Cayman Islands

First discovered by Columbus in 1503 and named "Tortugas" in reference to the turtles clustered around the two smaller islands, were eventually colonised by the British, and remained a British dependency until gaining their independence in 1962. The Cayman Islands, comprised by three islands: Grand Cayman, Little Cayman, and Cayman Brac, are located at 19 30 N, 80 30 W, approximately midway between Cuba and Honduras.