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. The territory has transformed itself into a significant offshore financial center.
Location
Caribbean, three-island group (Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac, Little Cayman) 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)
Population Distribution
Majority of the population resides on Grand Cayman
Natural Hazards
Hurricanes (July to November)
Environment Current Issues
No natural freshwater resources; drinking water supplies are met by reverse osmosis desalination plants and rainwater catchment; trash washing up on the beaches or being deposited there by residents; no recycling or waste treatment facilities; deforestation (trees being cut down to create space for commercial use)
Geography Note
Important location between Cuba and Central America
