Population: 44,270 (July 2005 est.)

Capital: George Town

Languages: English

Religions: United Church (Presbyterian and Congregational), Anglican, Baptist, Church of God, other Protestant, Roman Catholic

Government: British crown colony

Climate: tropical marine; warm, rainy summers (May to October) and cool, relatively dry winters (November to April)

Terrain: low-lying limestone base surrounded by coral reefs

Geography: important location between Cuba and Central America

Ethnic groups: mixed 40%, white 20%, black 20%, expatriates of various ethnic groups 20%

Economy: With no direct taxation, the islands are a thriving offshore financial center. More than 40,000 companies were registered in the Cayman Islands as of 1998, including almost 600 banks and trust companies; banking assets exceed $500 billion. A stock exchange was opened in 1997. Tourism is also a mainstay, accounting for about 70% of GDP and 75% of foreign currency earnings. The tourist industry is aimed at the luxury market and caters mainly to visitors from North America. Total tourist arrivals exceeded 1.2 million in 1997, with 600,000 from the US. About 90% of the islands' food and consumer goods must be imported. The Caymanians enjoy one of the highest outputs per capita and one of the highest standards of living in the world.

GDP per capita: purchasing power parity - $32,300 (2004 est.)

GDP real growth: 1.7% (2002 est.)

Unemployment rate: 4.1% (1997)

Internet country code: .ky

Dial code: +345