Grand Cayman is the largest of the three Cayman Islands and the location of the region's capital, George Town. In connection with the other two other Cayman Islands, it is approximately 75 miles (121 km) southwest of Little Cayman and 90 miles (145 km) southwest of Cayman Brac.
Video Grand Cayman
Geography
Grand Cayman covers 76% of all mainland land. The island is about 22 miles (35 km) long with the widest point being 8 miles (13 km) wide. Its altitude ranges from sea level on the coast to 60 feet (18 m) above sea level in the Northern Mastic Line.
Maps Grand Cayman
island district
Grand Cayman Island covers five of the six districts of the Cayman Islands: Bodden City, East End, George Town, North Side, and West Bay.
- Bodden City - Founded in the 1700s, the Bodden City district comprises the central part of Grand Cayman Island, between the George Town and North Side districts. Bodden Town Village is the original capital of the Cayman Islands. Its population is currently listed at 5.764.
- East End - East End District is located on the east side of Grand Cayman Island and consists mainly of East End Village, many natural attractions, restaurants and accommodation. Its population is currently listed at 1.371.
- George Town - The capital of the Cayman Islands and the world-renowned offshore banking and investment center, its population is currently listed at 20,676.
- North Side - Including Kaibo, Rum Point, and Breaker. Its population is currently listed at 1.079. Sand Point Cove in Rum Point is home to Bioluminescent Bay or Bio Bay.
- West Bay - Has many attractions including Cayman Turtle Farm and Cayman Motor Museum. Cities in the West Bay district include Seven Mile Beach, Hell, and West Bay Village. Its population is currently listed at 8.243.
The remaining districts are the Sister Islands, which comprise the islands of Cayman Brac and Little Cayman. Its population is currently listed at 1,937.
Flora and fauna
Flora
From the flora, a good representation of various plant life on Grand Cayman can be found in Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park located on the North Side District. Wild banana orchids, ghost orchids, palm trees, red birch trees, mahogany trees and various fruit trees such as avocado, mango, guinep, naseberry, breadfruit, and tamarind. Yellow mastics (Sideroxylon foetidissimum) and black mastics ( Terminalia eriostachya ) are also seen in the park, as well as on the 2 mile (3.2 km) Mastic Trail. Elsewhere outside the park, all of these species can be seen around Grand Cayman, including coconut trees, Casuarina pine trees, mangroves, and poinciana.
Fauna
The fauna seen at various locations around the island include the blue iguana ( Cyclura lewisi ), the parrot amazon Grand Cayman ( Amazona leucocephala caymanensis ), the Central America agate ( Dasyprocta punctata ), and Gecarcinus ruricola , crab species. The Cayman Islands Turtle Farm, located in the West Bay district, creates green sea turtles for their meat and to release into the wild.
Through the breeding, the farm produces more than 1800 turtles each year. Between 1980 and 2006, the farm released about 30,600 turtles into the wild; because of the marks placed on each animal, the detached turtles have been seen throughout the Caribbean.
There are four species of endemic snakes in Grand Cayman and two invasive species. They are all relatively harmless and the largest invasive rarely invisible snake, which can grow up to about 5 feet. The smallest grows about 6 inches and is an invasive brahmana invasive snake that is also rarely seen. The most common is the endemic Cayman racer snake. It can grow up to about 6 feet, but a 3-foot specimen is much more common. These snakes tend to race far if they are encountered and in rare cases will overrun by threatening if cornered. The Cayman racer snake does carry a mild toxin used for immobilization of prey, but in substantial doses it can cause significant swelling and bruising if it hooks for long periods of time. Simple bites and discharges usually do not cause any reaction in humans. The other three endemic snake species are Cayman ground boa, Cayman blind snake, and Cayman water snake.
Demographics
Of the three islands, Grand Cayman contains about 95% of the region's total population.
Economy
Overseas banking
There are only less than 600 banks and trust companies in Grand Cayman, including 43 of the world's 50 largest banks. Due to the huge financial presence on the island, banking, investment and insurance are driving the economy in Grand Cayman.
Tourism
Grand Cayman Island has a number of natural attractions: a burst pit in the East End district, the Mastic Line that runs from north to south through the center of the island, Hell in the West Bay and Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park.
Water sports such as scuba diving and snorkeling are popular activities on Grand Cayman because the island is famous for its coral reefs and underwater sea walls along with a number of shipwrecks.
Due to its clubs, resorts and hotels, Seven Mile Beach has the largest concentration of visitors and tourists on the island.
Infrastructure
Owen Roberts International Airport serves Grand Cayman with domestic and international flights. Cayman Airways has its headquarters in Grand Cayman.
Electrical services for Grand Cayman are provided by Caribbean Utilities Company Ltd., with its headquarters located on North Sound Road. Electricity at Grand Cayman uses a 120/240 volt electrical system with an electrical outlet designed to accommodate a three pin American plug.
The residents of Grand Cayman have a choice of telecom services from C3, Digicel, FLOW (formerly LIME), and Logic.
Education
The Cayman Islands Education Department operates government schools.
Government-operated secondary schools
- John Gray High School
- Clifton Hunter High School
Government-operated primary school
- Bodden City Primary School
- John A. Cumber Elementary School
- East End Primary School
- George Town Elementary School
- North Side School Basics
- Prospect Primary School
- Red Bay Elementary School
- Savannah Elementary School
Private school
- Cayman Academy
- Cayman International School
- Cayman Prep and SMA
- First Baptist Christian School (age 3 months-11 years, pre-school level up to 6)
- Grace Christian Academy
- Montessori School in Grand Cayman
- St. Catholic School of Ignatius
- Triple C School
- Truth For Youth School
- Wesleyan Christian Academy
- Hope Academy Private universities
- St. Matthews University of Medicine/Veterinary
- Cayman Islands International College (ICCI)
- Cayman Islands School of Law
Public university
- University College Cayman Islands (UCCI)
See also
- Cayman Islands Investment Bureau
- Watler's funeral
References
External links
- The Cayman Islands Tourism Department
- Cayman Travel Guide
- Government of the Cayman Islands
- "CIA - The World Factbook - Cayman Islands" . Retrieved 2008-06-23 .
- Grand Cayman travel guides from Wikivoyage
- "National Storm Committee - Emergency Management". Government of the Cayman Islands . Retrieved 2007-08-18 .
Source of the article : Wikipedia
0 Comments