My World Factbook
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Note: Most information adapted from the popular World Factbook is distributed between the websites GeoWorld (geography, people, communications & transportation), Politix (government) and Great Depression II (economy).
The Cayman Islands were colonized from Jamaica by the British during the 18th and 19th centuries and were administered by Jamaica after 1863. In 1959, the islands became a territory within the Federation of the West Indies. When the Federation dissolved in 1962, the Cayman Islands chose to remain a British dependency.
Government
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Cayman Islands
overseas territory of the UK
parliamentary democracy
name: George Town (on Grand Cayman)
geographic coordinates: 19 18 N, 81 23 W
time difference: UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC during Standard Time)
8 districts; Creek, Eastern, Midland, South Town, Spot Bay, Stake Bay, West End, Western
none (overseas territory of the UK)
Constitution Day, first Monday in July
The Cayman Islands Constitution Order 2009, 6 November 2009
British common law and local statutes
18 years of age; universal
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor Duncan TAYLOR (since 15 January 2010)
head of government: Premier McKeeva BUSH (since 6 November 2009)
cabinet: The Cabinet (six members are appointed by the governor on the advice of the premier, selected from among the elected members of the Legislative Assembly)
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elections: the monarchy is hereditary; the governor appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or coalition appointed by the governor as premier
unicameral Legislative Assembly (20 seats; 18 members elected by popular vote and 2 ex officio members from The Cabinet; to serve four-year terms)
elections: last held on 20 May 2009 (next to be held not later than May 2013)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - UDP 9, PPM 5, independent 1
Grand Court; Cayman Islands Court of Appeal; Summary Court
People’s Progressive Movement or PPM [Kurt TIBBETTS]; United Democratic Party or UDP [McKeeva BUSH]
National Trust
other: environmentalists
Caricom (associate), CDB, Interpol (subbureau), IOC, UNESCO (associate), UPU
none (overseas territory of the UK)
none (overseas territory of the UK); consular services provided through the US Embassy in Jamaica
a blue field, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Caymanian coat of arms centered on the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms includes a crest with a pineapple, representing the connection with Jamaica, and a turtle, representing Cayman’s seafaring tradition, above a shield bearing a golden lion, symbolizing Great Britain, below which are three green stars (representing the three islands) surmounting white and blue wavy lines representing the sea and a scroll at the bottom bearing the motto HE HATH FOUNDED IT UPON THE SEAS
name: “Beloved Isle Cayman”
lyrics/music: Leila E. ROSS
note: adopted 1993; served as an unofficial anthem since 1930; as a territory of the United Kingdom, in addition to the local anthem, “God Save the Queen” is official (see United Kingdom)
Military
no regular military forces; Royal Cayman Islands Police Force (2010)
males age 16-49: 12,108 (2010 est.)
males age 16-49: 9,860
females age 16-49: 10,287 (2010 est.)
male: 326
female: 347 (2010 est.)
defense is the responsibility of the UK
Transnational Issues
none
major offshore financial center; vulnerable to drug transshipment to the US and Europe (2008)
The Shock Doctrine: The Rise of Disaster Capitalism - 
