The Cayman Islands, a British Overseas Territory in the Caribbean, have a unique

history that blends indigenous heritage, European colonization, and modern economic
development. Here are key points about the history of the Cayman Islands:

Pre-Colonial Era
Indigenous Peoples: The Cayman Islands were originally inhabited by indigenous
peoples, likely the Taíno and possibly the Ciboney, though evidence of permanent
settlements is scarce.
European Discovery and Early History
Christopher Columbus: The Cayman Islands were first sighted by Christopher Columbus
on May 10, 1503, during his fourth and final voyage to the New World. He named them
"Las Tortugas" due to the many sea turtles seen there.
Name Change: The name "Cayman" is derived from the Carib word for marine crocodile,
"caiman," which European explorers mistakenly applied to the islands.
Colonial Period
Spanish and British Interest: The islands were not settled by the Spanish, and they
were largely ignored until the British took an interest in the region in the 17th
century.
First Settlements: Permanent settlement began in the 1730s, primarily by settlers
from Jamaica, which was a British colony at the time. The population included
British colonists, African slaves, and pirates.