Cayman Islands
Cayman Islands
- Capital
- George Town
- Population
- 65,720
- Region
- Americas
- Languages
- English
This territory is famous for having more registered businesses than actual residents, functioning as a primary global hub for the hedge fund industry. It also hosts the unique 'Stingray City,' a series of shallow sandbars where wild southern stingrays have gathered for decades to be fed by humans. Historically, the islands were known as 'Las Tortugas' because the surrounding waters were so thick with sea turtles that they appeared like rocks from a distance.
Currency
The official currency is the Cayman Islands Dollar, denoted by the ISO code KYD. When it was first introduced in 1972, it replaced the Jamaican Dollar and was uniquely designed to be pegged to the United States Dollar at a fixed higher value.
Flag symbolism
The flag is a British Blue Ensign featuring the Union Jack in the canton to signify its status as a British Overseas Territory. On the fly side, it displays the local coat of arms centered within a white disc to ensure visibility against the dark blue field. The blue field itself follows the tradition of British maritime flags used by government vessels and overseas departments.
Emblem history
The coat of arms features three green stars representing the trio of islands—Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac, and Little Cayman—resting upon wavy blue and white lines symbolizing the Caribbean Sea. A golden lion 'passant guardant' sits on a red chief at the top, reflecting the islands' historical and constitutional ties to the British Crown. The crest atop the shield depicts a green turtle and a pineapple, which honor the original name of the islands and the historical connection to the fruit trade.