Three Islands
Nestled in the calm, turquoise waters of the western Caribbean, lies the peaceful British Overseas Territory known as the Cayman Islands. Consisting of three islands just 480 miles south of Miami, Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac, and Little Cayman remain our little piece of paradise.
Government
The Cayman Islands highest official is the Governor, His Excellency, Mr. Duncan Taylor, CBE, who is the appointed representative of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. He presides over Cabinet, the ruling body of the country. Mr. Taylor succeeded Mr. Stuart Jack, CVO. The Governor’s term is four years. The existing constitution of the Cayman Islands, introduced on August 22, 1972, provides for the government of the Cayman Islands as a British Overseas Territory. It established a governing body called the Cabinet, which consists of three officials and five elected members, the latter being selected from the 15 elected representatives of the Legislative Assembly. To see the 15 elected representatives or to get more information visit the Cayman Islands Government website.
Currency
The Cayman Islands has its own currency, first issued in 1972, whose basic unit is the dollar, issued in notes with denominations of CI$100, 50, 25, 10, 5 and 1 and coins valued at 25 cents, 10, 5 and 1 cent. The CI dollar has a fixed exchange rate with the US dollar of CI$1.00 equals US$1.25. Or, the US dollar equals CI $.80. There is no need for visitors to exchange their US dollars into local currency. The US dollar is accepted throughout the islands at a rate of CI 80 cents. However, this can be confusing to visitors: for example, a US$20 note becomes CI$16. Banks do NOT give a better rate of exchange! Major credit cards (with the exception of the Discover Card) and traveller’s checks are widely accepted. Canadian dollars, Euro dollars and pounds sterling can be exchanged for CI dollars at local banks. In addition, Automatic Teller Machines accepting VISA and MasterCard with Cirrus affiliation are located at Cayman National Bank and other banks and at Owen Roberts International Airport as well as a few other locations such as the grocery stores.
Geography
Size Isn’t Everything!
The total land mass of the three islands is 100 square miles. Grand Cayman occupies 76 square miles; Cayman Brac, 14 square miles and Little Cayman, 10 square miles. Grand Cayman is approximately 22 miles long and 8 miles at its widest point, reaching a maximum elevation of 79.77 feet in North Side.
Cayman Brac is 14 miles long and 2 miles wide and has the most dramatic topography of the trio. Its majestic Bluff rises west to east along the length of the island to 151.75 above Spot Bay. Many mysterious caves are carved throughout this awe-inspiring natural attraction.
Little Cayman, only 10 miles long and a mile wide, is flat, reaching a maximum elevation of 55.75 ft. Its famous Bloody Bay wall Marine Park has been called one of the world’s best dive sites. Inland, the 203 – acre Booby Pond Nature Reserve is a RAMSAR site and nesting ground for the Caribbean’s largest population of Red Footed Boobies.
National Song/Symbols
Cayman’s National Song
The beautiful words of the National Song were written and put to music by one of Cayman’s best-known writers of poetry and song, the late Mrs. Leila Ross-Shier. An organist in the Presbyterian Church, she had a great love and talent for music. “Beloved Isle Cayman” was composed in 1930 and she sang it for years accompanying herself on the guitar before it was adopted as a National Song.
BELOVED ISLE CAYMAN
O, land of soft, fresh breezes, or verdant trees so fair
With Thy Creator’s glory, reflected ev’rywhere.
O sea of palest em’rald, merging to darkest blue,
Whene’er my thoughts fly Godward, I always think of you.
Chorus
Dear verdant island, set in blue Caribbean Sea,
I’m coming, coming very soon, O beauteous isle to thee.
Although I wandered far, my heart enshrines thee yet
Homeland fair Cayman Isle, I cannot thee forget.
Away from noise of cities, their fret and carking care,
With moonbeams’ soft caresses, unchecked by garish glare,
Thy fruit with rarest juices, abundant rich and free,
When sweet churchbells are chiming, my fond heart yearns for thee.
When tired of all excitement, and glam’rous worldly care,
How sweet they shores to reach, and find a welcome there.
And when comes on the season, of peace, goodwill to man,
Tis then I love thee best of all, Beloved Isle Cayman.
National Tree: The silver Thatch Palm
National Bird: The Grand Cayman Parrot
National Flower: The Wild Banana Orchid
