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, but when the Federation dissolved in 1962, the Cayman Islands chose to remain a British dependency.
Location
Caribbean, three island (Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac, Little Cayman) group in Caribbean Sea, 240 km south of Cuba and 268 km northwest of Jamaica
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
