Grand Cayman

Of the flora, a good representation of the variety of plant life on Grand Cayman can be found at the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park located in the North Side District. Wild banana orchids, ghost orchids, thatch palm trees, red birch trees, mahogany trees and various fruit trees such as avocado, mango, guinep, naseberry, breadfruit, and tamarind. Yellow mastics (Sideroxylon foetidissimum) and black mastics (Terminalia eriostachya) are also seen in the park, as well as on the 2 miles (3.2 km)-long Mastic Trail. Elsewhere outside the park, all of these species can be seen around Grand Cayman, including coconut palm, Casuarina pine, mangrove, and poinciana trees.

Fauna seen in various locations around the island include blue iguanas (Cyclura lewisi), Grand Cayman amazon parrots (Amazona leucocephala caymanensis), Central American agouti (Dasyprocta punctata), and Gecarcinus ruricola, a species of land crab. The Cayman Islands Turtle Farm located in the West Bay district raises green sea turtles for their meat and to release into the wild.

Through breeding, the farm produces upwards of 1800 turtles a year. Between 1980 and 2006, the farm released approximately 30,600 turtles to the wild; because of a mark placed on each animal, the released turtles have been seen throughout the Caribbean.[5]

There are four endemic snake species on Grand Cayman and two invasive species. They are all relatively harmless and the largest is the rarely seen invasive corn snake, which may grow to about 5 feet (1.5 m). The smallest averages 2–4 inches (5–10 cm) and is the invasive brahminy blind snake which is also rarely seen. The most common is the endemic Cayman racer snake. (Cubophis cantherigerus)[6] It can grow to approximately 5 feet (1.5 m), but 3-foot (91-cm) specimens are much more common. These snakes tend to race away if encountered and in rare cases will rear up in a threatening manner if cornered. The Cayman racer snake carries a mild venom which it uses to immobilise prey, but in large enough doses it can cause significant swelling and bruising if it latches on for an extended period. A simple bite and release does not usually cause any reaction in humans. The other three endemic snake species are the Cayman Islands dwarf boa, Cayman Brac blind snake and Cayman water snake.

• 
  Hibiscus and palm tree on Grand Cayman Island
• 
  Central American agouti at Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park
• 
  Green sea turtle in lagoon at Cayman Turtle Farm
• 
  East End blow hole

There are just under 600 banks and trust companies in the Grand Cayman, including 43 of the 50 largest banks in the world.[8] Because of this large financial presence on the island, banking, investments, and insurance drive the economy in Grand Cayman.[9]

Rum Point beach

Grand Cayman Island has a number of natural attractions: the blow holes in the East End district, the Mastic Trail that runs north to south through the center of the island, Hell in the West Bay, and the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park.

Watersports such as scuba diving and snorkeling are popular activities on Grand Cayman as the island is known for its coral reefs and underwater sea walls along with a number of shipwrecks.

Because of its clubs, resorts, and hotels, Seven Mile Beach has the largest concentration of visitors and tourists on the island.

• Cayman Islands Further Education Centre

• John Gray High School[13]
• Clifton Hunter High School

• Theoline L. McCoy Primary School
• Sir John A. Cumber Primary School
• Edna M. Moyle Primary School
• George Town Primary School
• East End Primary School
• Prospect Primary School
• Red Bay Primary School
• Savannah Primary School

Location of Grand Cayman (circled), south of Cuba and the Florida peninsula.

• Cayman Academy
• Cayman International School[14]
• Cayman Prep and High School[15]
• First Baptist Christian School (ages 3 months – 11 years, grades preschool to 6)[16]
• Grace Christian Academy
• Montessori School of Grand Cayman[17]
• St. Ignatius Catholic School[18]
• Triple C School[19]
• Truth For Youth School
• Wesleyan Christian Academy
• Hope Academy
• Clever Fish School

• St. Matthews University of Medicine/Veterinary Medicine
• International College of the Cayman Islands (ICCI)
• The Cayman Islands Law School[20]

• University College of the Cayman Islands (UCCI)