Facts and Figures
Important things to know...
Courtesy
Visitors
should remember that the Cayman Islands
remains a "proper" British
Crown Colony and the
people are conservative by nature.
Please do not wear
bathing suits or scanty beach wear beyond the beach or
cruise
ship - and cover up when in public areas elsewhere.
As they say in Cayman, Please
keep your shell on!
Language
English
is the official language, with a distinctive "brogue"
reflecting
heritage of Welsh, Scottish and English ancestor's
still distinguishing the
speech of the Caymanian people.
The number of Jamaican residents in the
work force means
the Jamaican patois and accompanying heavier accent is also
common. Spanish, particularly regional dialects of Central
America and
Cuba, is also widely spoken.
Entering the Island...
Importing
or possession of any kind of illegal drugs including
marijuana (ganja) is
strictly prohibited by law and violators face
arrest and prosecution by local
authorities.
Do
not bring any type of firearm. Firearms
of any kind are prohibited
as well as spearguns (or pole spears or Hawaiian
slings).
Do not bring any of the following: Live plants and plant cuttings;
raw fruits
and vegetables are also restricted because they may
carry diseases or shelter
harmful insect pests.
United
States, British, Canadian citizens as well as citizens of
British Dependent
Territories Do Not Require passports, but must
present proof of Citizenship and
a return or ongoing airline ticket.
Note: a Voter's Registration Card or a
Social Security Card is not
considered valid proof of US citizenship and is
therefore not valid
Identification for re-entry into the United States. Proof of
Citizenship includ
Temperature
The
average temperature in the winter is 75 degrees Fahrenheit
and 85 degrees in the
summer. Winter or summer, the temperature
generally stays within the range of 70
- 90 degrees. The months with
the least humidity and lowest temperatures are
December through
April, February occasionally recording night-time temperatures
in
the mid 60's, and March probably being the most "temperate" month
of the year. We should also point out that most properties offer
air-conditioned
rooms, and the seasonal trade winds in our region
help to make our islands even
more enjoyable.
Currency
The
Cayman Islands currency was first issued in 1972.
The basic unit is the dollar,
issued in notes with denominations
of CI$100, 50, 25, 10, 5 and 1 and coins
valued at 25 cents, 10,
5 and 1 cent. CI$1.00 equals US$1.25 or, the US dollar
equals
CI $.80. This rate may also vary on the company / business doing the
exchange.
Government
The
Cayman Islands highest official is the Governor,
His Excellency, Mr. Peter John
Smith, CBE who is the
appointed representative of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth
II.
He presides over Executive Council, the ruling body of the
country. Mr.
Smith assumed his post on 5th May 1999,
succeeding Mr. John W. Owen CMG, MBE.
The Governor's term is four years.
The existing constitution of the Cayman Islands, introduced
on August 22, 1972,
provides for the government of the
Cayman Islands as a British Overseas
Territory. It established
a governing body called the Executive Council,
which consists of
three officials and five elected members, the latter being
selected
from the 15 elected representatives of the Legislative Assembly.
Main Trading Partners: UK, USA, Jamaica and Costa Rica.
Main Primary Products: cattle, poultry, vegetables
Major
Industries: construction, handicrafts, jewelry,
offshore financial services, oil transshipment
Main Exports: fish and turtle products
Leaving
the Island...
Visitors
from the US should be aware that products made from
farmed green sea turtles
available in limited selections at the
Cayman Turtle Farm Ltd. are offered for
local consumption.
The importation of genuine sea turtle products is strictly
prohibited by any countries, which have signed the
Convention on International
Trade in Endangered Species
(1978) including the USA, Canada and UK. In
addition, US Customs
prohibits the transhipment of turtle products through the
US.
Any products discovered will be confiscated.
You
will not be allowed to bring back any plants or plant seeds,
vegetables or
fruits unless you have official permits from US Customs.
Otherwise, these will
be confiscated by Customs at US gateways.