Cayman Islands
Encyclopedia
The Cayman Islands is a British Overseas Territory
and overseas territory of the European Union
located in the western Caribbean Sea
. The territory comprises the three islands of Grand Cayman
, Cayman Brac
, and Little Cayman
, located south of Cuba
and northwest of Jamaica
. The Cayman Islands are considered to be part of the geographic Western Caribbean Zone
as well as the Greater Antilles
. The territory is a major world offshore financial centre
.
on 10 May 1503 during his fourth and final voyage to the New World
. He named the islands Las Tortugas after the large number of sea turtle
s observed there. The first recorded English visitor to the islands was Sir Francis Drake in 1586. He subsequently named the islands "Cayman" after caiman
, a Neo-Taino
word for "alligator".
The Cayman Islands remained largely uninhabited until the 17th century. While there is no archaeological evidence for an indigenous people on the islands, a variety of settlers from various backgrounds made their home on the islands, including pirates, refugees from the Spanish Inquisition
, shipwrecked sailors, and deserters from Oliver Cromwell
's army in Jamaica.
The first recorded permanent inhabitant of the Cayman Islands, Isaac Bodden, was born on Grand Cayman
around 1661. He was the grandson of the original settler named Bodden who was probably one of Oliver Cromwell
's soldiers at the taking of Jamaica
in 1655.
England
took formal control of the Cayman Islands, along with Jamaica, under the Treaty of Madrid
in 1670. Following several unsuccessful attempts at settlement, a permanent English-speaking population in the islands dates from the 1730s. With settlement, after the first royal land grant proscribed by the Governor of Jamaica in 1734, came the perceived need for slaves. Many were brought to the islands from Africa; this is evident today with the majority of native Caymanians being of African and English descent. The results of the first census taken in the islands in 1802 showed the population on Grand Cayman to be 933 with 545 of those inhabitants being slaves. Slavery was abolished in the Cayman Islands in 1834. At the time of abolition, there were over 950 slaves owned by 116 Caymanian families.
The islands continued to be governed as a single colony with Jamaica until 1962 when they became a separate Crown colony
while Jamaica became an independent Commonwealth realm
.
The Cayman Islands historically have been a tax-exempt destination. On 8 February 1794, the Caymanians rescued the crews of a group of ten merchant ships, including HMS Convert, an incident that has since become known as the Wreck of the Ten Sail
. The ships had struck a reef and run aground during rough seas. Legend has it that King George III rewarded the island with a promise never to introduce taxes as compensation for their generosity as one of the ships carried a member of the King's own family, his son Prince William. While this remains a popular legend, Queen Elizabeth II herself, along with various history books, state the story is not true.
The island of Grand Cayman, which lies largely unprotected at sea level, was hit by Hurricane Ivan
on 11–12 September 2004. Ivan's storm surge
completely over-washed Grand Cayman, and an estimated 95% of the buildings on the island were either damaged or destroyed. Power, water and communications were disrupted in some areas for months as Ivan was the worst hurricane to hit the islands in 87 years. Grand Cayman began a major rebuilding process and within two years, its infrastructure
was nearly returned to pre-hurricane status. Due to the tropical location of the islands, more hurricane or tropical systems have affected the Cayman Islands than any other region in the Atlantic basin; it has been brushed or directly hit, on average, every 2.23 years.
The Cayman Islands are located in the western Caribbean Sea
and are the peaks of a massive underwater ridge, known as the Cayman Ridge (or Cayman Rise). This ridge flanks the Cayman Trough
, 6000 m (19,685 ft) deep which lies 6 km (3.7 mi) to the south. The islands lie in the northwest of the Caribbean Sea, south of Cuba and west of Jamaica. They are situated about 700 km (435 mi) south of Miami
, 366 km (227.4 mi) south of Cuba
, and about 500 km (310.7 mi) northwest of Jamaica
. Grand Cayman
is by far the biggest, with an area of 197 km² (76.1 sq mi). The two "Sister Islands" of Cayman Brac
and Little Cayman
are located about 120 km (74.6 mi) east north-east of Grand Cayman and have areas of 38 and 28.5 km² (14.7 and 11 sqmi) respectively.
All three islands were formed by large coral heads covering submerged ice age peaks of western extensions of the Cuban Sierra Maestra
range and are mostly flat. One notable exception to this is The Bluff
on Cayman Brac's eastern part, which rises to 43 m (141.1 ft) above sea level, the highest point on the islands.
Terrain is mostly a low-lying limestone
base surrounded by coral reef
s.
Cayman avian fauna includes two endemic subspecies of Amazona parrots: Amazona leucocephala hesterna, or Cayman Brac Parrot, native only to Cayman Brac, and Amazona leucocephala caymanensis or Grand Cayman Parrot, which is native to the Cayman Islands, forested areas of Cuba, and the Isla de la Juventud.
Among other notable fauna is the critically endangered Blue Iguana
, which is endemic to Grand Cayman. Also present are the Central American agouti, along with the Booby Birds
on Cayman Brac.
of warm, rainy summers (May to October) and a dry season
of relatively cool winters (November to April).
A major natural hazard
is the tropical cyclone
s that form during the Atlantic hurricane season
from July to November.
, with large numbers of Presbyterians and Catholics. The vast majority of the population resides on Grand Cayman
, followed by Cayman Brac
and Little Cayman
, respectively.
The capital of the Cayman Islands is George Town
, which is located on the southwest coast of Grand Cayman.
(KYD), which is pegged to the U.S. dollar at a fixed rate of 1 KYD = 1.20 USD.
The government's primary source of income is indirect tax
ation: there is no income tax
, capital gains tax
, or corporation tax. An import duty of 5% to 22% (Automobiles 29.5% to 100%) is levied against goods imported into the islands. Few goods are exempt; notable examples include books, cameras, and infant formula
.
's main attractions is Seven Mile Beach
, on which a number of the island's hotels and resorts are located. Historical sites in GCM, such as Pedro St. James Castle in BoddenTown, also attract visitors. Tourists also visit the Sister Islands, Little Cayman and Cayman Brac.
All three islands offer scuba diving
, and the Cayman Islands are home to several snorkeling locations, where tourists can swim with stingray
s. The most popular area to do this is Stingray City, Grand Cayman
.
There are two shipwreck
s off the shores of Cayman Brac, including the MV Keith Tibbetts; Grand Cayman has several shipwrecks off its shores. The was decommissioned on 30 September 1994 and struck from the Naval Vessel Register on the same day. Her title was transferred in November 2008 for an undisclosed amount to the government of the Cayman Islands. The Cayman Islands government intended to use Kittiwake to form a new artificial reef. Originally intended to be sunk in June 2009, she was finally sunk off Seven Mile Beach, Grand Cayman on 5 January 2011.
Other Grand Cayman tourist attractions include the Ironshore landscape of Hell
, the 23 acres (93,077.8 m²) marine theme park Boatswain
's Beach, also home of the Cayman Turtle Farm, the production of gourmet sea salt
, and the Mastic Trail, a hiking trail through the forests in the centre of the island. The NationalTrust for the Cayman Islands provides guided tours weekly on the Mastic Trail and other locations.
.
Points of interest include the East End Light
(sometimes called Gorling Bluff Light) is a lighthouse located at the east end of Grand Cayman island in the Cayman Islands. The lighthouse is the centerpiece of East End Lighthouse Park, managed by the National Trust for the Cayman Islands
; the first navigational aid on the site was the first lighthouse in the Cayman Islands.
; includes ships from 11 countries among which are: Greece 15, US 5, UK 5, Cyprus 2, Denmark 2, Norway 3 (2002 est.).
formation and investment, structured finance and securitization, captive insurance
, and general corporate activities." Regulation and supervision of the financial services
industry is the responsibility of the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority
(CIMA).
The Cayman Islands are the fifth-largest banking centre in the world, with $1.5 trillion in banking liabilities. There are 279 banks , 19 of which are licensed to conduct banking activities with domestic (Cayman-based) and international clients, the remaining 260 are licensed to operate on an international basis with only limited domestic activity. Financial services generated CI$1.2 billion of GDP in 2007 (55% of the total economy), 36% of all employment and 40% of all government revenue. In 2010, the country ranked fifth internationally in terms of value of liabilities booked in the Cayman Islands and sixth in terms of assets booked. It has branches of 40 of the world's 50 largest banks. The Cayman Islands are the second largest captive domicile in the world with more than 700 captives, writing more than US$7.7 billion of premiums and with US$36.8 billion of assets under management.
There are a number of service providers. These include global financial institutions including HSBC
, UBS, and Goldman Sachs
; over 80 administrators, leading accountancy practices (incl. the Big Four auditors
), and offshore law practices including Maples & Calder.
Since the introduction of the Mutual Funds
Law in 1993, which has been copied by jurisdictions around the world, the Cayman Islands have grown to be the world's leading offshore hedge fund jurisdiction. In June 2008, it passed 10,000 hedge fund
registrations, and over the year ending June 2008 CIMA reported a net growth rate of 12% for hedge funds.
Starting in the mid-late 1990s, offshore financial centres, such as the Cayman Islands, came under increasing pressure from the OECD for their allegedly harmful tax regimes, where the OECD wished to prevent low-tax regimes from having an advantage in the global marketplace. The OECD threatened to place the Cayman Islands and other financial centres on a "black list" and impose sanctions against them. However, the Cayman Islands successfully avoided being placed on the OECD black list in 2000 by committing to regulatory reform to improve transparency and begin information exchange with OECD member countries about their citizens.
In 2004, under pressure from the UK
, the Cayman Islands agreed in principle to implement the European Union Savings Directive (EUSD), but only after securing some important benefits for the financial services industry in the Cayman Islands. As the Cayman Islands are not subject to EU laws, the implementation of the EUSD is by way of bilateral agreements between each EU member state and the Cayman Islands. The government of the Cayman Islands agreed on a model agreement, which set out how the EUSD would be implemented with the Cayman Islands.
A report published by the International Monetary Fund
(IMF), in March 2005, assessing supervision and regulation in the Cayman Islands' banking, insurance and securities industries, as well as its money laundering
regime, recognised the jurisdiction's comprehensive regulatory and compliance frameworks. "An extensive program of legislative, rule and guideline development has introduced an increasingly effective system of regulation, both formalizing earlier practices and introducing enhanced procedures", noted IMF assessors. The report further stated that "the supervisory system benefits from a well-developed banking infrastructure with an internationally experienced and qualified workforce as well as experienced lawyers, accountants and auditors", adding that, "the overall compliance culture within Cayman is very strong, including the compliance culture related to AML (anti-money laundering) obligations".
On 4 May 2009, United States President Barack Obama
declared his intentions to curb the use of financial centres by multinational corporations. In his speech, he singled out the Cayman Islands as a tax shelter.
The next day, the Cayman Island Financial Services Association submitted an open letter to the President detailing The Cayman Islands' role in international finance and its value to the US financial system.
s may therefore be granted to foreigners. On average, there have been more than 21,000 foreigners holding valid Work Permits.
, a work permit is required. This involves passing a police background check and a health check. A prospective immigrant worker will not be granted a permit unless certain medical conditions are present which include testing negative for syphilis
or HIV
. A permit may be granted to individuals on special work.
A foreigner must first have a job in order to move to the Cayman Islands. The employer applies and pays for the work permit. Work permits are not granted to foreigners who are in the Cayman Islands (unless it is a renewal). The Cayman Islands Immigration Department requires foreigners to remain out of the country until their work permit has been approved.
The Cayman Islands presently imposes a controversial "rollover" in relation to expatriate
workers who require a work permit. Non-Caymanians are only permitted to reside and work within the territory for a maximum of seven years unless they satisfy the criteria of key employees. Non-Caymanians who are 'rolled over' may return to work additional 7 year periods subject to a 1 year gap between their periods of work. The policy has been the subject of some controversy within the press. Law firms have been particularly upset by the recruitment difficulties that it has caused. Other less well remunerated employment sectors have been affected as well. Concerns about safety have been expressed by diving instructors and realtors have also expressed concerns. Others support the rollover as necessary to protect Caymanian identity in the face of large immigration of expatriate workers.
Concerns have been expressed that in the long term, the policy may damage the preeminence of the Cayman Islands as an offshore financial centre
by making it difficult to recruit and retain experienced staff from onshore financial centres. Government employees are no longer exempt from this "rollover" policy according to this report in a local newspaper. The governor has used his constitutional powers, which give him absolute control for the disposition of civil service
employees to determine which expatriate civil servants are dismissed after seven years service and which are not.
This policy is incorporated in the Immigration Law (2003 revision), written by the United Democratic Party government, and subsequently enforced by the People's Progressive Movement Party government. Both governments agree to the term limits on foreign workers, and the majority of Caymanians also agree it is necessary to protect local culture and heritage from being eroded by a large number of foreigners gaining residency and citizenship.
The Cayman Islands are a British overseas territory, listed by the UN Special Committee of 24 as one of the last non-self governing territories
. A 15-seat Legislative Assembly
is elected by the people every four years to handle domestic affairs. Of the elected Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs), five are chosen to serve as government ministers in a Cabinet headed by the Governor. The head of government is the Premier
.
A Governor
is appointed by the British Government to represent the monarch. Governors can exercise complete executive authority if they wish through blanket powers reserved to them in the constitution. They must give Royal Assent
to all legislation, which allows them the power to strike down any law the legislature may see fit for the country. In modern times, the Governor usually allows the country to be run by the Cabinet, and the civil service to be run by the Deputy Governor, who is the Acting Governor when the Governor is not able to discharge his usual duties for one reason or another. The current Governor of the Cayman Islands is Duncan Taylor
and the current Deputy Governor is The Honourable Donovan Ebanks.
The Cabinet is composed of two official members and five elected members, called ministers; one of whom is designated Premier
.
The official members are the Deputy Governor
and the Attorney General
. They are appointed by the governor in accordance with Her Majesty's instructions, and although they have seats in the Legislative Assembly, under the 2009 Constitution, they do not vote.
The five ministers are voted into office by the 15 elected members of the Legislative Assembly of the Cayman Islands
. One of the ministers, the leader of the majority political party, is appointed premier by the governor.
After consulting the premier, the governor allocates a portfolio of responsibilities to each Cabinet member. Under the principle of collective responsibility, all ministers are obliged to support in the Assembly any measures approved by Cabinet.
Almost 80 departments, sections and units carry out the business of government, joined by a number of statutory boards and authorities set up for specific purposes, such as the Port Authority, the Civil Aviation Authority, the Immigration Board, the Water Authority, the University College Board of Governors, the National Pensions Board, and the Health Insurance Commission.
The defence of the Cayman Islands is the responsibility of the United Kingdom
. The Royal Cayman Islands Police Service
provides police
services in the country. The Cayman Islands Cadet Corps
was formed in March 2001.
Since 2000, there have been two official major political parties: United Democratic Party
(UDP) and the People's Progressive Movement
(PPM). While there has been a shift to political parties, many contending for an office still run as independents.
There are no taxes on profits, capital gains, income or any withholding taxes charged to foreign investors. There are no estate or death duties payable on Cayman Islands real estate or other assets held in the Cayman Islands.
, as the islands remain an overseas territory of the United Kingdom. Although in its early days, the Cayman Islands' most important relationships were with Britain and Jamaica
, in recent years, as a result of economic dependence, a relationship with the United States
has developed.
Though the Cayman Islands are involved in no major international disputes, they have come under some criticism due to the use of their territory for narcotics trafficking and money laundering
. In an attempt to address this, the government entered into the Narcotics Agreement of 1984 and the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty
of 1986 with the United States, in order to reduce the use of their facilities associated with these activities. In more recent years, they have stepped up the fight against money laundering, by limiting banking secrecy, introducing requirements for customer identification and record keeping, and requiring banks to cooperate with foreign investigators.
Due to their status as an overseas territory of the UK, the Cayman Islands have no representation either in the United Nations
or in most other international organizations. However, the Cayman Islands still participates in some international organizations, being an associate member of Caricom and UNESCO
, and a member of a sub-bureau of Interpol
.
The defence and internal security of the Cayman Islands is the responsibility of the United Kingdom
.
Grand Cayman is served by Owen Roberts International Airport
. Cayman Brac is served by Gerrard Smith International Airport
and Little Cayman is served by Edward Bodden Airfield
.
Cayman Airways
is the national flag carrier of the Cayman Islands. With its official headquarters in Grand Cayman, it operates mainly as an international and domestic scheduled passenger carrier, with cargo services available on all routes. It also has a limited charter service offered. Its operations are based at Owen Roberts International Airport, Grand Cayman.
Island Air
is a small airline in the Cayman Islands providing services between Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac, and Little Cayman.
operates state schools. Caymanian children are entitled to free primary and secondary education. Various churches and private foundations operate several private schools.
has campuses located on Grand Cayman and Cayman Brac and is the only government run university on the Cayman Islands. The International College of the Cayman Islands
is a private college and is located in Grand Cayman. The college was established in 1970 and offers Associate's, Bachelor's and Master's degree programmes. Grand Cayman is also home to St. Matthew's University, which includes a medical school
and a school of veterinary medicine
. The Cayman Islands Law School, a branch of the University of Liverpool
, is based on Grand Cayman.
The Cayman Islands Civil Service College
, a unit of Cayman Islands government organised under the Portfolio of the Civil Service, is located in Grand Cayman. Co-situated with University College of the Cayman Islands, it offers both degree programs and continuing education units of various sorts. The college opened in 2007 and is also used as a government research centre.
In 2007, an MRI unit was installed at the Chrissie Tomlinson Memorial Hospital, replacing the one destroyed by Hurricane Ivan
in 2004. In 2009, a stand-alone Open MRI facility was opened. This centre provides MRI, CT, X-Ray and DEXA (Bone density) scanning. Also housed in this building is the Heart Health Centre, which provides Ultrasound, Nuclear Medicine, Echocardiography and Cardiac Stress Testing.
For divers and others in need of hyperbaric oxygen therapy
, there is a two-person recompression chamber at the Cayman Islands Hospital on Grand Cayman, run by Cayman Hyperbaric Services. Hyperbaric Services has also built a hyperbaric unit at Faith Hospital in Cayman Brac.
(RCIP) provides law enforcement for the three islands. Regular off-shore marine
patrols are conducted by the RCIP and Grand Cayman is a port of call
for the United States Coast Guard
. The Cayman Islands Fire Service provides fire prevention, fire fighting, and emergency medical rescue by land and air. Department headquarters are located in George Town and has substations located in Frank Sound, West Bay, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman.
Association football is the national and most popular sport.
Rugby
is a developing sport, and has its own national men's team
, women's team
, and Sevens team. The Cayman Men's Rugby 7s team is Second in the region after the 2011 NACRA 7s Championship.
The Cayman Islands are members of FIFA
, the International Olympic Committee
and the Pan American Sports Organisation
, and also compete in the biannual Island Games
.
The Cayman Islands are members of the International Cricket Council
which they joined in 1997 as an Affiliate, before coming an Associate member in 2002. The Cayman Islands national cricket team represents the islands in international cricket
. The team has previously played the sport at first-class
, List A and Twenty20 level. It competes in Division Five
of the World Cricket League
.
Flag football
(CIFFA) has men's, women's and co-ed leagues.
Other organised sports leagues include softball, beach volleyball, Gaelic football
, and ultimate frisbee.
The Cayman Islands Olympic Committee
was founded in 1973 and was recognized by the IOC (International Olympic Committee
) in 1976.
In the 21st century, skateboarding has become popular among the youth.
In February 2010, the first purpose built track for kart racing
in the Cayman Islands was opened. Corporate karting Leagues at the track have involved widespread participation with 20 local companies and 227 drivers taking part in the 2010 Summer Corporate Karting League.
manages the F.J. Harquail Cultural Centre and the US$4 million Harquail Theatre. The Cayman National Cultural Foundation, established in 1984, helps to preserve and promote Cayman folk music, including the organization of festivals such as Cayman Islands International Storytelling Festival, the Cayman JazzFest, Seafarers Festival and Cayfest.
Feature films that have been filmed in the Cayman Islands include: The Firm, Haven
, Cayman Went and Zombie Driftwood.
British overseas territories
The British Overseas Territories are fourteen territories of the United Kingdom which, although they do not form part of the United Kingdom itself, fall under its jurisdiction. They are remnants of the British Empire that have not acquired independence or have voted to remain British territories...
and overseas territory of the European Union
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
located in the western Caribbean Sea
Caribbean Sea
The Caribbean Sea is a sea of the Atlantic Ocean located in the tropics of the Western hemisphere. It is bounded by Mexico and Central America to the west and southwest, to the north by the Greater Antilles, and to the east by the Lesser Antilles....
. The territory comprises the three islands of Grand Cayman
Grand Cayman
Grand Cayman is the largest of the three Cayman Islands and the location of the nation's capital, George Town. In relation to the other two Cayman Islands, it is approximately 75 miles southwest of Little Cayman and 90 miles southwest of Cayman Brac.-Geography:Grand Cayman encompasses 76% of...
, Cayman Brac
Cayman Brac
Cayman Brac is an island that is part of the Cayman Islands. It lies in the Caribbean Sea about 90 miles northeast of Grand Cayman and 5 miles east of Little Cayman. It is about 12 miles long, with an average width of 1 mile...
, and Little Cayman
Little Cayman
Little Cayman is an island that is part of the Cayman Islands. It is located in the Caribbean Sea, about 75 miles northeast of Grand Cayman and five miles west of Cayman Brac. Little Cayman has a permanent population of less than 170 and is about 10 miles long with an average width of 1 mile...
, located south of Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
and northwest of Jamaica
Jamaica
Jamaica is an island nation of the Greater Antilles, in length, up to in width and 10,990 square kilometres in area. It is situated in the Caribbean Sea, about south of Cuba, and west of Hispaniola, the island harbouring the nation-states Haiti and the Dominican Republic...
. The Cayman Islands are considered to be part of the geographic Western Caribbean Zone
Western Caribbean Zone
The Western Caribbean Zone is a historic region that formed in the late sixteenth century and includes the Caribbean coasts of Central America, from Yucatán in Mexico to northern Colombia, and also the islands west of Jamaica...
as well as the Greater Antilles
Greater Antilles
The Greater Antilles are one of three island groups in the Caribbean. Comprising Cuba, Jamaica, Hispaniola , and Puerto Rico, the Greater Antilles constitute almost 90% of the land mass of the entire West Indies.-Greater Antilles in context :The islands of the Caribbean Sea, collectively known as...
. The territory is a major world offshore financial centre
Offshore financial centre
An offshore financial centre , though not precisely defined, is usually a small, low-tax jurisdiction specializing in providing corporate and commercial services to non-resident offshore companies, and for the investment of offshore funds....
.
History
The Cayman Islands were first logged as sighted by Christopher ColumbusChristopher Columbus
Christopher Columbus was an explorer, colonizer, and navigator, born in the Republic of Genoa, in northwestern Italy. Under the auspices of the Catholic Monarchs of Spain, he completed four voyages across the Atlantic Ocean that led to general European awareness of the American continents in the...
on 10 May 1503 during his fourth and final voyage to the New World
New World
The New World is one of the names used for the Western Hemisphere, specifically America and sometimes Oceania . The term originated in the late 15th century, when America had been recently discovered by European explorers, expanding the geographical horizon of the people of the European middle...
. He named the islands Las Tortugas after the large number of sea turtle
Sea turtle
Sea turtles are marine reptiles that inhabit all of the world's oceans except the Arctic.-Distribution:...
s observed there. The first recorded English visitor to the islands was Sir Francis Drake in 1586. He subsequently named the islands "Cayman" after caiman
Caiman
Caimans are alligatorid crocodylians within the subfamily Caimaninae. The group is one of two subfamilies of the family Alligatoridae, the other being alligators. Caimans inhabit Central and South America. They are relatively small crocodilians, with most species reaching lengths of only a few...
, a Neo-Taino
Neo-Taino nations
Neo-Taino nations are defined here as the assorted nations of the Caribbean islands, that together with the Tainos, were described on the arrival of European chroniclers or which arose after this historic record was established.-Introduction:...
word for "alligator".
The Cayman Islands remained largely uninhabited until the 17th century. While there is no archaeological evidence for an indigenous people on the islands, a variety of settlers from various backgrounds made their home on the islands, including pirates, refugees from the Spanish Inquisition
Spanish Inquisition
The Tribunal of the Holy Office of the Inquisition , commonly known as the Spanish Inquisition , was a tribunal established in 1480 by Catholic Monarchs Ferdinand II of Aragon and Isabella I of Castile. It was intended to maintain Catholic orthodoxy in their kingdoms, and to replace the Medieval...
, shipwrecked sailors, and deserters from Oliver Cromwell
Oliver Cromwell
Oliver Cromwell was an English military and political leader who overthrew the English monarchy and temporarily turned England into a republican Commonwealth, and served as Lord Protector of England, Scotland, and Ireland....
's army in Jamaica.
The first recorded permanent inhabitant of the Cayman Islands, Isaac Bodden, was born on Grand Cayman
Grand Cayman
Grand Cayman is the largest of the three Cayman Islands and the location of the nation's capital, George Town. In relation to the other two Cayman Islands, it is approximately 75 miles southwest of Little Cayman and 90 miles southwest of Cayman Brac.-Geography:Grand Cayman encompasses 76% of...
around 1661. He was the grandson of the original settler named Bodden who was probably one of Oliver Cromwell
Oliver Cromwell
Oliver Cromwell was an English military and political leader who overthrew the English monarchy and temporarily turned England into a republican Commonwealth, and served as Lord Protector of England, Scotland, and Ireland....
's soldiers at the taking of Jamaica
Jamaica
Jamaica is an island nation of the Greater Antilles, in length, up to in width and 10,990 square kilometres in area. It is situated in the Caribbean Sea, about south of Cuba, and west of Hispaniola, the island harbouring the nation-states Haiti and the Dominican Republic...
in 1655.
England
Kingdom of England
The Kingdom of England was, from 927 to 1707, a sovereign state to the northwest of continental Europe. At its height, the Kingdom of England spanned the southern two-thirds of the island of Great Britain and several smaller outlying islands; what today comprises the legal jurisdiction of England...
took formal control of the Cayman Islands, along with Jamaica, under the Treaty of Madrid
Treaty of Madrid (1670)
The Treaty of Madrid adopted in 1670 was a treaty between England and Spain. Under the terms of the treaty, Spain recognized English possessions in the Caribbean Sea: "all those lands, islands, colonies and places whatsoever situated in the West Indies." England took formal control of Jamaica and...
in 1670. Following several unsuccessful attempts at settlement, a permanent English-speaking population in the islands dates from the 1730s. With settlement, after the first royal land grant proscribed by the Governor of Jamaica in 1734, came the perceived need for slaves. Many were brought to the islands from Africa; this is evident today with the majority of native Caymanians being of African and English descent. The results of the first census taken in the islands in 1802 showed the population on Grand Cayman to be 933 with 545 of those inhabitants being slaves. Slavery was abolished in the Cayman Islands in 1834. At the time of abolition, there were over 950 slaves owned by 116 Caymanian families.
The islands continued to be governed as a single colony with Jamaica until 1962 when they became a separate Crown colony
Crown colony
A Crown colony, also known in the 17th century as royal colony, was a type of colonial administration of the English and later British Empire....
while Jamaica became an independent Commonwealth realm
Commonwealth Realm
A Commonwealth realm is a sovereign state within the Commonwealth of Nations that has Elizabeth II as its monarch and head of state. The sixteen current realms have a combined land area of 18.8 million km² , and a population of 134 million, of which all, except about two million, live in the six...
.
The Cayman Islands historically have been a tax-exempt destination. On 8 February 1794, the Caymanians rescued the crews of a group of ten merchant ships, including HMS Convert, an incident that has since become known as the Wreck of the Ten Sail
Wreck of the Ten Sail
Wreck of the Ten Sail is a historic shipwreck event that occurred off the East End of Grand Cayman Island on February 8, 1794. Ten ships that were part of a convoy on its way from Jamaica to the United States and Britain wrecked on the surrounding reef...
. The ships had struck a reef and run aground during rough seas. Legend has it that King George III rewarded the island with a promise never to introduce taxes as compensation for their generosity as one of the ships carried a member of the King's own family, his son Prince William. While this remains a popular legend, Queen Elizabeth II herself, along with various history books, state the story is not true.
The island of Grand Cayman, which lies largely unprotected at sea level, was hit by Hurricane Ivan
Hurricane Ivan
Hurricane Ivan was a large, long-lived, Cape Verde-type hurricane that caused widespread damage in the Caribbean and United States. The cyclone was the ninth named storm, the sixth hurricane and the fourth major hurricane of the active 2004 Atlantic hurricane season...
on 11–12 September 2004. Ivan's storm surge
Storm surge
A storm surge is an offshore rise of water associated with a low pressure weather system, typically tropical cyclones and strong extratropical cyclones. Storm surges are caused primarily by high winds pushing on the ocean's surface. The wind causes the water to pile up higher than the ordinary sea...
completely over-washed Grand Cayman, and an estimated 95% of the buildings on the island were either damaged or destroyed. Power, water and communications were disrupted in some areas for months as Ivan was the worst hurricane to hit the islands in 87 years. Grand Cayman began a major rebuilding process and within two years, its infrastructure
Infrastructure
Infrastructure is basic physical and organizational structures needed for the operation of a society or enterprise, or the services and facilities necessary for an economy to function...
was nearly returned to pre-hurricane status. Due to the tropical location of the islands, more hurricane or tropical systems have affected the Cayman Islands than any other region in the Atlantic basin; it has been brushed or directly hit, on average, every 2.23 years.
Geography
Caribbean Sea
The Caribbean Sea is a sea of the Atlantic Ocean located in the tropics of the Western hemisphere. It is bounded by Mexico and Central America to the west and southwest, to the north by the Greater Antilles, and to the east by the Lesser Antilles....
and are the peaks of a massive underwater ridge, known as the Cayman Ridge (or Cayman Rise). This ridge flanks the Cayman Trough
Cayman Trough
The Cayman Trough, is a complex transform fault zone pull apart basin which contains a small spreading ridge on the floor of the western Caribbean Sea between Jamaica and the Cayman Islands...
, 6000 m (19,685 ft) deep which lies 6 km (3.7 mi) to the south. The islands lie in the northwest of the Caribbean Sea, south of Cuba and west of Jamaica. They are situated about 700 km (435 mi) south of Miami
Miami, Florida
Miami is a city located on the Atlantic coast in southeastern Florida and the county seat of Miami-Dade County, the most populous county in Florida and the eighth-most populous county in the United States with a population of 2,500,625...
, 366 km (227.4 mi) south of Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
, and about 500 km (310.7 mi) northwest of Jamaica
Jamaica
Jamaica is an island nation of the Greater Antilles, in length, up to in width and 10,990 square kilometres in area. It is situated in the Caribbean Sea, about south of Cuba, and west of Hispaniola, the island harbouring the nation-states Haiti and the Dominican Republic...
. Grand Cayman
Grand Cayman
Grand Cayman is the largest of the three Cayman Islands and the location of the nation's capital, George Town. In relation to the other two Cayman Islands, it is approximately 75 miles southwest of Little Cayman and 90 miles southwest of Cayman Brac.-Geography:Grand Cayman encompasses 76% of...
is by far the biggest, with an area of 197 km² (76.1 sq mi). The two "Sister Islands" of Cayman Brac
Cayman Brac
Cayman Brac is an island that is part of the Cayman Islands. It lies in the Caribbean Sea about 90 miles northeast of Grand Cayman and 5 miles east of Little Cayman. It is about 12 miles long, with an average width of 1 mile...
and Little Cayman
Little Cayman
Little Cayman is an island that is part of the Cayman Islands. It is located in the Caribbean Sea, about 75 miles northeast of Grand Cayman and five miles west of Cayman Brac. Little Cayman has a permanent population of less than 170 and is about 10 miles long with an average width of 1 mile...
are located about 120 km (74.6 mi) east north-east of Grand Cayman and have areas of 38 and 28.5 km² (14.7 and 11 sqmi) respectively.
Sierra Maestra
Sierra Maestra is a mountain range that runs westward across the south of the old Oriente Province from what is now Guantánamo Province to Niquero in southeast Cuba, rising abruptly from the coast. Some view it as a series of connecting ranges , which joins with others extending to the west...
range and are mostly flat. One notable exception to this is The Bluff
The Bluff
The Bluff can mean::Australia*The name of a hill in Victor Harbour, South Australia. This spot offers a good vantage point for enthusiastic photographers. Whale sightings from this point are also common.Cayman Islands...
on Cayman Brac's eastern part, which rises to 43 m (141.1 ft) above sea level, the highest point on the islands.
Terrain is mostly a low-lying limestone
Limestone
Limestone is a sedimentary rock composed largely of the minerals calcite and aragonite, which are different crystal forms of calcium carbonate . Many limestones are composed from skeletal fragments of marine organisms such as coral or foraminifera....
base surrounded by coral reef
Coral reef
Coral reefs are underwater structures made from calcium carbonate secreted by corals. Coral reefs are colonies of tiny living animals found in marine waters that contain few nutrients. Most coral reefs are built from stony corals, which in turn consist of polyps that cluster in groups. The polyps...
s.
Fauna
There are ten mammalian species in the islands.Cayman avian fauna includes two endemic subspecies of Amazona parrots: Amazona leucocephala hesterna, or Cayman Brac Parrot, native only to Cayman Brac, and Amazona leucocephala caymanensis or Grand Cayman Parrot, which is native to the Cayman Islands, forested areas of Cuba, and the Isla de la Juventud.
Among other notable fauna is the critically endangered Blue Iguana
Blue Iguana
The Blue Iguana or Grand Cayman Iguana is a critically endangered species of lizard of the genus Cyclura endemic to the island of Grand Cayman. Previously listed as a subspecies of the Cuban Iguana, it was reclassified as a separate species in 2004 because of genetic differences discovered four...
, which is endemic to Grand Cayman. Also present are the Central American agouti, along with the Booby Birds
Booby
A booby is a seabird in the genus Sula, part of the Sulidae family. Boobies are closely related to the gannets , which were formerly included in Sula.-Description:...
on Cayman Brac.
Climate
The Cayman Islands have a tropical marine climate, with a wet seasonWet season
The the wet season, or rainy season, is the time of year, covering one or more months, when most of the average annual rainfall in a region occurs. The term green season is also sometimes used as a euphemism by tourist authorities. Areas with wet seasons are dispersed across portions of the...
of warm, rainy summers (May to October) and a dry season
Dry season
The dry season is a term commonly used when describing the weather in the tropics. The weather in the tropics is dominated by the tropical rain belt, which oscillates from the northern to the southern tropics over the course of the year...
of relatively cool winters (November to April).
A major natural hazard
Natural hazard
A natural hazard is a threat of a naturally occurring event that will have a negative effect on people or the environment. Many natural hazards are interrelated, e.g. earthquakes can cause tsunamis and drought can lead directly to famine. It is possible that some natural hazards are...
is the tropical cyclone
Tropical cyclone
A tropical cyclone is a storm system characterized by a large low-pressure center and numerous thunderstorms that produce strong winds and heavy rain. Tropical cyclones strengthen when water evaporated from the ocean is released as the saturated air rises, resulting in condensation of water vapor...
s that form during the Atlantic hurricane season
Atlantic hurricane season
The Atlantic hurricane season is the period in a year when hurricanes usually form in the Atlantic Ocean. Tropical cyclones in the North Atlantic are called hurricanes, tropical storms, or tropical depressions. In addition, there have been several storms over the years that have not been fully...
from July to November.
Demographics
The Cayman Islands have more registered businesses than they have people. The latest population estimate of the Cayman Islands is about 55,700 as of 2009, representing a mix of more than 100 nationalities. Out of that number, about half are of Caymanian descent. About 60% of the population is of mixed race (mostly mixed African-European). The islands are almost exclusively ChristianChristian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
, with large numbers of Presbyterians and Catholics. The vast majority of the population resides on Grand Cayman
Grand Cayman
Grand Cayman is the largest of the three Cayman Islands and the location of the nation's capital, George Town. In relation to the other two Cayman Islands, it is approximately 75 miles southwest of Little Cayman and 90 miles southwest of Cayman Brac.-Geography:Grand Cayman encompasses 76% of...
, followed by Cayman Brac
Cayman Brac
Cayman Brac is an island that is part of the Cayman Islands. It lies in the Caribbean Sea about 90 miles northeast of Grand Cayman and 5 miles east of Little Cayman. It is about 12 miles long, with an average width of 1 mile...
and Little Cayman
Little Cayman
Little Cayman is an island that is part of the Cayman Islands. It is located in the Caribbean Sea, about 75 miles northeast of Grand Cayman and five miles west of Cayman Brac. Little Cayman has a permanent population of less than 170 and is about 10 miles long with an average width of 1 mile...
, respectively.
The capital of the Cayman Islands is George Town
George Town, Cayman Islands
George Town, Grand Cayman, is the capital of the Cayman Islands, in the British West Indies. The city has a population of 35,600 and is the largest city on Grand Cayman....
, which is located on the southwest coast of Grand Cayman.
Population of the districts
According to the Cayman Islands 2010 census the estimated resident population is 54,878 people, broken down as follows:- George TownGeorge Town, Cayman IslandsGeorge Town, Grand Cayman, is the capital of the Cayman Islands, in the British West Indies. The city has a population of 35,600 and is the largest city on Grand Cayman....
: 35,600 - West BayWest Bay, Cayman IslandsWest Bay is a district located on Grand Cayman Island in the British West Indies.-Politics:West Bay is one of the two largest electoral districts on Grand Cayman, along with George Town...
: 11,269 - Bodden TownBodden TownBodden Town, Grand Cayman, is the former capital and largest district in the Cayman Islands. It is situated on a natural harbor and a coral reef. The first settlement was named after a government leader, William Bodden. Once ravaged by pirates, this village is known for its remains of a...
: 10,341 - North Side: 1,437
- East End: 1,369
- Cayman BracCayman BracCayman Brac is an island that is part of the Cayman Islands. It lies in the Caribbean Sea about 90 miles northeast of Grand Cayman and 5 miles east of Little Cayman. It is about 12 miles long, with an average width of 1 mile...
and Little CaymanLittle CaymanLittle Cayman is an island that is part of the Cayman Islands. It is located in the Caribbean Sea, about 75 miles northeast of Grand Cayman and five miles west of Cayman Brac. Little Cayman has a permanent population of less than 170 and is about 10 miles long with an average width of 1 mile...
(Sister Islands): 2,277
Economy
With an average income of around KYD$47,000, Caymanians have the highest standard of living in the Caribbean. According to the CIA World Factbook, the Cayman Islands GDP per capita is the 14th highest in the world. The islands print their own currency, the Cayman Islands DollarCayman Islands dollar
The Cayman Islands Dollar is the currency of the Cayman Islands. It is abbreviated with the dollar sign $, or alternatively CI$ to distinguish it from other dollar-denominated currencies. It is subdivided into 100 cents...
(KYD), which is pegged to the U.S. dollar at a fixed rate of 1 KYD = 1.20 USD.
The government's primary source of income is indirect tax
Indirect tax
The term indirect tax has more than one meaning.In the colloquial sense, an indirect tax is a tax collected by an intermediary from the person who bears the ultimate economic burden of the tax...
ation: there is no income tax
Income tax
An income tax is a tax levied on the income of individuals or businesses . Various income tax systems exist, with varying degrees of tax incidence. Income taxation can be progressive, proportional, or regressive. When the tax is levied on the income of companies, it is often called a corporate...
, capital gains tax
Capital gains tax
A capital gains tax is a tax charged on capital gains, the profit realized on the sale of a non-inventory asset that was purchased at a lower price. The most common capital gains are realized from the sale of stocks, bonds, precious metals and property...
, or corporation tax. An import duty of 5% to 22% (Automobiles 29.5% to 100%) is levied against goods imported into the islands. Few goods are exempt; notable examples include books, cameras, and infant formula
Infant formula
Infant formula is a manufactured food designed and marketed for feeding to babies and infants under 12 months of age, usually prepared for bottle-feeding or cup-feeding from powder or liquid . The U.S...
.
Tourism
One of Grand CaymanGrand Cayman
Grand Cayman is the largest of the three Cayman Islands and the location of the nation's capital, George Town. In relation to the other two Cayman Islands, it is approximately 75 miles southwest of Little Cayman and 90 miles southwest of Cayman Brac.-Geography:Grand Cayman encompasses 76% of...
's main attractions is Seven Mile Beach
Seven Mile Beach, Grand Cayman
Seven Mile Beach is a long crescent of coral-sand beach on the western shore of Grand Cayman island. Despite its name, the beach is only about long. Seven Mile Beach known for its beauty, recently receiving the honor of "The Caribbean's Best Beach" from Caribbean Travel and Life Magazine...
, on which a number of the island's hotels and resorts are located. Historical sites in GCM, such as Pedro St. James Castle in BoddenTown, also attract visitors. Tourists also visit the Sister Islands, Little Cayman and Cayman Brac.
All three islands offer scuba diving
Scuba diving
Scuba diving is a form of underwater diving in which a diver uses a scuba set to breathe underwater....
, and the Cayman Islands are home to several snorkeling locations, where tourists can swim with stingray
Stingray
The stingrays are a group of rays, which are cartilaginous fishes related to sharks. They are classified in the suborder Myliobatoidei of the order Myliobatiformes, and consist of eight families: Hexatrygonidae , Plesiobatidae , Urolophidae , Urotrygonidae , Dasyatidae , Potamotrygonidae The...
s. The most popular area to do this is Stingray City, Grand Cayman
Stingray City, Grand Cayman
Stingray City is a series of shallow sandbars found in the North Sound of Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands. It is a tourist attraction, where southern stingrays are found in abundance and visitors can pet and interact with the animals.- Location :...
.
There are two shipwreck
Shipwreck
A shipwreck is what remains of a ship that has wrecked, either sunk or beached. Whatever the cause, a sunken ship or a wrecked ship is a physical example of the event: this explains why the two concepts are often overlapping in English....
s off the shores of Cayman Brac, including the MV Keith Tibbetts; Grand Cayman has several shipwrecks off its shores. The was decommissioned on 30 September 1994 and struck from the Naval Vessel Register on the same day. Her title was transferred in November 2008 for an undisclosed amount to the government of the Cayman Islands. The Cayman Islands government intended to use Kittiwake to form a new artificial reef. Originally intended to be sunk in June 2009, she was finally sunk off Seven Mile Beach, Grand Cayman on 5 January 2011.
Other Grand Cayman tourist attractions include the Ironshore landscape of Hell
Hell, Grand Cayman
Hell is a group of short, black, limestone formations located in Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands. Located in West Bay, Grand Cayman, it is roughly the size of half a soccer field...
, the 23 acres (93,077.8 m²) marine theme park Boatswain
Boatswain
A boatswain , bo's'n, bos'n, or bosun is an unlicensed member of the deck department of a merchant ship. The boatswain supervises the other unlicensed members of the ship's deck department, and typically is not a watchstander, except on vessels with small crews...
's Beach, also home of the Cayman Turtle Farm, the production of gourmet sea salt
Sea salt
Sea salt, salt obtained by the evaporation of seawater, is used in cooking and cosmetics. It is historically called bay salt or solar salt...
, and the Mastic Trail, a hiking trail through the forests in the centre of the island. The NationalTrust for the Cayman Islands provides guided tours weekly on the Mastic Trail and other locations.
.
Points of interest include the East End Light
East End Light
The East End Light is a lighthouse located at the east end of Grand Cayman island in the Cayman Islands...
(sometimes called Gorling Bluff Light) is a lighthouse located at the east end of Grand Cayman island in the Cayman Islands. The lighthouse is the centerpiece of East End Lighthouse Park, managed by the National Trust for the Cayman Islands
National Trust for the Cayman Islands
The National Trust for the Cayman Islands is the National Trust serving the Cayman Islands. Its purposes are to preserve sites of artistic and architectural interest in the islands and to provide protection for local natural resources and wildlife...
; the first navigational aid on the site was the first lighthouse in the Cayman Islands.
Shipping
The merchant marine total is 123 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,402,058 GRT/3,792,094 metric tons deadweight (DWT) ships by type: bulk 22, cargo 5, chemical tanker 31, container 2, liquefied gas 1, petroleum tanker 21, refrigerated cargo 35, roll on/roll off 5, specialized tanker 1 note: some foreign ships register in the Cayman Islands as a flag of convenienceFlag of convenience
The term flag of convenience describes the business practice of registering a merchant ship in a sovereign state different from that of the ship's owners, and flying that state's civil ensign on the ship. Ships are registered under flags of convenience to reduce operating costs or avoid the...
; includes ships from 11 countries among which are: Greece 15, US 5, UK 5, Cyprus 2, Denmark 2, Norway 3 (2002 est.).
Financial services industry
The Cayman Islands are a major international financial centre. The biggest sectors are "banking, hedge fundHedge fund
A hedge fund is a private pool of capital actively managed by an investment adviser. Hedge funds are only open for investment to a limited number of accredited or qualified investors who meet criteria set by regulators. These investors can be institutions, such as pension funds, university...
formation and investment, structured finance and securitization, captive insurance
Captive insurance
Captive insurance companies are insurance companies established with the specific objective of financing risks emanating from their parent group or groups, but they sometimes also insure risks of the group's customers as well...
, and general corporate activities." Regulation and supervision of the financial services
Financial services
Financial services refer to services provided by the finance industry. The finance industry encompasses a broad range of organizations that deal with the management of money. Among these organizations are credit unions, banks, credit card companies, insurance companies, consumer finance companies,...
industry is the responsibility of the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority
Cayman Islands Monetary Authority
The Cayman Islands Monetary Authority is the primary financial services regulator of the Cayman Islands and supervises its currency board....
(CIMA).
The Cayman Islands are the fifth-largest banking centre in the world, with $1.5 trillion in banking liabilities. There are 279 banks , 19 of which are licensed to conduct banking activities with domestic (Cayman-based) and international clients, the remaining 260 are licensed to operate on an international basis with only limited domestic activity. Financial services generated CI$1.2 billion of GDP in 2007 (55% of the total economy), 36% of all employment and 40% of all government revenue. In 2010, the country ranked fifth internationally in terms of value of liabilities booked in the Cayman Islands and sixth in terms of assets booked. It has branches of 40 of the world's 50 largest banks. The Cayman Islands are the second largest captive domicile in the world with more than 700 captives, writing more than US$7.7 billion of premiums and with US$36.8 billion of assets under management.
There are a number of service providers. These include global financial institutions including HSBC
HSBC
HSBC Holdings plc is a global banking and financial services company headquartered in Canary Wharf, London, United Kingdom. it is the world's second-largest banking and financial services group and second-largest public company according to a composite measure by Forbes magazine...
, UBS, and Goldman Sachs
Goldman Sachs
The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. is an American multinational bulge bracket investment banking and securities firm that engages in global investment banking, securities, investment management, and other financial services primarily with institutional clients...
; over 80 administrators, leading accountancy practices (incl. the Big Four auditors
Big Four auditors
The Big Four are the four largest international professional services networks in accountancy and professional services, which handle the vast majority of audits for publicly traded companies as well as many private companies, creating an oligopoly in auditing large companies...
), and offshore law practices including Maples & Calder.
Since the introduction of the Mutual Funds
Mutual fund
A mutual fund is a professionally managed type of collective investment scheme that pools money from many investors to buy stocks, bonds, short-term money market instruments, and/or other securities.- Overview :...
Law in 1993, which has been copied by jurisdictions around the world, the Cayman Islands have grown to be the world's leading offshore hedge fund jurisdiction. In June 2008, it passed 10,000 hedge fund
Hedge fund
A hedge fund is a private pool of capital actively managed by an investment adviser. Hedge funds are only open for investment to a limited number of accredited or qualified investors who meet criteria set by regulators. These investors can be institutions, such as pension funds, university...
registrations, and over the year ending June 2008 CIMA reported a net growth rate of 12% for hedge funds.
Starting in the mid-late 1990s, offshore financial centres, such as the Cayman Islands, came under increasing pressure from the OECD for their allegedly harmful tax regimes, where the OECD wished to prevent low-tax regimes from having an advantage in the global marketplace. The OECD threatened to place the Cayman Islands and other financial centres on a "black list" and impose sanctions against them. However, the Cayman Islands successfully avoided being placed on the OECD black list in 2000 by committing to regulatory reform to improve transparency and begin information exchange with OECD member countries about their citizens.
In 2004, under pressure from the UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, the Cayman Islands agreed in principle to implement the European Union Savings Directive (EUSD), but only after securing some important benefits for the financial services industry in the Cayman Islands. As the Cayman Islands are not subject to EU laws, the implementation of the EUSD is by way of bilateral agreements between each EU member state and the Cayman Islands. The government of the Cayman Islands agreed on a model agreement, which set out how the EUSD would be implemented with the Cayman Islands.
A report published by the International Monetary Fund
International Monetary Fund
The International Monetary Fund is an organization of 187 countries, working to foster global monetary cooperation, secure financial stability, facilitate international trade, promote high employment and sustainable economic growth, and reduce poverty around the world...
(IMF), in March 2005, assessing supervision and regulation in the Cayman Islands' banking, insurance and securities industries, as well as its money laundering
Money laundering
Money laundering is the process of disguising illegal sources of money so that it looks like it came from legal sources. The methods by which money may be laundered are varied and can range in sophistication. Many regulatory and governmental authorities quote estimates each year for the amount...
regime, recognised the jurisdiction's comprehensive regulatory and compliance frameworks. "An extensive program of legislative, rule and guideline development has introduced an increasingly effective system of regulation, both formalizing earlier practices and introducing enhanced procedures", noted IMF assessors. The report further stated that "the supervisory system benefits from a well-developed banking infrastructure with an internationally experienced and qualified workforce as well as experienced lawyers, accountants and auditors", adding that, "the overall compliance culture within Cayman is very strong, including the compliance culture related to AML (anti-money laundering) obligations".
On 4 May 2009, United States President Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
declared his intentions to curb the use of financial centres by multinational corporations. In his speech, he singled out the Cayman Islands as a tax shelter.
The next day, the Cayman Island Financial Services Association submitted an open letter to the President detailing The Cayman Islands' role in international finance and its value to the US financial system.
Labour
The Cayman Islands has a small population and therefore a limited work force. Work permitWork permit
Work permit is a generic term for a legal authorization which allows a person to take employment.It is most often used in reference to instances where a person is given permission to work in a country where one does not hold citizenship, but is also used in reference to minors, who in some...
s may therefore be granted to foreigners. On average, there have been more than 21,000 foreigners holding valid Work Permits.
Work permits for non-citizens
In order to work in the Cayman Islands as a non-citizenAlien (law)
In law, an alien is a person in a country who is not a citizen of that country.-Categorization:Types of "alien" persons are:*An alien who is legally permitted to remain in a country which is foreign to him or her. On specified terms, this kind of alien may be called a legal alien of that country...
, a work permit is required. This involves passing a police background check and a health check. A prospective immigrant worker will not be granted a permit unless certain medical conditions are present which include testing negative for syphilis
Syphilis
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the spirochete bacterium Treponema pallidum subspecies pallidum. The primary route of transmission is through sexual contact; however, it may also be transmitted from mother to fetus during pregnancy or at birth, resulting in congenital syphilis...
or HIV
HIV
Human immunodeficiency virus is a lentivirus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome , a condition in humans in which progressive failure of the immune system allows life-threatening opportunistic infections and cancers to thrive...
. A permit may be granted to individuals on special work.
A foreigner must first have a job in order to move to the Cayman Islands. The employer applies and pays for the work permit. Work permits are not granted to foreigners who are in the Cayman Islands (unless it is a renewal). The Cayman Islands Immigration Department requires foreigners to remain out of the country until their work permit has been approved.
The Cayman Islands presently imposes a controversial "rollover" in relation to expatriate
Expatriate
An expatriate is a person temporarily or permanently residing in a country and culture other than that of the person's upbringing...
workers who require a work permit. Non-Caymanians are only permitted to reside and work within the territory for a maximum of seven years unless they satisfy the criteria of key employees. Non-Caymanians who are 'rolled over' may return to work additional 7 year periods subject to a 1 year gap between their periods of work. The policy has been the subject of some controversy within the press. Law firms have been particularly upset by the recruitment difficulties that it has caused. Other less well remunerated employment sectors have been affected as well. Concerns about safety have been expressed by diving instructors and realtors have also expressed concerns. Others support the rollover as necessary to protect Caymanian identity in the face of large immigration of expatriate workers.
Concerns have been expressed that in the long term, the policy may damage the preeminence of the Cayman Islands as an offshore financial centre
Offshore financial centre
An offshore financial centre , though not precisely defined, is usually a small, low-tax jurisdiction specializing in providing corporate and commercial services to non-resident offshore companies, and for the investment of offshore funds....
by making it difficult to recruit and retain experienced staff from onshore financial centres. Government employees are no longer exempt from this "rollover" policy according to this report in a local newspaper. The governor has used his constitutional powers, which give him absolute control for the disposition of civil service
Civil service
The term civil service has two distinct meanings:* A branch of governmental service in which individuals are employed on the basis of professional merit as proven by competitive examinations....
employees to determine which expatriate civil servants are dismissed after seven years service and which are not.
This policy is incorporated in the Immigration Law (2003 revision), written by the United Democratic Party government, and subsequently enforced by the People's Progressive Movement Party government. Both governments agree to the term limits on foreign workers, and the majority of Caymanians also agree it is necessary to protect local culture and heritage from being eroded by a large number of foreigners gaining residency and citizenship.
Government
United Nations list of Non-Self-Governing Territories
The United Nations list of Non-Self-Governing Territories is a list of countries that, according to the United Nations, are non-decolonized. The list was initially prepared in 1946 pursuant to Chapter XI of the United Nations Charter, and has been updated by the General Assembly on recommendation...
. A 15-seat Legislative Assembly
Legislative Assembly of the Cayman Islands
The Legislative Assembly of the Cayman Islands has 18 members, 15 elected members for a four year term in two-seat constituencies and 3 members ex-officio.In the elections of 8 November 2000, with a turnout of 80% only non-partisans were elected...
is elected by the people every four years to handle domestic affairs. Of the elected Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs), five are chosen to serve as government ministers in a Cabinet headed by the Governor. The head of government is the Premier
Premier
Premier is a title for the head of government in some countries and states.-Examples by country:In many nations, "premier" is used interchangeably with "prime minister"...
.
A Governor
Governor of the Cayman Islands
The Governor of the Cayman Islands is the representative of the British monarch in the United Kingdom's overseas territory of the Cayman Islands. The Governor is appointed by the monarch on the advice of the British government...
is appointed by the British Government to represent the monarch. Governors can exercise complete executive authority if they wish through blanket powers reserved to them in the constitution. They must give Royal Assent
Royal Assent
The granting of royal assent refers to the method by which any constitutional monarch formally approves and promulgates an act of his or her nation's parliament, thus making it a law...
to all legislation, which allows them the power to strike down any law the legislature may see fit for the country. In modern times, the Governor usually allows the country to be run by the Cabinet, and the civil service to be run by the Deputy Governor, who is the Acting Governor when the Governor is not able to discharge his usual duties for one reason or another. The current Governor of the Cayman Islands is Duncan Taylor
Duncan Taylor (FCO)
Duncan Taylor, CBE is a British diplomat and the current Governor of the Cayman Islands. He joined the United Kingdom Foreign and Commonwealth Office in 1982 as a Desk Officer in its West Africa department...
and the current Deputy Governor is The Honourable Donovan Ebanks.
The Cabinet is composed of two official members and five elected members, called ministers; one of whom is designated Premier
Leader of Government Business
The Premier of the Cayman Islands is the political leader and head of government. The post of Premier in the Cayman Islands is the equivalent to Chief Minister or Prime Minister in other British Overseas Territories. It is the highest political level that can be attained within the British colonial...
.
The official members are the Deputy Governor
Deputy Governor
A Deputy governor is a gubernatorial official who is subordinated to a governor, rather like a Lieutenant governor.-British colonial cases:In the British empire, there were such colonial offices in :...
and the Attorney General
Attorney General
In most common law jurisdictions, the attorney general, or attorney-general, is the main legal advisor to the government, and in some jurisdictions he or she may also have executive responsibility for law enforcement or responsibility for public prosecutions.The term is used to refer to any person...
. They are appointed by the governor in accordance with Her Majesty's instructions, and although they have seats in the Legislative Assembly, under the 2009 Constitution, they do not vote.
The five ministers are voted into office by the 15 elected members of the Legislative Assembly of the Cayman Islands
Legislative Assembly of the Cayman Islands
The Legislative Assembly of the Cayman Islands has 18 members, 15 elected members for a four year term in two-seat constituencies and 3 members ex-officio.In the elections of 8 November 2000, with a turnout of 80% only non-partisans were elected...
. One of the ministers, the leader of the majority political party, is appointed premier by the governor.
After consulting the premier, the governor allocates a portfolio of responsibilities to each Cabinet member. Under the principle of collective responsibility, all ministers are obliged to support in the Assembly any measures approved by Cabinet.
Almost 80 departments, sections and units carry out the business of government, joined by a number of statutory boards and authorities set up for specific purposes, such as the Port Authority, the Civil Aviation Authority, the Immigration Board, the Water Authority, the University College Board of Governors, the National Pensions Board, and the Health Insurance Commission.
The defence of the Cayman Islands is the responsibility of the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. The Royal Cayman Islands Police Service
Royal Cayman Islands Police Service
The Royal Cayman Islands Police Service is the standing police force of the British overseas territory of the Cayman Islands. The police force was formed in 1907 and currently stands at 366 enlisted officers, with 54 civilians....
provides police
Police
The police is a personification of the state designated to put in practice the enforced law, protect property and reduce civil disorder in civilian matters. Their powers include the legitimized use of force...
services in the country. The Cayman Islands Cadet Corps
Cayman Islands Cadet Corps
The Cayman Islands Cadet Corps is a youth organization in the Cayman Islands for male and female secondary school students between age 12 and 17.- History :The CICC was established in 2001 and enacted by the Cayman Islands Cadet Corps Law of 2003...
was formed in March 2001.
Since 2000, there have been two official major political parties: United Democratic Party
United Democratic Party (Cayman Islands)
The United Democratic Party is a political party in the Cayman Islands.In the elections, 8 November 2000, with a turnout of 80% only non-partisans were elected...
(UDP) and the People's Progressive Movement
People's Progressive Movement (Cayman Islands)
The People's Progressive Movement is a social-democratic political party in the Cayman Islands currently headed by Alden McLaughlin.The People's Progressive Movement was founded in 2002.General elections were held in the Cayman Islands on 11 May 2005...
(PPM). While there has been a shift to political parties, many contending for an office still run as independents.
Taxation
No direct taxation is imposed on residents and Cayman Islands companies. The government receives the majority of its income from indirect taxation. Duty is levied against most imported goods, which is typically in the range of 22% to 25%. Some items are exempted, such as baby formula, books, cameras and certain items are taxed at 5%. Duty on automobiles depends on their value. The duty can amount to 29.5% up to $20,000.00 KYD CIF and up to 42% over $30,000.00 KYD CIF for expensive models. The government charges flat licensing fees on financial institutions that operate in the islands and there are work permit fees on foreign labour. A 10% government tax is placed on all tourist accommodations in addition to US$25.00 departure tax each tourist pays upon leaving the island.There are no taxes on profits, capital gains, income or any withholding taxes charged to foreign investors. There are no estate or death duties payable on Cayman Islands real estate or other assets held in the Cayman Islands.
Foreign relations
Foreign policy is controlled by the United KingdomUnited Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, as the islands remain an overseas territory of the United Kingdom. Although in its early days, the Cayman Islands' most important relationships were with Britain and Jamaica
Jamaica
Jamaica is an island nation of the Greater Antilles, in length, up to in width and 10,990 square kilometres in area. It is situated in the Caribbean Sea, about south of Cuba, and west of Hispaniola, the island harbouring the nation-states Haiti and the Dominican Republic...
, in recent years, as a result of economic dependence, a relationship with the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
has developed.
Though the Cayman Islands are involved in no major international disputes, they have come under some criticism due to the use of their territory for narcotics trafficking and money laundering
Money laundering
Money laundering is the process of disguising illegal sources of money so that it looks like it came from legal sources. The methods by which money may be laundered are varied and can range in sophistication. Many regulatory and governmental authorities quote estimates each year for the amount...
. In an attempt to address this, the government entered into the Narcotics Agreement of 1984 and the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty
Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty
A mutual legal assistance treaty is an agreement between two countries for the purpose of gathering and exchanging information in an effort to enforce public laws or criminal laws...
of 1986 with the United States, in order to reduce the use of their facilities associated with these activities. In more recent years, they have stepped up the fight against money laundering, by limiting banking secrecy, introducing requirements for customer identification and record keeping, and requiring banks to cooperate with foreign investigators.
Due to their status as an overseas territory of the UK, the Cayman Islands have no representation either in the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
or in most other international organizations. However, the Cayman Islands still participates in some international organizations, being an associate member of Caricom and UNESCO
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
, and a member of a sub-bureau of Interpol
Interpol
Interpol, whose full name is the International Criminal Police Organization – INTERPOL, is an organization facilitating international police cooperation...
.
The defence and internal security of the Cayman Islands is the responsibility of the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
.
Air transport
There are three airports in the Cayman Islands, one for each island.Grand Cayman is served by Owen Roberts International Airport
Owen Roberts International Airport
Owen Roberts International Airport is an airport located in Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands. It is the main international airport for the Cayman Islands as well as the main base for Cayman Airways...
. Cayman Brac is served by Gerrard Smith International Airport
Gerrard Smith International Airport
Gerrard Smith International Airport is an airport located on Cayman Brac, Cayman Islands. It is one of the hubs for Cayman Airways with flights to Owen Roberts International Airport on Grand Cayman, and Edward Bodden Airfield on Little Cayman. It is the only airport on Cayman Brac.-Airlines and...
and Little Cayman is served by Edward Bodden Airfield
Edward Bodden Airfield
Edward Bodden Airfield , also known as Little Cayman Airport, is an airfield located on the southwest side of Little Cayman, one of the Cayman Islands....
.
Cayman Airways
Cayman Airways
Cayman Airways is the national flag carrier of the Cayman Islands. With its head office in Grand Cayman, it operates mainly as an international and domestic scheduled passenger carrier, with cargo services available on all routes...
is the national flag carrier of the Cayman Islands. With its official headquarters in Grand Cayman, it operates mainly as an international and domestic scheduled passenger carrier, with cargo services available on all routes. It also has a limited charter service offered. Its operations are based at Owen Roberts International Airport, Grand Cayman.
Island Air
Island Air (Cayman Islands)
Island Air Cayman Islands BWI is a small airline in the Cayman Islands providing services between Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac, and Little Cayman. The airline also provides charter services to other parts of the Caribbean and Central America and South America....
is a small airline in the Cayman Islands providing services between Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac, and Little Cayman.
Primary and secondary schools
The Cayman Islands Education DepartmentCayman Islands Education Department
Cayman Islands Education Department is a department of the Ministry of Education of the Cayman Islands, a territory of the United Kingdom.The agency operates public primary and secondary schools on Grand Cayman and Cayman Brac.-High schools:Cayman Brac...
operates state schools. Caymanian children are entitled to free primary and secondary education. Various churches and private foundations operate several private schools.
Colleges and universities
The University College of the Cayman IslandsUniversity College of the Cayman Islands
The University College of the Cayman Islands is a tertiary educational institution in the Cayman Islands.-History:The original Community College was established as a part-time institution in 1975, the first government-sponsored tertiary education in the Cayman Islands.The Trade School, the Hotel...
has campuses located on Grand Cayman and Cayman Brac and is the only government run university on the Cayman Islands. The International College of the Cayman Islands
International College of the Cayman Islands
The International College of the Cayman Islands is a U.S. accredited non-profit, private, four-year independent institution of higher education which opened in the fall of 1970...
is a private college and is located in Grand Cayman. The college was established in 1970 and offers Associate's, Bachelor's and Master's degree programmes. Grand Cayman is also home to St. Matthew's University, which includes a medical school
Medical school
A medical school is a tertiary educational institution—or part of such an institution—that teaches medicine. Degree programs offered at medical schools often include Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, Bachelor/Doctor of Medicine, Doctor of Philosophy, master's degree, or other post-secondary...
and a school of veterinary medicine
Veterinary school
A veterinary school is a tertiary educational institution, or part of such an institution, which is involved in the education of veterinarians. To become a veterinarian one must first complete a veterinary degree A veterinary school should not be confused with a department of animal science...
. The Cayman Islands Law School, a branch of the University of Liverpool
University of Liverpool
The University of Liverpool is a teaching and research university in the city of Liverpool, England. It is a member of the Russell Group of large research-intensive universities and the N8 Group for research collaboration. Founded in 1881 , it is also one of the six original "red brick" civic...
, is based on Grand Cayman.
The Cayman Islands Civil Service College
The Cayman Islands Civil Service College
The Cayman Islands Civil Service College is a school of higher education in the Cayman Islands. It was established in 2007 to further New Public Management reforms as well as the learning and development needs of the Cayman Islands Civil Service and to carry out research.The CICSC is currently...
, a unit of Cayman Islands government organised under the Portfolio of the Civil Service, is located in Grand Cayman. Co-situated with University College of the Cayman Islands, it offers both degree programs and continuing education units of various sorts. The college opened in 2007 and is also used as a government research centre.
Healthcare
There are four hospitals in the Cayman Islands. Grand Cayman is home to Chrissie Tomlinson Memorial Hospital, Cayman Islands Hospital and George Town Hospital; Faith Hospital is located on Cayman Brac.In 2007, an MRI unit was installed at the Chrissie Tomlinson Memorial Hospital, replacing the one destroyed by Hurricane Ivan
Hurricane Ivan
Hurricane Ivan was a large, long-lived, Cape Verde-type hurricane that caused widespread damage in the Caribbean and United States. The cyclone was the ninth named storm, the sixth hurricane and the fourth major hurricane of the active 2004 Atlantic hurricane season...
in 2004. In 2009, a stand-alone Open MRI facility was opened. This centre provides MRI, CT, X-Ray and DEXA (Bone density) scanning. Also housed in this building is the Heart Health Centre, which provides Ultrasound, Nuclear Medicine, Echocardiography and Cardiac Stress Testing.
For divers and others in need of hyperbaric oxygen therapy
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy
Hyperbaric medicine, also known as hyperbaric oxygen therapy , is the medical use of oxygen at a level higher than atmospheric pressure. The equipment required consists of a pressure chamber, which may be of rigid or flexible construction, and a means of delivering 100% oxygen...
, there is a two-person recompression chamber at the Cayman Islands Hospital on Grand Cayman, run by Cayman Hyperbaric Services. Hyperbaric Services has also built a hyperbaric unit at Faith Hospital in Cayman Brac.
Police and fire
The Royal Cayman Islands Police ServiceRoyal Cayman Islands Police Service
The Royal Cayman Islands Police Service is the standing police force of the British overseas territory of the Cayman Islands. The police force was formed in 1907 and currently stands at 366 enlisted officers, with 54 civilians....
(RCIP) provides law enforcement for the three islands. Regular off-shore marine
Marine (ocean)
Marine is an umbrella term. As an adjective it is usually applicable to things relating to the sea or ocean, such as marine biology, marine ecology and marine geology...
patrols are conducted by the RCIP and Grand Cayman is a port of call
Port of Call
-Synopsis:Berit, a young woman living in a working-class port town begins a relationship with Gösta, a sailor newly returned from overseas and intent upon staying on land...
for the United States Coast Guard
United States Coast Guard
The United States Coast Guard is a branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven U.S. uniformed services. The Coast Guard is a maritime, military, multi-mission service unique among the military branches for having a maritime law enforcement mission and a federal regulatory agency...
. The Cayman Islands Fire Service provides fire prevention, fire fighting, and emergency medical rescue by land and air. Department headquarters are located in George Town and has substations located in Frank Sound, West Bay, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman.
Sports
Truman Bodden Sports Complex is a multi-use complex in George Town. The complex is separated into an outdoor, six-lane 25 metres (82 ft) swimming pool, full purpose track and field and basketball/netball courts. The field surrounded by the track is used for football matches as well as other field sports. The track stadium holds 10,000 people.Association football is the national and most popular sport.
Rugby
Rugby union in the Cayman Islands
Rugby union in the Cayman Islands is a growing sport. It is ranked 62nd in the world, with 2,256 registered players.-Governing body:The governing body is Cayman Rugby, which is a member of the International Rugby Board, and the North American and Caribbean Rugby Association NACRA.-History:Although...
is a developing sport, and has its own national men's team
Cayman Islands national rugby union team
The Cayman Islands national rugby union team represents the Cayman Islands in the sport of rugby union. They have thus far not qualified for a Rugby World Cup, but have participated in qualifying tournaments...
, women's team
Cayman Islands women's national rugby union team
The Cayman Islands women's national rugby union team are a national sporting side of Cayman Islands, representing them at rugby union. The side played its first 15-a-side test in 2004.-History.:...
, and Sevens team. The Cayman Men's Rugby 7s team is Second in the region after the 2011 NACRA 7s Championship.
The Cayman Islands are members of FIFA
FIFA
The Fédération Internationale de Football Association , commonly known by the acronym FIFA , is the international governing body of :association football, futsal and beach football. Its headquarters are located in Zurich, Switzerland, and its president is Sepp Blatter, who is in his fourth...
, the International Olympic Committee
International Olympic Committee
The International Olympic Committee is an international corporation based in Lausanne, Switzerland, created by Pierre de Coubertin on 23 June 1894 with Demetrios Vikelas as its first president...
and the Pan American Sports Organisation
Pan American Sports Organisation
The Pan American Sports Organization is an international organization which represents the current 41 National Olympic Committees of the North American and South American continents. It is the Continental Association of the Americas...
, and also compete in the biannual Island Games
International Island Games Association
The International Island Games Association is an organisation the sole purpose of which is to organise the Island Games, a friendly biennial athletic competition between teams from several European islands and other small territories. The IGA liaises with the member island associations and with...
.
The Cayman Islands are members of the International Cricket Council
International Cricket Council
The International Cricket Council is the international governing body of cricket. It was founded as the Imperial Cricket Conference in 1909 by representatives from England, Australia and South Africa, renamed the International Cricket Conference in 1965, and took up its current name in 1989.The...
which they joined in 1997 as an Affiliate, before coming an Associate member in 2002. The Cayman Islands national cricket team represents the islands in international cricket
International Cricket
International Cricket is a cricket video game for the Nintendo Entertainment System that was only released in Australia in 1992. Developed by Melbourne-based Beam Software, it was the only cricket game released for the NES. There were no attempts to release a cricket video game to the North...
. The team has previously played the sport at first-class
First-class cricket
First-class cricket is a class of cricket that consists of matches of three or more days' scheduled duration, that are between two sides of eleven players and are officially adjudged first-class by virtue of the standard of the competing teams...
, List A and Twenty20 level. It competes in Division Five
2012 ICC World Cricket League Division Five
The 2012 ICC World Cricket League Division Five is a cricket tournament due to take place in February 2012. It forms part of the ICC World Cricket League and qualifying for the 2015 Cricket World Cup.The host country for this tournament is Singapore.-Teams:...
of the World Cricket League
World Cricket League
The ICC World Cricket League is a series of international one-day cricket tournaments for national teams without Test status, administered by the International Cricket Council. All associate and affiliate members of the ICC are eligible to compete in the league system, which features a promotion...
.
Flag football
Flag football
Flag football is a version of Canadian football or American football that is popular worldwide. The basic rules of the game are similar to those of the mainstream game , but instead of tackling players to the ground, the defensive team must remove a flag or flag belt from the ball carrier to end...
(CIFFA) has men's, women's and co-ed leagues.
Other organised sports leagues include softball, beach volleyball, Gaelic football
Gaelic football
Gaelic football , commonly referred to as "football" or "Gaelic", or "Gah" is a form of football played mainly in Ireland...
, and ultimate frisbee.
The Cayman Islands Olympic Committee
Cayman Islands Olympic Committee
The was founded in 1973 and was recognized by the IOC in 1976. From the beginning as a fledging association, undertaking but a few tasks, it has now developed to a body representative of 22 member-sports, with significant undertakings at home and abroad....
was founded in 1973 and was recognized by the IOC (International Olympic Committee
International Olympic Committee
The International Olympic Committee is an international corporation based in Lausanne, Switzerland, created by Pierre de Coubertin on 23 June 1894 with Demetrios Vikelas as its first president...
) in 1976.
In the 21st century, skateboarding has become popular among the youth.
In February 2010, the first purpose built track for kart racing
Kart racing
Kart racing or karting is a variant of open-wheel motorsport with small, open, four-wheeled vehicles called karts, go-karts, or gearbox/shifter karts depending on the design. They are usually raced on scaled-down circuits...
in the Cayman Islands was opened. Corporate karting Leagues at the track have involved widespread participation with 20 local companies and 227 drivers taking part in the 2010 Summer Corporate Karting League.
Music
The Cayman National Cultural FoundationCayman National Cultural Foundation
The Cayman National Cultural Foundation is the official arts council for the Cayman Islands.The Cayman National Cultural Foundation manages the F.J. Harquail Cultural Centre and the US$4 million Harquail Theatre....
manages the F.J. Harquail Cultural Centre and the US$4 million Harquail Theatre. The Cayman National Cultural Foundation, established in 1984, helps to preserve and promote Cayman folk music, including the organization of festivals such as Cayman Islands International Storytelling Festival, the Cayman JazzFest, Seafarers Festival and Cayfest.
Media
There are three newspapers currently in circulation throughout the islands: the Cayman Compass, Cayman Net News and iNews Cayman. An online newspaper, Cayman News Service, features Cayman Islands news. A local television station, CITN - Cayman 27, shows Cayman Islands news. Sixteen local radio stations are broadcasted throughout the islands.Feature films that have been filmed in the Cayman Islands include: The Firm, Haven
Haven (film)
Haven is a 2004 feature film set in the Cayman Islands, a British offshore financial centre. The film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2004. It is written and directed by native Caymanian Frank E...
, Cayman Went and Zombie Driftwood.
Notable Caymanians
- Gladwyn K. Bush, Folk Artist
- McKeeva BushMcKeeva BushWilliam McKeeva Bush, OBE , is a Caymanian politician and the current Premier of the Cayman Islands. He also serves as leader of the United Democratic Party and the first elected member for West Bay...
, Politician, Premier of the Cayman Islands - Kurt TibbettsKurt TibbettsDarwin Kurt Tibbetts, OBE is a Caymanian politician. Tibbetts is a former Leader of Government Business in the Cayman Islands. He currently serves as the First Elected Member for George Town, serving his fifth term in the Legislative Assembly of the Cayman Islands...
, Politician - Selita EbanksSelita EbanksSelita Ebanks is a Caymanian fashion model. She worked for Victoria's Secret and as a Victoria's Secret Angel from 2005-2008.-Early life:...
Fashion model - Frank E. FlowersFrank E. FlowersFrank E. Flowers is a Caymanian independent filmmaker, film director and screenwriter, writer and director of the award-winning 2003 short film Swallow and the 2004 feature motion picture Haven, the latter photographed on the island of Grand Cayman...
Independent filmmaker, film director and screenwriter - Ronald ForbesRonald ForbesRonald Forbes is a track athlete from the Cayman Islands.Forbes runs for Florida International University and is a former competitor in the 2006 Commonwealth Games. During the 2008 Summer Olympics held in Beijing, China, Forbes ran the 110M High Hurdles event. During the Games' opening ceremony,...
Olympic athlete - Brett FraserBrett FraserBrett Michael Fraser is a college and international swimmer from the Cayman Islands. At the 2008 Summer Olympics, Fraser and his older brother, Shaune Fraser, were two of the three flag-bearers from the country....
Olympic athlete - Shaune FraserShaune FraserShaune David Fraser is a college and international swimmer from the Cayman Islands. Fraser represented the Cayman Islands at the 2004 and 2008 Olympics....
Olympic athlete - Jason GilbertJason GilbertJason Gilbert, also known by his nickname JG, is a record producer and songwriter from the Cayman Islands, signed to Black Chiney Records and EMI Music Publishing. JG has produced for artists including Eminem, Royce da 5'9", Akon, Taio Cruz and Kardinal Offishall...
Record producer and songwriter - Cydonie Mothersille Track and field gold medal athlete
- Lee RamoonLee RamoonLee Ramoon is a former international footballer from the Cayman Islands.-Club career:Ramoon played college soccer in the United States at King College. Ramoon later played in the English Football Conference. Ramoon spent spells at Burscough and Welsh club Porthmadog, both on loan from Altrincham...
Footballer - Kareem Streete-ThompsonKareem Streete-ThompsonKareem Streete-Thompson is an athlete specializing in the long jump and the 100 metres. He was born in Ithaca, New York.Although born in the USA, he lived his first 18 years in the Cayman Islands...
Olympic athlete - Tanya StreeterTanya StreeterTanya Streeter is a British/Caymanian world champion free-diver, inducted into the Women Diver's Hall of Fame in March 2000...
, Hall-of-Fame Free-Diver - Dow TraversDow TraversDow Travers is a Caymanian alpine skier and rugby union player who competes in giant slalom and Rugby XVs and 7s. He represented the Cayman Islands in alpine skiing at the 2010 Winter Olympics, becoming the Cayman Islands' first Winter Olympian. Travers, who is the son of Anthony Travers, was born...
Olympic athlete - Edison McleanEdison Mclean, born September 11, 1969, is a male Skeet Shooting athlete from the Cayman Islands.- Olympic Skeet Achievements :* - - External links :* * About Edison McLean at the ....
, 1st Caymanian gold medalist in Olympic Skeet, Island Games.
See also
- British Overseas TerritoriesBritish overseas territoriesThe British Overseas Territories are fourteen territories of the United Kingdom which, although they do not form part of the United Kingdom itself, fall under its jurisdiction. They are remnants of the British Empire that have not acquired independence or have voted to remain British territories...
- Roman Catholic Mission Sui Iuris of Cayman IslandsRoman Catholic Mission Sui Iuris of Cayman IslandsThe Roman Catholic Mission Sui Iuris of Cayman Islands is a mission sui iuris of the Latin Rite of the Roman Catholic Church in the Caribbean. The mission comprises the entirety of the British dependency of the Cayman Islands...
External links
- Cayman Islands government
- Cayman Islands Film Commission
- Cayman Islands from UCB Libraries GovPubs