Grand Cayman

Grand Cayman from space, April 1994
Geography
Grand Cayman (off the coast of Cuba)
Location	Caribbean
Coordinates	19°20′N 81°13′W / 19.333°N 81.217°W / 19.333; -81.217
Archipelago	Greater Antilles
Area	196 square kilometres (76 sq mi)
Highest point	unnamed (24 metres (79 ft))
Country
United Kingdom
British Overseas Territory	Cayman Islands
Largest city	George Town (pop. 20,636)
Demographics
Population	44021 (as of 1999)
Density	224.6 /km2 (582 /sq mi)
Ethnic groups	mixed 40%, white 20%, black 20%, expatriates of various ethnic groups 20%

Coordinates: 19°20′N 81°13′W / 19.333°N 81.217°W / 19.333; -81.217 Grand Cayman is the largest of the three Cayman Islands at about 196 km² and contains the capital George Town. Towns on the island are referred to as "districts".

The island is a high-lying reef of "ironshore" (limestone fringes with numerous marine fossils), with a highest elevation of roughly 24 metres above sea level. There is no natural fresh water on the island, so any fresh water needs must be met by catchments or desalination of seawater. The lack of rivers does however account for the exceptional clarity of the sea.

The island was devastated by Hurricane Ivan in 2004 from September 11 to September 12. With Category 5 strength, Ivan passed within 30 miles (48 km) of Grand Cayman, hitting it with winds over 180 mph (290 km/h) and gusts up to 200 mph (320 km/h). The island reported no more than a few deaths - none directly caused by the hurricane - but over 80% of the buildings were either damaged or completely destroyed. Ivan was the worst hurricane to hit the island in 86 years.

The eastern side of the island is somewhat undeveloped, while the western side of the island, which holds George Town and the airport, Owen Roberts International Airport, is more developed. Fast food restaurants, night clubs and resorts can be found on the western side of the island. The eastern districts offer more restaurants specialising in native Caymanian cuisine.

[edit] Tourism

The economy depends mainly on tourism - GDP is approximately 50% tourist related. Grand Cayman claims many other tourism attractions other than Seven Mile Beach. Grand Cayman is particularly well known for spectacular scuba diving and snorkeling. The island features many reefs and walls, some of which can be accessed by swimming from shore.

1-2 year old Green Sea Turtles in a petting tank at the Turtle farm.

The district of West Bay features a turtle farm. The majority of Green Sea Turtles are raised for their meat, a traditional food in Caymanian culture which was increasingly scarce in the wild. The farm can produce upwards of 1800 turtles a year, however, some of the farmed turtles are released. Between 1980 and 2006, the farm released some 30,600 turtles to the wild, and these individuals have subsequently been found throughout the Caribbean.^[1] The turtle farm also has several rare Blue Iguanas and a caiman on display.

West Bay district is also home to a formation of limestone affectionately known to islanders as Hell. Merchandise "from Hell" can be purchased nearby.

Stingray City in Grand Cayman allows swimmers, snorkelers, and divers to swim and feed stingrays.

Stingray City, located a short boat ride from the northern end of Grand Cayman, is a series of shallow sand bars where Southern stingrays are found in abundance and visitors can feed, pet, and interact with the animals. The stingrays can grow to large sizes (100 cm or more in span) and are quite accustomed to being handled and fed. A trip from a local tour operator will usually include snorkeling in coral gardens before arriving at Stingray City.

In the southern district of Bodden Town is the historic house of Pedro St. James, considered the birthplace of democracy in the Cayman Islands. It is also the oldest known existing stone structure on Grand Cayman. Bodden Town was also the first Capital of the Cayman Islands.

The Grand Cayman Blue iguana is one of the rarest lizards in the world, found only in the Cayman Islands.

The Eastern districts refers to Bodden Town, East End and North Side. In the centre of the island (in North Side district) is the Mastic Trail, a hiking trail through old-growth dry forests that used to cover the entire island. Flora and fauna native to Grand Cayman can be seen on the trail, including Yellow Mastics (Sideroxylon foetidissimum), Black Mastics (Terminalia eriostachya), Blue Iguanas (Cyclura lewisi), and Grand Cayman Amazons (Amazona leucocephala caymanensis).

Grand Cayman is the only island in the Caribbean to have an operational turtle farm.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] Entertainment

[edit] Economy

Cayman Airways has its headquarters on Grand Cayman.^[2]

[edit] Transportation

Owen Roberts International Airport serves Grand Cayman with domestic and international flights. There are also taxis and bus routes. One may rent a car at the many rent-a-cars around the island.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] Education

The Cayman Islands Education Department operates government schools.

Government high schools in Grand Cayman include:

• John Gray High School^[3]
• Clifton Hunter High School
• George Hicks Campus (Middle School)^[4]

Government primary schools include:

• Bodden Town Primary School
• John A. Cumber Primary School
• East End Primary School
• George Town Primary School
• North Side Primary School
• Prospect Primary School
• Red Bay Primary School
• Savannah Primary School

Private schools include:

• Cayman Academy
• St. Ignatius Catholic School
• Cayman Prep and High School
• Cayman International School
• Triple C School
• First Baptist Christian School

Private Universities include:

• St. Matthews University of Medicine/Veterinary Medicine

In addition, a special government school, Lighthouse School, is on the island.

[edit] Athletics

The Residences at the Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman Legends Championship is a professional tennis tournament held each year in Grand Cayman.

[edit] Grand Cayman in fiction

The island was featured in the book The Firm by John Grisham and subsequently in the films The Firm and more recently Haven directed by Caymanian, Frankie Flowers Jnr., starring Orlando Bloom. The islands were also featured in the movie Cayman Went.

[edit] References

1. ^ "Cayman Islands Turtle Farm". http://turtle.ky/history.htm. Retrieved 2009-10-28. 
2. ^ "Contact Us." Cayman Airways. Retrieved on 19 October 2009.
3. ^ "Learning Village - John Gray High School". http://www.italic.ky/lv/johngray/school.nsf/HomePage/Welcome. Retrieved 2008-06-23. 
4. ^ "Learning Village - George Hicks High School". http://www.italic.ky/lv/GH/school.nsf/HomePage/Welcome. Retrieved 2008-06-23. 

[edit] External links

• Cayman Islands Department of Tourism
• Cayman Islands Government
• "CIA - The World Factbook - Cayman Islands". https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/cj.html#Geo. Retrieved 2008-06-23. 
• Discover Cayman - Tourism Portal for the Cayman Islands
• Grand Cayman Diving - Reports and videos of Grand Cayman diving
• Grand Cayman travel guide from Wikitravel
• "National Hurricane Committee - Emergency Management". Cayman Islands Government. http://www.caymanprepared.ky/portal/page?_pageid=1143,1&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL. Retrieved 2007-08-18. 
• The Reef Resort - A Grand Cayman beachfront resort