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Touring Turks And Caicos Islands: With Pristine Ivory Sand Beaches And The Third Largest Coral Reef System In The World

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Overview

Introduction

If you’re looking for the underwater adventure of a lifetime, then the Turks and Caicos Islands may just be for you.  Turks and Caicos is home to world famous ivory-white sand beaches and the third-largest coral reef system in the world. The coral islands of Providenciales, Grand Turk, Salt Cay, and South Cay offer dry, arid bush landscapes, whereas, North Caicos, Middle Caicos, Parrot Cay and Pine Cay provide greener, foliage-rich landscapes.  Eventhough the Turks and Caicos have undergone major development over the last several years, travelers still receive that getaway vacation feel due to the laid back nature of the islands.  

Geography

The Turks and Caicos Islands are two island groups located in the North Atlantic Ocean, north of Haiti and southeast of The Bahamas in the Caribbean. Turks and Caicos is comprised of approximately 40 different islands and cays; 8 of which are inhabited.  The Islands are home to some of the most beautiful beaches that span its 389km coastline.  

History

The first settlers of Turks and Caicos Islands were the highly skilled Taino and Lucayan Indians.  They were excellent gardners, farmers, and fishermen and are well known for cultivating about 50 different plant species, some of which can still be found in certain sections of the islands.  The Lucayan civilization dissapeared shortly after Christopher Columbus arrived in Grand Turk in 1492.  Many years later, many Bermudians were drawn to Turks and Caicos for its salt making abilities.  Although the shallow waters of the islands were ideal for salt raking, they were treacherous for navigation and, as a result, more than 1,000 ships were wrecked.   The Islands of the Turks and Caicos switched hands a few times in the early 1700’s, but became a part of the Bahamas colony in 1766.  After many failed attempts to integrate the two communities and the “Great Bahamas Hurricane” of 1874, the Turks and Caicos Islands became a British Crown Colony of Jamaica.  In 1962 after Jaimaica won its independence from Britian, the Turks and Caicos became a British Crown Colony; it remains one today.  

Economy

Tourism began in the early 1980’s when Club Med was built in Providenciales.  In addition to the tourism industry, the other main sectors of the Turks and Caicos economy are offshore financial services and fishing. Turks and Caicos also brings a significant amount of income in from its exports of lobster and conch. The islands boast to have the fastest growing economy in the Caribbean and this is a direct result of its pristine waters and fabulous coral reef system.

Location:
  • Caribbean
  • Turks and Caicos Islands
Keywords: diving guides, turks and caicos islands, providenciales, princess alexandra national park, northwest point, north caicos, middle caicos, grand turk, salt cay, french cay Author:
Melissa Gwaldis
Related Tags: Diving Guides