Cayman Islands

Cayman Islands
Motto: 
"He hath founded it upon the seas"
(Psalms 24:2 NKJV)
Anthem: "God Save the King"
National song: "Beloved Isle Cayman"
Location of Cayman Islands (circled in red)
Sovereign state United Kingdom
British control1670
Self-government4 July 1959
Separation from Jamaica6 August 1962
Current constitution6 November 2009
Capital
and largest city
George Town
19°19′12″N 81°13′44″W / 19.320°N 81.229°W / 19.320; -81.229
Official languagesEnglish
Vernacular
languages
Cayman Islands English
Ethnic groups
(2022)
36.5% Multiracial
30.2% Black
22.4% White
8.1% Asian
2.8% other
Religion
Demonym(s)Caymanian
GovernmentParliamentary dependency under a constitutional monarchy
 Monarch
Charles III
 Governor
Jane Owen
 Premier
André Ebanks
LegislatureParliament
Government of the United Kingdom
Stephen Doughty
Area
 Total
259 km2 (100 sq mi)
 Water (%)
1.6
Highest elevation
43 m (141 ft)
Population
 2024 estimate
87,866 (206th)
 Density
275.8/km2 (714.3/sq mi) (54th)
GDP (PPP)2019 estimate
 Total
$4.78 billion
 Per capita
$73,600
GDP (nominal)2023 estimate
 Total
$7.139 billion (160th)
 Per capita
$97,750 (2023) (7th)
HDI (2013)0.984
very high
CurrencyCayman Islands dollar (KYD)
Time zoneUTC-5:00 (EST)
Date formatdd/mm/yyyy
Driving sideLeft
Calling code+1
UK postcode
KYx-xxxx
ISO 3166 codeKY
Internet TLD.ky
Websitegov.ky

The Cayman Islands (/ˈkmən/) is a self-governing British Overseas Territory, and the largest by population. The 264-square-kilometre (102-square-mile) territory comprises the three islands of Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman, which are located south of Cuba and north-east of Honduras, between Jamaica and Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula. The capital city is George Town on Grand Cayman, which is the most populous of the three islands.

The Cayman Islands is considered to be part of the geographic Western Caribbean zone as well as the Greater Antilles. The territory is a major offshore financial centre for international businesses and the rich mainly due to the state charging no tax on income earned or stored.

With a GDP per capita of US$97,750 in 2023, the Cayman Islands has the highest standard of living in the Caribbean, and one of the highest in the world. Immigrants from over 140 countries and territories reside in the Cayman Islands.