George Town, Grand Cayman, is the capital of the Cayman Islands, in the British West Indies. The town has a population of 30,600 (2006 estimates).^[1]

George Town is the heart of the Cayman Islands financial industry, with over 600 banks located there.^{[citation needed]}

Geography

Located in George Town are the offices of Government. These include: The Legislative Assembly of the Cayman Islands, the Court Houses and the Government Administration Building. The Government Administration Building houses the offices of the Premier and other members of Cabinet, the Deputy Governor and his staff and other elected officials and Civil Servants.

Seven Mile Beach (SMB) is a long crescent of coral-sand beach on the western shore of Grand Cayman island.

Camana Bay is situated on 500 acres (200 ha) stretching from the Caribbean sea to the North Sound. It is a mixed-use masterplanned community. the Town of Camana Bay will be developed over several decades.

The Paseo is the pedestrian main street of the US$400 million Town Centre, which has stores, restaurants, and offices.

The Crescent has an amphitheatre and space for up to 2,000 people at outdoor concerts, street fairs and festivals. Camana Bay special events include live music performances, street theater, book readings, farmers markets, Easter egg hunts and Christmas tree lightings.

Climate

Economy

The financial services generated CI$1.2 billion of GDP in 2007 (55% of the total economy), 36% of all employment and 40% of all government revenue.^{[citation needed]} The Cayman Islands currently ranks fifth internationally in terms of value of liabilities booked in the Cayman Islands and sixth in terms of assets booked.^{[citation needed]} It has branches of 40 of the world’s 50 largest banks.^{[citation needed]} The Cayman Islands are the second largest captive domicile in the world with more than 700 captives, writing more than US$7.7 billion of premiums and with US$36.8 billion of assets under management.^{[citation needed]} There are more than 9,500 funds under licence with globally recognised legal, audit/accounting and fund administration services^{[citation needed]} (incl. the Big Four auditors^{[citation needed]}). Major law firms such as Maples and Calder have established themselves in the Cayman Islands.^{[citation needed]} Similarly, large accounting firms such as KPMG, Ogier, Ernst & Young and Deloitte are also present. As a result, Cayman is a leader in captive domiciles, hedge fund registrations and an international banking center.^{[citation needed]}

Tourism

George Town is one of the most popular ports of call in the Caribbean.^{[citation needed]} All ships calling at George Town, Grand Cayman, have to anchor offshore and ferry their passengers ashore by shuttle boats (tenders). Passengers disembark in Georgetown, in the center of the Grand Cayman shopping district.

Transportation

George Town, as well as the rest of Grand Cayman, is served by nearby Owen Roberts International Airport.

Education

Cayman Islands Education Department operates George Town Primary School, John Gray High School and the University College of the Cayman Islands. Caymanian children are entitled to free primary and secondary education. Various churches and private foundations operate several private schools that offer American and British based studies starting from nursery up to A Levels and College.^[3]

References

1. ^ ^{a b} Taken from report - http://www.thecommonwealth.org/YearbookInternal/140416/140424/cayman_islands/
2. ^ "Weatherbase: Historical Weather for George Town, Cayman Islands". http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weatherall.php3?s=48387&refer=&units=metric. 
3. ^ George Town Primary School

External links

• Pictures of George Town

George Town, Grand Cayman, is the capital of the Cayman Islands, in the British West Indies. The town has a population of 20,626 (1999 estimates).