Turks and Caicos

 

The Turks and Caicos Islands, which are governed by the United Kingdom, are two archipelagos located in the Caribbean Sea. The Turks Islands and Caicos Islands together cover about two hundred and forty square miles, and include a total population of roughly forty five thousand residents. The Turks and Caicos Islands were originally settled by the Taino Amerindians, and eventually displaced by European explorers and settlers. Permanent settlement began in the late seventeenth century, and has spent most of its history under the control of the United Kingdom. There are literally hundreds of small cays and islets throughout the Turks and Caicos Islands, but the vast majority of the population are settled on the eight main islands – Grand Turk, Salt Cay, Middle Caicos, North Caicos, South Caicos, Parrot Cay, Pine Cay, and Providenciales. Although each of these islands have different attractions, combined they provide a fantastic variety of natural beauty, exclusive resorts, and world class recreational activities.

The Turks and Caicos Islands have a great climate throughout the year, with temperatures usually hovering between the high sixties and low eighties. The archipelagos have become an international financial and tourist center, as well as hosting a number of colleges such as Saint Clements University, Turks and Caicos Islands Business College, and the British West Indies Collegiate. Many Hollywood stars visit Turks and Caicos, and others have actually built properties on the islands. The archipelagos regularly host cultural events as well as large concerts such as the Turks and Caicos Music and Cultural Festival. Visitors to Turks and Caicos can enjoy this as well as beautiful beaches, stunning biodiversity, and some of the best offshore diving in the world.