The Cayman Islands comprises Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman. The three islands are situated in the western Caribbean, about 150 miles south of Cuba, 480 miles south of Miami, Florida, and 180 miles northwest of Jamaica. George Town, the capital, is on the western shore of Grand Cayman.

Geographically, the Cayman Islands is part of the Cayman Ridge, which extends westward from Cuba. The Cayman Trench, the deepest part of the Caribbean at a depth of over four miles, separates the three small islands from Jamaica.

Grand Cayman, the largest of the three islands, is approximately 22 miles long with an average width of four miles. Of its total area of about 78 square miles, almost half is wetland. The most striking feature is the shallow, reef-protected lagoon, the North Sound, which has an area of about 35 square miles. The island is low-lying, with the highest point only about 60 feet above sea level. Cayman Brac lies about 89 miles northeast of Grand Cayman. It is about 12 miles long, with an average width of 1 1/4 miles. Its terrain is the most spectacular of the three islands. The Bluff, a massive central limestone outcrop, rises steadily along the length of the island up to 140 ft. above the sea at the eastern end.

Little Cayman lies five miles west of Cayman Brac and is approximately ten miles long with an average width of just over a mile. The island is low-lying, with a few areas on the north shore rising to 40 ft. above sea level.

Together, the islands have a land area of about 100 square miles. There are no rivers on any of the islands, but there are large areas of luxuriant vegetation. The coasts are largely protected by offshore reefs and in many places by a mangrove fringe that often extends into inland swamps that play a key role in the islands' ecology.

Almost 2,000 acres of dry forests and mangrove wetland are protected by the National Trust for the Cayman Islands. An internationally acclaimed system of marine parks is managed by the Department of Environment.

History

Columbus discovered Little Cayman and Cayman Brac during his fourth and last voyage to the New World, on May 10, 1503. While sailing from Panama to Hispaniola, severe winds pushed his ships off course west.

The ship's log reported "... we were in sight of two very small islands, full of tortoise, as was the sea about, inasmuch as they looked like little rocks." Consequently, Columbus named the islands Las Tortugas after the abundant sea turtles sighted. The islands were later named Lagartos, meaning alligator or large lizard and finally, the name Caymanas was applied around 1540, derived from the Carib word for marine crocodile. This name in a modified form remained since the late 16th century.

Sir Francis Drake visited the islands during a voyage between 1585-86 and reported sighting "great serpents called Caymanas, like large lizards, which are edible." An anonymous author in Drake's fleet also described 10ft. crocodiles. According to the Cayman Islands National Archive, there are written accounts of Cayman dating back to the 1830's which describe the shooting of crocodiles as a Sunday sport.

During the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries, the islands were replenishment centres supplying abundant fresh water and food, including sea turtles and wild fowl, for English, Dutch, French and Spanish explorers and buccaneers and ships plying the Spanish Main route.

They came under British control in 1655 when Jamaica was captured from the Spanish by Oliver Cromwell's army. They officially became part of the British Empire under the Treaty of Madrid in 1670, after which Spain recognized British possession of "all lands, islands, colonies and places situated in the West Indies." For almost 300 years after that, the islands were administered as a dependency of Jamaica.

The first recorded settlement was of Little Cayman and Cayman Brac between 1666-1671, while Sir Thomas Modyford was Governor of Jamaica, comprising descendants of emigrants from the British Isles.

An interesting historic reference provided by the C.I. National Archive confirms details of the earliest settlers of Grand Cayman and their lifestyle. The following is an excerpt from the transcript of George Gauld's remarks on The Island of Grand Cayman contained in a H.M. Royal Navy survey dated 1773:

"The Island was originally settled by one of Oliver Cromwell's soldiers named Bodden, who had been at the taking of Jamaica. Old Isaac Bodden, his grandson, a native of the Island, now upwards of 70 years of age, remembers when there were only five families; but at this time, there are 21 at the South Side, which we have called Bodden Town, 13 at the West End, commonly called the Hogsties, 3 at the East End and 2 at Spot's Bay; in all 39 families, consisting of at least 200 white people and above same number of Negroes and Mulattoes."

"The Island produces a great quantity of cotton, which is their principle article of export besides Turtle; but for their own consumption, and to supply the vessels that pass by, they raise Indian corn, yams, sweet potatoes. pompions, plantains, melons, limes, oranges and most kinds of the fruits and vegetables that are to be found in Jamaica. The Sugar Cane likewise grows very well. There are plenty of goats on the Islands, but neither sheep nor black cattle, and only two horses, which were lately brought there from Jamaica by accident."

The first royal land grant in Grand Cayman, signalling the beginning of permanent settlement, was recorded around 1700, covering 3000 acres between Prospect and North Sound, and others followed until 1742. These settlements included the use of slaves, although slavery was limited and never reached harsh and oppressive conditions which existed in plantocracy societies elsewhere in the Caribbean. About this time the population of Grand Cayman was 400.

Legends of Cayman's occupation by pirates during the 18th century, including treasure caches left behind by Edward "Blackbeard" Teach, Neal Walker (in Little Cayman) and Henry Morgan, continue to be a romantic but historically questionable part of the folklore of this Western Caribbean country.

One of the most colourful historic legends, The Wreck of The Ten Sails, was recently "rewritten" in an accurate account uncovered through detailed research by Dr. Margaret Leshikar Denton.

On February 8, 1794, not November 1788 as long thought, 10 merchant vessels went aground in rough seas off Grand Cayman's East End, led by the HMS Convert. Contrary to an enduring popular legend, the convoy did not carry Prince William, the future King William IV, or any member of the Royal family, whose courageous rescue by Caymanians was attributed with the granting of the Cayman's freedom from taxation by King George III.

Another important historic event is considered the "Birth of Democracy" in the Cayman Islands. Pedro St. James great house in Savannah was the site of a historic meeting of residents which took place on 5 December, 1831 during which it was resolved that representatives should be appointed for the five different districts for the purpose of forming local laws for better Government. The elections took place on 10 December in the five districts on Grand Cayman and on 31 December they met as the first Legislative Assembly for the first time in George Town.

In addition, another historic event took place there in May 1835, when the proclamation declaring the emancipation of all slaves throughout the colonies was read at Pedro St. James and at a number of other prominent places in the Cayman Islands.

During the next century with limited natural resources to sustain them, Caymanians became famous for their resourcefulness and independent spirit. They turned to the sea for their livelihood, and Caymanians' reputation as outstanding sailors and turtle fishermen grew during the 20th century. Many Caymanian men joined the merchant marine and earned reputations as some of the finest ship's captains and seamen in the world.

When Jamaica attained independence in 1962, the Cayman Islands chose to remain tied to Britain as a British Crown Colony. In 1971, the Islands received their first Governor and the present constitution was adopted in 1972 and its most recent amendments were adopted in February 1994.

Today, tourism and the international financial industry form the basis of Cayman's strong economy and prosperity. The Cayman Islands is recognized as the "birthplace" of the modern sport of recreational scuba diving.

The legendary Bob Soto opened the Caribbean's first dive shop on Grand Cayman in 1957. The country's Tourist Board was formed in 1966, launching the country's early serious efforts at tourism promotion overseas. It was the precedent for the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism, which was created by the Tourism Law of 1974.

The country's successful offshore financial industry dates back to 1966 when the first banking and trust laws were passed, laying the foundation for the modern banking and financial services industry which exists today.

During the last decade, we've made serious attempts to document a comprehensive and authoritative history of these islands throughout the past 300 years. Much important research has been done during the last five years, specifically through the dedicated efforts of the staff of the Cayman Islands National Archive.

When to Visit the Cayman Islands

The Caribbean high season is traditionally winter -- from December 15 to April 14 -- when northern weather is at its worst. During this season, you're guaranteed the most entertainment at resorts and the most people with whom to enjoy it. It's also the most fashionable, the most expensive, and the most popular time to visit -- and most hotels are heavily booked. You must make reservations at least two or three months in advance for the very best places (sometimes a year in advance for the most exclusive spots).

Hotel prices drop 20%-50% after April 15; airfares and cruise prices also fall. But saving money isn't the only reason to visit the Caribbean during the off-season. Temperatures are only a few degrees warmer than at other times of the year, and many islands now schedule their carnivals, music festivals, and other events during the off-season. Late August, September, October, and early November are least crowded.

The Caribbean climate is fairly constant. The average year-round temperatures for the region are 78°F-88°F. The temperature extremes are 65°F low, 95°F high; but, as everyone knows, it's the humidity, not the heat, that makes you suffer, especially when the two go hand in hand. You can count on downtown shopping areas being hot at midday any time of the year, but air-conditioning provides some respite. Spend the day near beaches, where water and trade winds can keep you cool, and shop early or late in the day.

As part of the fall rainy season, hurricanes occasionally sweep through the Caribbean. Check the news daily and keep abreast of brewing tropical storms. The rainy season consists mostly of brief showers interspersed with sunshine. You can watch the clouds thicken, feel the rain, then have brilliant sunshine dry you off, all while remaining on your lounge chair. A spell of overcast days or heavy rainfall is unusual, as everyone will tell you.

Social Profile

Food & Drink: Restaurants are excellent, with several outstanding gourmet establishments. Specialities are turtle steaks, turtle soup, conch chowder and conch salad, red snapper, sea bass and lobster. There are various standards of restaurants with good service, most of which accept credit cards. Bars and restaurants are well stocked with all beverages normally consumed in America and Europe. Draught beer is available in a few bars.

Nightlife: Grand Cayman has a lively nightlife with comedy clubs, bars and nightclubs. Music is varied and clubs offer everything from live DJs to salsa, reggae, calypso and disco. Concerts are held at the Lions Centre in Red Bay and theatre productions are shown at either the Harquail Theatre on West Bay Road or the Prospect Playhouse in Red Bay.

Dinner cruises on board a replica pirate ship and 19th-century tall ship can be booked through local watersports operators. For further information about entertainment on the Islands visitors should consult the free local ‘What’s Hot’ magazine or the ‘What’s Happennin’ column in the Friday issue of the Caymanian Compass newspaper.

Shopping: As a shopping centre, George Town, with its fascinating boutiques and duty-free shops, is now one of the leading centres in the Caribbean region. Delicious local foods can be bought or sampled at the Farmers Market Cooperative on Thomas Russell way or Frankie’s Fresh Fruits and Juices on Red Bay Road. Half a dozen modern and sophisticated shopping centres have recently been established offering a choice of North American and European fashion brands, furnishings and household goods. Local products include the Tortuga Rum company speciality rum and rum cake, shell jewellery, Caymanite (the island’s semi-precious stone), tropical fruit and wood carvings.

Special purchases include china, crystal, silver, French perfume and local crafts of black coral, sculptures, tortoise and turtle shell jewellery (turtles are bred at Cayman Turtle Farm, which also undertakes conservation measures). Travellers should note that turtle products cannot be imported, even by persons in transit, into any country which has signed the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species – this includes the USA, Canada and the UK.

Many luxury goods and essential foodstuffs are duty-free but duty of up to 20 per cent is charged on other items. Shopping hours: Mon-Sat 0900-1700.

Social Conventions: The mode of life on the Cayman Islands is a blend of local traditions and of American and British patterns of behaviour. Handshaking is the usual greeting. Because of the large number of people with a similar surname (such as Ebanks and Bodden), a person may be introduced by his Christian name (such as Mr Tom or Mr Jim). Flowers are acceptable as a gift on arrival or following a visit for a meal. Dinner jackets are seldom worn. Short or long dresses are appropriate for women in the evenings.

It is normal to prescribe the required mode of dress on invitation cards. Casual wear is acceptable in most places, but beachwear is best confined to the beach to avoid offence. Topless bathing is prohibited. Tipping: Ten to 15 per cent is normal for most services. Hotels and apartments state the specific amount. Restaurant bills usually include ten to 15 per cent in lieu of tipping.

Money

Currency: Cayman Islands Dollar (CI$) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of CI$100, 50, 25, 10, 5 and 1. Coins are in denominations of 25, 10, 5 and 1 cents.

Currency exchange: US Dollars circulate freely and are the best currency to exchange. ATMs accepting Visa and MasterCard with Cirrus affiliation are located at Cayman National Bank and other banks, and at Owen Roberts International Airport.

Credit & debit cards: All major credit cards are widely accepted. Check with your credit or debit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services which may be available.

Travellers cheques: Readily accepted. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take travellers cheques in US Dollars.

Currency restrictions: No restriction on import or export of foreign or local currency apart from import of Jamaican dollars, which is restricted to J$20.

Exchange rate indicators:
The Cayman Islands Dollar is tied to the US Dollar at a fixed rate of CI$1 = US$1.25 although bank charges for currency exchange may result in minor fluctuations.

Health Care

Modern medical facilities are available, particularly on Grand Cayman and Cayman Brac, including government-operated hospitals on both islands. There is also an island-wide 911 emergency service. Health costs are similar to the UK. Private insurance is recommended. Insect repellent is useful to counter mosquitoes and sandflies.

Note: Divers should note that the George Town Hospital also has a two-man, double-lock decompression chamber staffed by trained operators supervised by a physician experienced in treating diving-related accidents.

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