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Meet Cayman Islands: our Flag, Flower, Tree

USD to KYD Exchange Value: 0.82
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USD To CNH: 6.3209
 
The current flag was adopted May 14, 1958 after the colony was officially granted a coat-of-arms. In 1999, the white disc was removed and the arms were more than doubled in size, although the pre-1999 flag remains popular and is still used on some official occasions. The flag is blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Caymanian coat of arms on a white disk centered on the outer half of the flag. 

National Flower 
Wild Banana Orchid - The Cayman Islands boast a number of spectacular native flowers, including 26 different varieties of orchids. Probably the best known and certainly one of the most unique and easily identifiable is the Wild Banana Orchid (Myrmecophila thomsoniana). Found only in the Caymans, there are 2 varieties, one which originated on Grand Cayman and the other which came from Cayman Brac and Little Cayman. 

Both varieties have scented flowers with purple lips. The petals are predominantly white on the Grand Cayman variety while the Sister Islands' variety has slightly smaller flowers, with pale yellow petals. Before international trade in wild orchids became regulated, Wild Banana Orchids were occasionally exported from Cayman Brac, and many specimens were also brought to Grand Cayman. As a result, some hybridization has occurred and some variation in flower colour can now be seen in Grand Cayman, particularly in garden plants. (Resource: National Trust of Cayman Islands) 

National Tree 
Silver Thatch Palm - The name comes from the coloration: the upper sides of the leaves are a light green while the underside is a silvery colour that is particularly prominent in moonlight. The palm has played an important role in the lives of Caymanians. The tree produces a profusion of small white flowers that develop into berries that ripen from green to red to black. It has unusually tough leaves that have a variety of uses, from roofing for houses to the making of hats, baskets and fans. Shoes known as "wompers" were made with a flat leather sole and held on the foot by straps - like a thong - of thatch rope. To make thatch rope, women and children would cut "tops" (new unopened leaves) and hang them out to dry before they were split into strands. Three strands were then twisted together to make a rope on an ingenious handmade machine which was comprised of three parts - the winch, cob and cart. Thatch rope was highly prized in Cuba and Jamaica for use in the shipping, fishing and sugar industries. 

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