The islands were sighted by Christopher Columbus in 1503, but were colonized by the British beginning in the 1800s.

After 1863, Jamaica supervised the Islands; they became a separate British crown colony when Jamaica became independent in 1962. Emigrants from England, Holland, Spain, and France then arrived, as did refugees from the Spanish Inquisition and deserters from Oliver Cromwell's army in Jamaica; many brought slaves with them as well. The native people of the Islands are called Caymanians. They have been known for their mastering of the seas as fisherman; in the early 1900’s many men took to the seas as sailors aboard merchant ships which sailed the Caribbean, to North America and Central America. The tradition continued until well into the century and Cayman sailors sailed to many countries including Japan, Saudi, Arabia and Venezuela.
The Cayman Islands have for many years enjoyed a thriving economy with literally zero unemployment; which has created an extremely diverse population. Out of a population of 40,000 there are over 10,000 persons there on work permits. The tourism sector supplies thousands of jobs in the hotel and condo field, from managerial positions to simple room services and in all facets of the water sports industry, from dive instructors to submarine pilots. Also, the construction of new homes, hotels and condominium projects keep developers busy, and land sales increase almost every year. In order to keep pace with the development requires the importation of foreign labor.

The cost of living may be about 20% higher here than in the United States (one U.S. dollar is worth only about 80 Cayman cents), but you won't be hassled by panhandlers or feel afraid to walk around at night. The reason being, it is one of the safest islands in the Caribbean. The crime rate is very low because there are no guns allowed; solicitation is against the law; and strict drug laws are enforced. Add political and economic stability and you have a secure environment for the whole family.

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