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The Cayman Islands were colonized from Jamaica by the British during the 18th and 19th centuries. Administered by
Jamaica from 1863, they remained a British dependency after 1962 when the former became independent.
With no direct taxation, the islands are a
thriving offshore financial center. More than 40,000 companies were registered in the Cayman Islands as of 1997, including almost 600 banks and trust companies; banking assets exceed $500 billion. A stock exchange was opened in 1997.
Tourism is also a mainstay, accounting for about 70% of GDP and 75% of foreign currency earnings. The tourist industry is aimed at the luxury market and caters mainly to
visitors from North America.
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Total tourist arrivals exceeded 1.2
million visitors in 1997. About 90% of the islands' food and
consumer goods must be imported.
The Caymanians enjoy one of the highest outputs per capita and one of the highest standards of
living in the world.
Caribbean guide
Explore Cayman Islands
Cayman Brac
Grand Cayman
Grand Cayman
Stingray City
Getting around
Restaurants
Nightlife
Listings
The Town
North and East
Seven Mile Beach and
West Bay
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Cayman Islands
travel guide
Cayman Islands
overview
Where to go
When to go
Getting there
Costs & currency
Communications
Food and drink
Brief history
Best of Cayman Islands
Info and sites
diving, hiking
Festivals and holidays
Scuba diving
Little Cayman
Little Cayman
diving and fishing
travel info
Google maps
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