The territory is a notable Tax Haven, with the government of the Cayman Islands having always relied on indirect and not direct taxes, and never levying income tax, capital gains tax, or any wealth tax. Unfortunately, due to the tropical location of the islands, they are also a huge target for hurricanes, being hit or brushed by one every 2.23 years on average. The nastiest of these was Hurricane Ivan in 2004, which damaged 83% of all buildings on the island, disrupted vital components such as water, communications and power for months, and flooded much of Grand Cayman.
The Cayman Islands in media
- The Simpsons: "Bart the Fink" reveals that Krusty the Clown keeps his money in a poorly run holdings corporation in the Caymans.
- 1983: Doomsday: The Cayman Islands is a member of the East Caribbean Federation.
- Call of Duty: Black Ops II: The mission "Karma" takes place on a fictional City on the Water here, called the Colossus.
The Caymanian Flag
Like most other British Overseas Territories, the flag consists of a British Blue Ensign with the Union Flag in the upper left corner and the coat of arms on the right side. The coat of arms use to have a white disc around it, but the disc was removed and the size of the coat of arms increased in 1999, though the disced variant of the flag remains popular and is still used on some official occasions.
The British National Anthem
God save our gracious King!
Long live our noble King!
God save the King!
Send him victorious,
Happy and glorious,
Long to reign over us:
God save the King!
The Caymanian National Song
O land of soft, fresh breezes,
Of verdant trees so fair
With the Creator's glory reflected ev'rywhere.
O sea of palest em'rald,
Merging to darkest blue,
When 'ere my thoughts fly Godward,
I always think of you.
Dear, verdant island, set
In blue Caribbean sea,
I'm coming, coming very soon,
O beauteous isle, to thee.
Although I've wandered far,
My heart enshrines thee yet.
Homeland! Fair Cayman Isle
I cannot thee forget
Away from noise of cities,
Their fret and carking care,
With moonbeams' soft caresses,
Unchecked by garish glare,
Thy fruit and rarest juices,
Abundant, rich and free,
When sweet church bells are chiming,
My fond heart yearns for thee.
Dear, verdant island, set
In blue Caribbean sea,
I'm coming, coming very soon,
O beauteous isle, to thee.
Although I've wandered far,
My heart enshrines thee yet.
Homeland! Fair Cayman Isle
I cannot thee forget
When tired of all excitement,
And glam'rous worldly care,
How sweet thy shores to reach,
And find a welcome there,
And when comes on the season,
Of peace, good will to man,
'Tis then I love thee best of all,
Beloved Isle, Cayman!
Dear, verdant island, set
In blue Caribbean sea,
I'm coming, coming very soon,
O beauteous isle, to thee.
Although I've wandered far,
My heart enshrines thee yet.
Homeland! Fair Cayman Isle
I cannot thee forget
Government
- Parliamentary dependency under a constitutional monarchy
- Monarch: Charles III
- Governor: Jane Owen
- Premier: Julianna O'Connor-Connolly
Miscellaneous
- Capital and largest city: Georgetown
- Population: 65,813
- Area: 264 km² (102 sq mi)
- Currency: Cayman Islands dollar ($) (KYD)
- ISO-3166-1 Code: KY
- Country calling code: 1 (area code 345)
