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Last updated: 12th December 2011
This chapter includes: Cayman Islands information including Cayman's outlook; social and economic information; our customs, traditions and festivals; legal and political systems; geology, flora and fauna; climate, banking hours and more. It also includes statistical information on Cayman's population size, GDP, financial services numbers, visitor arrival numbers and the unemployment rate. Finally we list the public holidays for 2012 and include a table of Cayman's annual climate.
CAYMAN'S OUTLOOK
A Year in Review
The global downturn that began in 2008 continued to affect economies throughout the world into 2011, and the Cayman Islands were no different. But amidst some discouraging numbers were signs of life and growth, which should offer more positive news for 2012. The population reached an estimated 54,397 in 2010, representing an annual growth of 3% over the years since the last Government census in 1999, but the third consecutive year of slight decreases. Of that total, 20,452 people were living here on work permits (not including those expatriates working for the government), down almost 2,000 from the previous year. Gross domestic product also fell in 2010, decreasing by 4% compared to 2009. The financial services industry, a pillar of the Cayman economy, offered some better news, with new company registrations and new partnerships headed in a positive direction. Tourism, the other economic engine for the Cayman Islands, showed that visitors from around the world continue to be drawn to the natural beauty and many attractions on offer. Both cruise ship and air arrivals posted increases with the 1,597,838 visitors by sea in 2010 representing a 5.1% rise over 2009. Air arrivals rose by 6% to 288,272.
The Government proceeded with several projects throughout 2011, most notably moving from the old “Glass House” into a new home right next door. The new Government Administration Building provides a convenient, environmentally friendly and energy efficient structure and is a huge logistical improvement on having public entities housed in different parts of town. This new building holds Cabinet, the government ministries and the major departments that all serve the Cayman Islands.
Looking Forward
Though the government in 2011, like in many other countries, found it necessary to postpone or cut back some projects to reduce expenditure, such as the completion of two new high schools in Grand Cayman, officials have still been able to plan for economic growth.
Several long-term projects were scheduled to be confirmed or to break ground by the end of 2011 and the beginning of 2012, part of a government strategy to encourage foreign investment in the Cayman Islands and create employment opportunities. During the first half of 2011, the Government signed several memoranda of understanding for large-scale construction projects. With a contract expected to be finalised near the end of 2011, the China Harbour Engineering Company should start work on three cruise-berth projects – to design, build and operate cruise-ship docking facilities in George Town, to renovate and expand the Spotts Jetty and to develop a pier at the Cayman Turtle Farm in West Bay. Construction is also expected to begin at the end of 2011 on the Narayana Cayman University Medical Centre, in partnership with world-renowned heart surgeon Dr. Devi Shetty. It will be located in High Rock, in the district of East End. The first phase of the $2 billion medical tourism facility should take 18 months to complete. In addition, the Government expects to break ground in early 2012 on the initial phase of the technology-based Cayman Enterprise City special economic zone. CEC, part of an eight year US$327 million private investment, should create about 5,000 jobs when the final phase is completed in three years, and will comprise six campuses, including Cayman Internet Park, CayBiotech and Cayman International Academic Park.
The Dart Group has signed a deal in which US$415 million will be invested in Cayman over the next five years, that includes giving the Government 110 acres of land for a new solid waste disposal facility in Bodden Town while taking over the George Town Landfill to close, cap and remediate what has become known as Mount Trashmore and converting much of the land into a public park. Another part of the deal provides for Dart to redevelop the former Courtyard Marriott Hotel and create a new four or five-star property on Seven Mile Beach.Finally, the Government have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with a Canadian company to renovate and expand the airports in Grand Cayman and in Cayman Brac. This will include extending the runway to accommodate long-haul flights from Europe and further afield.
ABOUT CAYMAN
A history of the Cayman Islands, our customs, traditions, festivals, legal and political systems, geology, flora and fauna, climate, banking hours and dress code.
HISTORY & POLITICS
Early Cayman History
Christopher Columbus is credited with discovering the Cayman Islands. The explorer was on his fourth voyage of discovery when his ships, the Santiago de Palos and the Capitana, sailed past Cayman Brac and Little Cayman. The date was the 10th of May 1503, and his son Ferdinand noted in his journal, “We were in sight of two small low islands filled with tortoises, as was the sea all about.” Columbus and his men didn’t stop. Worm-eaten and leaking badly, their ships laboured on until they had to be beached and eventually abandoned in St. Ann’s Bay, Jamaica.
Some historians question whether Columbus was really the first person to set eyes on the Cayman Islands. In 1499, Queen Isabella of Spain authorised four other voyages to the New World and there may have been several other unauthorised voyages. A full year prior to the visit of Columbus, the three islands appear on the Cantino map, published in 1502. Another clue is that there were as many as a million Carib and Arawak Indians living in the adjacent coastal areas around Cayman at the time of Columbus’ visit. Archival research suggests that Cayman is a word of Carib-Indian origin meaning crocodile. The Carib Indians (Caribs) were proficient mariners and were known to have made ocean journeys in canoes up to 80ft in length. On Columbus’ second voyage, the explorer met with an old Carib in Cuba who had travelled to Jamaica as a youth. In Jamaica itself, hundreds of thousands of Caribs were living just up wind and up current from Cayman. It is certainly possible that the Caribs were Cayman’s first visitors.
In 1655, Admiral William Penn and General Robert Venables were sent from Britain by Oliver Cromwell to take Hispaniola from the Spanish. The so-called “Western Design” failed, as the English did not capture the Spanish stronghold; however, they did manage to seize Jamaica. Shortly thereafter, Cayman became a possession of the United Kingdom following the signing of the Treaty of Madrid in 1670.
From the time of the earliest explorers, Cayman was renowned for the ‘vast herds’ or ‘fleets’ of turtles, which returned to the beaches to breed. In the summer, French, Dutch and English ships would often visit to ‘turn’ turtles and secure wood and water.
About 200 years ago, the people of Cayman embraced a strong Christian ethic, and this heritage continues to the present day. As a result, and despite the celebration of Pirate’s Week (Cayman’s National Festival) at the beginning of November, the piratical part of Cayman history is downplayed in favour of district heritage days. However, some of the most notorious pirates did indeed visit Cayman, and the Islands were an ideal refuge for buccaneers. Cayman is remote and isolated in the northwestern part of the Caribbean, but also lies astride the route of treasure galleons returning to Spain, laden with gold and silver from the New World. The Islands offered pirate captains the possibility of finding crews to man captured vessels, a ready source of protein in the form of turtle meat and a quiet location away from the authorities where pirates could hide their loot and careen and repair their vessels following an engagement. Some of the biggest names in buccaneering circles, including Lowther, Lowe, Morgan and Blackbeard, prowled the coasts of the Cayman Islands.
The Legal System
The Cayman Islands legal system is based on English common law, with the addition of local statutes which have, in many respects, changed and modernised the common law. The Islands have a good legal and judicial system, constantly being upgraded to enhance their safety and reputation as a leading financial centre. The courts system is a simple one, with practice and procedure based on English law. Minor criminal and civil cases are tried by a Stipendiary Magistrate sitting in the Summary Court. All serious crimes, and most civil cases, are tried by the Grand Court, presided over by the Chief Justice and Grand Court Judges permanently residing in the Islands. Appeals lie from the Grand Court to the Cayman Islands Court of Appeal, which sits in Grand Cayman, and from there to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in England. New residents, especially those from the US, may be surprised to find that barristers in court wear wigs and gowns.
The Political System
Elections take place every four years. A new constitution is now in place. The people elect 15 representatives to sit on their behalf in parliament and the legislative assembly. In addition to the 15 elected representatives, three official (nominated) representatives are also included in the parliamentary process. There is a discussion in process about adding a 16th elected official. Immediately following an election, the elected representatives meet and vote on whom, out of their number, should form the government cabinet. Five members are chosen and are assigned various ministerial responsibilities by the Governor. Ministries include such things as health, public works and tourism. The five members of the cabinet then determine who out of their number will become Premier and, in addition, the backbenchers, or non-cabinet members, choose one amongst their number to become Leader of the Opposition.
Relationship with the UK
The Cayman Islands have been connected to the United Kingdom since the signing of the Treaty of Madrid in 1670. From that time until 1962, Cayman was linked to Jamaica as a dependency. In 1962, Jamaica chose to become independent, but the Cayman Islands decided to remain a British colony. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office recently discontinued the use of the term “Dependent Territory” and the Islands are now called an “Overseas Territory.” The Foreign and Commonwealth Office appoints a Governor, whose responsibilities cover a number of areas including: National Security, Foreign Affairs, Police, Immigration, the Passport Office, the Postal Services and other portfolios such as Broadcasting, District Administration and Civil Service.
GEOGRAPHY
Geology
The Cayman Islands are the tops of seamount pinnacles reaching up from the Cayman Trench – one of the deepest sections of ocean in the world. The Cayman Ridge stretches from the Sierra Maestra mountain range in Cuba to the Gulf of Honduras. This ridge forms the northern margin of the Cayman Trough, which is 100 miles wide and reaches depths in excess of 18,000 feet. The Islands’ position near the Oriente Transform Fault and the mid-Cayman rise means that the three islands are separate uplifted fault blocks that were pushed up by friction between the North American and the Caribbean tectonic plates. According to the research of geologist Brian Jones, each island appears to have a granodiorite foundation, which is succeeded by a cap of basalt and an uppermost layer composed of carbonates. These carbonates were created by living organisms such as corals, algae and shells, and were laid down during sea level changes over the past 30 million years.
Caymanite
Hidden away under the jagged crust of Grand Cayman’s East End and the craggy cliffs of the Bluff in Cayman Brac, lie beautiful and mysterious mineral deposits. These rock strata are found only in the Cayman Islands and are well disguised by the surrounding limestone.
Caymanite has layers of colours in earth tones, created by the different metallic contents of each strata. Its hardness challenges any who work on it but when cut and polished the stone has radiant hues and can be transformed into unique jewelry and carvings. There is a permanent Caymanite display at the Cayman Islands National Museum and pieces can be purchased at various places in Cayman including the Museum and Pure Art Gallery.
Flora and Fauna
Cayman is world-renowned for its marine life, but there is much to see on land as well. Over 650 different species of plants have been recorded and the forests are far more diverse than those found in more temperate northerly latitudes. Two of the best places to see the flora and fauna of Grand Cayman are the Botanic Park and the Mastic Trail. Cayman Brac and Little Cayman are also particularly popular with bird watchers. Little Cayman has a major breeding ground for a species of cormorant called the red-footed booby. The colourful native parrot can be heard chattering in almond trees on all three islands, especially at sunset. Frogs, lizards and green iguanas are common around houses, especially those backing onto the bush. Bats can be seen at night (and are completely harmless). Large, edible land crabs crawl across roads after heavy rains. Agouti (known locally as rabbit) are shy and rarely seen. Fresh water ponds attract migrating birds and are filled with hicatee (a species of aquatic tortoise) and tiny minnows. About half of Cayman is swamp, so there are large areas of mangrove wilderness. The mangroves are an important breeding ground for fish and birds and their protection is a major project of the National Trust for the Cayman Islands.
Mosquitoes
Cayman has come a long way, not least in the reduction of mosquitoes. Before the Mosquito Research and Control Unit (MRCU) was established in 1965, mosquito numbers were legendary. On a single night, 793,103 mosquitoes were caught in a light trap in Bodden Town. Reports of livestock being suffocated during the night were common and people just did not venture outdoors without a smoke-pot to drive off mosquitoes. Then Dr. Marco Giglioli came to Cayman; he believed that by manipulating the water levels of the swamps (the main breeding ground for mosquitoes) he could control the pests by physical means. The plan worked and Giglioli then introduced a species of fish into the swamps which are particularly voracious predators of mosquito larvae. Finally, aerial spraying in remote areas had an additional impact. Nowadays, mosquitoes are only really a nuisance for about 15 minutes around sunset, and then only in the summer months after extensive rainfall. Reducing the numbers of mosquitoes has been one of the most significant factors in allowing Cayman to progress to where it is today.
CUSTOMS & TRADITIONS
Once known as the “islands that time forgot,” the Cayman Islands have been catapulted into the 21st century at, some say, an alarming rate. Interestingly, the last decade has seen a determined effort to maintain the delicate balance between preserving the essence and simplicity of the past while moving resolutely into the future to maintain the country’s status as one of the world’s premier tourism, banking and finance centres. Many Caymanian customs and traditions are linked inextricably to religious holidays. Whether camping by the sea at Easter or hunting for land crabs during the rainy season, events are social in nature and family-oriented. Visit East End on any given Sunday and you will see families and friends, recently returned from church, ‘shooting the breeze’ on their front porches or enjoying a noisy game of dominoes under the shade of a breadfruit tree. Being up on the ‘Marl Road’ (gossip) is as important as drawing breath in the Cayman Islands!
Backing Sand
Family outings to the beach at the weekend are a major part of Caymanian culture, but sand plays another very important role in Cayman at Christmas time. Unlike many parents around the world, Caymanians have always been able to guarantee their children a white Christmas. The tradition of ‘backing sand’ has stood the test of time. Often, beginning as early as October, Caymanian women and children could be seen by the light of the moon carrying ‘ground baskets,’ woven from leaves of the magnificent thatch palm trees that tower loftily over the Islands, brimming with powder-white sand from the beaches. The sand would be deposited in the front yard and on Christmas Eve raked into intricate patterns and decorated with shiny new conch shell pathways.
Catboat Regattas
Cayman’s proud maritime history has served to provide many lasting traditions. The Catboat, a simple sailing boat once used for fishing and turtling in and around Cayman waters, is enjoying a revival thanks to the recently established Cayman Islands Catboat Club. Regular regattas are held in Grand Cayman and the sight of these humble, yet skilfully crafted vessels tacking their way around George Town’s bustling harbour, vying for space amid cruise ships, dive boats and tenders, is a truly remarkable snapshot of the juxtaposition of past and present you will encounter constantly in Cayman.
Thatch Weaving & Rope Making
Another noteworthy tradition is that of thatch weaving. ‘Laying rope’ was once one of the few means of making a living for Caymanian women and children while the men were away at sea, and this valuable custom has been passed down from generation to generation. Certain districts were known to produce the best ‘tops’ for cutting and people would often walk for miles to collect bundles of thatch, which would later be stripped, dried and twisted into fine fathoms of rope. These, in turn, would be traded overseas or exchanged for goods such as cloth, sugar or kerosene.
Turtles and Turtling
When the first Europeans came to Cayman they found one of the largest turtle nesting grounds on earth. For nearly 200 years, ships of all nations came to these shores to turn green and loggerhead turtles and dry their flesh, an easily obtainable source of protein for ship or plantation stores. Early on, Cayman became the centre of the Caribbean turtle industry. The English from Jamaica, who first settled in Cayman in the 1660s, came to be regarded as skilled turtlers. By 1800, the turtle population had dwindled and the local turtling fleet turned their attention to the south coast of Cuba and the coastline of Central America. Until the early 1960s, Cayman still supplied the largest share of turtles entering foreign markets from the Caribbean. These were mostly caught on the Mosquito Coast of Nicaragua. The turtling culture continues to this day, with approximately 20 Caymanians licensed to catch four turtles per year. In addition, the Turtle Farm, formally known as Boatswains Beach, is a major tourist attraction, and continues to supply the local market with turtle meat.
The Traditional Cayman Home
The oldest known style of Caymanian home is the ‘wattle and daub’ cottage, which dates back to the mid-18th century. The house was usually rectangular, with foundation posts made from termite-resistant ironwood. Gaps between the ironwood or mahogany posts were filled with a basket weave of wattled sticks and then plastered on either side with lime daub made from burnt coral. The earliest roofs were thatched using palm tree fronds, but in more recent times, wood, shingle or corrugated zinc have been used. Windows were simple openings with wood board shutters, while smoke-pots helped keep out mosquitoes. Normally these one-storey dwellings would feature a steeply pitched roof. This would keep the houses cooler, as hot air rises. The yard would be shaded with seagrape and almond trees, and there would be a separate ‘caboose’ for cooking.
FORMALITIES
Attire and Dress Standards
Business attire is usually conservative: for men, long trousers, long sleeved collared shirts and a tie. Jackets are very rarely worn, even in board meetings, but are compulsory for lawyers attending court proceedings. For women, a smart skirt, dress or slacks with a blouse is appropriate. Many workplaces dress down on Fridays. For social occasions, Cayman residents love to dress up and even so-called casual attire will be quite smart. Women dress in the same way they would in America and Europe. Away from the workplace the dress is casual; shopping and running errands are done in whatever is cool. Shorts, t-shirts and sundresses are acceptable, but only tourists wear swimwear away from the beach.
Date System
The Cayman Islands use the English date system: day/month/year. However, because of the influence of the US, some people write the date as month/day/year.
Daylight Savings Time
Cayman does not adjust its clocks when the US goes to daylight savings time. During the summer, we are on US Central time and in the winter, we are on US Eastern time.
Greenwich Mean Time (GMT)
The Cayman Islands’ Standard Time is five hours behind GMT. When the United Kingdom is on British Summer Time, the time difference between the UK and Cayman is six hours. In 2012, British Summer Time starts on Sunday the 25th of March and ends on Sunday the 28th of October.
Sunday Closings
By law, most businesses in Cayman close on Sunday. Establishments open on Sunday include some pharmacies, gas stations, restaurants and hotels.
Greeting Customs
The Island greeting custom is as follows: the polite thing to do is to always say “good morning” or “good evening” on first meeting. In referring to a Caymanian, we usually use the first name but preface it with a ‘Miss’ or a ‘Mr,’ for example, “Miss Sophie” or “Mr. Charles.” ‘Mrs.’ is rarely used. If you do not know someone’s name and they are older than you, then you should refer to him or her as “Sir” or “Ma’am.”
Business Hours
Typical business opening hours are: Monday-Friday: 8.30am-5pmSaturday: 9am-1pm (Usually only retail outlets are open on Saturdays)
Bank Hours
Most banks are open Monday-Thursday from 9am-4pm and Friday from 9am-4.30pm, but some bank branches are also open on Saturdays between 9am-1pm.
Climate
The most pleasant weather in Cayman is during the winter, from December to April. During this time there is little rain, brilliant sunshine and a constant cool sea breeze. In fact, it can get quite chilly at times, so definitely bring a light jacket or sweatshirt for just such days. These months also coincide with peak tourist season. May to November is the rainy season, but unless there is a tropical depression sitting over Cayman, the rain is normally only heavy for a few hours and then stops for the rest of the day. It is not uncommon to have heavy rain in one part of town while it remains dry nearby.
CAYMAN'S CLIMATE AT A GLANCE:
| |
Average day-time max temperature |
Average hours of sunshine |
Average inches of rain |
| January |
77.8F or 25.4C |
8 |
0.6 |
| February |
78.5F or 25.8C |
9 |
1.4 |
| March |
78.5F or 25.8C |
9 |
0.2 |
| April |
82F or 27.7C |
10 |
2.3 |
| May |
85F or 29.4C |
9 |
3.1 |
| June |
86F or 30C |
8 |
9.6 |
| July |
85F or 29.4C |
9 |
8.4 |
| August |
86.3F or 30.2C |
8 |
4.7 |
| September |
84.5F or 29.2C |
8 |
14.9 |
| October |
83F or 28.3C |
7 |
12.4 |
| November |
81F or 27.2C |
9 |
1.1 |
| December |
75.7F or 24.3C |
8 |
1.6 |
Illegal Drugs
The Cayman Islands have very strict laws regarding the use of illegal drugs.
FACTS
Composition:
Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman
Location:
Grand Cayman – Western Caribbean, about 150 miles south of Cuba, 480 miles southwest of Miami, 180 miles northwest of Jamaica
Cayman Brac– 89 miles northeast of Grand Cayman
Little Cayman– 5 miles west of Cayman Brac
Capital:George Town, in southwest Grand Cayman
Size:101sq miles (total area)
Grand Cayman– area: 76sq miles; length: 22 miles; average width:
4 miles; highest point: about 60ft above sea level
Cayman Brac– area: 15sq miles; length: 12 miles; average width: 1.5 miles; highest point: The Bluff – 140ft above sea level
Little Cayman– area: 10sq miles; length: 10 miles; average width: just over 1 mile; highest point: 40ft above sea level
Population:54,397 (2010) 31,169 (2009) are Caymanians
National Income:
GDP per capita:CI$42,605 (2010)
Total GDP:CI$2,318 million (2010)
Total Government Revenue:CI$515.8 million (2010)
Total Government Expenditure: CI$ 578.2 million (2010)
Other Statistics (2010 & Q1 2011):
Annual Population Growth Rate:3%
Unemployment rate:6.7%
Total Work Permits:19,877 (excludes Govt foreign workers)
Total Labour Force: 35,859
Total # Government Employees:3,618
Inflation Rate:0.3%
Imports:CI$688.3 million Exports: CI$14.1 million
Bank & Trust Licences:250
Captive Insurance Licences:720
Mutual Fund Registrations:9,261
Total Company Registrations: 91,712
Total Bank Assets:CI$1.78 trillion
Doctors per 1,000 population:3.1
Visitor Air Arrivals:288,272
Cruise Ship Arrivals:1,597,838
Main Industries:Tourism, Financial Services
Political Status:Overseas Territory of the United Kingdom (i.e. British dependency)
Nationalities:Over 106 different nationalities are represented in Cayman. The majority of the population is Caymanian, Jamaican, British, American, Canadian, Filipino and South American.
Information from The Economics and Statistics Office.
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS 2012
Monday, 2nd January New Year’s Day (observed)
Monday, 23rd January National Heroes’ Day
Wednesday, 22nd February Ash Wednesday
Friday, 6th April Good Friday
Monday, 9th April Easter Monday
Monday, 21st May Discovery Day (3rd Monday in May)
Monday, 4th June Queen’s Diamond Jubilee
Monday, 18th June Queen’s Birthday
Monday, 2nd July Constitution Day (1st Monday in July)
Monday, 12th November Remembrance Day
Monday, 25th December Christmas Day
Agricultural Show
Cayman agriculture has a long history. Until recently, Caymanians had to survive on what they could grow on their land and what the sea provided. Now in its 45th year, the Agricultural Show and its success is a testament to the love and importance of the land to the people of Cayman. Held on Ash Wednesday every year, it is a family event worth attending. Ash Wednesday is always a public holiday in Cayman.
Christmas
Christmas in Cayman is magical! There might not be snow and crackling hearths, but we do put up real Christmas trees and fill our gardens with twinkling lights as the round of parties and good cheer begins. Traditions include visiting the Crightons’ magnificent garden in Red Bay which, from mid-December, becomes a theatrical display of lights. Early in December everyone congregates in central George Town to sing carols and see the Christmas tree lights switched on by the Governor’s wife. There is a Parade of Lights, where boats decked with lights parade in the harbour while the National Choir sings carols, and there are fireworks – always extravagant and inspiring.
Rundown
This popular local show created by David Martins is now in its 21st year. The show was named after a spicy Caymanian dish which combines lots of different ingredients. The format is a series of skits, music, stand-up comedy, monologues, dance and impersonations. It is a gentle satirical look at Caymanian life, politics and people. For additional information call (345) 949 5477 or visit www.artscayman.org
National Festival-Pirates Week
In 2012, Cayman’s National Festival, Pirates Week, will run in Grand Cayman in November 8 to 18th. The Sister Islands celebrate either side of those dates. Over the last 34 years, it has become the country’s largest celebration, drawing some 35,000 patrons. It now encompasses 32 different events, which in the past have included eight street dances, five heritage days, a float parade and landing pageant, firework shows, a song contest, two swim meets, a darts tournament, a steelband competition, kids fun day, two teen music nights, an underwater treasure hunt and two running races. For more information contact the National Festival office at (345) 949 5859 or visit www.piratesweekfestival.com
Gimistory
The Cayman National Cultural Foundation also presents Gimistory, a story-telling festival featuring eight evenings of entertainment by international and local story tellers. Held in the last week of November each year, admission is free and audiences are treated to Caymanian delicacies of fried fish, fritters and swanky (lemonade).
Batabano
The Batabano carnival is usually held the week after Easter each year. It is a colourful four day event which includes a carnival ball, soca song competition, street parade, street dance and a beach fête. For more information, check the Batabano website at www.caymancarnival.com
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