LUX Autumn 2018

NEWS The Turks and Caicos Islands are situated 925.4km southeast of Miami in the northern Caribbean. They cover 500sq km of Atlantic Ocean. The islands’ name is derived after the indigenous Turk’s Head ‘fez’ cactus; Caicos means ‘string of islands.’ Their discovery is contested: either Columbus or Ponce de Leon arrived first, in 1592. The original indigenous people were the Taino Indians, followed by the Lucayans, who eventually became victims of Spanish enslavement. In the 17th century, settlers arrived from Bermuda, using slaves to develop cotton and sisal plantations. The land wasn’t good enough, and the industry’s death was sounded by a hurricane in 1813. In 1766, the Turks and Caicos Islands became part of the colony of the Bahamas, later annexed to Jamaica in 1874. In the 1970s, the islands were made a British Crown Colony. In 2009, inhabited islands include Salt Cay, Grand Turk, South Caicos, Middle Caicos, North Caicos, Providenciales, Pine Cay and Parrot Cay. East Caicos and West Caicos are uninhabited. The total population sits between 30,000 and 35,000 residents. Tourism is the islands’ principal industry. However, they also function as an important offshore financial centre. Fishing still thrives. The Turks and Caicos Islands have the world’s third largest coral reef system and over 370.2km of white sand beaches. The Turks Bank is the name given to the two large limestone plateaus that root these islands. The deep offshore waters are important transit points for Humpback Whales (December to April), spotted Eagle rays, Manta Rays (summer) and Turtles. Tuna, Wahoo and Blue Marlin also frequent these rich waters. Coral walls in the Turks and Caicos are considered some of the best in the Caribbean. They include Grand Turk, West Caicos and Provo’s Northwest Point. In addition, there are historic wrecks south of Salt Cay. The salt ponds and inland marshes are favored by a rich array of birdlife, including Great Blue Herons, Flamingos, Osprey, Pelicans, Egrets, Terns, Frigates and Boobies. There are 12 cays now designated as protected breeding grounds. Destination Overview