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Physical geography
Low-lying limestone base surrounded by coral reefs.
Local timeGeorge Town ·
North America / Caribbean · Card 010
Cayman Islands
The Cayman Islands are a British Overseas Territory in the western Caribbean. The capital is George Town.
Find Cayman Islands
● Capital · Gold highlights this card’s area.
Map: Natural Earth. Boundaries show geographic context, not a position on sovereignty. Small islands may use enlarged markers.
Map: Natural Earth. Boundaries show geographic context, not a position on sovereignty. Small islands may use enlarged markers.
At a glance
- Capital
- George Town
- Languages
- English
- Currency
- Cayman Islands dollar (KYD)
- Population
- 75,8442025 · World Bank
- Area
- 264 km²101.93 square miles
- Separate territory
- 1962Remained British when Jamaica became independent.
Cayman Islands in context
North America and its surrounding regions. The dot marks George Town; the mapped territory is highlighted in gold.
Natural Earth · locator mapGeography & languages
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Languages
Languages used in public life include English.
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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.
Flag
A blue field with the UK flag in the upper-left quadrant and the Caymanian coat of arms centered on the right half of the flag; the coat of arms has a pineapple, a turtle, a shield with a golden lion and three green stars, and a scroll below the shield with the motto HE HATH FOUNDED IT UPON THE SEAS
Sources: CIA World Factbook · archived profile · Cayman Islands Government · institutions
History & status
The Cayman Islands came under British control and were later administered with Jamaica. When Jamaica became independent in 1962, the Cayman Islands remained under British sovereignty. They are a British Overseas Territory with an elected parliament and internal self-government.
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Administration is linked to Jamaica
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The islands remain British when Jamaica becomes independent
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A new constitution takes effect
Sources: CIA World Factbook · archived profile · Cayman Islands Government · institutions
Economy
Main activities
Financial and professional services, including investment funds and insurance, are central to the economy. Tourism and construction are also important. Many goods are imported, and the islands are vulnerable to hurricanes.
Industry and production
Investment funds, banking, insurance and professional services are important, alongside tourism and construction.
Sources: CIA World Factbook · archived profile · Cayman Islands Government · institutions
Population & economic trends
Dated World Bank observations. Population uses selected years; real GDP uses all available annual observations.
Population, 1970–2025
Thousands of people75.82025 · thousands of people
Population estimates may be revised. Selected years are shown.
Sources: World Bank · Population
View data table
| Year | People | Thousands of people |
|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 10,517 | 10.517 |
| 1980 | 17,079 | 17.079 |
| 1990 | 25,999 | 25.999 |
| 2000 | 39,674 | 39.674 |
| 2010 | 54,099 | 54.099 |
| 2020 | 68,684 | 68.684 |
| 2025 | 75,844 | 75.844 |
Real GDP, 2006–2024
Billions of constant 2015 US dollars6.32024 · billions of constant 2015 US dollars
Constant prices adjust for inflation. This is total economic output, not current-dollar GDP or income per person. Missing years are left as gaps.
Sources: World Bank · Real GDP
View data table
| Year | Constant 2015 US$ | Billions of constant 2015 US dollars |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 4,633,485,654 | 4.633 |
| 2007 | 4,780,025,440 | 4.780 |
| 2008 | 4,762,941,572 | 4.763 |
| 2009 | 4,419,986,800 | 4.420 |
| 2010 | 4,299,956,080 | 4.300 |
| 2011 | 4,350,225,241 | 4.350 |
| 2012 | 4,403,722,295 | 4.404 |
| 2013 | 4,460,060,480 | 4.460 |
| 2014 | 4,578,454,034 | 4.578 |
| 2015 | 4,708,167,233 | 4.708 |
| 2016 | 4,860,710,643 | 4.861 |
| 2017 | 5,015,477,902 | 5.015 |
| 2018 | 5,229,501,758 | 5.230 |
| 2019 | 5,434,269,977 | 5.434 |
| 2020 | 5,165,012,390 | 5.165 |
| 2021 | 5,416,518,358 | 5.417 |
| 2022 | 5,723,136,286 | 5.723 |
| 2023 | 6,055,328,270 | 6.055 |
| 2024 | 6,282,791,346 | 6.283 |
Government
A British Overseas Territory with an elected Parliament and a Premier leading Cabinet. A Governor represents the monarch. The UK retains responsibilities including defence and external affairs.
Sources: CIA World Factbook · archived profile · Cayman Islands Government · institutions
Knowledge check
Three questions about Cayman Islands.
QUESTION 1 OF 3
In which year did this event occur in the Cayman Islands: The islands remain British when Jamaica becomes independent?
Sources & notes
Sources: CIA World Factbook · archived profile · Cayman Islands Government · institutions
Prepared 24 September 2026. World Bank series: SP.POP.TOTL (persons) and NY.GDP.MKTP.KD (constant 2015 US dollars); downloaded 24 September 2026, provider update 13 July 2026. UNDP values use the 2025 report and 2023 observation year. These are dated statistical snapshots, not live population or economic counters.
Maps use Natural Earth geographic data. Background geography, flag descriptions and selected historical facts use archived public-domain CIA World Factbook profiles, supplemented by the sources linked above. The Factbook is no longer updated; dated statistics here come from the separately named providers.