Jamaica Research Paper

The Cayman Islands are a small British overseas dependency situated in between the Yucatán Peninsula and Cuba, in the northwestern Caribbean Sea. Like most countries in the Caribbean, the Cayman Islands share a regional culture, however, Grand Cayman in particular operates a little differently from it’s regional neighbors. The geography of the Cayman Islands is quite unique, as this nation actually consists of a main island and two satellite, or sister islands. Being a British Overseas Territory, the Cayman Islands have a similar governmental structure to England, and ultimately, despite their local government, the Crown sets the law for the land (though that may be changing very soon). To mix in some controversy and polarization, the Cayman

This cultural phenomena is due partially to the Transatlantic Slave Trade, where British aggressors moved over 3.1 million Africans to the Caribbean to work on plantations. The cultures and traditions brought by these men and women were the roots of Jamaica’s Rastafari movement, as well as a collective bond shared by citizens of the Caribbean. Despite it’s innately Caribbean cultural identity, the Cayman Islands has a few unique attributes. Up until 1962, the Cayman Islands were actually a dependency of Jamaica. In fact, it was only after Jamaica gained it’s independence from the U.K along with the rest of the Federation of the West Indies did the Cayman Islands adopt it’s current government. There is still a large Jamaican presence in the island; it is speculated that there are now more people of Jamaican decent residing in the Cayman Islands than natural-born Caymanians. Along with a diverse culture, the Cayman Islands also boast a considerable amount of rare, indigenous wildlife. Animals of interest include, the Cayman blue iguana, the Grand Cayman Parrot, hickatees (river turtles), as well as the majestic sea turtle. Unfortunately, due to overfishing and climate change, some of these species are now critically endangered. On the bright side, increased conservation efforts are now helping to ensure this piece of Cayman heritage is protected and observable

Though these islands are relatively close, their topography is quite different. Grand Cayman is mainly known for it’s sprawling beaches, most notably, Seven Mile Beach. For the most part, this island is flat, with extensive farmland on the East End. Cayman Brac, located 157km, or 98 miles from Grand Cayman, is not only half the size, but it is also quite mountainous. Cayman Brac is mainly known for it’s world-class scuba diving and breathtaking cliffs. The smallest, and least trekked of the Cayman Islands is undoubtedly Little Cayman. Little Cayman, also renowned for it’s scuba excursions, is seldom visited by tourists, making it the cleanest and most tranquil