Cayman Islands Country & Tourist Information

Location
Caribbean, south of Cuba, 770km (480 miles) southwest of Miami.

Area
260 sq km (100 sq miles).

Population
45,436 (2006 estimate).

Population Density
175 per sq km.

Capital
George Town.
Population: 29,000 (2005).

Government
British Crown Colony since 1670.

Language
English is the official language, with a distinctive ‘brogue’ reflecting heritage of Welsh, Scottish and English ancestors still distinguishing the speech of the Caymanian people. The number of Jamaican residents in the workforce means the Jamaican patois and accompanying heavier accent is also common. Spanish, particularly regional dialects of Central America and Cuba, is also widely spoken.

Religion
Main Christian denominations.

Time
GMT - 5.

Electricity
110 volts AC, 60Hz. American-style (flat) two-pin plugs are standard.

Head of Government
Kurt Tibbetts since 2005.

Head of State
HM Queen Elizabeth II, represented locally by Governor Bruce Dinwiddy since 2002.

Telephone
Country code: 1 345. A system with pre-paid phonecards is available (website: www.cw.ky).

Mobile Telephone
Roaming agreements exist with a few international mobile phone companies. Coverage is average.

Internet
There are many Internet cafes throughout the Cayman Islands and most hotels also offer Internet facilities (website: www.cw.ky). Wi-Fi is available in some hotels.

Media



Post
Blue mail collection boxes are at key points around Grand Cayman. The main post office is on Edward Street and Cardinal Avenue, George Town (tel: 949 2474); there is a Westshore branch on West Bay Road and there are various branches across the islands. Stamps are available in most shops and hotels.

Post office hours: Mon-Fri 0830-1530, Sat 0830-1130.

Press
• The Cayman Net News and Caymanian Compass are published daily.

Radio
• Private radio station Z-99 and government-owned Radio Cayman, which operates two networks.
• Other stations are Heaven 97 (Christian), Vibe 98.9, Ocean 95.5 and ICCI-FM, run by journalism students.

Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2007-December 2008 period.

2007
1 Jan New Year’s Day.
22 Jan National Heroes Day.
21 Feb Ash Wednesday.
6 April Good Friday.
9 Apr Easter Monday.
21 May Discovery Day.
18 Jun Queen’s Birthday.
2 Jul Constitution Day.
12 Nov Remembrance Day.
25 Dec Christmas Day.
26 Dec Boxing Day.

2008
1 Jan New Year’s Day.
22 Jan National Heroes Day.
6 Feb Ash Wednesday.
21 Mar Good Friday.
24 Mar Easter Monday.
19 May Discovery Day.
16 Jun Queen’s Birthday.
7 Jul Constitution Day.
17 Nov Remembrance Day.
25 Dec Christmas Day.
26 Dec Boxing Day.

Contact Information:

Identity and Passport Service in the UK
London Passport Office, Globe House, 89 Eccleston Square, London SW1V 1PN, UK
Tel: (0870) 521 0410.
Website: www.ukpa.gov.uk
Opening hours (appointments only): Mon-Fri 0745-1900, Sat 0915-1515.

Cayman Islands Government Office and Department of Tourism in the UK
6 Arlington Street, London SW1A 1RE, UK
Tel: (020) 7491 7772 (government office) or 7771 (Department of Tourism).
Website: www.caymanislands.co.uk

Caribbean Tourism Organization in the UK
22 The Quadrant, Richmond, Surrey TW9 1BP, UK
Tel: (020) 8948 0057.
Website: www.doitcaribbean.com

Cayman Islands Department of Tourism in the USA
3 Park Avenue, 39th Floor, New York, NY 10016, USA
Tel: (212) 889 9009.
Website: www.caymanislands.ky


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