About Cayman
The Cayman Islands is a United Kingdom Overseas Territory located in the northwestern Caribbean Sea. The country has a population of about 50,000 persons spread over of 3 islands: Little Cayman, Cayman Brac and Grand Cayman. The capital is George Town which is on Grand Cayman.
A stable political environment, high literacy rate, low unemployment and low inflation have helped create a high standard of living that has facilitated the development of modern infrastructure, including high quality telecommunications and transportation systems, education and healthcare programmes. Direct air-links between the Cayman Islands and the US mainland, Canada, the UK, and other Caribbean cities are provided by various airlines including Air Canada, Air Jamaica, American, British Airways, Cayman Airways, Continental, Delta, US Air, and others.
A parliamentary democracy since 1831, the Cayman Islands is to a large degree self-governed through its democratically elected Legislative Assembly. Elections are held every 4 years when the terms of all Members of the Legislative Assembly expire. Following every election, these Members select from amongst themselves by ballot, 5 members to serve on Cabinet and who assume responsibility for Government Ministries. In addition to the 5 Government Ministers, Cabinet also includes 3 ex-officio appointees who are responsible for 3 Portfolios of government administration.
The 5 Ministries of Government are:
- Ministry of District Administration, Planning, Agriculture & Housing
- Ministry of Tourism, Environment, Investment & Commerce
- Ministry of Health and Human Services
- Ministry of Education, Employment Relations, Youth, Sports & Culture
- Ministry of Communications, Works & Infrastructure
The 3 Government Portfolios are:
- Portfolio of Internal and External Affairs and the Civil Service, headed by the Chief Secretary
- Portfolio of Legal Affairs, headed by the Attorney General
- Portfolio of Finance & Economics, headed by the Financial Secretary