Cayman Islands

An overseas territory of the United Kingdom in the western Caribbean sea, the Cayman Islands comprises of the islands of Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac, and Little Cayman. The coveted fifth largest financial centre of the world, the Cayman Islands is definitely has made a mark on the tourism map of the world. The islands are also for the exciting and brilliant diving spots.

The islands were believed to be first sighted by Christopher Columbus on May 10, 1503 when he was on his forth and final disastrous tour. Sir Francis Drake was the first English visitor to the island who eventually named the island as Cayman Islands. Sir Drake landed on the island in 1586. Isaac Bodden is credited to be the first inhabitant of Cayman Island who was born in the islands in the 1700's.

The islands were captured by British Government along with Jamaica in 1670. later Jamaica became an independent territory whereas Cayman Islands remained an overseas British territory thereafter.

The Cayman Islands are a conglomeration of three fairly large islands in size namely Grand Cayman and two "Sister Islands" named Cayman Brac and Little Cayman. These islands are located about 480 miles (770 km) south of Miami, 150 miles (240 km) south of Cuba, and 180 miles (290 km) northwest of Jamaica. Of the three islands in Cayman Islands, Grand Cayman is the biggest of the lot. The islands were formed off the deposition of large corals on the western extensions of Cuban Sierra Maestra range.

The fauna life of Cayman consists of two endemic subspecies of Amazona parrots namely Amazona leucocephala hesterna, or Cayman Brac Parrot and the endangered Blue Iguana.

The Grand Canyon is administratively divided into six districts namely:

• George Town (the present capital)
• East End
• North Side
• West Bay
• Bodden Town (the former capital)
  
  
  
  Cayman Brac (the second largest island) also is divided into 6 districts namely
  
  
• West End
• Stake Bay
• Creek
• The Rock
• Cotton Tree Bay
• Watering Place
  
  Turtling used be the chief source of income for the inhabitants of Cayman Islands, although presently financial services and tourism have come up as the pillars of economy for the islands. The United States of America is the largest trading partner of the Cayman islands. As a matter of fact tourism accounts for 70-75% of the annual GDP of the Islands. The islands are famous for its superb shipping facilities and its picturesque locales.