The Cayman Islands were colonized from Jamaica by the British during the 18th and 19th centuries. Administered by Jamaica since 1863, they remained a British dependency after 1962 when the former became independent.
Location
Caribbean, island group in Caribbean Sea, nearly one-half of the way from Cuba to Honduras
Area Comparative
1.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Maritime Claims
Territorial sea: 12 nm
Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
Climate
Tropical marine; warm, rainy summers (May to October) and cool, relatively dry winters (November to April)
Natural Hazards
Hurricanes (July to November)
Environment Current Issues
No natural fresh water resources; drinking water supplies must be met by rainwater catchments
Geography Note
Important location between Cuba and Central America
