Data: CIA World Factbook (public domain). Preserved and rebuilt by PRIA Technologies.

Central America N Caribbean • KY

Cayman Islands

Compare countries

Flag

Locator map

Regional map

Population

66,653 (2024 est.)

GDP

$7.139 billion (2023 est.)

Area

264 sq km

Capital

George Town (on Grand Cayman)

Government type

parliamentary democracy; self-governing overseas territory of the UK

Jump to section

Introduction

Background

The British colonized the Cayman Islands during the 18th and 19th centuries, and Jamaica -- also a British colony at the time -- administered the islands after 1863. In 1959, the islands became a territory within the Federation of the West Indies. When the Federation dissolved in 1962, the Cayman Islands chose to remain a British dependency. The territory has transformed itself into a significant offshore financial center.