- Language: English
- Currency: Cayman Islands dollar
- Temperature: Average 78-84°F year-round
- Square Miles: 100 Approx.
- Population: 40,000
ABOUT. Grand Cayman, (pronounced K-mun) the largest of the Cayman islands, has become a premier tourist destination in recent years. With more than 500 banks, its capital, George Town, is the offshore banking center of the Caribbean. The Cayman Islands are a British dependency made up of three separate islands: Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac, and Little Cayman. The three islands are northwest of Jamaica. Grand Cayman is flat and commercial; Little Cayman and Cayman Brac are quiet and peaceful. While all three islands are dry and featureless, marine life and underwater coral scenery attract visitors. The British colony consists of Grand Cayman, smaller Cayman Brac, and Little Cayman, but almost all of the Cayman Islands’ population live on Grand Cayman. The Caymans are located 180 miles northwest of Jamaica and 480 miles due south of Miami.
Cayman’s beaches are considered to be among the best in the world. The favorite is Seven Mile Beach on Grand Cayman. The abundance of fish, marine life and spectacular coral reefs which can be found in the surrounding waters make the Cayman Islands ideal for diving enthusiasts. Grand Cayman is only 22 miles long and 8 miles across at its widest point. Cayman Brac, northeast of Grand Cayman, is about 12 miles long and 1 mile wide. It provided the basis for Robert Louis Stevenson’s famous novel Treasure Island. Seven miles southeast of Cayman Brac, the tiny island of Little Cayman is best known as a sanctuary for wild birds and iguanas. It is also the primary site for bone fishing.
English is the official language of the islands, although it often sounds as though the speaker is combining an American southern drawl with a lilting Welsh accent. The gingerbread-style buildings lining George Town’s harbor front are prime examples of traditional island architecture. The Cayman Turtle Farm, one of Grand Cayman’s main tourist attractions, sets an example for environmental conservation and preservation of the species. The 65-acre Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park is a national treasure.