George Town, Cayman Islands

File:Flag of Cayman Islands (28077880745).jpg

The Caymanian government offices are located in George Town. These offices include the Parliament of the Cayman Islands, the Court Houses and the Government Administration Building. The Government Administration Building houses the offices of the Premier and other members of Cabinet, the Deputy Governor and his staff as well as other elected officials and civil servants. The former Old Courts Building located at the corner of Shedden Road and Harbour Drive is now the National Museum of Grand Cayman. The building was built more than 150 years ago and has served the Caymanian government not only as a court building but as a jail and the island's first official Post Office.

The Cayman Islands are a British Overseas Territory; however, they are given special autonomy when dealing with domestic affairs. Foreign affairs are the responsibility of the British appointed Governor and the British Government. The British Army will also be called to defend or assist the islands in the event of a natural disaster or military conflict. It is also trusted that the United States would assist the islands in time of need if the UK requests, seeing that the US is closer in proximity to the islands than the UK.

The politics of George Town is dominated by the People's Progressive Movement, who won 5 out of the 7 electoral districts in the city during the 2021 general election.{{Cite web |url=https://www.caymancompass.com/vote-cayman/districts/ |title=Cayman Islands Districts Election Results }} They believe in introducing a nationwide welfare program, an increased financial presence in the UK, EU and US, reduced interference by the UK in domestic affairs and funding sustainable development projects across the islands.{{Cite web |url=https://www.theprogressives.ky/2021PPM_Manifesto_FinalFinal.pdf |title=Manifesto 2021 |access-date=7 April 2022 |archive-date=16 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220516114833/https://www.theprogressives.ky/2021PPM_Manifesto_FinalFinal.pdf |url-status=dead }}

File:George Town Harbour.jpg

{{bar box

|title=George Town’s residents by background

|titlebar=#ddd

|left1=Nationalities

|right1=percent

|float=left

|bars=

{{bar percent|Cayman Islands|Blue|37.9}}

{{bar percent|Jamaica|Yellow|27.0}}

{{bar percent|The Philippines |Orange|8.1}}

{{bar percent| United Kingdom|Green|7}}

{{bar percent|United States |Red|5.3}}

{{bar percent|Canada|Brown|4.0}}

{{bar percent|Honduras|Blue|3.5}}

{{bar percent|India|Green|2.7}}

{{bar percent|South Africa|Yellow|1.5}}

{{bar percent|Nicaragua|Orange|1.1}}

{{bar percent|Ireland|Red|1}}

{{bar percent|Other|Blue|0.9}}

}}

49.6% of the Cayman Islands population live in George Town.[https://www.eso.ky/UserFiles/page_docums/files/uploads/cayman_islands_preliminary_census_2021_r.pdf Cayman Islands’ 2021 Census Report] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220331170843/https://www.eso.ky/UserFiles/page_docums/files/uploads/cayman_islands_preliminary_census_2021_r.pdf |date=31 March 2022 }} It has recorded residents from more than one hundred countries. 37.9% of George Town's residents are Caymanian, and 63.8% are immigrants and permanent residents. The vast majority of the city's population are immigrants, mostly hailing from Jamaica, the Philippines, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Honduras and India. There is also a growing South African population.{{Cite web |url=https://www.expatarrivals.com/americas/cayman-islands/moving-cayman-islands |title=Moving to Cayman Islands | Expat Arrivals |access-date=23 March 2022 |archive-date=22 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220122185807/https://www.expatarrivals.com/americas/cayman-islands/moving-cayman-islands |url-status=live }}

Christianity is the most followed religion in the city, with most being Protestant with a sizable Roman Catholic population. There is also a Jewish center and Islamic Society in the city.

George Town's city limits extend from the east at the edge of the South Shore District, north just beyond Owen Roberts International Airport, south to Hog Sty Bay and west to Seven Mile Beach and the West Bay District. George Town's famous Seven Mile Beach is a long crescent of coral-sand beach extending up to the West Bay region of Grand Cayman and is the most popular and populated area for tourists on the island.{{Cite web |title=Beaches in Grand Cayman |publisher=Frommer's |url=http://www.frommers.com/destinations/grand-cayman/729756 |website=Frommers.com |access-date=23 August 2018 }}

{{clear}}

George Town has a tropical savanna climate (Köppen Aw), with a hot and wet season from May through November, and a very warm and dry season from December through April. As with most tropical climates, there is only a slight variation in monthly mean temperatures during the course of the year.

{{Weather box

|location = George Town (Owen Roberts International Airport) 1991–2020, extremes 1962–2024

|metric first = yes

|single line = yes

|Jan maximum humidex = 39.2

|Feb maximum humidex = 42.6

|Mar maximum humidex = 43.3

|Apr maximum humidex = 43.5

|May maximum humidex = 45.4

|Jun maximum humidex = 43.8

|Jul maximum humidex = 45.5

|Aug maximum humidex = 44.8

|Sep maximum humidex = 44.8

|Oct maximum humidex = 44.1

|Nov maximum humidex = 43.1

|Dec maximum humidex = 43.1

|year maximum humidex = 45.5

|Jan record high F = 90.0

|Feb record high F = 89.0

|Mar record high F = 90.0

|Apr record high F = 91.0

|May record high F = 93.9

|Jun record high F = 94.0

|Jul record high F = 95.5

|Aug record high F = 95.0

|Sep record high F = 94.5

|Oct record high F = 92.7

|Nov record high F = 92.5

|Dec record high F = 90.0

|year record high F = 95.5

|Jan high F = 83.1

|Feb high F = 83.7

|Mar high F = 84.6

|Apr high F = 86.2

|May high F = 87.8

|Jun high F = 89.0

|Jul high F = 90.1

|Aug high F = 90.1

|Sep high F = 89.4

|Oct high F = 88.2

|Nov high F = 85.3

|Dec high F = 84.0

|year high F = 86.7

|Jan mean F = 78.8

|Feb mean F = 79.3

|Mar mean F = 80.0

|Apr mean F = 81.9

|May mean F = 83.3

|Jun mean F = 84.8

|Jul mean F = 85.5

|Aug mean F = 85.7

|Sep mean F = 85.0

|Oct mean F = 83.4

|Nov mean F = 81.7

|Dec mean F = 80.2

|year mean F = 82.5

|Jan low F = 73.6

|Feb low F = 73.2

|Mar low F = 73.6

|Apr low F = 75.7

|May low F = 77.2

|Jun low F = 78.4

|Jul low F = 78.6

|Aug low F = 78.8

|Sep low F = 78.3

|Oct low F = 77.4

|Nov low F = 76.1

|Dec low F = 74.5

|year low F = 76.3

|Jan record low F = 54.0

|Feb record low F = 52.0

|Mar record low F = 55.0

|Apr record low F = 54.0

|May record low F = 57.0

|Jun record low F = 62.1

|Jul record low F = 68.0

|Aug record low F = 66.9

|Sep record low F = 68.0

|Oct record low F = 66.0

|Nov record low F = 57.9

|Dec record low F = 57.4

|year record low F = 52.0

|rain colour = green

|Jan rain inch = 2.13

|Feb rain inch = 1.21

|Mar rain inch = 1.17

|Apr rain inch = 1.33

|May rain inch = 5.89

|Jun rain inch = 6.34

|Jul rain inch = 5.31

|Aug rain inch = 5.79

|Sep rain inch = 8.52

|Oct rain inch = 9.60

|Nov rain inch = 6.18

|Dec rain inch = 2.57

|year rain inch = 56.02

|unit rain days = 0.1mm

|Jan rain days = 7

|Feb rain days = 6

|Mar rain days = 6

|Apr rain days = 4

|May rain days = 10

|Jun rain days = 12

|Jul rain days = 12

|Aug rain days = 14

|Sep rain days = 16

|Oct rain days = 15

|Nov rain days = 12

|Dec rain days = 9

|year rain days=

|Jan humidity = 77

|Feb humidity = 77

|Mar humidity = 76

|Apr humidity = 76

|May humidity = 78

|Jun humidity = 79

|Jul humidity = 77

|Aug humidity = 78

|Sep humidity = 80

|Oct humidity = 80

|Nov humidity = 78

|Dec humidity = 78

|year humidity = 77

|Jan sun = 242.2

|Feb sun = 224

|Mar sun = 279

|Apr sun = 300

|May sun = 279

|Jun sun = 240

|Jul sun = 322.9

|Aug sun = 248

|Sep sun = 240

|Oct sun = 248

|Nov sun = 210

|Dec sun = 217

|year sun =

|Jand sun = 7.8

|Febd sun = 8

|Mard sun = 9

|Aprd sun = 10

|Mayd sun = 9

|Jund sun = 8

|Juld sun = 10.4

|Augd sun = 8

|Sepd sun = 8

|Octd sun = 8

|Novd sun = 7

|Decd sun = 7

|yeard sun =

|Jan uv = 8

|Feb uv = 10

|Mar uv = 12

|Apr uv = 12

|May uv = 12

|Jun uv = 12

|Jul uv = 12

|Aug uv = 12

|Sep uv = 11

|Oct uv = 10

|Nov uv = 8

|Dec uv = 7

|source 1 = National Weather Service (Cayman Islands){{cite web

|url = http://www.weather.gov.ky/portal/page/portal/nwshome/climate/Data%20Table

|publisher = Meteorological Service (Cayman)

|title = Cayman Data Table

|access-date = 5 February 2025

|url-status = live

|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160923025010/http://www.weather.gov.ky/portal/page/portal/nwshome/climate/Data%20Table

|archive-date = 23 September 2016

|df = dmy-all

}}

|date=March 2013|source 2=Weather in Cayman{{cite web

|url = http://weatherincayman.com/index.php

|publisher = Weather in Cayman

|title = Weather in Cayman

|access-date = 22 December 2018}} Weather Spark{{cite web

|url = https://weatherspark.com/y/17540/Average-Weather-in-George-Town-Cayman-Islands-Year-Round

|publisher = Weather Spark

|title = Weather Spark

|access-date= 4 April 2019}} Climate-Data{{cite web

|url = https://en.climate-data.org/north-america/cayman-islands/george-town/george-town-5581/

|publisher = Climate-data.org

|title = Climate-data

|access-date= 5 February 2025}}}}

File:George Town - Old Harbor (3889750664).jpg

The financial services generated CI$1.2 billion of GDP in 2007 (55% of the total economy), 36% of all employment and 40% of all government revenue. The Cayman Islands ranks fifth internationally in terms of value of liabilities booked and sixth in terms of assets booked. It has branches of 40 of the world's 50 largest banks. The Cayman Islands are the second largest captive domicile in the world with more than 700 captives, writing more than US$7.7 billion of premiums and with US$36.8 billion of assets under management. There are more than 9,500 funds under licence with globally recognised legal, audit/accounting and fund administration services{{Citation needed|date=August 2010}} (incl. the Big Four auditors{{Citation needed|date=August 2010}}). Major law firms such as Maples and Calder and Ogier (law firm) have established themselves in the Cayman Islands. Similarly, large accounting firms such as KPMG, PwC, Ernst & Young and Deloitte are also present. As a result, the Cayman Islands are a leader in captive domiciles, hedge fund registrations and is considered a major international banking centre.

File:Waterfront, George Town, Grand Cayman.jpg

George Town is a popular port of call for the Caribbean with cruise ships anchoring in George Town Harbour Tuesday through Friday. Cruise ships calling at George Town anchor offshore and ferry their passengers ashore by tenders, also known as shuttle boats. Passengers disembark in George Town, in the centre of the Grand Cayman shopping district and usually remain anchored from early morning until mid-afternoon.

Activities available to tourists in George Town include submarine tours of George Town Harbour, glass-bottom boat tours, snorkelling, scuba-diving, parasailing, charter boat tours, rum distillery tours, art galleries, a historical museum, and of course, shopping and eating. For nightlife, Seven Mile Beach is host to numerous nightclubs and bars. George Town's waterfront is also home to a Harley-Davidson shop, a Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville franchise, and a Guy Harvey art studio and restaurant. The Kimpton Seafire Resort and Spa[https://wikihotel.net/Kimpton_Seafire_Resort_and_Spa_at_Seven_Mile_Beach,_Cayman_Island Hotels in Cayman Islands] and The Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman are the most expensive hotels on the island.[https://www.expedia.com/Hotel-Search?selected=14761342&startDate=2022-03-30&endDate=2022-03-31&MDPCID=KY.META.HPA.HOTEL-CORESEARCH-mobile.HOTEL&adults=2&children=&MDPDTL=HTL.14761342.20220330.20220331.DDT.0.CID.6495567493.AUDID.&mctc=10&ct=hotel&exp_curr=KYD&exp_dp=1397.48&exp_tx=315.50&exp_pg=google&langid=en&ad=2&tp=&rrid=bex_us_mobile&gclid=Cj0KCQjw_4-SBhCgARIsAAlegrX2tlNbf0xDGUV_QCQBudmqr9mkATI8TLIadJp18BJbJ_aCXUQYy08aAhDgEALw_wcB Expedia research]

File:Cayman Islands palms.jpg

• Spotts is a residential area south-east of George Town. It is famous for its Spotts Beach.
• Red Bay is a residential area in east George Town. It has one primary school, Red Bay Primary School. George Town’s main highway from the east is located here.
• Prospect is located to the east of George Town, as the city limits end. It is a residential area with one primary school, and a few convenience stores.
• South Sound is a suburb to the south of the city and boasts some of the most expensive homes in the Cayman Islands. There are a few private schools, including St. Ignatius Catholic School, Cayman Prep High School, and Montessori, as well as a Government school, John Gray High School, and the University College of the Cayman Islands.
• Downtown George Town is the center of the city's financial industry, and also houses the Parliament of the Cayman Islands and the main courthouse. With a surplus of banks and law firms, downtown is the center of the territory's business sector. George Town Primary School is also located here.
• Whitehall Estates is a residential area north of Downtown George Town, near Seven Mile Beach.
• Dog City is a residential area nearest to Downtown George Town and has a few shops and amenities.
• Central George Town is the busiest area of the city, where most commuters will go through to get to other areas of the city. It is lined with shopping centers and the Cayman Islands Container Yard, which is operated by the Port Authority.
• Windsor Park is a residential area in Central George Town with a few parks. Triple C School is located near this area.
• Meegan Galeano Estates is a residential area near West Bay Road and is adjacent to Eastern Avenue
• Industrial Park is to the north-east of George Town, where most of the island's factories and Government Ministries are located. Owen Roberts International Airport is operated here.
• Tropical Gardens is a residential area south of Owen Roberts International Airport just off of Crewe Road.
• Half Way Pond is a residential area near South Sound and has one school for both primary and middle school students, First Baptist Christian School.
• Grand Harbour is just off of the main highway entering George Town from the east. It has a shopping center of the same name and an affluent residential area to the north.
• Camana Bay acts as its own town north of George Town, but would still be included as a neighborhood of the city. It is a pedestrianized area with many shops and cafes, including a cinema, as well as apartment and office blocks. It has one private school, Cayman International School.
• Seven Mile Beach is the center of the Cayman Islands tourism industry, and is lined with luxury hotels, condos, bars, clubs, shopping centers and boutiques. It has an overhead pedestrian path to Camana Bay.{{cite web |url=https://caymanresident.com/neighbourhoods/amp |title=Neighbourhoods of the Cayman Islands |access-date=3 May 2022 |archive-date=5 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210605222028/https://caymanresident.com/neighbourhoods/amp |url-status=live }}

File:Welcome_to_the_Cayman_Islands_-_Owen_Roberts_International_Airport%2C_George_Town%2C_Grand_Cayman.jpg

George Town, as well as the rest of Grand Cayman, is served by nearby Owen Roberts International Airport. It is one of the only two entrance points to the Cayman Islands by air, the other being Charles Kirkconnell Airport on Cayman Brac.

There are over 55 weekly flights into the Cayman Islands. Cayman Airways is the National Flag Carrier of the Cayman Islands and features 3 Boeing 737 MAX 8 jets, 2 Saab B+ and two Twin Otters. Non-stop service to Grand Cayman are available from Atlanta, Chicago, Tampa, Newark, London, Toronto, New York, Montego Bay, Washington D.C., Havana, Miami, Panama City, La Ceiba and more.{{cite web |url=http://www.caymanislands.co.uk/planatrip/gettingherebyair.aspx |title=Get to Cayman by Air – Cayman Island Flights |publisher=Cayman Islands |access-date=5 October 2013 |archive-date=18 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150318072442/http://www.caymanislands.co.uk/planatrip/gettingherebyair.aspx |url-status=dead }}

File:George Town, Cayman Islands - panoramio (1).jpg

The following highways serve the city:

• East/West Arterial
• Linford Pierson Highway
• Esterly Tibbetts Highway
• Maxine Eldermire Way

A fleet of share taxi minibuses serve the city.{{cite web |url=http://www.grandcayman4u.com/transport/buses.htm |title=Grand Cayman's Public Bus Service |publisher=Grandcayman4u.com |access-date=5 October 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131012073352/http://www.grandcayman4u.com/transport/buses.htm |archive-date=12 October 2013 }}

{{See also|List of schools in the Cayman Islands}}

The Cayman Islands Education Department operates George Town Primary School, Red Bay Primary School, Prospect Primary School, John Gray High School and the University College of the Cayman Islands.

John Gray High is in the former George Hicks High School building since 2012."[http://www.ieyenews.com/wordpress/new-school-year-begins-clifton-hunter-high-school-opens/ New School Year Begins – Clifton Hunter High School Opens!] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181001152327/http://www.ieyenews.com/wordpress/new-school-year-begins-clifton-hunter-high-school-opens/ |date=1 October 2018 }}" Cayman iEyenews. 29 August 2012. Retrieved on 15 September 2016.

Caymanian children are entitled to free primary and secondary education. Various churches and private foundations operate several private schools that offer American and British based studies starting from nursery up to A Levels and College.{{cite web |url=http://www.gov.ky/portal/page?_pageid=1142,1481248&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL |title=Education |publisher=Cayman Islands Government |access-date=3 December 2013 |archive-date=2 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402094510/http://www.gov.ky/portal/page?_pageid=1142,1481248&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL |url-status=dead }}

Private schools include:

• Cayman International School
• Cayman Prep & High School
• St. Ignatius Catholic School"[http://www.gov.ky/portal/pls/portal/docs/1/10396111.PDF Youth Service Providers Directory] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160914235552/http://www.gov.ky/portal/pls/portal/docs/1/10396111.PDF |date=14 September 2016 }}." Government of the Cayman Islands. Retrieved on 15 September 2016. p. 27/64. "St. Ignatius Catholic School Physical Location: 599 Walkers Road District: George Town"

The Montessori School also operates three schools in George Town. The schools are located on South Church Street, Hind's Way (off Walkers Road) and Prospect Point Road in Red Bay.

St. Matthew's University, a Medical and Veterinary school, is located on the outskirts of George Town.{{cite web |url=http://www.grand-cayman-wanderer.com/grand-cayman-island.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070714131605/http://www.grand-cayman-wanderer.com/grand-cayman-island.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=14 July 2007 |title=A Grand Cayman Island Tour: Today and in History |publisher=Grand-cayman-wanderer.com |date=24 September 2013 |access-date=5 October 2013 }}

{{Reflist}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20110417145255/http://opengalleries.org/cayman_islands/george_town/George_Town.html Photos of George Town]

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Category:Populated places in the Cayman Islands

Category:Capitals in the Caribbean

Category:Capitals of British Overseas Territories

Category:Ports and harbours of the Cayman Islands