Columbus found the Cayman Islands by accident when he was blown off course en route from Panama to Hispaniola in 1503. The Caymans remained, for many decades, a lair for pirates, refugees from the British justice system, and the home of simple fishermen and, in some cases, runaway slaves. The sandy soil isn't particularly fertile, and as such, the islands never developed the extensive "plantation economy" that became prevalent on neighboring Jamaica and Cuba. The economy was dependent on fishing and trade, and life for the Caymanians was hard, with many residents eking out a living from the sea.
The Cayman Islands were granted independence from Britain in 1962. They remain a staunch member of the British Commonwealth, and pro-Anglo sentiment runs high. In the 1970s, thanks to its growing role as a financial center and tourist destination, the Cayman Islands made rapid development a fact of life. Today Grand Cayman is the condo capital of the Caribbean and a major center of the offshore financial industry.
It's been said that residents of the Cayman Islands fall into one of three categories: foreign, mostly British or North European workers in the financial service industries; foreign, mostly British, U.S., or Slavic Europeans specializing in the hotel and restaurant service industries; and the local indigenous Caymanians, the descendants of fishermen, pirates, and traders whose families have been on the islands in some cases since the late 1700s.
Grand Cayman -- The largest of the three islands and a real scuba diving mecca, Grand Cayman has become one of the Caribbean's hottest tourist destinations in recent years. With more than 500 banks, its capital, George Town, is the offshore banking center of the Caribbean. (You won't have any problems finding an ATM here!) Retirees are drawn to the peace and tranquillity of this British crown colony, site of a major condominium development. Almost all of the Cayman Islands' 38,000-strong population lives on Grand Cayman. The civil manners of the locals reflect their British heritage.
Cayman Brac -- Short on sandy beaches and devoid of the clichéd Caribbean attractions, Cayman Brac may appear to be a poor sibling of Grand Cayman. However, this island has its devotees, mainly adventure seekers and scuba divers who are drawn to its 30 excellent dive sites, snorkeling, bone- and deep-sea fishing, and bird-watching. The island lies 143km (89 miles) northeast of Grand Cayman and 7.4km (4 1/2 miles) from Little Cayman, and is 19km (12 miles) long, with an average width of 3.5km (2 1/4 miles). In all, its landmass is a total of only 39 sq. km (15 sq. miles), with its highest point being the Bluff at 42m (138 ft.) above sea level. The island's population is under 2,000.
Little Cayman -- The smallest island of the archipelago, the aptly named Little Cayman, 109km (68 miles) northeast of Grand Cayman, is only 16km (10 miles) long with an average width of 1.6km (1 mile). Relatively flat, it comprises a total landmass of only 16 sq. km (6 sq. miles), with its highest point at 12m (39 ft.) above sea level. About 125 people reside on the island full-time, sharing living space with some 20,000 red-footed boobies. Most of Little Cayman's residents aren't Caymanian at all but long-term residents from the United States and elsewhere, including Great Britain and Canada. Who comes here and why? Little Cayman is hailed as one of the three best scuba-diving areas in the world and is a haven for nature lovers, photographers, and those in search of peace and quiet.
