook – Cayman Islands|url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/cayman-islands|url-status=live|access-date=10 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210113103808/https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/cayman-islands |archive-date=13 January 2021 }}</ref> The territory prints its own currency, the [[Cayman Islands dollar]] (KYD), which is pegged to the [[US dollar]] US$1.227 to 1 KYD. However, in many retail stores throughout the islands, the KYD is typically traded at US$1.25.<ref name="Cayman Currency">{{cite web|title=Moving to Grand Cayman|url=http://www.caymannewresident.com/moving-considerations|website=CaymanNewResident.com|access-date=21 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140625194814/http://www.caymannewresident.com/moving-considerations|archive-date=25 June 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Cayman Islands have a high cost of living, even when compared to UK and US.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Whittaker |first1=James |last2=Klein |first2=Michael |title=Counting the cost of living in the Cayman Islands |url=https://www.caymancompass.com/2021/02/09/counting-the-cost-of-living-in-the-cayman-islands/ |access-date=19 October 2021 |work=Cayman Compass |date=9 February 2021 |archive-date=28 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211028170408/https://www.caymancompass.com/2021/02/09/counting-the-cost-of-living-in-the-cayman-islands/ |url-status=live }}</ref> For example, a loaf of multigrain bread is $5.49 (KYD), while a similar loaf sells for $2.47 (KYD) in the US and $1.36 (KYD) in the UK.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Whittaker |first1=James |last2=Klein |first2=Michael |title=Cayman shoppers pay premium for groceries |url=https://www.caymancompass.com/2021/02/09/cayman-shoppers-pay-premium-for-groceries/ |access-date=19 October 2021 |work=Cayman Compass |date=9 February 2021 |archive-date=28 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211028170401/https://www.caymancompass.com/2021/02/09/cayman-shoppers-pay-premium-for-groceries/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

The minimum wage (as of February 2021) is $6 KYD for standard positions, and $4.50 for workers in the service industry, where tips supplement income.<ref>{{cite web |title=Basic Minimum Wage |url=http://www.immigration.gov.ky/portal/page/portal/immhome/workinghere/workpermits/Basic%20Minimum%20Wage |publisher=Cayman Islands Immigration Department |access-date=19 October 2021 |archive-date=17 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211017170121/http://www.immigration.gov.ky/portal/page/portal/immhome/workinghere/workpermits/Basic%20Minimum%20Wage |url-status=live }}</ref> This contributes to wealth disparity.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Whittaker |first1=James |title=Economist cautions Cayman must address wealth disparity |url=https://www.caymancompass.com/2021/02/09/economist-cautions-cayman-must-address-wealth-disparity/ |access-date=2 October 2021 |work=Cayman Compass |date=9 February 2021 |archive-date=21 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210921020800/https://www.caymancompass.com/2021/02/09/economist-cautions-cayman-must-address-wealth-disparity/ |url-status=live }}</ref> A small segment of the population lives in condemned properties lacking power and running water.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Whittaker |first1=James |title=Families still living in condemned properties |url=https://www.caymancompass.com/2021/08/10/families-still-living-in-condemned-properties/ |access-date=2 October 2021 |work=Cayman Compass |date=10 August 2021 |archive-date=22 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210922203855/https://www.caymancompass.com/2021/08/10/families-still-living-in-condemned-properties/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

The government has established a [[Needs Assessment Unit]] to relieve poverty in the islands.<ref>{{cite news|title=The reality of Poverty In Cayman|url=http://www.caymanreporter.com/2015/08/05/reality-poverty-cayman/|access-date=11 April 2016|publisher=Cayman Reporter|date=5 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160423023219/http://www.caymanreporter.com/2015/08/05/reality-poverty-cayman/|archive-date=23 April 2016|url-status=usurped}}</ref> Local charities, including Cayman's Acts of Random Kindness (ARK) also provide assistance.

The government's primary source of income is [[indirect tax]]ation: there is no [[income tax]], [[capital gains tax]], or [[corporation tax]].<ref name=biswas/> A [[tariff]] of 5% to 22% (automobiles 29.5% to 100%) is levied against goods imported into the islands. Few goods are exempt; notable exemptions include books, cameras, and perfume.<ref>{{cite web |title=A Bill for a Law to Increase Various Duties Under the Customs Tariff Law (2002 Revision); to Increase the Rates of Package Tax; And for Incidental and Connected Purposes |url=http://www.gov.ky/portal/pls/portal/docs/1/11526651.PDF |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://www.gov.ky/portal/pls/portal/docs/1/11526651.PDF |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live |publisher=Cayman Islands Legislative Assembly |access-date=25 June 2018 |date=7 December 2009}}</ref>

===Tourism===
{{See also|Scuba diving in the Cayman Islands}}
{{wide image|Seven Mile Beach 2006.jpg|1400px|[[Panorama]] of [[Seven Mile Beach, Grand Cayman|Seven Mile Beach]] in [[Grand Cayman]]}}

One of [[Grand Cayman]]'s main attractions is [[Seven Mile Beach, Grand Cayman|Seven Mile Beach]], site of a number of the island's hotels and resorts. Named one of the Ultimate Beaches by Caribbean Travel and Life, Seven Mile Beach (due to erosion over the years, the number has decreased to 5.5 miles) is a public beach on the western shore of Grand Cayman Island.<ref>[http://www.caymanislands.ky/activities/beaches/sevenmilebeach.aspx Seven Mile Beach | Grand Cayman, Caribbean Vacation | Cayman Islands] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130501180851/http://www.caymanislands.ky/activities/beaches/sevenmilebeach.aspx |date=1 May 2013 }}. Caymanislands.ky. Retrieved on 12 April 2014.</ref> Historical sites in Grand Cayman, such as [[Pedro St. James Castle]] in Savannah, also attract visitors.<ref>[http://www.caymanislands.ky/to_do/activities_pedro.aspx Pedro St. James | Grand Cayman, Grand Cayman Island | Cayman Islands] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120112090624/http://www.caymanislands.ky/to_do/activities_pedro.aspx |date=12 January 2012 }}. Caymanislands.ky. Retrieved on 12 April 2014.</ref> [[File:Looking_Towards_Seven_Mile_Beach_-_panoramio.jpg|thumb|upright=1.3|Observation Tower at Camana Bay, north George Town]][[File:Stingray passing - Grand Cayman.jpg|thumb|Stingray passing through [[Stingray City, Grand Cayman]]]]
All three islands offer [[scuba diving]], and the Cayman Islands are home to several snorkelling locations where tourists can swim with [[stingray]]s. The most popular area to do this is [[Stingray City, Grand Cayman]]. Stingray City is a top attraction in Grand Cayman and originally started in the 1980s when divers started feeding squid to stingrays. The stingrays started to associate the sound of the boat motors with food, and thus visit this area year-round.<ref>[http://www.caymanislands.ky/activities/attractions/stingraycity.aspx Stingray City | Grand Cayman, Grand Cayman Vacation | Cayman Islands] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130501110127/http://www.caymanislands.ky/activities/attractions/stingraycity.aspx |date=1 May 2013 }}. Caymanislands.ky. Retrieved on 12 April 2014.</ref>

There are two [[shipwreck]]s off the shores of Cayman Brac, including the [[Sinking ships for wreck diving sites#List of ships sunk for wreck diving|MV Captain Keith Tibbetts]];<ref>Tim Rock, ''Lonely Planet Diving & Snorkeling Cayman Islands'' (2nd edn, 2007, {{ISBN|1-74059-897-0}}), p. 99</ref> Grand Cayman also has several shipwrecks off its shores, including one deliberate one. On 30 September 1994, the {{USS|Kittiwake|ASR-13|6}} was decommissioned and struck from the Naval Vessel Register. In November 2008 her ownership was transferred for an undisclosed amount to the government of the Cayman Islands, which had decided to sink the ''Kittiwake'' in June 2009 to form a new artificial reef off Seven Mile Beach, Grand Cayman. Following several delays, the ship was finally scuttled according to plan on 5 January 2011. The ''Kittiwake'' has become a dynamic environment for marine life. While visitors are not allowed to take anything, there are endless sights. Each of the five decks of the ship offers squirrelfish, rare sponges, Goliath groupers, urchins, and more. Experienced and beginner divers are invited to swim around the ''Kittiwake''.<ref>[http://www.caymanislands.ky/activities/attractions/kittiwake.aspx Kittiwake | Cayman Dive, Cayman Islands Vacation | Cayman Islands] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130501105640/http://www.caymanislands.ky/activities/attractions/kittiwake.aspx |date=1 May 2013 }}. Caymanislands.ky (5 January 2011). Retrieved on 12 April 2014.</ref> {{anchor|Pirates Week}} Pirates Week is an annual 11-day November festival started in 1977 by the then-Minister of Tourism Jim Bodden to boost tourism during the country's tourism slow season.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.piratesweekfestival.com/|title=Pirates Week Festival of the Cayman Islands|website=Piratesweekfestival.com|access-date=13 May 2021|archive-date=11 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210511222855/https://www.piratesweekfestival.com/|url-status=usurped}}</ref>

Other Grand Cayman tourist attractions include the ironshore landscape of [[Hell, Grand Cayman|Hell]]; the {{convert|23|acre|m2|adj=on}} marine theme park "[[Cayman Turtle Centre]]: Island Wildlife Encounter", previously known as "Boatswain's Beach"; the production of gourmet [[sea salt]]; and the [[Mastic Reserve|Mastic Trail]], a hiking trail through the forests in the centre of the island. The National Trust for the Cayman Islands provides guided tours weekly on the Mastic Trail and other locations.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nationaltrust.org.ky/ |title=National Trust For the Cayman islands |publisher=Nationaltrust.org.ky |access-date=31 July 2011 |archive-date=7 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110807063445/http://www.nationaltrust.org.ky/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Another attraction to visit on Grand Cayman is the Observation Tower, located in Camana Bay. The Observation Tower is 75 feet tall and provides 360-degree views across Seven Mile Beach, George Town, the North Sound, and beyond. It is free to the public and climbing the tower has become a popular thing to do in the Cayman Islands.<ref>[http://www.camanabay.com/the-town/play/observation-tower/ Observation Tower | Camana Bay] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140906050117/http://www.camanabay.com/the-town/play/observation-tower/ |date=6 September 2014 }}. CamanaBay.com. Retrieved on 1 August 2014.</ref>

Points of interest include the [[East End Light]] (sometimes called Gorling Bluff Light), a lighthouse at the east end of Grand Cayman island. The lighthouse is the centrepiece of East End Lighthouse Park, managed by the [[National Trust for the Cayman Islands]]; the first navigational aid on the site was the first lighthouse in the Cayman Islands.

===Shipping===
{{As of|2015|12|31}}, 360 commercial vessels and 1,674 pleasure craft were registered in the Cayman Islands totalling 4.3 million [[gross tonnage|GT]].<ref>{{cite web |title=CI shipping 2015/2016 annual report page 22 |url=https://www.cishipping.com/system/files/reports/documents/Annual%20Report%202015-2016%2008JAN18.pdf |website=cishipping.com |access-date=11 March 2019 |archive-date=27 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200727183612/https://www.cishipping.com/system/files/reports/documents/Annual%20Report%202015-2016%2008JAN18.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===Labour===
The Cayman Islands has a population of 69,656 ({{As of|2021|lc=y}}) and therefore a limited workforce.<ref name="eso">{{cite web|url=https://www.eso.ky/populationandvitalstatistics.html|title=The Economics and Statistics Office|publisher=Government of the Cayman Islands|access-date=3 April 2021|archive-date=10 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210410070551/https://www.eso.ky/populationandvitalstatistics.html|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Work permit]]s may, therefore, be granted to foreigners. On average, there have been more than 24,000+ foreigners holding valid work permits.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.eso.ky/pages.php?page=immigrationdata |title=Work Permit Stats |publisher=Eso.ky |date=30 March 2007 |access-date=31 July 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722142647/http://www.eso.ky/pages.php?page=immigrationdata |archive-date=22 July 2011 }}</ref>

====Work permits for non-citizens====
To work in the Cayman Islands as a [[alien (law)|non-citizen]], a work permit is required. This involves passing a police background check and a health check. A prospective immigrant worker will not be granted a permit unless certain medical conditions are met, including testing negative for [[syphilis]] and [[HIV]]. A permit may be granted to individuals on special work.

A foreigner must first have a job to move to the Cayman Islands. The employer applies and pays for the work permit.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gov.ky/portal/page?_pageid=1142,1592726&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL |title=C.I. Government Website – Entry Requirements for Work Permits |publisher=Gov.ky |access-date=31 July 2011 |archive-date=11 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220811045959/https://www.gov.ky/portal/page?_pageid=1142,1592726&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL |url-status=dead }}</ref> Work permits are not granted to foreigners who are in the Cayman Islands (unless it is a renewal). The Cayman Islands Immigration Department requires foreigners to remain out of the country until their work permit has been approved.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.island-search.com/browse.php?cat=1748 |title=Online Employment Resources |publisher=Island-search.com |access-date=31 July 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110810225849/http://www.island-search.com/browse.php?cat=1748 |archive-date=10 August 2011 }}</ref>

The Cayman Islands presently imposes a controversial "rollover" in relation to [[expatriate]] workers who require a work permit. Non-Caymanians are only permitted to reside and work within the territory for a maximum of nine years unless they satisfy the criteria of key employees. Non-Caymanians who are "rolled over" may return to work for additional nine-year periods, subject to a one-year gap between their periods of work. The policy has been the subject of some controversy within the press. Law firms have been particularly upset by the recruitment difficulties that it has caused.<ref>[http://www.caymannetnews.com/cgi-script/csArticles/articles/000106/010674.htm Row brews over rollover], 22 January 2007, Cayman net News {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090205055501/http://www.caymannetnews.com/cgi-script/csArticles/articles/000106/010674.htm |date=5 February 2009 }}</ref> Other less well-remunerated employment sectors have been affected as well. Concerns about safety have been expressed by diving instructors, and realtors have also expressed concerns. Others support the rollover as necessary to protect Caymanian identity in the face of immigration of large numbers of expatriate workers.<ref>[http://www.caycompass.com/cgi-bin/CFPnews.cgi?ID=1011499 Government takes up permit issue] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070914224909/http://www.caycompass.com/cgi-bin/CFPnews.cgi?ID=1011499 |date=14 September 2007 }}, Editorial, 5 March 2006, Camanian Compass</ref>

Concerns have been expressed that in the long term, the policy may damage the preeminence of the Cayman Islands as an [[offshore financial centre]] by making it difficult to recruit and retain experienced staff from onshore financial centres. Government employees are no longer exempt from this "rollover" policy, according to this report in a local newspaper.<ref name=":3">{{cite web |url = http://www.caycompass.com/cgi-bin/CFPnews.cgi?ID=1024210 |title = Cayman Islands – Cay Compass News Online – Rollover for civil servants |access-date = 23 June 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080306101403/http://www.caycompass.com/cgi-bin/CFPnews.cgi?ID=1024210 |archive-date = 6 March 2008 |df = dmy-all }}</ref> The governor has used his constitutional powers, which give him absolute control over the disposition of [[civil service]] employees, to determine which expatriate civil servants are dismissed after seven years service and which are not.<ref name=":3" />

This policy is incorporated in the Immigration Law (2003 revision), written by the United Democratic Party government, and subsequently enforced by the People's Progressive Movement Party government. Both governments agree to the term limits on foreign workers, and the majority of Caymanians also agree it is necessary to protect local culture and heritage from being eroded by a large number of foreigners gaining residency and citizenship.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.caymanobserver.com/viewarticle.cfm?id=36&Section=LocalNews |title = Cayman Observer |access-date = 23 June 2008 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170131190919/http://www.caymanobserver.com/viewarticle.cfm?id=36&Section=LocalNews |archive-date = 31 January 2017 |url-status = dead }}</ref>

====CARICOM Single Market Economy====
In recognition of the CARICOM (Free Movement) Skilled Persons Act which came into effect in July 1997 in some of the [[CARICOM]] countries such as Jamaica and which has been adopted in other CARICOM countries, such as Trinidad and Tobago<ref>{{cite web |title=CSME |url=http://immigration.gov.tt/Services/CSME.aspx |website=immigration.gov.tt |access-date=26 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170326135453/http://immigration.gov.tt/Services/CSME.aspx |archive-date=26 March 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref> it is possible that CARICOM nationals who hold the "A Certificate of Recognition of Caribbean Community Skilled Person" will be allowed to work in the Cayman Islands<ref>{{cite web |title=Country Profile for Cayman Islands — Caribbean Community (CARICOM) |url=https://caricom.org/about-caricom/who-we-are/our-governance/heads-of-government/cayman-islands |website=caricom.org |access-date=3 February 2019 |archive-date=21 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190621195533/https://www.caricom.org/about-caricom/who-we-are/our-governance/heads-of-government/cayman-islands |url-status=dead }}</ref> under normal working conditions.

== Government ==
{{Main|Government of the Cayman Islands}}
{{See also|Politics of the Cayman Islands}}
 
The Cayman Islands are a [[British Overseas Territories|British overseas territory]], listed by the UN Special Committee of 24 as one of the 17 [[United Nations list of non-self-governing territories|non-self-governing territories]]. The current Constitution, incorporating a Bill of Rights, was ordained by a [[Statutory Instrument (UK)|statutory instrument]] of the United Kingdom in 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2009/1379/pdfs/uksi_20091379_en.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2009/1379/pdfs/uksi_20091379_en.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live|title=The Cayman Islands Constitution Order 2009|publisher=legislation.gov.uk|date=2009}}</ref> A 19-seat (not including two non-voting members appointed by the Governor which brings the total to 21 members) [[Parliament of the Cayman Islands|Parliament]] is elected by the people every four years to handle domestic affairs.<ref>{{cite web|title=Commonwealth elections observers give Cayman Islands high marks|url=http://www.caribbeannewsnow.com/headline-Commonwealth-elections-observers-give-Cayman-Islands-high-marks-16049.html|website=Caribbeannewsnow.com|publisher=Caribbean News Now|access-date=28 May 2013|date=27 May 2013|quote=The amendment of elections law in 2012 increased the number of elected members of the Parliament from fifteen to eighteen.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140110233941/http://www.caribbeannewsnow.com/headline-Commonwealth-elections-observers-give-Cayman-Islands-high-marks-16049.html|archive-date=10 January 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> Of the elected Members of the Parliament (MPs), seven are chosen to serve as government Ministers in a Cabinet headed by the Governor. The [[Premier]] is appointed by the Governor.<ref>Cayman Islands Constitution, 2009, part III article 49</ref>  Although geographically remote, the Islands (like other British Overseas Territories) share a direct connection with elements of supervisory governance (as did the now independent Commonwealth Nations) still exercisable by the UK's Government in London, UK.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Bromby |first=M. |title=The Cayman Islands: Paradoxes of Insularity in the Caribbean and Other British Overseas Territories |journal=Liverpool Law Review |volume=42 |pages=35–49 |date=2021 |doi=10.1007/s10991-020-09261-0}}</ref>

A [[Governor of the Cayman Islands|Governor]] is appointed by the [[Monarchy of the United Kingdom|King]] of the United Kingdom on the advice of the [[Government of the United Kingdom|British Government]] to represent the monarch.<ref>Cayman Islands Constitution, 2009, part II</ref> Governors can exercise complete legislative and executive authority if they wish through blanket powers reserved to them in the constitution.<ref>Constitution, articles 55 and 81</ref> Bills which have passed the Parliament require [[royal assent]] before becoming effective. The Constitution empowers the Governor to withhold [[royal assent]] in cases where the legislation appears to be repugnant to or inconsistent with the Constitution or affects the rights and privileges of the Parliament or the Royal Prerogative, or matters reserved to the Governor by article 55.<ref>Constitution article 78</ref> The executive authority of the Cayman Islands is vested in [[Charles III|the King]] and is exercised by the Government, consisting of the Governor and the Cabinet.<ref>Constitution article 43</ref> There is an office of the Deputy Governor, who must be a Caymanian and have served in a senior public office. The Deputy Governor is the acting Governor when the office of Governor is vacant, or the Governor is not able to discharge their duties or is absent from the Cayman Islands.<ref>Constitution article 35</ref> The current Governor of the Cayman Islands is [[Jane Owen]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Jane Owen |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/people/jane-owen |website=gov.uk |access-date=22 April 2023}}</ref>

The Cabinet is composed of two official members and seven elected members, called Ministers; one of whom is designated [[Premier of the Cayman Islands|Premier]]. The premier can serve for two consecutive terms. After two terms the premier is barred from attaining the office again. Although an MP can only be premier twice any person who meets the qualifications and requirements for a seat in the Parliament can be elected to the Parliament indefinitely.<ref>The Constitution of the Cayman Islands, Part VI The Legislature</ref>

There are two official members of the Parliament, the [[deputy governor|Deputy Governor]] and the [[attorney general|Attorney General]]. They are appointed by the Governor in accordance with His Majesty's instructions, and although they have seats in the Parliament, under the 2009 Constitution, they do not vote. They serve in a professional and advisory role to the MPs, the Deputy Governor represents the Governor who is a representative of the King and the British Government. While the Attorney General serves to advise on legal matters and has special responsibilities in Parliament, they are generally responsible for changes to the Penal code.

The seven Ministers are voted into office by the 19 elected members of the [[Parliament of the Cayman Islands]]. One of the Ministers, the leader of the majority political party, is appointed Premier by the Governor.

After consulting the Premier, the Governor allocates a portfolio of responsibilities to each Cabinet Minister. Under the principle of collective responsibility, all Ministers are obliged to support in the Parliament any measures approved by Cabinet.

Almost 80 departments, sections and units carry out the business of government, joined by a number of statutory boards and authorities set up for specific purposes, such as the Port Authority, the Civil Aviation Authority, the Immigration Board, the Water Authority, the University College Board of Governors, the National Pensions Board and the Health Insurance Commission.

Since 2000, there have been two official major political parties: The [[United Democratic Party (Cayman Islands)|Cayman Democratic Party]] (CDP) and the [[People's Progressive Movement (Cayman Islands)|People's Progressive Movement]] (PPM). While there has been a shift to political parties, many contending for office still run as independents. The two parties are notably similar, though they consider each other rivals in most cases, their differences are generally in personality and implementation rather than actual policy. The Cayman Islands generally lacks any form of organised political parties.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://portal.elections.ky/files/downloads/2017/Register-of-Political-Parties-14-March-2017.pdf|title=Official Register of Political Parties|date=29 August 2018|website=Cayman Islands Elections Office|access-date=29 August 2018|archive-date=29 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180829212242/https://portal.elections.ky/files/downloads/2017/Register-of-Political-Parties-14-March-2017.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> As of the May 2017 General Election, members of the PPM and CDP have joined with three independent members to form a government coalition despite many years of enmity.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.caymancompass.com/2017/05/31/premier-mclaughlin-to-lead-13-member-coalition-government/|title=Premier McLaughlin to lead 13-member coalition government|date=31 May 2017|work=Cayman Compass|access-date=29 August 2018|archive-date=29 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180829212237/https://www.caymancompass.com/2017/05/31/premier-mclaughlin-to-lead-13-member-coalition-government/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Before the [[2021 Caymanian general election]], leader of the CDP [[McKeeva Bush]] received a two-month suspended jail sentence for assaulting a woman in February 2020 leading to a no-confidence motion against him.<ref>{{Cite news |date=February 10, 2021 |title=McLaughlin moves election date |url=https://caymannewsservice.com/2021/02/mclaughlin-moves-election-date/ |work=CaymanNewsService}}</ref> Premier McLaughlin asked Governor [[Martyn Roper]] to dissolve Parliament on 14 February, triggering early elections instead of having the vote on the motion. In the lead-up to the election, the Democratic Party was described as "[appearing] to be defunct" as figures previously of the party (including Bush) instead contested as independents.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ragoonath |first=Reshma |date=March 11, 2021 |title=Election 101: your guide to the 14 April vote |url=https://www.caymancompass.com/2021/03/11/election-101-your-guide-to-the-14-april-vote/ |work=Cayman Compass |at=How many political parties are there in the Cayman Islands?}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.caymancompass.com/2021/03/01/no-parties-only-independents-and-alliances-running-in-west-bay/ |title=No parties, only independents and alliances running in West Bay |work=Cayman Compass |last=Connolly |first=Norma |date=1 March 2021 |access-date=14 January 2025}}</ref>

===Police===
{{Main|Royal Cayman Islands Police Service}}
Policing in the country is provided chiefly by the RCIPS or [[Royal Cayman Islands Police Service]] and the CICBC or Cayman Islands Customs & Border Control. These two agencies co-operate in aspects of law enforcement, including their [[Royal Cayman Islands Police Service#Joint Marine Unit|joint marine unit]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rcips.ky/|title=Police Service in the Cayman Islands|website=Royal Cayman Islands Police Service|access-date=5 February 2020|archive-date=18 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200318134159/https://www.rcips.ky/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://cbc.gov.ky/|title=Home|website=Cayman Islands Customs & Border Control Service|access-date=28 January 2021|archive-date=2 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210202235250/https://cbc.gov.ky/|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Military and defence===
The defence of the Cayman Islands is the responsibility of the United Kingdom. The [[Royal Navy]] maintains a ship on permanent station in the Caribbean ([[HMS Medway (P223)]]) and, from time-to-time, the Royal Navy or [[Royal Fleet Auxiliary]] may deploy another ship as a part of Atlantic Patrol (NORTH) tasking. These ships' main mission in the region is to maintain British sovereignty for the overseas territories, provide humanitarian aid and disaster relief during disasters such as hurricanes, which are common in the area, and to conduct counter-narcotic operations. In July 2024, the patrol vessel [[HMS Trent (P224)|HMS Trent]] (which had temporarily replaced her sister ship HMS ''Medway'' on her normal Caribbean tasking) deployed to the islands to provide assistance in the aftermath of [[Hurricane Beryl]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.forces.net/services/navy/royal-navy-warship-sailing-caribbean-support-hurricane-relief-effort|title=Royal Navy warship sailing to Caribbean to support hurricane relief effort |website=Forces Net |date=4 July 2024 |access-date=5 July 2024}}</ref>

====Cayman Islands Regiment====
{{Main|Cayman Islands Regiment}}
On 12 October 2019, the government announced the formation of the [[Cayman Islands Regiment]], a new [[British Armed Forces]] unit. The Cayman Islands Regiment which became fully operational in 2020, with an initial 35–50 personnel of mostly reservists. Between 2020 through 2021 the Regiment grew to over a hundred personnel and over the next several years expected to grow to over several hundred personnel.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.caymancompass.com/2019/10/13/cayman-regiment-would-provide-disaster-relief/|title=Cayman regiment would provide disaster relief|first=Mark|last=Muckenfuss|date=14 October 2019|website=Cayman Compass|access-date=14 October 2019|archive-date=14 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191014075039/https://www.caymancompass.com/2019/10/13/cayman-regiment-would-provide-disaster-relief/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.caymancompass.com/2019/10/11/uk-minister-announces-cayman-regiment-for-emergency-relief/|title=Cayman to set up its own regiment|date=11 October 2019|website=Cayman Compass|access-date=12 October 2019|archive-date=12 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191012080508/https://www.caymancompass.com/2019/10/11/uk-minister-announces-cayman-regiment-for-emergency-relief/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://caymannewsservice.com/2019/10/cayman-to-create-military-regiment/|title=Cayman to create military regiment|website=Caymannewsservice.com|date=11 October 2019|access-date=12 October 2019|archive-date=12 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191012080508/https://caymannewsservice.com/2019/10/cayman-to-create-military-regiment/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In mid-December 2019, recruitment for commanding officers and junior officers began, with the commanding officers expected to begin work in January 2020 and the junior officers expected to begin in February 2020.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gov.ky/portal/page/portal/cighome/pressroom/archive/201912/Regiment%20Begins%20Recruitment |title=Regiment Begins Recruitment |access-date=15 December 2019 |archive-date=15 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191215155810/http://www.gov.ky/portal/page/portal/cighome/pressroom/archive/201912/Regiment%2520Begins%2520Recruitment |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In January 2020, the first officers were chosen for the Cayman Islands Regiment.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.caymancompass.com/2020/01/30/regiment-senior-officers-appointed/|title=Regiment senior officers appointed|first=Reshma|last=Ragoonath|date=30 January 2020|website=Cayman Compass|access-date=5 February 2020|archive-date=1 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200201130757/https://www.caymancompass.com/2020/01/30/regiment-senior-officers-appointed/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Since the formation of the Regiment, it has been deployed on a few operational tours providing HADR, or Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief as well as assisting with the COVID-19 Pandemic.

====Cadet Corps====
The [[Cayman Islands Cadet Corps]] was formed in March 2001 and carries out military-type training with teenage citizens of the country.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cicadetcorps.ky/|title=The Cayman Island Cadet Corps – A Voluntary Youth Organization|website=Cicadetcorps.ky|access-date=6 February 2020|archive-date=6 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200206054223/https://www.cicadetcorps.ky/|url-status=live}}</ref>

====Coast Guard====
{{main|Cayman Islands Coast Guard}}
In 2018, the PPM-led Coalition government pledged to form a [[coast guard]] to protect the interests of the Cayman Islands, especially in terms of illegal immigration and illegal drug importation as well as [[search and rescue]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Whittaker|first=James|date=2018-08-29|title=Cayman's Coast Guard chiefs announced|url=https://www.caymancompass.com/2018/08/28/caymans-coast-guard-chiefs-announced/|access-date=2021-11-18|website=Cayman Compass|language=en-GB|archive-date=18 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211118074151/https://www.caymancompass.com/2018/08/28/caymans-coast-guard-chiefs-announced/|url-status=live}}</ref> In mid-2018, the Commander and second-in-Command of the [[Cayman Islands Coast Guard]] were appointed. Commander Robert Scotland was appointed as the first commanding officer and Lieutenant Commander Leo Anglin was appointed as Second-in-Command.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://caymannewsservice.com/2018/08/cayman-islands-coast-guard-border-control/|title=CIG unveils new border control and coast guard leaders|website=Caymannewsservice.com|date=28 August 2018|access-date=8 December 2019|archive-date=8 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191208002333/https://caymannewsservice.com/2018/08/cayman-islands-coast-guard-border-control/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In mid-2019, the commander and second-in-command took part in international joint operations with the [[United States Coast Guard]] and the [[JDF Coast Guard|Jamaica Defense Force Coast Guard]] called Operation Riptide. This makes it the first deployment for the Cayman Islands Coast Guard and the first in ten years any Cayman Representative has been on a foreign military ship for a counternarcotic operation.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gov.ky/portal/page/portal/cighome/pressroom/archive/201907/CICG%20Deployed%20in%20International%20Joint%20Operation |title=CICG Deployed in International Joint Operation |publisher=Cayman Islands Government |access-date=5 February 2020 |archive-date=14 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190914061136/http://www.gov.ky:80/portal/page/portal/cighome/pressroom/archive/201907/CICG%20Deployed%20in%20International%20Joint%20Operation |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ieyenews.com/cayman-islands-coast-guard-deployed-in-international-joint-operation/|title=Cayman Islands Coast Guard deployed in International Joint Operation|website=Ieyenews.com|date=5 July 2019|access-date=28 January 2021|archive-date=9 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210209041402/https://www.ieyenews.com/cayman-islands-coast-guard-deployed-in-international-joint-operation/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In late November 2019, it was announced that the Cayman Islands Coast Guard would become operational in January 2020, with initial total of 21 Coast Guardsmen half of which would come from the [[Royal Cayman Islands Police Service#Joint Marine Unit|joint marine unit]], with further recruitment in the new year. One of the many taskings of the Coast Guard will be to push enforcement of all laws that apply to the designated Wildlife Interaction Zone.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://caymannewsservice.com/2019/11/coastguard-to-manage-stingray-city/|title=Coastguard to manage Stingray City|website=Caymannewsservice.com|date=28 November 2019|access-date=8 December 2019|archive-date=28 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191128123836/https://caymannewsservice.com/2019/11/coastguard-to-manage-stingray-city/|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 5 October 2021, the Cayman Islands Parliament passed the Cayman Islands Coast Guard Act thus establishing the Cayman Islands Coast Guard as a uniformed and disciplined department of Government.<ref>{{cite web|title=Cayman Islands Coast Guard Act (2021)|url=https://legislation.gov.ky/cms/images/LEGISLATION/PRINCIPAL/2021/2021-0002/CaymanIslandsCoastGuardAct2021_Act%202%20of%202021.pdf|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211102155019/https://legislation.gov.ky/cms/images/LEGISLATION/PRINCIPAL/2021/2021-0002/CaymanIslandsCoastGuardAct2021_Act%202%20of%202021.pdf |archive-date=2 November 2021 }}</ref>

===Taxation===
No direct taxation is imposed on residents and Cayman Islands companies. The government receives the majority of its income from indirect taxation. Duty is levied against most imported goods, which is typically in the range of 22% to 25%. Some items are exempted, such as [[infant formula|baby formula]], books, cameras, [[electric vehicles]] and certain items are taxed at 5%. Duty on automobiles depends on their value. The duty can amount to 29.5% up to $20,000.00 KYD CIF (cost, insurance and freight) and up to 42% over $30,000.00 KYD CIF for expensive models. The government charges flat licensing fees on financial institutions that operate in the islands and there are work permit fees on foreign labour. A 13% government tax is placed on all tourist accommodations in addition to a US$37.50 airport departure tax which is built into the cost of an airline ticket. There is a 7.5% sales tax on the proceeds of the sale of the property, payable by the purchaser. There are no taxes on corporate profits, capital gains, or personal income. There are no estate or death inheritance taxes payable on Cayman Islands real estate or other assets held in the Cayman Islands.

The legend behind the lack of taxation comes from the [[Wreck of the Ten Sail]], when multiple ships ran aground on the reef off the north coast of Grand Cayman. Local fishermen are said to have then sailed out to rescue the crew and salvage goods from the wrecks. It is said that out of gratitude, and due to their small size, King George III then issued the edict that the citizens of the country of the Cayman Islands would never pay tax.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://caymanresident.com/about/government-history-politics/early-cayman-history/1700-to-1900/ |title=Cayman Islands History from 1700 to 1900 |work=Cayman Resident |publisher=caymanresident.com |date=16 December 2019 |access-date=16 December 2019 |archive-date=16 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191216162654/https://caymanresident.com/about/government-history-politics/early-cayman-history/1700-to-1900/ |url-status=live }}</ref> There is, however, no documented evidence for this story besides oral tradition.

===Foreign relations===
{{main|Foreign relations of the Cayman Islands}}
[[File:1953caymanislands1poundelizabethIIblue.jpg|thumb|upright=0.65|Postage stamp with a portrait of [[Queen Elizabeth II]], 1953]]

Foreign policy is controlled by the United Kingdom, as the islands remain an overseas territory of the United Kingdom. Although in its early days, the Cayman Islands' most important relationships were with Britain and [[Jamaica]], in recent years, as a result of economic dependence, a relationship with the United States has developed.

Though the Cayman Islands is involved in no major international disputes, they have come under some criticism due to the use of their territory for narcotics trafficking and [[money laundering]]. In an attempt to address this, the government entered into the Narcotics Agreement of 1984 and the [[Mutual legal assistance treaty|Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty]] of 1986 with the United States, to reduce the use of their facilities associated with these activities. In more recent years, they have stepped up the fight against money laundering, by limiting [[bank secrecy|banking secrecy]], introducing requirements for customer identification and record keeping, and requiring banks to co-operate with foreign investigators.

Due to their status as an overseas territory of the UK, the Cayman Islands has no separate representation either in the [[United Nations]] or in most other international organisations. However, the Cayman Islands still participates in some international organisations, being an associate member of [[Caricom|CARICOM]] and [[UNESCO]], and a member of a sub-bureau of [[Interpol]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.interpol.int/Member-countries/Europe/United-Kingdom |title=United Kingdom / Europe / Member countries / Internet / Home – INTERPOL |publisher=Interpol.int |date=30 December 2012 |access-date=30 December 2012 |archive-date=12 December 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121212233915/http://www.interpol.int/Member-countries/Europe/United-Kingdom |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Emergency services ==
Access to emergency services is available using 9-1-1, the [[emergency telephone number]], the same number as is used in Canada and the United States.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://travel.state.gov/content/dam/students-abroad/pdfs/911_ABROAD.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://travel.state.gov/content/dam/students-abroad/pdfs/911_ABROAD.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live|title=Emergencies|date=29 July 2018|website=Travel.State.Gov U.S. Department of State — Bureau of Consular Affairs}}</ref> The Cayman Islands Department of Public Safety's Communications Centre processes 9-1-1 and non-emergency police assistance, ambulance service, fire service and [[search and rescue]] calls for all three islands. The Communications Centre dispatches RCIP and EMS units directly; the Cayman Islands Fire Service maintains their own dispatch room at the airport fire station.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gov.ky/portal/page/portal/emchome/what-we-do|title=What We Do|website=Gov.ky|access-date=29 July 2018|archive-date=29 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180729230411/http://www.gov.ky/portal/page/portal/emchome/what-we-do|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The police services are handled by the [[Royal Cayman Islands Police Service]]. The fire services are handled by the Cayman Islands Fire Service. There are 4 main hospitals in the Cayman Islands, private and public [[health in the Cayman Islands]] with various localised health clinics around the islands.

== Infrastructure ==
{{main|Transport in the Cayman Islands}}

===Ports===
George Town is the port capital of Grand Cayman. There are no berthing facilities for cruise ships, but up to four cruise ships can anchor in designated anchorages. There are three cruise terminals in George Town, the North, South, and Royal Watler Terminals. The ride from the ship to the terminal is about 5 minutes.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.caymanislands.ky/planatrip/gettingherebyship.aspx|title=Cayman Islands Cruise – Grand Cayman Island, Grand Cayman – Cayman Islands|website=Caymanislands.ky|access-date=28 May 2013|archive-date=1 May 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130501070806/http://www.caymanislands.ky/planatrip/gettingherebyship.aspx|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Airports and airlines===
There are three airports which serve the Cayman Islands. The islands' national flag carrier is [[Cayman Airways]], with Owen Roberts International Airport hosting the airline as its hub.

• [[Owen Roberts International Airport]]
• [[Charles Kirkconnell International Airport]]
• [[Edward Bodden Airfield]]

===Main highways===
There are three highways, as well as crucial feeder roads that serve the Cayman Islands capital city, George Town. Residents in the east of the city will rely on the East-West Arterial Bypass to go into George Town; as well as Shamrock Road coming from Bodden Town and the eastern districts.
Other main highways and carriageways include:

• Linford Pierson Highway (most popular roadway into George Town from the east)
• Esterly Tibbetts Highway (serves commuters to the north of the city and West Bay)
• North Sound Road (main road for Central George Town)
• South Sound Road (used by commuters to the south of the city)
• Crewe Road (alternative to taking Linford Pierson Highway)

== Education ==
{{Main|Education in the Cayman Islands}}

===Primary and secondary schools===
{{main|List of schools in the Cayman Islands}}
The [[Cayman Islands Education Department]] operates state schools. Caymanian children are entitled to free primary and secondary education. There are two public high schools on Grand Cayman, [[John Gray High School]] and [[Clifton Hunter High School]], and one on Cayman Brac, [[Layman E. Scott High School]]. Various churches and private foundations operate several private schools.

===Colleges and universities===
The [[University College of the Cayman Islands]] has campuses on Grand Cayman and Cayman Brac and is the only government-run university on the Cayman Islands.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ucci.edu.ky/about.php |title=University College Cayman Islands: About us |publisher=Ucci.edu.ky |access-date=31 July 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722142310/http://www.ucci.edu.ky/about.php |archive-date=22 July 2011 }}</ref>

The [[International College of the Cayman Islands]] is a private college in Grand Cayman. The college was established in 1970 and offers associate's, bachelor's and master's degree programmes.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.icci.edu.ky/programs.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110101061248/http://www.icci.edu.ky/programs.htm|url-status=dead|title=International College of the Cayman islands: Programs of Study|archive-date=1 January 2011}}</ref> Grand Cayman is also home to [[St. Matthew's University]], which includes a [[medical school]] and a [[veterinary school|school of veterinary medicine]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.stmatthews.edu |title=St. Matthew's University |publisher=Stmatthews.edu |access-date=31 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110808163224/http://www.stmatthews.edu/ |archive-date=8 August 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[Truman Bodden Law School]], a branch of the [[University of Liverpool]], is based on Grand Cayman.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.liv.ac.uk/law/cils/ |title=Cayman Islands law School |publisher=Liv.ac.uk |access-date=31 July 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120114045537/http://www.liv.ac.uk/law/cils/ |archive-date=14 January 2012 }}</ref>

[[The Cayman Islands Civil Service College]], a unit of the Cayman Islands government organised under the Portfolio of the Civil Service, is in Grand Cayman. Co-situated with University College of the Cayman Islands, it offers both degree programs and continuing education units of various sorts. The college opened in 2007 and is also used as a government research centre.

There is a [[University of the West Indies]] Open campus in the territory.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://open.uwi.edu/cayman_islands|title=The Open Campus in Cayman Islands|website=University of the West Indies|access-date=28 January 2021|archive-date=24 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210224131510/https://open.uwi.edu/cayman_islands|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Sports ==
{{See also|Football in the Cayman Islands}}
[[Truman Bodden Stadium|Truman Bodden Sports Complex]] is a multi-use complex in George Town. The complex is separated into an outdoor, six-lane {{convert|25|m|adj=on}} swimming pool, full purpose track and field and basketball/netball courts. The field surrounded by the track is used for [[association football]] matches as well as other field sports.

Association football is the national and most popular sport, with the [[Cayman Islands national football team]] representing the Cayman Islands in [[FIFA]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://movingtocayman.com/en/journey/sport/|title=Moving to Cayman Islands : Sport!|access-date=12 September 2021|archive-date=28 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220328070403/https://movingtocayman.com/en/journey/sport/|url-status=live}}</ref>

The Cayman Islands Basketball Federation joined the international basketball governing body [[FIBA]] in 1976.<ref>[https://archive.fiba.com/pages/eng/fc/FIBA/fibaStru/nfLeag/p/nationalfederationnumber/258/nfProf.html FIBA National Federations – Cayman Islands] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160511201027/http://www.fiba.com/pages/eng/fc/FIBA/fibaStru/nfLeag/p/nationalfederationnumber/258/nfProf.html |date=11 May 2016 }}, fiba.com, accessed 28 October 2015.</ref> The country's [[Cayman Islands national basketball team|national team]] attended the [[Caribbean Basketball Championship]] for the first time in 2011. Cayman Islands National Male National Team has won back-to-back Gold Medal victories in 2017 and 2019 [[Natwest Island Games]].

[[Rugby Union in the Cayman Islands|Rugby union]] is a developing sport, and has its own [[Cayman Islands national rugby union team|national men's team]], [[Cayman Islands women's national rugby union team|women's team]], and Sevens team.

The Cayman Islands are a member of [[FIFA]], the [[International Olympic Committee]] and the [[Pan American Sports Organisation]], and also competes in the biennial [[Island Games]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://jersey2015results.com/Sports/SWIMMING/default.aspx?SportID=16&EventID=173|title=NatWest Island Games XVI Jersey 2015 Results – Sports – Swimming – Men's 200m Individual Medley|website=Jersey2015results.com|access-date=30 June 2015|archive-date=6 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150706212217/http://www.jersey2015results.com/Sports/SWIMMING/default.aspx?SportID=16&EventID=173|url-status=live}}</ref>

The Cayman Islands are a member of the [[International Cricket Council]] which they joined in 1997 as an Affiliate, before becoming an Associate member in 2002. The [[Cayman Islands national cricket team]] represents the islands in [[international cricket]]. The team has previously played the sport at [[first-class cricket|first-class]], [[List A cricket|List A]] and [[Twenty20 cricket|Twenty20]] level. It competes in [[2012 ICC World Cricket League Division Five|Division Five]] of the [[World Cricket League]].<ref name="ICCP">{{cite web|url=http://icc-cricket.yahoo.net/the-icc/icc_members/profile.php?countryCode=ICC_ASSOCIATE_MEMBERS_CAYMAN_ISL |title=International Cricket Council: Cayman Islands |publisher=Icc-cricket.yahoo.net |access-date=31 July 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927093757/http://icc-cricket.yahoo.net/the-icc/icc_members/profile.php?countryCode=ICC_ASSOCIATE_MEMBERS_CAYMAN_ISL |archive-date=27 September 2011 }}</ref>

Squash is popular in the Cayman Islands with a vibrant community of mostly ex-pats playing out of the 7-court South Sound Squash Club. In addition, the women's professional squash association hosts one of their major events each year in an all-glass court being set up in Camana Bay. In December 2012, the former Cayman Open will be replaced by the Women's World Championships, the largest tournament in the world.

[[Flag football]] (CIFFA) has men's, women's, and mixed-gender leagues.

Other organised sports leagues include softball, beach volleyball, [[Gaelic football]] and [[ultimate frisbee]].

The [[Cayman Islands Olympic Committee]] was founded in 1973 and was recognised by the IOC ([[International Olympic Committee]]) in 1976.

In April 2005 Black Pearl Skate Park was opened in Grand Cayman by [[Tony Hawk]]. At the time the {{convert|52,000|sqft|m2}} park was the largest in the Western Hemisphere.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blackpearl.ky/about-us/|title=An Informative guide of Black Pearl – Cayman Islands|website=Blackpearl.ky|access-date=10 April 2022|archive-date=31 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220331170842/http://www.blackpearl.ky/about-us/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ieyenews.com/black-pearl-skateboarding-at-the-grand-cayman-islands/|title=Black Pearl Skateboarding at the Grand Cayman Islands|website=Ieyenews.com|date=31 January 2013|access-date=7 December 2020|archive-date=25 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201125192324/https://www.ieyenews.com/black-pearl-skateboarding-at-the-grand-cayman-islands/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In February 2010, the first purpose-built track for [[kart racing]] in the Cayman Islands was opened.<ref name="Compass Track Opening">[http://www.compasscayman.com/caycompass/2010/02/23/Go-karting-track-up-to-speed/ "Go-karting track up to speed"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100420084843/http://www.compasscayman.com/caycompass/2010/02/23/Go-karting-track-up-to-speed/ |date=20 April 2010 }}, Caymanian Compass, 23 February 2010</ref> Corporate karting leagues at the track have involved widespread participation with 20 local companies and 227 drivers taking part in the 2010 Summer Corporate Karting League.<ref>[https://www.caymancompass.com/2010/09/24/parker-s-eased-into-top-gear/ "Parker's eased into top gear"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202011855/https://www.caymancompass.com/2010/09/24/parker-s-eased-into-top-gear/ |date=2 February 2017 }}, ''Caymanian Compass'', 24 September 2010.</ref>

In December 2022, [[Swimming (sport)|swimmer]] [[Jordan Crooks]] became the first Caymanian athlete to become world champion in any sport, after winning the gold medal in the 50 m freestyle event at the [[2022 FINA World Swimming Championships (25 m)]].<ref>{{Cite web |access-date=16 August 2024 |date=31 December 2022 |title=Jordan Crooks: from fisherman to history-making world champion |url=https://olympics.com/en/news/swimming-jordan-crooks-cayman-world-champion |first=Ockert |last= de Villiers}}</ref> In addition, during the [[2024 World Aquatics Swimming Championships (25 m)]], he established a new [[List of world records in swimming|world record]] in the 50 m freestyle event with a time of 19.90, becoming the first swimmer in history to break the 20-second barrier.

== Arts and culture ==

=== Music ===
{{main|Music of the Cayman Islands}}
The [[Cayman National Cultural Foundation]] manages the F.J. Harquail Cultural Centre and the US$4&nbsp;million Harquail Theatre. The Cayman National Cultural Foundation, established in 1984, helps to preserve and promote Cayman folk music, including the organisation of festivals such as the Cayman Islands International Storytelling Festival, the Cayman JazzFest, Seafarers Festival and Cayfest.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.artscayman.org/|title=Cayman Festival and Events {{!}} Cultural Schedule|website=Artscayman.org|access-date=4 February 2018|archive-date=7 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180207152232/http://www.artscayman.org/|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[jazz]], [[Calypso music|calypso]] and [[Reggae music|reggae]] genres of music styles feature prominently in Cayman music as celebrated cultural influences.<ref>{{cite web |title=Pop music from Cayman Islands |url=http://onlineradiobox.com/ky/genre/pop-/ |website=Online Radio Box |access-date=21 June 2018 |archive-date=21 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180621042959/http://onlineradiobox.com/ky/genre/pop-/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Art ===
The [[National Gallery of the Cayman Islands]] is an [[art museum]] in [[George Town, Cayman Islands|George Town]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gov.ky/portal/page/portal/cighome/find/organisations/azpublicbodies/nga|title=Cayman Islands Government Directory|website=Gov.ky|access-date=10 April 2022}}{{Dead link|date=January 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Founded in 1996, NGCI is an arts organisation that seeks to fulfil its mission through exhibitions, artist residencies, education/outreach programmes and research projects in the Cayman Islands. The NGCI is a non-profit institution, part of the Ministry of Health and Culture.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nationalgallery.org.ky/about/about-us/|title=About Us|website=National Gallery of the Cayman Islands|access-date=25 November 2019|archive-date=28 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200428094621/https://www.nationalgallery.org.ky/about/about-us/|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Media ==
There are two print newspapers currently in circulation throughout the islands: the ''Cayman Compass'' and ''The Caymanian Times''. Online news services include Cayman Compass, Cayman News Service, Cayman Marl Road, The Caymanian Times and Real Cayman News.<ref>{{Cite web |first=Jessica |last=Wright |date=January 11, 2023 |title=Local News in the Cayman Islands: Print & Online |url=https://caymanresident.com/live/services/local-media/local-news |access-date=2023-05-23 |website=Cayman Resident |language=en}}</ref> [[Olive Hilda Miller]] was the first paid reporter to work for a Cayman Islands newspaper, beginning her career on the ''Tradewinds'' newspaper, which her work helped to establish.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Ragoonath |first=Reshma |date=2020-05-20 |title=Cayman mourns Olive Miller |url=https://www.caymancompass.com/2020/05/20/cayman-mourns-olive-miller/ |access-date=2022-05-16 |website=Cayman Compass |language=en-GB |archive-date=16 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220516093103/https://www.caymancompass.com/2020/05/20/cayman-mourns-olive-miller/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=2014-03-11 |title=Olive Miller: Cayman's own Mother Teresa |url=https://www.caymancompass.com/2014/03/11/olive-miller-cayman-s-own-mother-teresa/ |access-date=2022-05-16 |website=Cayman Compass |language=en-GB}}</ref>

[[List of radio stations in Cayman Islands|Local radio stations]] are broadcast throughout the islands.

Feature films that have been filmed in the Cayman Islands include: ''[[The Firm (1993 film)|The Firm]]'', ''[[Haven (film)|Haven]]'', ''Cayman Went''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1158933/|title=Cayman Went (2009)|author=((Quinnie110))|date=5 June 2009|website=IMDb.com|access-date=1 July 2018|archive-date=6 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170406110920/http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1158933/|url-status=live}}</ref> and ''Zombie Driftwood''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1696198/|title=Zombie Driftwood (2010)|website=IMDb.com|access-date=1 July 2018|archive-date=10 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170210141831/http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1696198/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Television in the Cayman Islands consist of four over-the-air broadcast stations, CompassTV (subsidiary of Compass Media, which also runs Cayman Compass) – Trinity Broadcasting Network – CIGTV (the government-owned channel) – Seventh Day Adventist Network.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.caymancompass.com/2025/03/31/broadcast-television-returns-to-cayman-with-launch-of-compass-tv/ |title=Broadcast television returns to Cayman with launch of Compass TV |work=Cayman Compass |last=Gallego |first=Shanda |date=31 March 2025 |access-date=22 April 2025}}</ref> Cable television is available in the Cayman Islands through three providers, C3 Pure Fibre – FLOW TV – Logic TV. Satellite television is provided by Dish Direct TV.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://caymanresident.com/housing/utilities/television |title=Television in Cayman |website=caymanresident.com |access-date=2 July 2021 |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201001170502/https://caymanresident.com/housing/utilities/television |archive-date=1 October 2020 }}</ref> In the past, between 1992 and 2019, there was also [[Cayman 27]].

Broadband is widely available on the Cayman Islands, with Digicel, C3 Pure Fibre, FLOW and Logic all providing super fast fibre broadband to the islands.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://caymanresident.com/housing/utilities/internet/internet-providers |title=Internet Providers |website=caymanresident.com |access-date=2 July 2021 |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201001171206/https://caymanresident.com/housing/utilities/internet/internet-providers |archive-date=1 October 2020 }}</ref>

== Notable Caymanians ==
<!---At the national level, prime ministers etc are ''not'' notable because everyone has them. Okay further down the list (Island/Department).
ALPHABETICAL ORDER
A WIKIPEDIA ARTICLE MUST EXIST FOR EACH LIST ENTRY:---> {{columns-list|*[[Truman Bodden]] OBE (born 1945), politician 
*[[Gladwyn Bush|Gladwyn K. Bush]] MBE (1914–2003), folk painter
*[[McKeeva Bush]], JP (born 1955), politician
*[[William Warren Conolly]] OBE, JP (1920–2008), politician and attorney
*[[Kenneth Dart]] (born 1955), businessman, owns [[Camana Bay, Cayman Islands|Camana Bay]].
*[[Selita Ebanks]] (born 1983), fashion model
*[[Frank E. Flowers]] (born 1979), filmmaker, director and screenwriter
*[[Sybil Joyce Hylton]] MBE (1913–2006), community volunteer
*[[John Reno Jackson]] (born 1995), multidisciplinary artist
*[[Thomas Jefferson (Caymanian politician)|Thomas Jefferson]] OBE (1941–2006), politician
*[[Alden McLaughlin|Sir Alden McLaughlin]] KCMG MBE KC JP (born 1961), politician, former Premier of the Cayman Islands
*[[Sybil I. McLaughlin]] MBE, JP (1928–2022), First Speaker of the House
*[[Edna Moyle]] OBE (1942–2013), politician and Speaker of the House
*[[The Barefoot Man|George Nowak]] (born ca.1950), aka ''The Barefoot Man'', entertainer and songwriter 
*[[Bernard K. Passman]] (1916–2007), sculptor and jeweller
*[[David Ritch]] OBE, JP (born 1951), attorney and bank director
*[[Leila Ross-Shier]] (1886–1968), musician, educator and composer of "[[Beloved Isle Cayman]]"
*[[Kurt Tibbetts]]  OBE (born 1954), politician
*[[Jeffrey Webb (football executive)|Jeffrey Webb]] (born 1964), football executive indicted for corruption
*[[Mary Evelyn Wood]] (1900–1978), nurse and politician
*[[Leila Yates]] (1899–1996), pioneering nurse and midwife

=== Sport ===
*[[Jordan Crooks]] (born 2002), Olympic swimmer and world champion
*[[Ronald Forbes]] (born 1985), Olympic track athlete
*[[Brett Fraser]] (born 1989), Olympic competition swimmer
*[[Shaune Fraser]] (born 1988), Olympic swimmer and attorney
*[[Fabio Gall]] (born 1993), footballer<ref>{{cite web |title=Fabio Gall |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/player_summary/fabio-gall/ |website=worldfootball.net |publisher=HEIM:SPIEL Medien GmbH & Co. KG |access-date=31 January 2024 |language=en}}</ref>
*[[Kemar Hyman]] (born 1989), Olympic sprinter
*[[Edison Mclean]] (born 1969), gold medalist in Olympic skeet shooting<ref>[http://www.natwestiowresults2011.com/Sports/SHOOT/default.aspx?SportID=24&EventID=300 Island Games Results Isle of Wight 2011 | Sports | Shooting | Olympic Skeet Individual – Men] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120104035600/http://www.natwestiowresults2011.com/Sports/SHOOT/default.aspx?SportID=24&EventID=300 |date=4 January 2012 }}. Natwestiowresults2011.com. Retrieved on 12 April 2014.</ref>
*[[Cydonie Mothersille]] (born 1978), former Olympic sprinter
*[[Raegan Rutty]] (born 2002), Olympic artistic gymnast
*[[Kyffin Simpson]] (born 2004), racing driver
*[[Cameron Stafford]] (born 1992), Caribbean junior squash champion
*[[Kareem Streete-Thompson]] (born 1973), Olympic long-jumper 
*[[Dow Travers]] (born 1987), Olympic alpine skier, rugby union player and entrepreneur|colwidth=30em}}

== See also ==
{{portal|Caribbean|<!--CARICOM-->|United Kingdom}}
*[[Outline of the Cayman Islands]]
* [[Index of Cayman Islands–related articles]]
{{Clear}}

== References ==
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

== Further reading ==
* {{cite book |last=Boultbee |first=Paul G. |title=Cayman Islands |location=Oxford |publisher=ABC-Clio Press |year=1996 |oclc=35170772 |isbn=9781851092406}}
* {{cite web
| url = http://www.caribbeanmag.com/search/articles/Cayman_Islands/History_of_the_cayman_islands.html
| title = History of the Cayman Islands
| work = Caribbean Magazine
| access-date = 28 July 2010
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110511093510/http://www.caribbeanmag.com/search/articles/Cayman_Islands/History_of_the_cayman_islands.html
| archive-date = 11 May 2011
| url-status = dead
}}
* {{cite web
| url = https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/cayman-islands/
| title = Cayman Islands
| work = 2005 CIA World Factbook
| access-date = 4 July 2005
}} ''Originally from the [[CIA World Factbook]] 2000.''
* {{cite book
| author = Michael Craton and the New History Committee
| year = 2003
| title = Founded upon the Seas: A History of the Cayman Islands and Their People
| publisher = Ian Randle Publishers
| location = Kingston, Jamaica
| isbn = 0-9729358-3-5
}}
* {{cite web
|url=https://www.un.org/Depts/dpi/decolonization/trust3.htm 
 |title=Non-Self-Governing Territories listed by General Assembly in 2002 
 |work=United Nations Special Committee of 24 on Decolonization 
 |access-date=4 July 2005 |url-status=dead 
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081203105055/http://un.org/Depts/dpi/decolonization/trust3.htm 
 |archive-date= 3 December 2008 }}

== External links ==
{{Sister project links |commonscat=Cayman Islands |voy=Cayman Islands|Cayman Islands}}
{{Commons category|Cayman Islands}}
* {{cite EB1911|wstitle=Cayman Islands |volume=5 |short=x}}
* [http://www.gov.ky/ Cayman Islands Government]
* [http://www.caymanislands.ky/ Cayman Islands Department of Tourism]
* {{Wikiatlas|Cayman Islands}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110722142126/http://www.cifilm.ky/ Cayman Islands Film Commission] (archived 22 July 2011)
* [https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/cayman-islands/ Cayman Islands]. ''[[The World Factbook]]''. [[Central Intelligence Agency]].
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080407223030/http://ucblibraries.colorado.edu/govpubs/for/caymanislands.htm Cayman Islands] from ''[[UCB Libraries]] GovPubs'' (archived 7 April 2008)
* [http://www.artscayman.org/ Cayman National Cultural Foundation]

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[[Category:Cayman Islands| ]]<!--please leave the empty space as standard-->
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