Cayman Brac facts for kids
Cayman Brac from space, 3 March 2007
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 Cayman Brac
Location in Cayman Islands
Cayman Brac
Location in Caribbean
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| Geography | |
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| Location | Caribbean |
| Coordinates | 19°43′12″N 79°48′00″W / 19.72000°N 79.80000°W |
| Archipelago | Greater Antilles |
| Administration | |
| Territory |  Cayman Islands |
| Largest settlement | George Town |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 2,547 (2018) |
| Ethnic groups | 69.2% Multiracial
22.0% Black 4.3% White 0.9% Asian |
Cayman Brac is a beautiful island that is part of the Cayman Islands. It sits in the Caribbean Sea. The island is about 19 kilometers (12 miles) long and 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) wide. It is located about 145 kilometers (90 miles) northeast of Grand Cayman. It is also just 8 kilometers (5 miles) east of Little Cayman.
What makes Cayman Brac special is "The Bluff". This is a tall limestone cliff that runs along the island. It rises steadily to about 43 meters (141 feet) above sea level at the eastern end. The island gets its name from this feature. "Brac" is a Gaelic word that means "bluff" or "cliff".
Contents
Island History
Early Discoveries
The famous explorer Christopher Columbus first saw Cayman Brac and its nearby island, Little Cayman, on May 10, 1503. His ship was blown off course while he was traveling between Hispaniola and Panama. He called them "Las Tortugas," which means "The Turtles," because he saw so many turtles there.
Later, in 1586, Sir Francis Drake explored the islands. He renamed them the "Caymanas." This name came from the Carib word for crocodiles. He saw many large crocodilians. However, some people think he might have seen the large rock iguanas that still live there today, instead of crocodiles!
Pirate Hideout
During the time of piracy, Cayman Brac was a popular spot for pirates. They used it as a safe place to hide and to get fresh supplies. The island had many fresh water wells. It also had lots of local plants and animals for food.
Things to Do
Cayman Brac offers many exciting activities for visitors.
Diving Adventures
Scuba diving is a very popular activity here. Divers can explore a special underwater wreck. It's a 100-meter (330-foot) long Russian warship called the M/V Captain Keith Tibbetts. It was built in 1984 for the Cuban Navy. The Cayman Islands government bought it and sank it on purpose in September 1996.
This wreck is one of the only sunken Soviet naval vessels in the Western Hemisphere that divers can easily visit. It first rested upright at a depth of 27 meters (89 feet). Then, a big storm in 1998-1999 nearly broke the ship in two. Now, the front part is tilted, but the back part is still upright. The wreck is located about 200 meters (660 feet) offshore on the north side of the island. It has many openings for divers to explore. It also acts as an artificial reef, attracting lots of marine life. Other great dive spots include Radar Reef, Cemetery Wall, and the Wilderness Wall. These are full of colorful corals and diverse sea creatures.
Exploring Caves
Cayman Brac has many interesting caves. These caves offer a chance to see amazing underground rock formations. Steps and ladders have been built to help visitors reach some of the more hidden caves. One cave, Rebecca's Cave, is a special Cayman National Heritage Site. It holds the grave of a young girl who was lost during a terrible hurricane in 1932.
Rock Climbing
If you like adventure, rock climbing is also available. Climbing routes were first set up in 1992. Today, there are about 100 sport climbs on the island.
Walking and Hiking
The island has many walking and hiking trails. These trails were created by the Nature Tourism Programme. They let you explore the island's thick forests and unique karst landscapes. You can see special plants and animals living in their natural home.
Fishing
The waters around Cayman Brac are great for fishing. You can enjoy recreational fishing or try to catch large fish in big-game fishing.
Island Economy
The economy of Cayman Brac mainly focuses on three areas. These are tourism, government jobs, and local businesses. The government, including Cayman Airways, is the largest employer on the island. Many important families in Grand Cayman originally came from Cayman Brac.
Most of the tourism on the island is centered around scuba diving. There are also unique local artists on Cayman Brac. They create beautiful jewellery and small carvings from a local stone called caymanite. Their work has won national awards. Some pieces were even given as official gifts to Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip in 1994. For the 2011 wedding of Prince William, the official gift from the Cayman Islands was made by Horacio Esteban. He grew up on Cayman Brac.
Travel to Cayman Brac
Current Flights
Charles Kirkconnell International Airport serves Cayman Brac. This airport was formerly known as Gerrard Smith International Airport. All regular passenger flights are operated by Cayman Airways and its smaller planes, Cayman Airways Express. They fly to and from Grand Cayman. These flights use Saab 340B turboprops and Twin Otter aircraft. Sometimes, larger Boeing 737-300 jets are also used for this route. Cayman Airways also offers some seasonal 737 jet service to Miami.
Past Flights
In 1965, a company called Cayman Brac Airways (CBA) offered flights. It was part of LACSA Airlines. They flew twice a week between Grand Cayman, Little Cayman, Cayman Brac, and Montego Bay. In 1968, the government of the Cayman Islands bought most of Cayman Brac Airways. They then formed Cayman Airways, which has served the airport ever since.
Education
The Cayman Islands Education Department runs schools on the island. These include:
- Creek & Spot Bay Primary School (for younger students)
- West End Primary School
- Layman E. Scott Sr. High School (for older students)
Images for kids
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Aerial view of the north side of Cayman Brac.
See also
In Spanish: Caimán Brac para niños
