"Grand Cayman" a Cayman Islands Travel Page by rossandkelli

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Grand Cayman is a divers delight!

Facts:
The Cayman Island, located 180 miles (290 km) northwest of Jamaica and 460 miles (740 km) south of Miami, are comprised of Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman. These three little islands have a total land mass of 100 square miles (260 sq. km) with Grand Cayman being the largest and most populated.

Grand Cayman and Little Cayman are relatively flat with sweeping beaches and ironshore coastlines. Cayman Brac boasts a towering limestone bluff which rises to a height of 140 feet (43m). The island are tempered by tradewinds, keeping a consistently comfortable temperature in the 80º F range (27C) and an average rainfall of 60 inches with May and October the rainiest months and March and April the driest. Water temperatures are close to 80ºF year-round, cooling slightly in the winter months.

Surrounding waters are unbelievably clear with visibility of at least 100 feet on most days.

As of the last census (1995) the population was approximately 33,600 including about 12,000 expatriates. Of these, 17,900 were active in the labor force and the per capita income was calculated to be $28,929. Unemployment is virtually unheard of. Locals are mostly mixed of European and African descent with total harmony. The reproductive rate is 1.5 percent with a population density of 319 per square mile (123 per sq. km) and adult literacy is at an impressive 98%.

Columbus discovered the island in 1503, but the Spanish never occupied the. In 1670, Cayman was ceded to the British Crown in the Treaty of Madrid with settlement following many years later in the 1730s. The Cayman Island were a dependency of Jamaica until 1959 when it was given status as unit territory with the Federation of the West Indies. All links were severed (and the Federation dissolved) when Jamaica declared independence in 1962. Today Cayman is one of the last (and most loyal) British Crown colonies with no sentiment for independence.

A Crown-appointed Governor and the Legislative Council are responsible for passing all laws in the Cayman Islands. There are 15 elected members of Legislative Council and three official members appointed by the Governor. An Executive Council is responsible for the everyday government operations. These five Ministers are chosen by the Assembly from among its 15 elected members. There is a Chief Secretary who also acts as the Deputy Governor and a Speaker of the House is appointed to preside over the Assembly (a position formerly held by the Governor). The U.K. retains all powe4rs over foreign affairs.


Under Section 49 of the Customs Law, duties applicable to selected building materials and equipment, machinery and tools are waived in an effort to encourage continued development in these islands. Likewise, any materials imported for use in manufacturing may also qualify for exemption from import duty.
In an effort to diversify economic growth, the Cayman Government is offering incentives to specialized, small scale projects such as manufacturing/export industries (perfumes, security devices, computer software, research and development companies, etc.). Hotel Aid Law allows reduced import duty on materials used to build and furnish new hotels (10 rooms or more).
Cayman Brac. Efforts to stimulate the economy Cayman Brac include reduce import duties on building supplies as well as a reduced stamp duty.