Capital: George Town
Location:
Caribbean, island group in Caribbean Sea, nearly one-half of the way from Cuba to Honduras (1.5 times the size of Washington, DC)
Registration Embassy and Consulate:
U.S. citizens living in or visiting Anguilla, the British Virgin Islands, and Montserrat are encouraged to register at the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Bridgetown, Barbados, which has jurisdiction over those territories, and obtain updated information on travel and security in the region. The Consular Section is located in the American Life Insurance Company (ALICO)) Building, Cheapside, Bridgetown, Barbados, telephone (246) 431-0225 or FAX (246) 431-0179. The hours of operation are Monday-Friday, except local and U.S. holidays, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. U.S. citizens may also register with the U.S. Consular Agent in Antigua, whose address is Bluff House, Pigeon Point, English Harbour, telephone (268) 463-6531; fax (268) 460-1569; or e-mail address: ryderj@candw.ag. The Consular Agent’s hours of operation are Monday-Friday, except local and U.S. holidays, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (please call for appointments).
There is no U.S. embassy or consulate in the Turks and Caicos. U.S. citizens living in or visiting Turks and Caicos are encouraged to register at the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Nassau, Bahamas, which has jurisdiction over this territory. The U.S. Embassy is physically located next to the McDonald’s Restaurant on Queen Street in downtown Nassau, and may be reached Monday-Friday (except Bahamian and U.S. holidays, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon and 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.); telephone (242) 322-1181; after-hours (242) 328-2206; fax (242) 356-7174. For additional information on travel and security in this territory, U.S. citizens may also contact the U.S. Embassy or the Turks and Caicos Tourism Office at (649) 946-2321.
There is no U.S. embassy or consulate in the Cayman Islands. U.S. citizens living in or visiting the Cayman Islands are encouraged to register with the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Kingston, Jamaica, which has jurisdiction over this territory, and obtain updated information on travel and security there. The Consular Section is located on the first floor of the Life of Jamaica Building, 16 Oxford Road, Kingston; telephone (876) 935-6044; fax (876) 935-6018. Office hours are Monday-Friday (except Jamaican and U.S. holidays), 7:15 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with window services 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.; after hours, a duty officer can be contacted through the U.S. Embassy’s main switchboard, telephone (876) 929-4850 through 59. The Chancery is located three blocks away from the Consular Section in the Jamaica Mutual Life Center, 2 Oxford Road, Kingston 5. U.S. citizens may also register at the Consular Agency in George Town, Grand Cayman, the largest of the three Cayman Islands. The Consular Agency is located in the office of Adventure Travel, Seven-Mile Beach, telephone (345) 946-1611, fax (345) 945-1811. Internet: consulus@candwky. Office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon, Monday-Friday (except Jamaican and U.S. holidays).
Background:
The Cayman Islands were colonized from Jamaica by the British during the 18th and 19th centuries. Administered by Jamaica from 1863, they remained a British dependency after 1962 when the former became independent.
Ethnic Groups:
Mixed 40%, white 20%, black 20%, expatriates of various ethnic groups 20%
Language:
English
Currency:
KYD
Caymanian dollar (KYD)
Caymanian dollars per US dollar - 0.82 (March 2007), 0.83 (3 November 1995), 0.85 (22 November 1993)
Climate:
tropical marine; warm, rainy summers (May to October) and cool, relatively dry winters (November to April)
Population:
35,527 (July 2001 est.)
Religion:
United Church (Presbyterian and Congregational), Anglican, Baptist, Roman Catholic, Church of God, other Protestant
Medical:
Medical facilities are available, but limited in Anguilla, the British Virgin Islands, and the Turks and Caicos. There is a small public hospital on Grand Turk and a private clinic on Provo. This clinic has a hyperbaric chamber. Most serious cases require medical evacuation by air from the Turks and Caicos to the United States, which is expensive. Travelers should ensure that their medical insurance is valid outside the U.S. and that it will cover the expense of air evacuation. Medical facilities are very limited in Montserrat. Although the quality of medical care in the Cayman Islands is comparable to that in the U.S., some procedures and critical care require medical evacuation to the United States. Because of the Cayman Islands highly developed diving sector, a hyperbaric chamber is available. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services.
Traffic Safety:
While in a foreign country, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States. The information below concerning Anguilla, the British Virgin Islands, Montserrat and the Turks and Caicos is provided for general reference only, and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance. In all four territories, driving is on the left-hand side of the road.
Anguilla, British Virgin Islands, Montserrat:
Safety of Public Transportation:
fair
Urban Road Conditions/Maintenance:
good
Rural Road Conditions/Maintenance:
fair
Availability of Roadside Assistance:
fair
Night driving and mountain driving in the British Virgin Islands and Montserrat should be done with great caution because of the steep, narrow and winding nature of the roads.
Turks and Caicos:
Safety of Public Transportation:
good
Urban Road Conditions/Maintenance:
fair
Rural Road Conditions/Maintenance:
fair
Availability of Roadside Assistance:
poor
For specific information concerning Turks and Caicos driver’s permits, vehicle inspection, road tax and mandatory insurance, contact the Turks and Caicos Tourist Board at (649) 946-2321.
Cayman Islands:
Safety of Public Transportation:
good
Urban Road Conditions/Maintenance:
good
Rural Road Conditions/Maintenance:
good
Availability of Roadside Assistance:
good
For specific information concerning British driver's permits, vehicle inspection, road tax and mandatory insurance, contact the British National Tourist Organization offices in New York. Telephone 1 (800) 462-2748 or via the Internet at http://www.usagateway.visitbritain.com.
