The Turks and Caicos Islands or TCI for short, are a British Overseas Territory consisting of the larger Caicos Islands and smaller Turks Islands. These two groups of tropical islands are located in the Lucayan Archipelago of the Atlantic Ocean and northern West Indies.
(photo credit: visailing.com)
With many points of interest and beautiful beaches, Grand Turk is the administrative, historic, cultural and financial center of the territory.
Here are 12 fun facts worth knowing about the island.
Here are 12 fun facts worth knowing about the island.
A view of the southwestern beach at Grand Turk, next to the cruise ship dock (photo credit: wikipedia)
1. Grand Turk is the Capital of the Islands of Turks and Caicos
Grand Turk was first colonized in 1681 by Bermudians, who set up the salt industry in the islands and in 1766 it became the capital of the country.
Grand Turk was first colonized in 1681 by Bermudians, who set up the salt industry in the islands and in 1766 it became the capital of the country.
(photo credit: visittci.com)
2. Cockburn Town is the capital of Grand Turk
The first permanent settlement on the Turks and Caicos islands, Cockburn Town is known for its long, narrow streets and old street lamps. The town has been the seat of government since 1766. The city supposedly lies on the place where Juan Ponce de León first landed on the island.
The first permanent settlement on the Turks and Caicos islands, Cockburn Town is known for its long, narrow streets and old street lamps. The town has been the seat of government since 1766. The city supposedly lies on the place where Juan Ponce de León first landed on the island.
Depiction of Salt Collectors at work on Grand Turk (photo credit: www.tcmuseum.org)
3. Grand Turk was Founded by Salt Collectors
Bermudian Salt collectors set up the first colony in the Turks and Caicos Islands in 1681, building the salt industry in the islands.
Bermudian Salt collectors set up the first colony in the Turks and Caicos Islands in 1681, building the salt industry in the islands.
(photo credit: wiki)
4. The Turks and Caicos Islands are named after the Turk's Cap Cactus
This species of cactus found on the island, has a distinctive cap, reminiscent of an Ottoman fez. They are native to the Caribbean, western Mexico through Central America to northern South America, with some species along the Andes down to southern Peru, and a concentration of species in northeastern Brazil.
This species of cactus found on the island, has a distinctive cap, reminiscent of an Ottoman fez. They are native to the Caribbean, western Mexico through Central America to northern South America, with some species along the Andes down to southern Peru, and a concentration of species in northeastern Brazil.
(photo credit: wikipedia)
5. Grand Turk Lighthouse and Keeper's House are Historic Sites
The 60-foot-tall lighthouse structure, overlooking North Creek, was completed by British architect Alexander Gordon in 1852 to alert sailors of the shallow reef. Interestingly, it was constructed in the United Kingdom, and shipped in pieces to the island.
The 60-foot-tall lighthouse structure, overlooking North Creek, was completed by British architect Alexander Gordon in 1852 to alert sailors of the shallow reef. Interestingly, it was constructed in the United Kingdom, and shipped in pieces to the island.
(photo credit: turksandcaicostourism.com)
6. The Turks & Caicos National Museum is 180 Years Old
Located in Cockburn Town, the Museum is housed in the colonial-era Guinep House, on Front Street. Much of its structural material used to build the house came from local shipwrecks, including a ship's mast, which is one of the building's main supports.
Among the National Museum's collections is an exhibit of shipwrecks, including the oldest known European shipwreck in the Americas, the Molasses Reef Wreck, which dates to 1505.
Other exhibits detail the history of the Lucayans, the Space Race, Turks and Caicos postage stamps, slavery and the history of the slave trade, the sisal and salt industries, royal events, as well as a general history of the islands. The museum also maintains a garden, which is adjacent to the Guinep House.
Located in Cockburn Town, the Museum is housed in the colonial-era Guinep House, on Front Street. Much of its structural material used to build the house came from local shipwrecks, including a ship's mast, which is one of the building's main supports.
Among the National Museum's collections is an exhibit of shipwrecks, including the oldest known European shipwreck in the Americas, the Molasses Reef Wreck, which dates to 1505.
Other exhibits detail the history of the Lucayans, the Space Race, Turks and Caicos postage stamps, slavery and the history of the slave trade, the sisal and salt industries, royal events, as well as a general history of the islands. The museum also maintains a garden, which is adjacent to the Guinep House.
(photo credit: turksandcaicostourism.com)
7. The Islands' Population is Quite Diverse
The majority of black descendants are from the early Bermudan, Loyalist and slave settlers and salt rakers dating back 300 years. However, the Turks and Cacos immigrant population is a rapidly expanding group of Haitians, Dominicans and Cubans as well as many residents from all over the world.
The majority are Canadian and American, but there are also residents from South Africa, Europe, Oceana, South America and Asia.
The majority of black descendants are from the early Bermudan, Loyalist and slave settlers and salt rakers dating back 300 years. However, the Turks and Cacos immigrant population is a rapidly expanding group of Haitians, Dominicans and Cubans as well as many residents from all over the world.
The majority are Canadian and American, but there are also residents from South Africa, Europe, Oceana, South America and Asia.
(photo credit: caribya.com)
8. The U.S. Dollar is the Official Currency of Turks and Caicos
This is very interesting considering that the islands are British!
This is very interesting considering that the islands are British!
(photo credit: tcimall.tc)
9. The First Inhabitants of Turks and Caicos were the Taino Indians
They arrived from other Caribbean islands sometime between 500 to 800 AD.
They arrived from other Caribbean islands sometime between 500 to 800 AD.
10. The Turks and Caicos flag features Elements of the Islands
The Island's flag features three common elements from the islands: a conch shell, a spiny lobster, and Turks Head cactus.
The Island's flag features three common elements from the islands: a conch shell, a spiny lobster, and Turks Head cactus.
(photo credit: visittci.com
11. Humpback Whales Migrate Through The Turks Head Passage
Between January through April each year, Caribbean humpback whales migrate through the Turks head passage in the Turks and Caicos Islands as they travel from the northern waters of Canada’s Bay of Fundy to the Silver Bank off the Dominican Republic where they mate and give birth.
Between January through April each year, Caribbean humpback whales migrate through the Turks head passage in the Turks and Caicos Islands as they travel from the northern waters of Canada’s Bay of Fundy to the Silver Bank off the Dominican Republic where they mate and give birth.
(photo credit: pxhere.com)
12. Nudity is Prohibited in Turks and Caicos Islands
Although nudity on the beaches is accepted throughout the Caribbean, it is not permitted on the islands of Turks and Caicos.
Although nudity on the beaches is accepted throughout the Caribbean, it is not permitted on the islands of Turks and Caicos.
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