Seven Mile Beach Live Cam

Grand Cayman, the largest of the three Cayman Islands, is a captivating destination renowned for its pristine beaches, vibrant marine life, and as a global financial hub. Situated in the western Caribbean Sea, Grand Cayman offers a unique blend of rich history, tropical climate, and diverse geography.

History

The history of Grand Cayman is deeply intertwined with the broader history of the Cayman Islands, which were first discovered by Europeans in the early 16th century. The islands were initially spotted by Christopher Columbus on his fourth and final voyage to the New World in 1503. Columbus named the islands "Las Tortugas" due to the abundance of sea turtles that he and his crew observed around the islands. However, by the mid-1500s, the islands were referred to as "Los Lagartos," meaning "the alligators" or "the lizards," because of the large lizards seen on the islands. The name "Cayman" eventually came into use, derived from the Carib word for the marine crocodiles known as caimans, which were believed to inhabit the area.

For many years, the Cayman Islands, including Grand Cayman, remained largely uninhabited and were used mainly as a haven for pirates, a stopping point for Spanish treasure fleets, and a source of turtle meat for sailors. The first recorded settlements on Grand Cayman began in the 17th century, primarily by settlers from Jamaica. These early settlers were a mix of Europeans, Africans, and indigenous peoples, with many of the African settlers being freed slaves or descendants of slaves brought to the Caribbean during the transatlantic slave trade.