Cayman Islands

Cayman Islands
Flag Coat of arms
Motto: "He hath founded it upon the seas"
Anthem: God Save the Queen (official) National Song: "Beloved Isle Cayman"
Capital (and largest city)		George Town 19°20′N 81°24′W / 19.333°N 81.4°W / 19.333; -81.4
Ethnic groups		40% Afro-European, 20% European, 20% African, 20% other[1]
Demonym		Caymanian
Government		British Overseas Territory (constitutional monarchy and parliamentary democratic dependency)
-	Monarch	H.M. Queen Elizabeth II
-	Governor	Duncan Taylor
-	Premier	McKeeva Bush
Legislature		Legislative Assembly
Establishment
-	British Overseas Territory	1962
-	Current Constitution	6 November 2009
Area
-	Total	264 km2 (206th) 102 sq mi
-	Water (%)	1.6
Population
-	2010 census estimate	54,878 (209th)
-	Density	212[2]/km2 (57th) 549/sq mi
GDP (PPP)		2008 estimate
-	Total	$2.25 billion
-	Per capita	$43,800
GDP (nominal)		2010 estimate
-	Total	$2.25 billion (158th)
-	Per capita	$47,000
HDI (2003)		n/a (NA) (unranked)
Currency		Cayman Islands dollar (KYD)
Time zone		(UTC-5)
-	Summer (DST)	not observed (UTC-5)
Drives on the		left
Internet TLD		.ky
Calling code		+1-345

The Cayman Islands ( /ˈkeɪmən/ or /keɪˈmæn/) is a British Overseas Territory 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.^[3]

History

This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (July 2011)

The Cayman Islands were first logged as sighted by Christopher Columbus 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 turtles 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.

Cayman Islands National Museum, George Town, Grand Cayman

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.^{[citation needed]}

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.^[4] 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 part of the Colony of 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, Duke of Clarence and St Andrews. While this remains a popular legend, Queen Elizabeth II herself, along with various history books, states the story is not true.^[5]

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 flooded many areas of Grand Cayman, and an estimated 95% of the buildings on the island were damaged as well as many destroyed.^{[6][not in citation given (See discussion.)]} Power, water and communications were disrupted in some areas for months as Ivan was the worst hurricane to hit the islands in 87 years.^{[citation needed]} Grand Cayman began a major rebuilding process and within two years, its infrastructure was nearly^{[weasel words]} 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.^[7]

Geography

Map of the Cayman Islands, showing 3 islands about 120 kilometres apart 75 mi.

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, 6,000 m (20,000 ft) deep ^[8] which lies 6 km (3.7 mi) to the south.^[9] The islands lie in the northwest of the Caribbean Sea, south of Cuba and west of Jamaica. They are situated about 700 km (430 mi) south of Miami,^[10] 366 km (227 mi) south of Cuba,^[11] and about 500 km (310 mi) northwest of Jamaica.^[12] Grand Cayman is by far the biggest, with an area of 197 km² (76 sq mi).^[13] The two "Sister Islands" of Cayman Brac and Little Cayman are located about 120 km (75 mi) east north-east of Grand Cayman and have areas of 38 and 28.5 km² (15 and 11.0 sq mi)^[14] respectively.

George Town waterfront

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 ft) above sea level, the highest point on the islands.^[15]

Terrain is mostly a low-lying limestone base surrounded by coral reefs.

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, which is endemic to Grand Cayman.^[16] Also present are the Central American agouti, along with the Booby Birds on Cayman Brac.^[17]

Climate

Signs at Rum Point commemorating landed and near-miss hurricanes of the past

The Cayman Islands have a tropical marine climate, with a wet season of warm, rainy summers (May to October) and a dry season of relatively cool winters (November to April).^{[citation needed]}

A major natural hazard is the tropical cyclones that form during the Atlantic hurricane season from June to November.

On September 11 and 12, 2004, Hurricane Ivan struck the Cayman Islands. The storm resulted in two deaths, and caused great damage to the infrastructure on the islands. The total economic impact of the storms was estimated to be $3.4 billion. ^[18]

Demographics

The Cayman Islands have more registered businesses than they have people.^[19] The latest population estimate of the Cayman Islands is about 56,000 as at mid 2011, 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-Caucasian). The islands are almost exclusively Christian, 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.^[20] The population is projected to rise to 60,000 by 2020.

The capital of the Cayman Islands is George Town, which is located on the southwest coast of Grand Cayman.

Population of the districts

Traditional Caymanian home - East End, Grand Cayman

According to the Cayman Islands 2010 census the estimated resident population is 54,878 people,^[21] broken down as follows:

• George Town: 35,600
• West Bay: 11,269
• Bodden Town: 10,341
• North Side: 1,437
• East End: 1,369
• Cayman Brac and Little Cayman (Sister Islands): 2,277

Economy

Graphical depiction of Cayman Islands's product exports in 28 color coded categories.

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.^[22] The islands print their own currency, the Cayman Islands Dollar (KYD), which is pegged to the U.S. dollar at a fixed rate of 1 KYD = 1.25 USD.^[23]

The government's primary source of income is indirect taxation: 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 exemptions include books, cameras, and infant formula.^{[citation needed]}

Tourism

Panorama of Seven Mile Beach on Grand Cayman

One of Grand Cayman'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 Savannah, also attract visitors.^[24] Tourists also visit the Sister Islands, Little Cayman^[25] and Cayman Brac.^[26]

Stingrays pass each other at Stingray City sandbar off Grand Cayman Island

All three islands offer scuba diving, and the Cayman Islands are home to several snorkeling locations, where tourists can swim with stingrays. The most popular area to do this is Stingray City, Grand Cayman.

There are two shipwrecks off the shores of Cayman Brac, including the MV Keith Tibbetts;^{[citation needed]} Grand Cayman has several shipwrecks off its shores. The USS Kittiwake 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-acre (93,000 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 National Trust for the Cayman Islands provides guided tours weekly on the Mastic Trail and other locations.^[27]

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.

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 convenience; 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 fund formation and investment, structured finance and securitization, captive insurance, and general corporate activities."^[28] 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,^[29] with $1.5 trillion in banking liabilities.^[28] There are 279 banks (as of June 2008^[update]), 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.^[30]

There are a number of service providers. These include global financial institutions including HSBC, Deutsche Bank, UBS, and Goldman Sachs; over 80 administrators, leading accountancy practices (incl. the Big Four auditors), and offshore law practices including Maples & Calder.^[31] They also include wealth management such as Rothschilds private banking and financial advice.^[32]

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.^[31] 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.^[33]

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.^[34] 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.^[34]

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.^[35]

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".^[36][37]

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.^[38]

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.^[39]

Labour

The Cayman Islands has a small population and therefore a limited work force. Work permits may therefore be granted to foreigners. On average, there have been more than 21,000 foreigners holding valid Work Permits.^[40]

Jamaican-born roadside woodcarver working outside Bodden Town

Work permits for non-citizens

In order to work in the Cayman Islands as a non-citizen, 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.^[41] 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.^[42]

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.^[43] 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.^[44]

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.^[45] 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.^{[citation needed]}

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.^[46]

Government

The Legislative Assembly building in George Town

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. The current Constitution, incorporating a Bill of Rights, was ordained by a statutory instrument of the United Kingdom in 2009.^[47] 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.^[48]

A Governor is appointed by The Queen of the United Kingdom on the advice of the British Government to represent the monarch.^[49] Governors can exercise complete legislative and executive authority if they wish through blanket powers reserved to them in the constitution.^[50] Bills which have passed the Legislative Assembly require Royal Assent before becoming effective. The Constitution empowers the Governor to withhold Royal Assent in cases where the legislation appears to him or her to be repugnant to or inconsistent with the Constitution or affects the rights and privileges of the Legislative Assembly or the Royal Prerogative, or matters reserved to the Governor by article 55.^[51] The executive authority of the Cayman Islands is vested in the Queen and is exercised by the Government, consisting of the Governor and the Cabinet.^[52] There is an office of the Deputy Governor, who must be a Caymanian and have served in a senior public office. The Deputy Governor is the Acting Governor when the office of Governor is vacant, or the Governor is not able to discharge his duties or is absent from the Cayman Islands.^[53] The current Governor of the Cayman Islands is His Excellency Duncan Taylor, CBE, and the current Deputy Governor is Franz Manderson, MBE.

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.^{[citation needed]}

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.

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 airport departure tax which is built in to the cost of an airline ticket.^[54]

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.^{[citation needed]}

Foreign relations

Foreign policy is controlled by the United Kingdom, 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.^{[citation needed]}

The defence and internal security of the Cayman Islands is the responsibility of the United Kingdom.

Infrastructure

Ports

Ports and harbours include Cayman Brac, and George Town.

Air transport

There are three airports in the Cayman Islands, one for each island.

Welcome sign greets those arriving at Owen Roberts Int'l Airport

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.

Communications

Education

Primary and secondary schools

The Cayman Islands Education Department 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 Islands has campuses located on Grand Cayman and Cayman Brac and is the only government run university on the Cayman Islands.^[55] 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.^[56] Grand Cayman is also home to St. Matthew's University, which includes a medical school and a school of veterinary medicine.^[57] The Cayman Islands Law School, a branch of the University of Liverpool, is based on Grand Cayman.^[58]

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.

Health and public safety

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.^[59]

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.^[60]

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.^{[citation needed]}

Police and fire

The Royal Cayman Islands Police Service (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 British Royal Navy, & United States Coast Guard. The Cayman Islands Fire Service provides fire prevention, fire fighting, and emergency medical rescue by land and air.^[61] Department headquarters are located in George Town and has substations located in Frank Sound, West Bay, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman.^[62]

Aerial View of Grand Cayman Island

Sports

Truman Bodden Sports Complex is a multi-use complex in George Town. The complex is separated into an outdoor, six-lane 25-metre (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 3,000 people.

Association football is the national and most popular sport.^{[citation needed]}

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.^[63]

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.^{[citation needed]}

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.^[64]

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.^[65] 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.^[66]

Music

The Cayman National Cultural Foundation 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.^{[citation needed]}

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. Local radio stations are broadcasted throughout the islands.

Feature films that have been filmed in the Cayman Islands include: The Firm, Haven, Cayman Went ^[67] and Zombie Driftwood.^[68]

Notable Caymanians

• Gladwyn K. Bush, Folk Artist
• McKeeva Bush, Politician, Premier of the Cayman Islands
• Kurt Tibbetts, Politician
• Selita Ebanks Fashion model
• Frank E. Flowers Independent filmmaker, film director and screenwriter
• Ronald Forbes Olympic athlete
• Brett Fraser Olympic athlete
• Shaune Fraser Olympic athlete
• Jason Gilbert Record producer and songwriter
• Cydonie Mothersille Track and field gold medal athlete
• Lee Ramoon Footballer
• Kareem Streete-Thompson Olympic athlete
• Tanya Streeter, Hall-of-Fame Free-Diver
• Dow Travers Olympic athlete
• Edison Mclean, 1st Caymanian gold medalist in Olympic Skeet, Island Games.
• Guy Harvey, Painter (of marine wildlife) & Conservationist

See also

	Geography portal
	North America portal
	Caribbean portal
	United Kingdom portal

• Outline of the Cayman Islands
• Index of Cayman Islands-related articles
• British Overseas Territories
• Money Laundering
• Roman Catholic Mission Sui Iuris of Cayman Islands
• Tax Haven

Notes

External references

• "Cayman Islands". 2005 CIA World Factbook. https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/cj.html. Retrieved 4 July 2005.  Originally from the CIA World Factbook 2000.
• "Non-Self-Governing Territories listed by General Assembly in 2002". United Nations Special Committee of 24 on Decolonization. http://www.un.org/Depts/dpi/decolonization/trust3.htm. Retrieved 4 July 2005. 
• Michael Craton and the New History Committee (2003). Founded upon the Seas: A History of the Cayman Islands and Their People. Ian Randle Publishers, Kingston, Jamaica. ISBN 0-9729358-3-5. 

• Alfredo Zayas y Alfonso, (1914). Lexografía Antillana. El Siglo XX Press, Havana. 
• "History of the Cayman Islands". Caribbean Magazine. http://www.caribbeanmag.com/search/articles/Cayman_Islands/History_of_the_cayman_islands.html. Retrieved July 2010. 

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Articles Related to the Cayman Islands    Geographic locale Lat. and Long. 19°20′N 81°24′W / 19.333°N 81.4°W / 19.333; -81.4 (George Town) v t e Countries and territories of the Caribbean   Sovereign states Commonwealth Realms Antigua and Barbuda Bahamas Barbados Grenada Jamaica Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Commonwealth republics Dominica Trinidad and Tobago Other republics Cuba Dominican Republic Haiti   Dependencies and other areas by parent state United Kingdom Anguilla British Virgin Islands Cayman Islands Montserrat Turks and Caicos Islands Netherlands Aruba Bonaire Curaçao Saba Sint Eustatius Sint Maarten France Guadeloupe Martinique Saint Barthélemy Saint Martin United States Bajo Nuevo Bank Navassa Island Puerto Rico Serranilla Bank U.S. Virgin Islands v t e Countries and dependencies of North America Sovereign states Antigua and Barbuda Bahamas Barbados Belize Canada Colombia San Andrés and Providencia Costa Rica Cuba Dominica Dominican Republic El Salvador France Guadeloupe Martinique Grenada Guatemala Haiti Honduras Iceland Jamaica Mexico Nicaragua Netherlands Bonaire Saba Sint Eustatius Panama St. Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia St. Vincent and the Grenadines Trinidad and Tobago United States Dependencies Denmark Greenland France Clipperton Island St. Barthélemy St. Martin St. Pierre and Miquelon Netherlands Aruba Curaçao Sint Maarten United Kingdom Anguilla Bermuda British Virgin Islands Cayman Islands Montserrat Turks and Caicos Islands United States Navassa Island Puerto Rico U.S. Virgin Islands Venezuela Isla Aves   International membership v t e Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat (Secretary-General) Nations Members Antigua and Barbuda Bahamas1 Barbados Belize Dominica Grenada Guyana Haiti1 Jamaica Montserrat2 St. Kitts and Nevis St. Lucia St. Vincent and the Grenadines Suriname Trinidad and Tobago Associate members Anguilla Bermuda Cayman Islands British Virgin Islands Turks and Caicos Islands Observers Aruba Colombia Curaçao Dominican Republic Mexico Puerto Rico Sint Maarten Venezuela Institutions CSME CDEMA CMO CMO CXC CCJ CFC CEHI CARDI REPAHA ACCP CARICAD CFNI CCC CRITI Related organizations Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States 1 Member of the Community but not of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME). 2 British overseas territory awaiting entrustment to join the CSME.   UK territories v t e British Overseas Territories and Crown dependencies Overseas territories Anguilla Bermuda British Antarctic Territory British Indian Ocean Territory British Virgin Islands Cayman Islands Falkland Islands Gibraltar Montserrat Pitcairn Islands Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Turks and Caicos Islands Crown dependencies Guernsey1 Jersey Isle of Man Sovereign base areas Akrotiri and Dhekelia 1 includes Alderney and Sark v t e Outlying territories of European countries Territories under European sovereignty but closer to or on continents other than Europe (see inclusion criteria for further information) Denmark Greenland France Clipperton Island French Guiana French Polynesia Guadeloupe Martinique Mayotte New Caledonia Réunion Saint Barthélemy Saint Martin Saint Pierre and Miquelon Wallis and Futuna French Southern and Antarctic Lands Île Amsterdam Île Saint-Paul Crozet Islands Kerguelen Islands Adélie Land Scattered islands in the Indian Ocean Italy Pantelleria Pelagie Islands Lampedusa Lampione Linosa Netherlands Aruba Caribbean Netherlands Bonaire Saba Sint Eustatius Curaçao Sint Maarten Norway Bouvet Island Peter I Island Queen Maud Land Portugal Azores Madeira Spain Canary Islands Ceuta Melilla Plazas de soberanía Islas Chafarinas Peñón de Alhucemas Peñón de Vélez de la Gomera United Kingdom Anguilla Bermuda British Virgin Islands Cayman Islands Falkland Islands Montserrat Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha Turks and Caicos Islands British Antarctic Territory British Indian Ocean Territory Pitcairn Islands South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands v t e British Empire and Commonwealth of Nations Legend Current territory  ·   Former territory * now a Commonwealth realm  ·   now a member of the Commonwealth of Nations Europe  18th century 1708–1757  Minorca since 1713  Gibraltar 1763–1782  Minorca 1798–1802  Minorca 19th century 1800–1964  Malta 1807–1890  Heligoland 1809–1864  Ionian Islands 20th century 1921–1937  Irish Free State North America  17th century 1583–1907  Newfoundland 1605–1979  *Saint Lucia 1607–1776  Virginia since 1619  Bermuda 1620–1691  Plymouth Colony 1623–1883  Saint Kitts (*Saint Kitts & Nevis) 1624–1966  *Barbados 1625–1650  Saint Croix 1627–1979  *St. Vincent and the Grenadines 1628–1883  Nevis (*Saint Kitts & Nevis) 1629–1691  Massachusetts Bay Colony 1632–1776  Maryland since 1632  Montserrat 1632–1860  Antigua (*Antigua & Barbuda) 1636–1776  Connecticut 1636–1776  Rhode Island 1637–1662  New Haven Colony 1643–1860  Bay Islands since 1650  Anguilla 1655–1850  Mosquito Coast (protectorate) 1655–1962  *Jamaica 1663–1712  Carolina 1664–1776  New York 1665–1674 and 1702–1776  New Jersey since 1666  British Virgin Islands since 1670  Cayman Islands 1670–1973  *Bahamas 1670–1870  Rupert's Land 1671–1816  Leeward Islands 1674–1702  East Jersey 1674–1702  West Jersey 1680–1776  New Hampshire 1681–1776  Pennsylvania 1686–1689  Dominion of New England 1691–1776  Massachusetts 18th century 1701–1776  Delaware 1712–1776  North Carolina 1712–1776  South Carolina 1713–1867  Nova Scotia 1733–1776  Georgia 1762–1974  *Grenada 1763–1978  Dominica 1763–1873  Prince Edward Island 1763–1791  Quebec 1763–1783  East Florida 1763–1783  West Florida 1784–1867  New Brunswick 1791–1841  Lower Canada 1791–1841  Upper Canada since 1799  Turks and Caicos Islands 19th century 1818–1846  Columbia District / Oregon Country1 1833–1960  Windward Islands 1833–1960  Leeward Islands 1841–1867  Province of Canada 1849–1866  Vancouver Island 1853–1863  Colony of the Queen Charlotte Islands 1858–1866  British Columbia 1859–1870  North-Western Territory 1860–1981  *British Antigua and Barbuda 1862–1863  Stikine Territory 1866–1871  Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1867–1931  *Dominion of Canada2 1871–1964  British Honduras (*Belize) 1882–1983  *St. Kitts and Nevis 1889–1962  Trinidad and Tobago 20th century 1907–1949  Dominion of Newfoundland3 1958–1962  West Indies Federation 1Occupied jointly with the United States 2In 1931, Canada and other British dominions obtained self-government through the Statute of Westminster. see Canada's name. 3Gave up self-rule in 1934, but remained a de jure Dominion until it joined Canada in 1949. South America  17th century 1651–1667  Willoughbyland (Suriname) 1670–1688  St. Andrew and Providence Islands4 18th century 19th century 1831–1966  British Guiana (Guyana) since 1833  Falkland Islands5 20th century since 1908  South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands5 4Now the San Andrés y Providencia Department of Colombia 5Occupied by Argentina during the Falklands War of April–June 1982 Africa  18th century 1792–1961  Sierra Leone 1795–1803  Cape Colony 19th century 1806–1910  Cape Colony 1807–1808  Madeira 1810–1968  Mauritius 1816–1965  Gambia 1856–1910  Natal 1868–1966  Basutoland (Lesotho) 1874–1957  Gold Coast (Ghana) 1882–1922  Egypt 1884–1966  Bechuanaland (Botswana) 1884–1960  British Somaliland 1887–1897  Zululand 1890–1962  Uganda 1890–1963  Zanzibar (Tanzania) 1891–1964  Nyasaland (Malawi) 1891–1907  British Central Africa Protectorate 1893–1968  Swaziland 1895–1920  East Africa Protectorate 1899–1956  Anglo-Egyptian Sudan 20th century 1900–1914  Northern Nigeria 1900–1914  Southern Nigeria 1900–1910  Orange River Colony 1900–1910  Transvaal Colony 1906–1954  Nigeria Colony 1910–1931  South Africa 1914–1954  Nigeria Colony and Protectorate 1915–1931  South West Africa (Namibia) 1919–1960  Cameroons (Cameroon) 6 1920–1963  Kenya 1922–1961  Tanganyika (Tanzania) 6 1923–1965  Southern Rhodesia (Zimbabwe) 7 1924–1964  Northern Rhodesia (Zambia) 1954–1960  Nigeria 1979–1980  Southern Rhodesia (Zimbabwe) 7 6League of Nations mandate 7Southern Rhodesia, which had self-rule from 1923, issued a Unilateral Declaration of Independence on 11 November 1965, as Rhodesia. It returned to British control in December 1979. Asia  17th Century 1685–1824  Bencoolen (Sumatra) 18th century 1702–1705  Côn Đảo 1757–1947  Bengal (West Bengal (India) and Bangladesh) 1762–1764  Manila 1795–1948  Ceylon (Sri Lanka) 1796–1965  Maldives 19th century 1812–1824  Banka (Sumatra) 1812–1824  Billiton (Sumatra) 1819–1826  British Malaya (Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore) 1824–1946  Straits Settlement of Malacca 1826–1946  Straits Settlements 1839–1967  Colony of Aden 1839–1842  Afghanistan 1841–1997  Hong Kong 1841–1946  Kingdom of Sarawak (Malaysia) 1848–1946  Crown colony of Labuan 1858–1947  British India (India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, Burma) 1879–1919  Afghanistan 1882–1963  British North Borneo (Malaysia) 1885–1946  Unfederated Malay States 1888–1984  Sultanate of Brunei 1888–1946  Sultanate of Sulu 1891–1971  Muscat and Oman protectorate 1892–1971  Trucial States protectorate 1895–1946  Federated Malay States 1898–1930  Weihai Garrison 1878–1960  Cyprus 20th century 1918–1961  Kuwait protectorate 1920–1932  Iraq7 1921–1946  Transjordan7 1923–1948  Palestine7 1945–1946  South Vietnam 1946–1963  Sarawak (Malaysia) 1946–1963  Singapore 1946–1948  Malayan Union 1948–1957  Federation of Malaya (Malaysia) since 1960  Akrotiri and Dhekelia (before as part of Cyprus) since 1965  British Indian Ocean Territory (before as part of Mauritius and the Seychelles) 7League of Nations mandate Oceania  18th century 1788–1901  New South Wales 19th century 1803–1901  Van Diemen's Land/Tasmania 1807–1863  Auckland Islands8 1824–1980  New Hebrides (Vanuatu) 1824–1901  Queensland 1829–1901  Swan River Colony/Western Australia 1836–1901  South Australia since 1838  Pitcairn Islands 1841–1907  Colony of New Zealand 1851–1901  Victoria 1874–1970  Fiji9 1877–1976  British Western Pacific Territories 1884–1949  Territory of Papua 1888–1965  Cook Islands8 1889–1948  Union Islands (Tokelau)8 1892–1979  Gilbert and Ellice Islands10 1893–1978  British Solomon Islands11 20th century 1900–1970  Tonga (protected state) 1900–1974  Niue8 1901–1942  *Commonwealth of Australia 1907–1953  *Dominion of New Zealand 1919–1942  Nauru 1945–1968  Nauru 1919–1949  Territory of New Guinea 1949–1975  Territory of Papua and New Guinea12 8Now part of the *Realm of New Zealand 9Suspended member 10Now Kiribati and *Tuvalu 11Now the *Solomon Islands 12Now *Papua New Guinea Antarctica and South Atlantic  17th century since 1659  St. Helena13 19th century since 1815  Ascension Island13 since 1816  Tristan da Cunha13 20th century since 1908  British Antarctic Territory14 13Since 2009 part of Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha; Ascension Island (1922—) and Tristan da Cunha (1938—) were previously dependencies of St Helena 14Both claimed in 1908; territories formed in 1962 (British Antarctic Territory) and 1985 (South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands) v t e Dialects and accents of Modern English by continent Europe Great Britain Black British Black Country Brummie Cheshire Cockney Cornish Cumbrian East Anglian East Midlands Essex Estuary Geordie Kentish Lancashire Mackem Mancunian Mockney Mummerset (mocking) Multicultural London Norfolk Northern Pitmatic Potteries Received Pronunciation Scottish (Glaswegian Highland) Scouse Southern Suffolk dialect Sussex West Midlands Welsh (Cardiff) West Country Yorkshire Ireland Cork Dublin Mid Ulster Other Gibraltarian Guernsey Jersey Manx North America United States African American Vernacular Appalachian Baltimorese Boston Cajun California Central Pennsylvania Chicano General American Hudson Valley Inland Northern American Midland New England New Jersey New York City North–Central American Northeast Pennsylvania Ozark Pacific Northwest Pennsylvania Dutch Philadelphia Pittsburgh Southern American Texan Tidewater Vermont Western Yat Yeshivish Yooper Canada Cape Breton Lunenburg Maritimer Newfoundland Ottawa Valley Twang Pacific Northwest Quebec West/Central Canadian Other Bahamian Barbadian Belizean Bermudian Caribbean Jamaican English in Puerto Rico Trinidadian Oceania Australia General Australian Broad Australian Cultivated Australian Queensland South Australian Victorian Western Australian Australian Aboriginal Torres Strait Other New Zealand Hawai'i South America Falkland Islands Guyanese Africa Cameroon Kenyan Liberian Malawian Namibian Nigerian South African Ugandan Asia Burmese Hong Kong Indian Malaysian Pakistani Filipino Singaporean Sri Lankan Vietnamese v t e English-speaking world Click on a coloured region to get related article:   Countries and territories where English is the national language or the native language of the majority. Africa Saint Helena Americas Anguilla Antigua and Barbuda The Bahamas Barbados Bermuda British Virgin Islands Canada Cayman Islands Dominica Falkland Islands Grenada Guyana Jamaica Montserrat Saba Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Sint Eustatius Sint Maarten South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Trinidad and Tobago Turks and Caicos Islands United States United States Virgin Islands Europe Guernsey Ireland Isle of Man Jersey United Kingdom Oceania Australia New Zealand Norfolk Island   Countries and territories where English is an official language, but not the majority language. 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