Country Details
Cayman Islands
Caribbean, three-island group (Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac, Little Cayman) in Caribbean Sea, 240 km south of Cuba and 268 km northwest of Jamaica
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Detailed information and insights
Country name
Conventional long form
none
Conventional short form
Cayman Islands
Etymology
Spanish explorers named the islands in the early 16th century, using the Carib word for marine crocodiles, caiman
Government type
parliamentary democracy; self-governing overseas territory of the UK
Dependency status
overseas territory of the UK
Capital
Name
George Town (on Grand Cayman)
Geographic coordinates
19 18 N, 81 23 W
Time difference
UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Etymology
originally named Hogstyes, the town was renamed in honor of English King GEORGE III (1738-1820) around 1800
Administrative divisions
6 districts; Bodden Town, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman, East End, George Town, North Side, West Bay
Legal system
English common law and local statutes
Constitution
History
several previous; latest approved 10 June 2009, entered into force 6 November 2009 (The Cayman Islands Constitution Order 2009)
Citizenship
see United Kingdom
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch
Chief of state
King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022); represented by Governor Jane OWEN (since 21 April 2023)
Head of government
Premier André Martin EBANKS (since 6 May 2025)
Cabinet
Cabinet selected from the Parliament and appointed by the governor on the advice of the premier
Election/appointment process
the monarchy is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the governor appoints the leader of the majority party or majority coalition as premier
Legislative branch
Legislature name
Parliament
Legislative structure
unicameral
Number of seats
21 (directly elected and appointed)
Scope of elections
full renewal
Term in office
4 years
Most recent election date
4/14/2021
Parties elected and seats per party
independent (12); PPM (7)
Percentage of women in chamber
23.8%
Expected date of next election
2025
Judicial branch
Highest court(s)
Court of Appeal (consists of the court president and at least 2 judges); Grand Court (consists of the court president and at least 2 judges)
Judge selection and term of office
Court of Appeal and Grand Court judges appointed by the governor on the advice of the Judicial and Legal Services Commission, an 8-member independent body consisting of governor appointees, Court of Appeal president, and attorneys; Court of Appeal judges' tenure based on their individual instruments of appointment; Grand Court judges normally appointed until retirement at age 65 but can be extended until age 70
Subordinate courts
Summary Court
Political parties
Cayman Islands Peoples Party or CIPP
People's Progressive Movement or PPM
People's Progressive Movement or PPM
Diplomatic representation in the US
none (overseas territory of the UK)
Diplomatic representation from the US
Embassy
none (overseas territory of the UK); consular services provided through the US Embassy in Jamaica
International organization participation
Caricom (associate), CDB, Interpol (subbureau), IOC, UNESCO (associate), UPU
Independence
none (overseas territory of the UK)
National holiday
Constitution Day, the first Monday in July (1959)
Flag
description: a blue field with the UK flag in the upper-left quadrant and the Caymanian coat of arms centered on the right half of the flag; the coat of arms has a pineapple, a turtle, a shield with a golden lion and three green stars, and a scroll below the shield with the motto HE HATH FOUNDED IT UPON THE SEAS
meaning: the pineapple represents ties to Jamaica; the turtle represents the Caymans' seafaring tradition; the lion symbolizes Great Britain; the green stars represent the three islands; the white and blue wavy lines on the coat of arms represent the sea
meaning: the pineapple represents ties to Jamaica; the turtle represents the Caymans' seafaring tradition; the lion symbolizes Great Britain; the green stars represent the three islands; the white and blue wavy lines on the coat of arms represent the sea
National symbol(s)
green sea turtle
National coat of arms
the Queen of England approved the Cayman Islands' coat of arms -- which was designed with input from the public -- in 1958; the shield features the lion of England and three green stars that symbolize the three islands of Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac, and Little Cayman; the green turtle stands for the islands’ seafaring history, the rope under it for the thatch-rope industry, and the pineapple for historical ties with Jamaica; the motto comes from Psalms 24, acknowledging the Caymans’ Christian heritage
National anthem(s)
Title
"God Save the King"
Lyrics/music
unknown
History
official anthem, as an overseas UK territory