|
The
beautiful Turks and Caicos Islands are situated
575 miles (or 75 minutes) southeast of Miami.
Covering
193 square miles of the Atlantic Ocean, the
Turks and Caicos Islands has the third largest
coral reef system and the best tropical beaches
in the world, making it a premier beach, diving
and snorkelling destination and an ideal location
for romance, family vacations, ecotourism and
adventure seekers, which is probably why 60%
of our visitors come back over and over again.
American
Airlines, US Airways, Delta Airlines, Air Canada
and British Airways offer direct routes from
Miami, New York, Boston, Charlotte, Philadelphia,
Atlanta, Toronto and London. In addition those
wishing to travel from within the region can
make it easy by flying with BahamasAir, Air
Jamaica Express, SkyKing and Air Turks &
Caicos from Nassau, Montego Bay, Puerto Plata,
Cap Haitien or Cuba.
One
of the most valuable possessions of the islands
are the pristine white sandy beaches, which
in total cover 230 miles and are complemented
with crystal clear turquoise waters. The islands
are relatively flat but vary from sand dunes
to lush green vegetation. There are eight inhabited
islands: Salt Cay, Grand Turk, South Caicos,
Middle Caicos, North Caicos, Providenciales,
Parrot Cay and Pine Cay. East Caicos and West
Caicos along with several other fascinating
cays are uninhabited. People on the islands
known as "Belongers" are known for
their friendly spirit, which helps ensure this
is a destination that helps people de-stress,
feel comfortable and truly relax.
The
Tourism industry gives Turks and Caicos its
main revenue. In addition to this the country
is also a major offshore financial center. There
is a small traditional fishing industry that
continues throughout the Turks and Caicos islands
on South Caicos in particular. The island of
Providenciales is our main tourist island, you
will find International style hotel accommodations,
each one has its own unique set up and surroundings
with most of them being located on the beach
as well as world class spas and cuisine. Native
dishes such as fresh fish and peas and rice
are served along with international cuisine
with tropical twists, you will find this at
most of the restaurants. More casual, rustic
and intimate accommodations can be found on
the other islands and smaller cays.
It
is estimated that the Turks and Caicos Islands
population has between 20,000 and 25,000 residents.
The
Islands
The
Turks and Caicos consists of 40 different islands,
only 8 of which are still inhabited. The islands
of the Turks and Caicos are almost as diverse
as its people. From the main tourist center
of Providenciales to the quiet and tranquil
islands of North and Middle Caicos to the historic
Capital Island of Grand Turk; each one offers
a different experience and a unique character
but all offer the same Turks and Caicos Islands
all year round great climate, beaches and underwater
activities.
The
only true way to experience the Turks and Caicos
Islands is to experience each island in the
entire chain. This is probably why most of the
visitors come back to the Turks and Caicos on
a regular basis. You can read about each of
the islands here and maybe pick a few to see
on your vacation either for daytrips, longer
stays or to create your own two or even three
week vacation.
Most
of the islands are only about 10 to 25 minutes
by air from Provo and most can be reached by
boat too. There are also regular ferries from
North to Middle Caicos.
Providenciales
is the most well known of the Turks and Caicos
Islands and is the center of the tourism industry
with a wide range of hotels, resturants, attractions
and facilities.
Grand
Turk and Salt Cay offer history with great bermudian
architecture and a rustic charm as well as some
of the best diving and probably the most "relaxing"
time you will ever have.
Middle
Caicos and North Caicos represent the best of
the environment, with lush green woodlands,
the biggest cave network in the Caribbean on
Middle Caicos, cottage pond and flamingo pond
in North Caicos and a vast range of plantlife
and birdlife.
South
Caicos is the center for fishing, with lobster
and conch exported from the islands, the historic
cockburn harbour and the natural phenomenon
of the boiling hole. This small yet friendly
island offers many secluded beaches with awe
inspiring views of the turquoise waters and
surrounding islands.
Parrot
Cay and Pine Cay are privately owned islands
and are home to the most exclusive resorts
Parrot Cay Resort and Spa and the Meridian Club.
&
The
name Turks is derived after the indigenous Turk's
Head "fez" cactus, and the name Caicos
is a Lucayan term "caya hico," meaning
string of islands. Columbus was said to have
discovered the islands in 1492, but some still
argue that Ponce de Leon arrived first. Whichever
it was, the first people to truly discover the
islands were the Taino Indians, who unfortunately
left little behind but ancient utensils. Then
the Lucayans eventually replaced the Tainos
but by the middle of the 16th Century they too
had disappeared, victims of Spanish enslavement
and imported disease.
The
17th century saw the arrival of settlers from
Bermuda, who established themselves on Grand
Turk, Salt Cay and South Caicos. They used slaves
to rake salt for British colonies in America,
and were later joined by British Loyalists fleeing
the American Revolution. The economy of the
island revolved around the rich cotton and sisal
plantations, their harvests sold in London and
New York. Due to competition and the thin soil,
however, the cotton plantations slowly deteriorated,
most of them finally perishing in a hurricane
in 1813. Solar salt became the main economy
of the islands.
In
1766, after being controlled by the Spanish,
French and British, Turks and Caicos became
part of the Bahamas colony, but attempts to
integrate failed and were abandoned in 1848.
London - Kingston boats frequently visited Turks
and Caicos, so links with Jamaica were well
developed. The Turks and Caicos were annexed
to Jamaica in 1874. After Jamaicas' independence
in 1962, the Turks and Caicos Islands were loosly
associated with the Bahamas for just over 10
years until Turks and Caicos became a British
Crown Colony.
The
1976 elections were won by the PDM, the People's
Democratic Movement, who were then to negotiate
independence if they won the next elections
in 1980. But the other main political party,
the Progressive National Party (PNP), won the
1980 elections and plans for independence were
set aside. The Turks and Caicos Islands prides
itself on having been stable for 250 years.
Links
& Sources:
|
