Cayman

The Cayman Islands are a British Overseas Territory in the western Caribbean Sea, consisting of three islands: Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac, and Little Cayman. Grand Cayman is the most populous and hosts the capital, George Town. The territory lies north of Jamaica, south of Cuba, and west of Haiti. English is the official language; the currency is the Cayman Islands dollar, pegged to the U.S. dollar. The population is around 68,000. The climate is tropical, with a wet season and a hurricane season, and the time zone is UTC-5 year-round.

The Cayman Islands operate as a constitutional monarchy with a locally elected Legislative Assembly and a Governor representing the British Crown. Domestic affairs are largely self-governing, while defense and foreign relations are handled by the United Kingdom. The name Cayman is often said to derive from the Carib word for alligator. The islands were settled by Europeans in the 17th century and became a British Overseas Territory when Jamaica gained independence in 1962.

Economy and society are dominated by offshore financial services and tourism. The financial sector includes banking, investment funds, and captive insurance, while tourism focuses on diving, beaches, and marine attractions. The territory maintains a regulatory framework aimed at financial transparency, alongside a growing service sector. The population is diverse, with residents from numerous countries, and public services such as education and health are well developed.

Environment and infrastructure feature coral reefs, marine parks, and protected areas. The islands are vulnerable to tropical storms and hurricanes. Transportation centers on Grand Cayman’s international airport and a network of ferries and local roads. The archipelago covers approximately 264 square kilometers of land area.