By R.L. Cultrona
Grand Cayman Island is the largest of the Cayman Islands, a group of three islands 500 miles west of Jamaica. This tiny nation is ripe with a long history and distinguished culture.
Columbus
Grand Cayman Island was discovered in 1503 by Christopher Columbus during his fourth voyage. He dubbed it "Las Tortugas" because of the dense population of sea turtles. Sir Francis Drake changed the name to "Caymanas" in 1586.
British Colonization
In 1670, Great Britain got possession of the island under the Treaty of Madrid. They set up a regional governor in Jamaica who ruled both colonies.
Population Growth
The colony began to be settled in the 1730s by pirates, sailors and army deserters. They were joined by slaves until Britain outlawed slavery in 1834.
Constitution
Due to the difficulty in running both territories from Jamaica, the regional governor appointed a commissioner to run the Cayman Islands colony. In 1959, the Grand Cayman Island got its first constitution which provided for 12 elected council members. The commissioner was replaced by an administrator.
Independence
Grand Cayman Island and Jamaica were governed as a single territory until Jamaica declared its independence and the island became its own territory. Their new constitution was created in 1972 and revised in 1994.
Resources
About the Author:
R.L. Cultrona is a San Diego native and a graduate of San Diego State University. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in theater, television and film with a minor in communications and political science. She began writing online instructional articles in June 2009.
