Interesting Facts

- Christopher Columbus initially named the Cayman Islands ‘Las Tortugas' (The Turtles). The island was later named Cayman Islands after the Cayman alligator.

- The Cayman Islands do not levy local income tax for both individuals as well as incorporated companies. No taxes are levied on capital gains, profits, or wealth transfer / inheritance matters.

- The national tree of the Cayman Islands is the silver thatch palm.

- As a result of the relaxed tax structures, the islands have approximately 40,000 registered companies, 2500 registered mutual funds, 530 banks, and 370 companies dealing in insurance.

- A form of recreational activity called ‘Snuba' was invented in Grand Cayman. It allows people to snorkel with an oxygen tank and mouthpiece while on the surface of the ocean.

- The Cayman Islands national flag has a coat of arms that features a turtle. This is because the Cayman Islands were once upon a time known as 'Tortuga' (which means 'turtle' in Spanish), by the pirates who plundered and terrorized the Caribbean Sea. They called it 'Tortuga' because the island was crowded with a large number of turtles.