Island Facts
Name: The name 'Cayman' derives from the Carib word for crocodile 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.
Capitol: 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: The Governor, Mr. Stuart Jack
Time Zone: EST; GMT-5
National Airline: For more than 30 years,
Cayman Airways has been serving the Cayman Islands as our national flag carrier. Today Cayman Airways flys non-stop between Grand Cayman and major United States gateways as well as offering inter-island service to Kingston, Jamaica, Cuba and Cayman Brac & Little Cayman, Cayman Islands.
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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