First discovered in 1503 by Christopher Columbus the islands remained uninhabited for centuries. They became a dominion of Spain during that country’s conquest of the new world but following the Treaty of Madrid in 1647 were ceded along with Jamaica to the United Kingdom and have enjoyed Crown Colony status ever since. There were sporadic encampments established on the islands throughout the 1600’s for the collection of turtles (an industry which flourished well into the last century) and the shores were frequented by pirates. The first permanent settlers are believed to have been deserters from Oliver Cromwell’s army in Jamaica in the late 17th Century.
Cayman's population grew slowly and its mix of British and African inhabitants morphed into a close knit, culturally distinctive and homogeneous society. The economy was sustained primarily by turtling, shark fishing, rope making, sea faring and ship building. Well into the mid 1900's the Cayman Islands were known as the Islands time forgot. A runway was constructed in Grand Cayman in the 1950's and by the early 1970's, electricity was distributed throughout Grand Cayman. The twin pillars of tourism and financial services arose with this development. Between 1970 and 2000, the population quintupled as Cayman established itself on the world stage as a leading financial centre, a position which it continues to occupy.
