Facts About Cayman
Name: The name 'Cayman' derives from the Carib word for crocodile, "camanas", and appeared in the log of Sir Francis Duke , the first English visitor to the islands, in 1586. Prior to that, they were called 'Las Tortugas' ('turtles', in Spanish) by Columbus, who discovered the islands in 1503. 'Brac' ('craggy bluff', in Gaelic), was named for the limestone bluff running down the middle of the island.
Capital: George Town, Grand Cayman
Official Language: English
National Symbols:
National Tree: The Silver Thatch Palm
National Flower: Wild Banana Orchid
National Bird: The Cayman Parrot
National Flag: Blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Caymanian coat of arms on a white disk centered on the outer half of the flag.
Coat of Arms: The coat of arms includes a pineapple and turtle above a shield with three stars (representing the three islands) and a scroll at the bottom bearing the national motto, 'HE HATH FOUNDED IT UPON THE SEAS'
National Anthem: "God Save the Queen"
National Song: "Beloved Isle Cayman", written in 1930 by Mrs. Leila Ross-Shier
Political Status: British Overseas Territory
Head of State: Queen Elizabeth II
Head of Government: His Excellency the Governor, Mr. Duncan Taylor
Time Zone: EST; GMT-5
National Airline: Cayman Airways operates 3 Boeing 737-200's, 2 Boeing 737-300 jets, and 2 Twin Otter aircraft from its base in Grand Cayman with service to: Cayman Brac and Little Cayman; Miami, New York, Tampa, Orlando, Houston and Chicago in the United States; Havana, Cuba; Kingston and Montego Bay, Jamaica.
Sir Turtle: This national logo was originally created by Suzy Soto in 1963 and sold for $1.00 to the Department of Tourism in the early 1970's.
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