Country name
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Cayman Islands

Data code CJ

Dependency status dependent territory of the UK

Government type NA

National capital George Town

Administrative divisions 8 districts; Creek, Eastern, Midland, South Town, Spot Bay, Stake Bay, West End, Western

Independence none (dependent territory of the UK)

National holiday Constitution Day (first Monday in July)

Constitution 1959, revised 1972 and 1992

Legal system British common law and local statutes

Suffrage 18 years of age; universal

Executive branch
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II of the UK (since 6 February 1952)
head of government: Governor and President of the Executive Council John Wynne OWEN (since 15 September 1995)
cabinet: Executive Council (three members appointed by the governor, four members elected by the Legislative Assembly)
elections: none; the queen is a hereditary monarch; the governor is appointed by the queen

Legislative branch unicameral Legislative Assembly (18 seats, 3 official members and 15 elected by popular vote; members serve four-year terms)
elections: last held 20 November 1996 (next to be held NA November 2000)
election results: percent of vote - NA; seats - National Team coalition 9, independents 6

Judicial branch Grand Court; Cayman Islands Court of Appeal

Political parties and leaders no formal political parties

International organization participation Caricom (observer), CDB, Interpol (subbureau), IOC

Diplomatic representation in the US none (dependent territory of the UK)

Diplomatic representation from the US none (dependent territory of the UK)

Flag description blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Caymanian coat of arms on a white disk centered on the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms includes a pineapple and turtle above a shield with three stars (representing the three islands) and a scroll at the bottom bearing the motto HE HATH FOUNDED IT UPON THE SEAS

NOTE: The information regarding Cayman Islands on this page is re-published from the 1998 World Fact Book of the United States Central Intelligence Agency. No claims are made regarding the accuracy of Cayman Islands Government 1998 information contained here. All suggestions for corrections of any errors about Cayman Islands Government 1998 should be addressed to the CIA.