The Cayman Islands are located in the Caribbean Sea surrounded by the Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac, and Little Cayman. The capital of these islands is George Town. These islands were discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1503.
Cayman Islands Etymology:-
The name Cayman Islands firstly called “Islands of Las Tortugas” because many turtles are found there but in 1540 it is known by the name “Caymanas” which comes from the Carib word called caiman.
Cayman Islands History:-
Christopher Colombus discovered the Cayman Islands on 10th May, 1503 when his was steered off by the winds. There he saw many turtles and gave the name Las Tortugas to these islands. About 150 years several names were given to these islands.
At last in 1655, the British empire had a control on these islands and in 1670 it officially became the British territory when the Treaty of Madrid was signed between the British and Spain.
Cayman Brac and Little Cayman are founded earlier but when Sir Henry Morgan visit to these islands then his mission was to stole the enemy ships and get the money for his country. Another story which was very popular about these islands was “The Wreck of Ten Sails”.
Until the British parliament passed the law in 1833 the people of these islands were treated as slaves. The first government called the legislative assembly was established in 1832 consisting of the eight members chosen by the governor of Jamaica. As the Jamaica is the neighboring country, it is very difficult to look at all the affairs of the country so due to this a commissioner was appointed by Jamaica. When the commissioner was appointed the Cayman Islands began to develop with the schools, banks, hospitals and the other programmes which include the construction of roads and office of the commissioner.
In 1932 these islands were almost destroyed when the hurricane occurs. People rescue their lives by climbing on the trees but 69 families have lost their lives.
The commissioner was replaced by the administrator when the first constitution was established in 1959 consisting of 12 members. The administrator has the right to take the decisions on his own for the welfare of the country.
When these islands decided to remain under the British empire the Jamaica became free and all the powers are transferred to the administrator which later given to the governor in 1972. As a result of which a new constitution was established consisting of Chief Secretary, Financial secretary and the attorney general.
When the population starts increasing the constitution has to revise and the changes which are done in that are:
a) The number of the elected members.
b) Addition of one member to the Executive council.
c) Members elected in Executive council are referred to as the Ministers.
d) Assistants are known as the Permanent Secretaries.
Finally the constitution came into power in 1993.
Cayman Islands Politics and government:-
The Leader of the government business is the head of the Cayman Islands. The legislative assembly consists of 15 members which are elected by the people after every four years.
The governor of the islands is chosen by the British government and he has the power to deny or follow any law in the favor of the country. In present time Stuart Jack is the governor and George McCarthy is the chief secretary of the country.
Cayman Islands Geography:-
The country is located between 19 degree 15 minutes and 19 degree 45 minutes north. Longitude between 79 degrees 44 minutes and 81 degrees 27 minutes west. These islands are located in the centre of the Caribbean south of Cuba and West of Jamaica.
As these islands are surrounded by the three islands out of which Grand Cayman is the biggest and other two are known as the sister islands and their total area is about 100 square miles. These islands are formed by the two forms of calcareous rock.
The two parrots which are commonly found in these islands are Cayman Brac parrot and Grand Cayman parrot. Blue Iguana, Agouti, and Booby birds are the other species which are commonly found on these islands.
Cayman Islands Currency:-
As a currency Cayman Islands Dollars are used.
Cayman Islands Economy:-
The economy of the Cayman islands is very good. There is no question of unemployment as every year nearly one million tourists came there and developers are busy in the construction of houses and hotels and with other projects. To fulfill the needs of the tourists there are about 10,000 foreign labors.
All kinds of food, clothing, building materials, automobiles and electronics goods are imported from Miami or Florida on regular basis. The major hotels and condos are generally found at the Seven Mile Beach which is the most popular beach in the world.
The financial industry is increasing day to day as every year new companies are registered and as a result of which in present period there are 40,000 companies.
Taxes are collected on many items such as import of goods, company registration, work permits, bank and insurance licenses, and on land or property transfer.
Cayman Islands Demographics:-
About 50,000 people are residing in the Cayman Islands and most of them are Christians and others are Catholics and Presbyterians. The standards of living in the Cayman Islands are very high. In the financial sector Waltons, Scotts and fosters occupied a large number of real estate property business.
Cayman Islands Culture:-
As most of the Catholics are residing in these islands therefore the concept of religion is very serious among the people residing there. They reserve their Sundays for the church and even the cruise ships are closed on that day and also on the other holidays like Christmas.
English is the main language which is spoken by the people in these islands. Cassava, Johnny cake, bread fruit and meat pie are the various dishes which are generally found in the cuisine of these islands. In non-veg turtle soup, stew and steak are very popular.
Scuba diving is the sport which attracts many tourists to these islands. The other tourist’s spots are Cayfest, Harquail theatre, Cayman national cultural foundation, Cayman national gallery and art institute, Batabano and Pirates week.
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