Cayman Islands

The Cayman Islands is a self-governing British Overseas Territory, and the largest by population. The 264-square-kilometre (102-square-mile) territory comprises the three islands of Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman, which are located south of Cuba and north-east of Honduras, between Jamaica and Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula. The capital city is George Town on Grand Cayman, which is the most populous of the three islands.
cayman-islands

Some of the key events about Cayman Islands

  • 1670
    The Cayman Islands were first settled by British colonists
  • 1670
    The Cayman Islands were colonized by the British, beginning a long period of foreign rule.
  • 1794
    A severe famine struck the islands, causing significant hardship for residents.
  • 1831
    The first elected parliament in the Cayman Islands was established
  • 1932
    A devastating hurricane hit the Cayman Islands, causing widespread destruction and loss of life.
  • 1953
    The first airfield was opened on Grand Cayman, improving accessibility
  • 1959
    The Islands' first written constitution was introduced
  • 1962
    The Cayman Islands became a British Overseas Territory, maintaining colonial status rather than gaining independence.
  • 1966
    The Cayman Islands Currency Board was established, issuing the first local currency
  • 1968
    The Cayman Islands Stock Exchange was founded
  • 1980
    The islands became known as an offshore tax haven, attracting criticism for potentially facilitating tax evasion.
  • 1984
    The Cayman Islands became a British Overseas Territory
  • 1994
    The Cayman Islands National Museum opened, preserving local history and culture
  • 2001
    The Cayman Islands were placed on the FATF blacklist for non-cooperative countries in money laundering.
  • 2004
    Hurricane Ivan caused extensive damage to Grand Cayman, destroying or damaging 95% of buildings.
  • 2008
    The global financial crisis significantly impacted the Cayman Islands' economy and financial services sector.
  • 2009
    A new constitution was implemented, providing for greater autonomy
  • 2016
    The Owen Roberts International Airport expansion project began, enhancing tourism infrastructure
  • 2017
    The Paradise Papers leak revealed the Cayman Islands' role in global tax avoidance schemes.
  • 2020
    The COVID-19 pandemic severely affected the islands' tourism-dependent economy, leading to widespread job losses.

Disclaimer: This material is written based on information taken from open sources, including Wikipedia, news media, podcasts, and other public sources.

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