Turks and Caicos
Country profile and map of Turks & Caicos islands
The Turks & Caicos Islands' name came from the combination of two words, cays and the Turks cactus. These islands are an archipelago of 40 islands and cays and are located 30 mls southeast of the Bahamas & half way between Miami & Puerto Rico. They cover a land area of 193 sq mls. The islands are each surrounded by a continuous coral reef. The Turks & Caicos Islands are made of two groups of islands, the Turks Islands and the Caicos Islands.
History
The islands’ first dwellers were the peaceful Tainos, who left behind ancient utensils and little else. By the middle of the 16th century not one Lucayan, as Columbus named them, remained. Like the Lucayans in the Bahamas islands, they were kidnapped for use as slaves or pearl divers, while many others died of imported diseases. The discovery of the islands, whether by Columbus in 1492 or later by Ponce de León, is hotly disputed.
The Turks and Caicos National Trust
The National Trust is a relatively new, non-profit, non-governmental conservation organization, working in co-operation with the Government, the World Wildlife Fund, The Nature Conservancy and local people to preserve the natural and historical heritage of the islands and develop sustainable tourism to keep the Turks and Caicos Islands ‘beautiful by nature’.
Travelers need to know - about Turks and Caicos island
There are international airports on Grand Turk, North Caicos, Providenciales and South Caicos, with domestic airports on all of the islands except for West Caicos and East Caicos, which are uninhabited. American Airlines flies twice daily between Providenciales and Miami. In season, there are weekly charter flights from several North American cities, including Boston, Chicago, Detroit, New York, Montreal and Toronto.
Some useful information of Turks & Caicos Islands
Visitors may bring in duty free for their own use one carton of cigarettes or cigars, one bottle of liquor or wine and some perfume. The importation of all firearms, including those charged with compressed air, without prior approval in writing from the Commissioner of Police, is strictly forbidden. Spear guns, Hawaiian slings, controlled drugs and pornography are also illegal.
Money/ Business Guide of Turks & Caicos Islands
The United States dollar. The Treasury also issues a Turks & Caicos crown and quarter. Travelers
cheques in U.S. dollars are widely accepted and other currency can be changed at local banks. American Express, VISA and MasterCard are welcomed at many locations.
West Caicos
Rugged and uninhabited but worth visiting for its beautiful beach on the northwest coast and excellent diving offshore. Once frequented by pirates, there are many wrecks between here & Provo. The east shore is a marine park.
Telephone and Postal Services
Turks and Caicos Islands Telephone and Postal Services
Telephone Services:
Grand Turk, Provo and South Caicos have a modern local and international telephone service, with Cable and Wireless offices in Grand Turk and Provo. Telephone services on the North and Middle Caicos and Salt City are improving. There are two exchanges, 946 and 941. Local directory assistance T118, international operator T115; credit card calls T111, 1-800-8778000.
Government & Economy
The Turks and Caicos are a British Dependent Territory. The British monarch is Head of State, represented by a Governor, currently John Kelly. The Executive Council chaired by the Governor is formed by six ministers, the Financial Secretary, the Attorney General and the Chief Secretary, the last two being British government appointments. Mrs Cynthia Astwood, the first Turks Islander, took over as Chief Secretary when the present British appointee left. The Legislative Council has 13 elected members and two party-appointed members.
Flora & Fauna
The islands support 175 resident and migrant species of birds, including flocks of greater flamingos, frigate birds, ospreys, brown pelicans, the ruby throated humming bird, the belted kingfisher, white billed tropic birds, black-necked stilts, snowy plovers, peregrine falcons, red-tailed hawks, northern harriers, Baltimore orioles and scarlet tanagers and many others. There are lizards, iguanas, two species of snake, including a pygmy boa, and two species of bat.
South Caicos
The nearest Caicos island, 22 miles west of Grand Turk, South Caicos; also known as The Big South or East Harbour, (pop: 1,198), was once the most populous and the largest producer of salt. It is now the main fishing port having benefited from the most naturally protected harbour in the islands and is also known as East Harbour, or the ‘rock’.
Festivals
There is always something to do in the TCI, from dining to the music of live junkanoo bands, to discos and karaoke., October's junkanoo carnival at the North Caicos Extravaganza; on Middle Caicos, Expo is in August; on South Caicos the Regatta with associated activities is in May. Valentines Day 2009 was celebrated in grand cultural style on beautiful, Bambarra Beach, Middle Caicos.
Getting around TCI By Air, Land and Sea
Flight time from Grand Turk to the furthest island (Provo) is 35 minutes. Turks & Caicos Airways provides a twice daily service Provo to Grand Turk via the out-islands, round trip. SkyKing and Inter Island Airways also provide frequent flights between the islands. Private charters are readily available within the island group
Pine Cay
Pine Cay is an 800-acre private resort owned by a group of homeowners who also own the exclusive 12 room The Meridian Club. Children under six years are not allowed to stay in the hotel and there are lots of restrictions on where they are allowed if brought to a villa.
What To See And Do in Turks & Caicos Islands
Grand Turk: Victoria Public Library. Lighthouse. National Museum - Located on Front Street, Grand Turk. The cultural history of the Islands, their discovery and the impact of early European settlement, natural and political history, and the role played in twentieth century space exploration are all recorded at the museum. Turks Inn. Waterloo Governor's House.
