Cayman Islands snapshots, introduction, tourist attractions, and photographs

The Cayman Islands, including Grand Cayman, Little Cayman and Cayman Brac, are situated in Western Caribbean, nearly one-half of the way from Cuba to Honduras. This island group has total land area about 259 square kilometers, nearly 1.5 times the size of Washington, DC of the United States.

The Cayman Islands were colonized from Jamaica by the British during the 18th and 19th centuries. Administered by Jamaica from 1863, they remained a British Crown colony after 1962 when Jamaica became independent.

Today, The Cayman Islands have about 43,103 (2004 estimate) population, including 40% mixed, 20% white, 20% black, and 20% expatriates of various ethnic groups. English is Cayman's official language.

With no direct taxation, the islands are a thriving offshore financial center. More than 40,000 companies were registered in the Cayman Islands as of 1997, including almost 600 banks and trust companies; banking assets exceed $500 billion.

Tourism is also a mainstay, accounting for about 70% of GDP and 75% of foreign currency earnings. The tourist industry is aimed at the luxury market and caters mainly to visitors from North America. Total tourist arrivals exceeded 1.2 million visitors in 1997. The Caymanians enjoy one of the highest outputs per capita and one of the highest standards of living in the world.

The Cayman Islands are now one of the Caribbean hottest vacation destinations and world famous peaceful paradise with some of the best scuba diving spots in the world.

Grand Cayman, the most populated among this island group, offers uncrowded white sandy beaches, warm and calm crystal clear water for scuba diving, windsurfing, swimming and sailing, magnificent and romantic Cayman sunset, the charm of British tradition, resort-hotels along World famous Seven Mile Beach, as well as wonderful duty free shopping.

The Cayman Islands is definitely a paradise at its best.