Cayman Islands: Background & Geography
| Introduction | Cayman Islands |
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Background:
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The Cayman Islands were colonized from Jamaica by the British during the 18th and 19th centuries. Administered by Jamaica since 1863, they remained a British dependency after 1962 when the former became independent. |
| Geography | Cayman Islands |
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Location:
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Caribbean, island group in Caribbean Sea, nearly one-half of the way from Cuba to Honduras |
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Geographic coordinates:
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19 30 N, 80 30 W |
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Map references:
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Central America and the Caribbean |
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Area:
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total: 262 sq km
water: 0 sq km land: 262 sq km |
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Area - comparative:
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1.5 times the size of Washington, DC |
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Land boundaries:
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0 km |
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Coastline:
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160 km |
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Maritime claims - as described in UNCLOS 1982 (see Notes and Definitions):
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territorial sea: 12 NM
exclusive fishing zone: 200 NM |
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Climate:
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tropical marine; warm, rainy summers (May to October) and cool, relatively dry winters (November to April) |
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Terrain:
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low-lying limestone base surrounded by coral reefs |
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Elevation extremes:
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lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point: The Bluff 43 m |
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Natural resources:
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fish, climate and beaches that foster tourism |
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Land use:
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arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (1998 est.) |
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Irrigated land:
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NA sq km |
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Natural hazards:
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hurricanes (July to November) |
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Environment - current issues:
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no natural fresh water resources; drinking water supplies must be met by rainwater catchments |
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Geography - note:
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important location between Cuba and Central America |