LocationCaribbean, south of Cuba, 770km (480 miles) southwest of Miami.
Area260 sq km (100 sq miles).
Population45,436 (2006 estimate).
Population Density175 per sq km.
CapitalGeorge Town.
Population: 29,000 (2005).
GovernmentBritish Crown Colony since 1670.
LanguageEnglish is the official language, with a distinctive ‘brogue’ reflecting heritage of Welsh, Scottish and English ancestors still distinguishing the speech of the Caymanian people. The number of Jamaican
residents in the workforce means the Jamaican
patois and accompanying heavier accent is also common. Spanish, particularly regional dialects of Central America and Cuba, is also widely spoken.
ReligionMain Christian denominations.
TimeGMT - 5.
Electricity110 volts AC, 60Hz. American-style (flat) two-pin plugs are standard.
Head of GovernmentKurt Tibbetts since 2005.
Head of StateHM Queen Elizabeth II, represented locally by Governor Bruce Dinwiddy since 2002.
Recent HistoryThe United Democratic Party’s McKeeva Bush was defeated in the May 2005 general elections by the
People’s Progressive Movement, led by Kurt Tibbetts. Although the UK is officially responsible for the islands’ foreign policy, the USA, as in the rest of the Caribbean, exerts a dominant influence over its ‘back yard’. Both the US and British governments have been concerned about the exploitation of the islands for drug trafficking and its associated money laundering.
TelephoneCountry code: 1 345. A system with pre-paid phonecards is available (website:
www.cw.ky).
Mobile TelephoneRoaming agreements exist with a few international mobile phone companies. Coverage is average.
InternetThere are many Internet cafes throughout the Cayman Islands and most hotels also offer Internet facilities (website:
www.cw.ky). Wi-Fi is available in some hotels.
Media
PostBlue mail collection boxes are at key points around Grand Cayman. The main post office is on Edward Street and Cardinal Avenue, George Town (tel: 949 2474); there is a Westshore branch on West Bay Road and there are various branches across the islands. Stamps are available in most shops and hotels.
Post office hours: Mon-Fri 0830-1530, Sat 0830-1130.
Press• The
Cayman Net News and
Caymanian Compass are published daily.
Radio• Private radio station
Z-99 and government-owned
Radio Cayman, which operates two networks.
• Other stations are
Heaven 97 (Christian),
Vibe 98.9,
Ocean 95.5 and
ICCI-FM, run by journalism students.
Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2009-December 2010 period.
2009
1 Jan New Year's Day.
26 Jan National Heroes Day.
25 Feb Ash Wednesday.
10 Apr Good Friday.
13 Apr Easter Monday.
18 May Discovery Day.
15 Jun Queen's Birthday.
6 Jul Constitution Day.
9 Nov Remembrance Day.
25 Dec Christmas Day.
26 Dec Boxing Day.
2010
1 Jan New Year's Day.
28 Jan National Heroes Day.
17 Feb Ash Wednesday.
2 Apr Good Friday.
5 Apr Easter Monday.
17 May Discovery Day.
14 Jun Queen's Birthday.
5 Jul Constitution Day.
8 Nov Remembrance Day.
25 Dec Christmas Day.
26 Dec Boxing Day.
Contact Information:Identity and Passport Service in the UKLondon Passport Office, Globe House, 89 Eccleston Square, London SW1V 1PN, UK
Tel: 0870 521 0410.
Website:
www.ukpa.gov.ukOpening hours (appointments only): Mon-Fri 0745-1900, Sat 0915-1515.
Cayman Islands Government Office and Department of Tourism in the UK6 Arlington Street, London SW1A 1RE, UK
Tel: (020) 7491 7772 (government office)
or 7771 (Department of Tourism).
Website:
www.caymanislands.co.uk Caribbean Tourism Organization in the UK22 The Quadrant, Richmond, Surrey TW9 1BP, UK
Tel: (020) 8948 0057.
Website:
www.doitcaribbean.comCayman Islands Department of Tourism in the USA3 Park Avenue, 39th Floor, New York, NY 10016, USA
Tel: (212) 889 9009.
Website:
www.caymanislands.ky
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