Cayman Islands Geography Profile 2009

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
land: 264 sq km
water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative

1.5 times the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries

0 km

Coastline

160 km

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm

Climate

tropical marine; warm, rainy summers (May to October) and cool, relatively dry winters (November to April)

Terrain

low-lying limestone base surrounded by coral reefs

Elevation extremes

lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point: The Bluff (Cayman Brac) 43 m

Natural resources

fish, climate and beaches that foster tourism

Land use

arable land: 3.85%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 96.15% (2005)

Irrigated land

NA

Natural hazards

hurricanes (July to November)

Environment - current issues

no natural fresh water resources; drinking water supplies must be met by rainwater catchments

Geography - note

important location between Cuba and Central America