Island Info
Turks and Caicos Island Information
What you need to know about Turks and Caicos
The Turks and Caicos Islands are comprised of two scenic island groups separated by the 22 mile wide Columbus Passage. The Turks and Caicos Islands chain, British West Indies, lies some 575 miles southeast of Miami, about one and a half hours flying time, with the Bahamas about 30 miles to the Northwest and the Dominican Republic some 100 miles to the South east.
Turks and Caicos History
On or about AD 750 the first inhabitants arrived on the shores of the Turks & Caicos Islands. These were the Lucayans or, in their Arawak language, the Lukkunu cairi which has the translation of "Island Men". Their arrival in the Turks & Caicos Islands was the final stage of their long migration taking several thousand years from their original home on the banks of the Orinoco River long before the first Europeans discovered the New World or Venezuela. For those of us interested in history a visit to the Turks & Caicos Museum on the capital island of Grand Turk is essential. There among many interesting artifacts on display you will see a circa 900 year old canoe paddle in testimony to the prowess of the Lucayans as a seafaring people. One has to remember that it was to be another 700 years before Christopher Columbus arrived in the Turks and Caicos Islands to lay his claim of discovery whereas the Lucayans had traveled great distances many centuries before from South America. more...
Turks and Caicos Geography
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Providenciales, one of the nation`s eight inhabited islands, is the resort capital of the Turks & Caicos Islands. Providenciales, more familiarly known as `Provo` boasts pristine beaches and breathtaking crystal blue waters, unlike any in the world. The coral reef that surrounds the island has made Provo a popular diving destination, as well as a splendid retreat to a stress free environment. The gentle easterly trade winds ensure pleasurable year-round climate. The Turks & Caicos Islands are a British Crown Colony and are politically and economically stable, with one of the lowest crime rates and fastest growing economy in the Caribbean. Tourism and offshore finance industries are the major source of revenue in the Turks and Caicos Islands. |
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