Location
The Cayman Islands are a group of three islands, Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman, located in the western Caribbean Sea. The islands lie in the centre of the Caribbean south of Cuba and West of Jamaica. They are situated about 400 miles (650 km) south of Miami.

Size
Total area is 260 sq. km (100.4 sq. miles)
Grand Cayman is the largest of the three islands with an area of 76 sq. miles (197 sq. km).

History
Christopher Columbus sighted the Cayman Islands in 1503 on his final voyage to the New World. He named them Las Tortugas after the numerous sea turtles there. Sir Francis Drake followed in 1586 and named them the Cayman Islands after the neo-Taino nations term (caiman) for crocodile. The islands were captured along with Jamaica and ceded to England in 1670 under the Treaty of Madrid. They were governed as a single colony with Jamaica until 1962 when they became a separate British Overseas Territory and Jamaica became an independent Commonwealth realm. The Cayman Islands enjoy a high global standard of living fully dependent upon tourism and tax-haven dependent banking.

Population
62,000

Capital
George town is located on the western tip of Grand Cayman

Government
The Cayman Islands are a British overseas territory, listed by the UN Special Committee of twenty-four as one of the last non-self governing territories. An elected Legislative Assembly handles domestic affairs. The head of government is the Leader of Government Business. A Governor is appointed by the British government to represent the monarch. In modern times, the governor usually allows the country to be run by the cabinet, and the civil service to be run by the Chief Secretary.

Language
English

Climate
Average temperature High/Low. Summer 95/75 degrees F. Winter 85/65 degrees F. Humidity ranges from 66-94%. Average rainfall 3 to 5.7mm.

Tourism Activities & Sightseeing
World famous Seven Mile Beach on which a number of the island's hotels and resorts are located. Considered one of the best in the world. Also considered one of the world's best Scuba diving destinations because of its crystal clear waters and pristine walls. Grand Cayman - white sand beaches, dive and snorkel sites; Marine trips; Atlantis Submarine; Sea World Explorer Semi-Submarine; Nautilus Semi-Submersible Submarine; Jolly Roger cruise excursions; Cayman Turtle Farm; Conch Shell House; the Ironshore landscape of Hell in West Bay; Blow Holes in East End; Stingray City (snorkeling or diving) dept 4 to 12 ft; Tortuga Rum Factory; Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park; Mastic Trail; Pedro St. James; Rum Point; Stingray Brewery; Yacht Club; Britannia, the Links at Safehaven Golf courses. Butterfly Farm. Cayman Brac - Bluff; Caves; Honeymoon Cottage; Museum; NIM Things; Parrot Reserve; M/V Capt. Keith Tibbetts (diving or snorkeling site). Brac Nature Trails. Little Cayman - Booby Pond Nature Reserve; Museum; National Trust House and Bird Sanctuary; Owen Island; Point O' Sand Beach; Salt Rocks Dock; Tarpon Lake; Bloody Bay Wall and Jackson Marine Parks (diving and snorkeling sites).

Airports
(GCM) - Owen Roberts International Airport serves Grand Cayman. Gerrard Smith International Airport is on Cayman Brac. Edward Bodden Airstrip is on Little Cayman. Little Cayman has no customs or immigration, so no international flights stop there.

Currency
Cayman Islands dollar (KYD)

Electricity
Electricity is 120 Volts, alternating at 60 cycles per second.

Time zone
GMT-5

Driving
On the left.

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The Official Website of the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism
www.caymanislands.ky