Short facts about the government of Cayman Islands

Country name:

conventional long form:  none conventional short form:  Cayman Islands

Dependency status:

overseas territory of the UK

Government type:

British crown colony

Capital:

George Town

Administrative divisions:

8 districts; Creek, Eastern, Midland, South Town, Spot Bay, Stake Bay, West End, Western

Independence:

none (overseas territory of the UK)

National holiday:

Constitution Day, first Monday in July

Constitution:

1959, revised 1972 and 1992

Legal system:

British common law and local statutes

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state:  Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); Governor and President of the Executive Council Peter SMITH (since 5 May 1999) head of government:  Kurt TIBBETTS (since November 2000) cabinet:  Executive Council (three members appointed by the governor, four members elected by the Legislative Assembly) elections:  none; the monarch is hereditary; the governor is appointed by the monarch

Legislative branch:

unicameral Legislative Assembly (18 seats, three appointed members and 15 elected by popular vote; members serve four-year terms) elections:  last held 8 November 2000 (next to be held NA November 2004) election results:  percent of vote - NA%; seats - NA

Judicial branch:

Summary Court; Grand Court; Cayman Islands Court of Appeal

Political parties and leaders:

there are no formal political parties but the following loose groupings act as political organizations; National Team; Democratic Alliance; Team Cayman

Political pressure groups and leaders:

NA

International organization participation:

Caricom (observer), CDB, Interpol (subbureau), IOC, UNESCO (associate)

Diplomatic representation in the US:

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Diplomatic representation from the US:

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Flag description:

blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Caymanian coat of arms on a white disk centered on the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms includes a pineapple and turtle above a shield with three stars (representing the three islands) and a scroll at the bottom bearing the motto HE HATH FOUNDED IT UPON THE SEAS

Source: World Factbook