TNAG-0831-FCO40-1039-Commonwealth-Parliamentary-Association-(CPA)-annual-conferen-1979 — Page 13

AYMAN ISLANDS

General

The Cayman Islands comprise 3 islands with a total land surface of 100 square miles, and a population of 12,000. Grand Cayman is the largest island and contains the capital George Town. Cayman Brac and Little Cayman, collectively known as the Lesser Caymans, lie 90 miles to the north east of the main island. Grand Cayman and Little Cayman are both low-lying but Cayman Brac is distinguished by a central limestone bluff rising to 140 feet. The coasts are for the most part rock-bound, protected by coral reefs enclosing a few fair anchorages. There are no rivers.

The Islands were sighted by Christopher Columbus in 1503;

ceded from Spain to Britain by the Treaty of Madrid in 1670 but the earliest record of settlement is 1734, with colonists from Jamaica and later from England. In 1863 they were formally annexed to Jamaica and remained a dependency of that country until 1959 when they became a unit territory within the Fideration of the west

Indies. The Federation was dissolved in 1962 when Jamaica achieved

independence, and whereupon the Cayman Islands became a separate colony with a legislature elected largely by universal adult suffrage.

Folitical

The Cayman islands are proud of their present status as a dependent territory of the UK and are opposed to seeking independence. They enjoy a large measure of internal self-government. The present constitution, introduced in 1972, provides for member system, whereby elected Members are assigned responsibility for departments of Government. An Executive Council, made up of 3 `official members and 4 elected members (elected from the 12

elected members of the Legislative Assembly) and, presided over by the Governor, is responsible for day-to-day government. Under the constitution elections are held every 4 years, and the last one was in 1976. There are no political parties.

Economic

The islanders enjoy one of the highest standards of living in the Caribbean. The offshore finance industry and tourism are

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