The sea sparkles, the sun dances across your face, and a Caribbean breeze rushes through your hair. It’s here, on the sunny shores of the Cayman Islands, that adventure calls to you.
But the Cayman Islands are more than just an escape — they are a haven of culture, character, and curiosities. Rich in heritage and natural beauty.
Magnificent stretches of white sand beaches lead to wild jungles and plunging depths of emerald waters where one can embrace outdoor activities or simply unwind in private oases.
Discover hidden gems off the coastlines, explore vibrant local scenes, immerse yourself in majestic landscapes, and uncover what makes this part of the world so treasured like never before – because everything you need for discovery is here on these enchanted islands.
Cayman Islands Facts for Kids
- The Cayman Islands are located in the Caribbean Sea.
- They are a British Overseas Territory.
- The Cayman Islands are known for their clear blue waters and white sandy beaches.
- The official language is English.
- The currency is the Cayman Islands Dollar.
- The population is around 65,000 people.
The History of The Cayman Islands
The stunning Cayman Islands have a storied history, from the moment Christopher Columbus first named them “Las Tortugas” in 1503. Captivated by the myriad of turtles inhabiting the beautiful islands, he was sure to suggest this name with great enthusiasm!
Fast forward almost two centuries later and look down upon the same Caribbean waters again – now met with Sir Francis Drake’s 23-ship fleet bearing witness to the many species of crocodylian that make their home on the shoreline.
From caymans to alligators, iguanas, and countless turtles, these river predators painted a surreal picture in 1586; perhaps one Drake himself would never forget.
Time marches onward, however, and so too did colonialism. Spanning 1670, Spain recognized England’s hold over Jamaica and her Caribbean possessions – which included Cayman as well as lay in solidified treaty law.
Struggle and strife make for interesting bedfellows, but it’s destiny that touches on miracles. As we stand today, behold what we now see – an incredible stretch of marine paradise bustling with life under new horizons: rich in culture and deepened with tradition.
As long ago as 1670, Spain had formally recognized England’s authority over the islands of Jamaica and Grand Cayman. By 1700, a handful of families had settled in Grand Cayman and brought with them their unique customs and culture.
In 1835, the English Crown proclaimed all slaves be given freedom under the act known as Emancipation. This ushered in a new era of civil liberties that were unheard of before this time.
Years later, in the 1940s, the George Town Hospital was opened, followed shortly after by Barclays – Cayman’s first commercial bank. Thus began to set the economic foundation which would carry them through to today.
Then came 1962, when Kingston declared independence from Britain, but Cayman chose to remain loyal to The Crown and consequently become a Crown Colony governed directly from Westminster.
A decade later, saw The Cayman Islands adopted an autonomous constitution that gave them power over most problems within their own borders.
Nearly two decades after those events, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II made her first visit to these islands in 1983 – a historic move that strengthened ties between Spirituality and Sovereignty like never before!
When you visit the Islands
You don’t have to go far for natural wonders. With the Cayman Islands, you can find the beauty of Caribbean nature and culture just waiting for discovery. From low-lying islands, sandy beaches, and a central bluff on Cayman Brac to limestone cliffs with abundant marine fossils, this area is a paradise of exploration.
Beyond the physical beauty, plate tectonics play into the serenity of life here; small earthquakes occur due to two plates migrating in different directions. Grand Cayman claims the largest landmass at 35 km long and 13 km wide with a total surface area of 197 square kilometers, but Cayman Brac isn’t far behind at 19 km long and 1.6 km wide with a height of 42 meters above sea level. Little Cayman follows as 16km long and 3 km wide, with an area of only 26 square kilometers.
The lushness doesn’t stop there – there is also a 93sqkm sound on Grand Cayman that serves as home or breeding ground to various creatures from land or sea. The climate is just as inviting – alternating between warm, rainy summers from May to October and mild, dry winters from November to April – making for beautiful memories no matter what season you choose for your visit. What’s more – the highest point reaches 50m above sea level southwest of the Bluff on Cayman Brac!
And if that wasn’t enough – tucked away between Jamaica and Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, south of Cuba and northeast of Honduras – easily explore all three parts, plus feel free to island hop when their close proximity allows! Who could new adventure be so close?
Tourism
The Cayman Islands are known worldwide for two reasons: Banking and Tourism. Immune to taxation, banks and trust firms from around the world have registered in the Cayman Islands thanks to its liberal rules and regulations. That’s why it’s one of the major financial centers of the world – with hundreds of banks from most of the world’s top 50 banks.
On the other hand, tourism is a cornerstone of their economy. Visitors come from North America targeting luxury experiences, resulting in more than 2 million arrivals just in 2016 alone. But it doesn’t stop there! Clerical work, service trades, and construction trades are from important sectors that employ many Caymanians. However, an ever so small percentage rely on agriculture as their main source of income – with nearly 90% of food imported instead.
Nevertheless, everything runs on a singular understanding – that global success starts locally with challenging beliefs & embracing differences beyond what’s familiar in order to invent something new & extraordinary. It’s no wonder that per capita income here is one of the highest in the Caribbean.
Animals on The Cayman Islands
The Cayman Islands are rich in natural history and wildlife. From the four types of sea turtles to the three iguanas to the presence of both American and Cuban crocodiles, it’s a haven for all sorts of wildlife.
However, their populations have drastically dwindled due to a variety of factors – overfishing has struck hard on many turtle species that were once the primary residents of these islands. International legislation has been enacted to protect them from extinction, while measures such as The Cayman Turtle Centre help rehabilitate their population.
On Little Cayman, they even give Rock Iguanas the right of way; with an estimated 2000 currently alive already – they’re doing far better than other species native to this island.
But it wasn’t always like this – early sailors were likely responsible for a great many animal extinctions found in fossils throughout the region. In particular, that exotic saltwater crocodile Dundee had nothing to do with is actually called Crocodylus acutus and is endemic throughout these island chains.
To make sure we preserve what diversity still exists here, initiatives from international legislation all the way through local efforts have been taken or created in order to help protect these animals from any further stresses on their numbers or habitats.
And most importantly, creativity must be cultivated – your idea needs to be so different that it actually catches people off guard and forces them to rethink everything they know about nature conservation and protection!