Grand Cayman
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Grand Cayman is the largest of the three Cayman Islands at about 196 km² and contains the capital George Town. Towns on the island are referred to as "districts".
The island is a high-lying reef of "ironshore" (limestone fringes with numerous marine fossils), with a highest elevation of roughly 24 meters above sea level. There is no natural fresh water (lakes, rivers, etc) on the island, so any fresh water needs must be met by catchments or desalination of seawater. The lack of rivers does however account for the exceptional clarity of the sea.
The island was devastated by Hurricane Ivan in 2004 from September 11 to September 12. With Category 5 strength, Ivan passed within 30 miles of Grand Cayman, hitting it with winds over 180 mph (290 km/h) and gusts up to 200mph. The island reported no more than a few deaths - none directly caused by the hurricane - but over 80% of the buildings were either damaged or completely destroyed. Ivan was the worst hurricane to hit the island in 86 years.
The eastern side of the island is somewhat undeveloped, while the western side of the island, which holds George Town and the airport, Owen Roberts International Airport, is more developed. Fast food restaurants, night clubs and resorts can be found on the western side of the island. The eastern districts offer more restaurants specializing in native Caymanian cuisine.
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[edit] Tourism
The economy depends mainly on tourism - GDP is approximately 50% tourist related. Grand Cayman claims many other tourism attractions other than Seven Mile Beach. Grand Cayman is particularly well known for spectacular diving and snorkeling. The island features many reefs and walls, some of which can be accessed by swimming from shore.
The district of West Bay features a turtle farm . The majority of Green Sea Turtles are raised for their meat, the theory being that this eliminates consumption of wild animals. Some of the farmed turtles are released, and have good survival rates in the wild. The turtle farm also has several rare Blue iguanas and a caiman on display.
West Bay district is also home to a formation of limestone affectionately known to islanders as Hell. Merchandise "from Hell" can be purchased nearby.
Stingray City, located a short boat ride from the northern end of Grand Cayman, is a series of shallow sand bars where sting rays are found in abundance and visitors can feed, pet, and interact with the animals. The southern stingrays can grow to large sizes (100 cm or more in span) and are quite accustomed to being handled and fed. A trip from a local tour operator will usually include snorkelling in coral gardens before arriving at Stingray City.
In the southern district of Bodden Town is the historic house of Pedro St. James, considered the birthplace of democracy in the Cayman Islands. It is also the oldest known existing stone structure on Grand Cayman, And Bodden Town was also the first Capital of Grand Cayman..
In the Eastern Districts of the island are the districts of Bodden Town, East End and North Side. In the centre of the island (in North Side district) is the Mastic Trail, a hiking trail through old growth dry forests that used to cover the entire island. Plants and animals native to Grand Cayman, such as the Mastic Tree, Blue iguana, green parrot, and agouti, can be seen.
Grand Cayman is also the only island in the Caribbean to have an operational turtle farm.
[edit] Transportation
Owen Roberts International Airport serves Grand Cayman with flights within and outside of the Cayman Islands.
[edit] Education
Cayman Islands Education Department operates government schools.
Government high schools in Grand Cayman include:
Government primary schools include:
- Bodden Town Primary School
- John A. Cumber Primary School (West Bay)
- East End Primary School
- George Town Primary School
- North Side Primary School
- Prospect Primary School (Established 2004)
- Red Bay Primary School
- Savannah Primary School
In addition, a special government school, Lighthouse School, is on the island.
[edit] Athletics
The Residences at the Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman Legends Championship is a professional tennis held each year in Grand Cayman.
[edit] Grand Cayman in Fiction
The island was featured in the book The Firm by John Grisham and subsequently in the films The Firm and more recently Haven directed by Caymanian, Frankie Flowers Jnr., starring Orlando Bloom.
[edit] External links
- Grand Cayman travel guide from Wikitravel
- [3] CIA World Factbook entry on Grand Cayman (updated May 2, 2006)
- Cayman Islands Government website of Cayman Islands Government
- National Hurricane Committee Cayman Islands Government - Emergency Management. Cayman Islands Government. Retrieved on 2007-08-18.
- Grand Cayman Diving Reports and videos of Grand Cayman diving
