Crescent Point Resort

HISTORY/GEOGRAPHY:
Discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1503 in the calm, turquoise waters of the western Caribbean, the Cayman Islands were later traded to England and remain one of fourteen British Overseas Territories.

Consisting of three islands - Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac, and Little Cayman - this peaceful paradise lies just 480 miles south of Miami.  Grand Cayman is the largest and most populous of the trio and lies approximately 89 miles west-southwest of the other two islands in the trio.  These two sister islands, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman, are separated from each other by a channel about seven miles wide. The total land mass of the three islands combined is only about 100 square miles.

CLIMATE:
The Cayman Islands enjoy year round temperatures ranging from 77°F to 85°F. The months with the least humidity and lowest temperatures are December through April, February occasionally recording night-time temperatures in the mid 60's, and March probably being the most "temperate" month of the year. Seasonal trade winds keep conditions enjoyable nearly year round. Though the year is divided into 'wet' and 'dry' seasons, the location of the Cayman Islands in the West Indies typically means that showers are tropical and brief.

ECONOMY:
As the fifth largest financial center in the world, the Cayman Islands have the highest per capita income in the Caribbean, and more fax machines per capita than any country in the world. The American dollar is readily accepted throughout the island although Cayman has its own currency, the CI dollar, fixed at an exchange rate of US$1.25 to CI$1.00. An English speaking, affluent country, Cayman has built its strong economy on the three pillars of banking, insurance and tourism and features some of the best infrastructure and highest standard of living in the Caribbean.

ATTRACTIONS:
The Cayman Islands offer some of the world's best diving and snorkeling due to its flat geography, lack of rivers, and submerged mountain walls up to 20,000 feet deep. The crystal-clear Caribbean waters and diverse marine life also attract fishermen, sailors, and water-sports enthusiasts of all kinds. On land, white-sand beaches, world-class golf and tennis, and upscale bars and nightclubs are sure to keep even the most active of visitors entertained. Indigenous life includes iguanas, parrots and green sea turtles as well as rare orchids.

For more information on the Cayman Islands, please visit the official tourism website of the Cayman Islands at www.caymanislands.ky.