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If you are planning a vacation that offers unparalleled serenity, palm-lined white sand beaches and spectacular fringing reefs, rest assured that the unmatched beauty of Grand Cayman in the Cayman Islands is the envy of many tropical islands in the world. The heart of this beach paradise is Grand Cayman, the largest among the three groups of islands known all over the world. Located 150 miles south of Cuba and 180 miles south of Jamaica, Grand Cayman’s widest point is eight miles with a length of 22 miles. Grand Cayman is a vast land of resorts and luxury hotels that turn anyone’s dream beach vacation into reality.
Grand Cayman Geography
The three islands of the Cayman Islands are similar as far as their landforms are concerned; although each has its own unique beauty. Cayman Brac and Little Cayman are amoeba-shaped while Grand Cayman is irregulary shaped, featuring a shallow bay called North Sound. Grand Cayman has low elevation, with its highest point at 60 feet above sea level. You will see no mountains in Grand Cayman as this island is not volcanic in origin.
Every tourist who has set foot on Grand Cayman has been impressed by the island’s high-lying reefs called ironshores. These are limestone fringes that had been formed along with marine fossils. The highest elevation among the ironshores is estimated at twenty-four meters above sea level. Generally, the terrain of Grand Cayman consists only of low-elevated hills.
Grand Cayman Water Supply
Don’t worry if someone tells you that there are no natural freshwater reservoirs in Grand Cayman; in fact, you should treat this is an advantage. The good thing about having no natural water reservoirs like lakes, rivers and swamps in Grand Cayman is that the quality of the sea is maintained at a healthy level. This is one of the biggest factors why the sea in Grand Cayman is so clear and blue.
Local government in Grand Cayman has also been working hard to please the tourists and residents of the islands. The Water Authority of the Cayman Islands has built effective sewage and water infrastructure in the island, supplying water to the East End and to Georgetown. At the same time, a private company distributes piped water to the West Bay district and beach area. Water provided for human consumption is processed through catchments and desalination of sea water.
Grand Cayman Natural Resources
The environment of Grand Cayman is the type of environment that we should all live in, if we respected and obeyed all environment-related policies and laws. Residents of the Cayman Islands are eager to conserve and protect their environment. Much of Grand Cayman remains untapped. Among the animals that tourists see for the first time include the green-backed heron, soft-billed ani, West Indian whistling duck, red-footed booby and the Antillean grackle.
Children will be delighted with what they'll find in the Cayman Islands because many wonderful creatures live there. The island shelters hundreds of indigenous animals like tree frogs, hickatees, freshwater turtles, iguanas, non-poisonous snakes and agoutis, which attract droves of family vacationers from all over the world.
Tourism in Grand Cayman
Grand Cayman is the center of Caymanian tourism, breathing life to the island’s economy. Grand Cayman is divided into four regions: George Town, East of George Town, Seven Mile Beach and West Bay, all of which are visited and loved by all types of tourists for recreation and relaxation.
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- Seven Mile Beach – A stretch of white beach lined with luxury resorts and casuarina trees, Seven Mile Beach provides jobs to many watersports operators in the island. Seven Mile Beach is among the most sought-after beaches in the entire Caribbean and the whole world.
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- West Bay – Located at the north of Seven Mile Beach, West Bay is a residential area that has earned its popularity because of tourist spots like Grand Cayman Hell and Turtle Farm.
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- George Town – Grand Cayman’s capital city, George Town is the home of the country’s banking and business industry. Aside from shopping and doing underwater activities, vacationers also visit George Town to learn more about the interesting history of the Cayman Islands.
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- East of George Town – Visitors who stay on the other parts of Grand Cayman tour the East of George Town for one whole day. It is the quietest part of Grand Cayman, and is a favorite of hikers, nature trippers and birders.
The biggest island in the Cayman Islands does not disappoint one bit. It is a scuba diving mecca, a shopper’s haven, a traveler’s dream destination and the Caribbean’s center of offshore banking. If you are an avid fan of traveling and you have the money for a vacation, there is no reason why you should skip Grand Cayman in your list.
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