Cayman Islands:
Geography

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Other pages in this profile of the Cayman Islands:
People, Government, Economy, Communications & Transportation, Military & Transnational Issues.


Background	Definition The Cayman Islands were colonized from Jamaica by the British during the 18th and 19th centuries, and were administered by Jamaica after 1863. In 1959, the islands became a territory within the Federation of the West Indies, but when the Federation dissolved in 1962, the Cayman Islands chose to remain a British dependency.

Location	Definition Caribbean, three-island group (Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac, Little Cayman) in Caribbean Sea, 240 km south of Cuba and 268 km northwest of Jamaica
Geographic coordinates	Definition 19 30 N, 80 30 W
Map references	Definition Central America and the Caribbean
Area	Definition - World rank and map total: 262 sq km land: 262 sq km water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative	Definition 1.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries	Definition 0 km
Coastline	Definition 160 km
Maritime claims	Definition territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
Climate	Definition tropical marine; warm, rainy summers (May to October) and cool, relatively dry winters (November to April)
Terrain	Definition low-lying limestone base surrounded by coral reefs
Elevation extremes	Definition lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: The Bluff (Cayman Brac) 43 m
Natural resources	Definition fish, climate and beaches that foster tourism
Land use	Definition - World rank and map arable land: 3.85% permanent crops: 0% other: 96.15% (2005)
Irrigated land	Definition NA
Natural hazards	Definition hurricanes (July to November)
Environment - current issues	Definition no natural fresh water resources; drinking water supplies must be met by rainwater catchments
Geography - note	Definition important location between Cuba and Central America

Cayman Islands: Geography

Cayman Islands:
Geography