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