Short facts about the geography of Cayman Islands

Location:

Caribbean, island group in Caribbean Sea, nearly one-half of the way from Cuba to Honduras

Geographic coordinates:

19 30 N, 80 30 W

Map references:

Central America and the Caribbean

Area:

total:  259 sq km land:  259 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:

exclusive fishing zone:  200 NM territorial sea:  12 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 43 m

Natural resources:

fish, climate and beaches that foster tourism

Land use:

arable land:  0% permanent crops:  0% permanent pastures:  8% forests and woodland:  23% other:  69% (1993 est.)

Irrigated land:

NA sq km

Natural hazards:

hurricanes (July to November)

Environment - current issues:

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

Geography - note:

important location between Cuba and Central America

Source: World Factbook