Location:
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:
19 30 N, 80 30 W
Map references:
Central America and the Caribbean
Area:
total: 264 sq km
[see also: Area - total country ranks ]
land: 264 sq km
[see also: Area - land country ranks ]
water: 0 sq km
[see also: Area - water country ranks ]
country comparison to the world (CIA rank, may be based on non-current data):
211
Area - comparative:
1.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
160 km
[see also: Coastline country ranks ]
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12
nm
[see also: Maritime claims - territorial sea country ranks ]
exclusive fishing zone: 200
nm
[see also: Maritime claims - exclusive fishing zone country ranks ]
Climate:
tropical marine; warm, rainy summers (May to October) and cool, relatively dry winters (November to April)
More Climate Details
Terrain:
low-lying limestone base surrounded by coral reefs
Elevation:
lowest point:
Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point:
1 km SW of The Bluff on Cayman Brac 50 m
Natural resources:
fish, climate and beaches that foster tourism
Land use:
agricultural land: 11.2%
(2011 est.)
[see also: Land use - agricultural land country ranks ]
arable land: 0.8%
(2011 est.)
[see also: Land use - arable land country ranks ]
permanent crops: 2.1%
(2011 est.)
[see also: Land use - permanent crops country ranks ]
permanent pasture: 8.3%
(2011 est.)
[see also: Land use - permanent pasture country ranks ]
forest: 52.9%
(2011 est.)
[see also: Land use - forest country ranks ]
other: 35.9%
(2011 est.)
[see also: Land use country ranks ]
Irrigated land:
NA
[see also: Irrigated land country ranks ]
Population distribution:
majority of the population resides on Grand Cayman
Natural hazards:
hurricanes (July to November)
Environment - current issues:
no natural freshwater resources; drinking water supplies are met by reverse osmosis desalination plants and rainwater catchment; trash washing up on the beaches or being deposited there by residents; no recycling or waste treatment facilities; deforestation (trees being cut down to create space for commercial use)
Geography - note:
important location between Cuba and Central America
