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|  | CAYMAN ISLANDS COUNTRY SNAPSHOT AND INTERESTING FACTS | The Cayman Islands are situated in the Caribbean, 290km (180 miles) northwest of Jamaica, and comprise Grand Cayman, Little Cayman and Cayman Brac. Cayman's beaches are renowned to be among the best in the world, in particular Seven Mile Beach on Grand Cayman. The abundance of fish, marine life and spectacular coral reefs which can be found in the surrounding waters makes the Cayman Islands an ideal destination for diving enthusiasts. Grand Cayman is the main tourist destination and its capital, George Town, is today one of the leading commercial centres in the Caribbean region. The gingerbread-style buildings lining George Town's harbour front are prime examples of traditional Caymanian architecture. Cayman Brac, northeast of Grand Cayman, is a much smaller island, about 19km (12 miles) long and about 1.6 km (1 mile) wide. The area is riddled with caves and dozens of wrecks for divers to explore. It provided the basis for Robert Louis Stevenson's famous novel Treasure Island. 11 km (7 miles) southeast of Cayman Brac, the tiny island of Little Cayman is best known as a sanctuary for wild birds and iguanas. It is also known as the world's best location for bone fishing. The food and restaurants in the Cayman Islands are excellent, in particular the variety of local fish specialities. The Cayman Turtle Farm, one of Grand Cayman's tourist attractions, now undertakes strict conservation measures. The Cayman Islands have a fairly limited number of nightclubs, which sometimes feature international acts. The Cayman Islands were colonized from Jamaica by the British during the 18th and 19th centuries. Administered by Jamaica since 1863, they remained a British dependency after 1962 when the former became independent. With no direct taxation, the islands are a thriving offshore financial center. More than 40,000 companies were registered in the Cayman Islands as of 1998, including almost 600 banks and trust companies; banking assets exceed $500 billion. A stock exchange was opened in 1997. Tourism is also a mainstay, accounting for about 70% of GDP and 75% of foreign currency earnings. The tourist industry is aimed at the luxury market and caters mainly to visitors from North America. Total tourist arrivals exceeded 1.2 million in 1997, with 600,000 from the US. About 90% of the islands' food and consumer goods must be imported. The Caymanians enjoy one of the highest outputs per capita and one of the highest standards of living in the world. | Open here a detailed map in a new window. Map Server Travel-Island.com. | 
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|  | RESORTS AND EXCURSIONS | There are three islands in this British Overseas Territory, which has long been associated with buccaneers and pirates.
Grand Cayman
Most of the population lives on this island, surrounded by water rich in colourful marine life and spectacular coral reefs. There is a 6km (4 mile) stone wall at Bodden Town, known as Grand Cayman's 'Wall of China', built to protect residents from pirate attacks. Seven Mile Beach is the main tourist centre. Although highly developed, it retains its charm and the new developments are not as overwhelming as in some places. The peculiar rock formation at Hell evolved from skeletons of shells and corals solidified by salt and lime deposits. A close examination reveals petrified forms of sea life supposedly up to 20 million years old. Close by Seven Mile Beach is the unique Cayman Turtle Farm. Owing to conservation pressures, turtle meat is now usually only consumed locally (for more information, see Shopping in the Social Profile section below). The capital of Grand Cayman is George Town. Along the harbour front are traditional Caymanian gingerbread-style buildings and, close by, modern banks and finance houses. The Cayman Islands National Museum, based in the centre of George Town, offers a complete history of the islands. Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1700; Sat 1000-1400. The Pedro St James historic site on Grand Cayman features a historically accurate restoration of the early 19th century Pedro St James great house and grounds in Savannah. The site has a visitor centre and a multimedia theatre, and also organises historic tours.
Cayman Brac
This island, (pronounced 'brack', which means 'bluff' in Gaelic) is inhabited by fewer than 1500 people. It gets its name from the huge cliff which rises 42m (140ft) from the sea on the eastern side of the island. The Brac, which is 143km (89 miles) northeast of Grand Cayman, is about 19km (12 miles) long, and not much more than a mile wide. The rocky cliffs provide excellent opportunities for exploring an area riddled with caves, some of which have barely been explored. The dozens of wrecks scattered around the Brac attract many divers. The island also has a rare bird sanctuary and provided the basis for Robert Louis Stevenson's classic novel Treasure Island.
Little Cayman
Home to approximately 170 people, and many more wild birds and iguanas, Little Cayman is 11km (7 miles) southeast of Cayman Brac. This tiny island is just 16km (10 miles) long, and at no point more than 3km (2 miles) wide. Expert anglers consider it the world's best place for bone fishing. | PASSPORT AND VISA APPLICATION Furthermore, in order to get into many countries on the stay abroad you will require a visa of some type, even if you are just visiting. This is usually an insert, stamp or sticker which is placed in your passport and the duration of its validity varies from place to place. If you do intend to work or study in the country to which you are traveling, however, you should organize your visa even further in advance as this can take longer to process.
As well as your passport you should ensure that you have at least one other form of identification with you. This may be a driver’s license, birth certificate or any other form of ID which is acceptable worldwide. As with passports, bring at least two copies of all forms of identification in case of loss or theft.
Help to Passport and Visa Application Forms. How to find the right one(s)?
A passport is issued to you by your home country as proof of citizenship. Visas are stamped into your passport to allow you entry into other countries. Although there are exceptions, you are usually required to display your passport when entering or leaving a country. Once you arrive at your destination, carry a photocopy of your passport and keep the original in a safe place.
A visa is an endorsement or stamp entered into your passport by a foreign government. It allows you to enter that country for a specific reason and period of time. Start applying for visas as soon as your passport is available so that all your documentation is completed well before your departure date. To receive a visa you need to send your passport to an embassy or consulate of the country you want to visit. Most countries have embassies and consulates worldwide, and travel agents can usually tell you where the nearest ones are located. Keep in mind that your passport may be tied up for days or weeks until the paperwork is done, so plan accordingly. In addition, some countries require proof of yellow fever vaccination before they will issue you a visa. The amount of time spent mailing your passport to the various agencies involved can really add up if you are visiting several countries. Plan ahead if possible. If you only have a few weeks to prepare, a commercial visa service can often speed up the process. |
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