Uncategorised
.
08 May 2024
.
Turks and Caicos Islands
Located in the tropical Atlantic Ocean, Turks and Caicos is an archipelago country of eight major islands and several smaller islands and cays. All in all, there are more than 95 named islands and cays in the territory. The country is divided into two groups of islands, the Turks Islands and the Caicos Islands. It is a British overseas territory with its local affairs handled by an elected government. The country is known for its great beaches and for having one of the largest and best coral reef systems in the world. The country's capital is Cockburn Town.
In the Turks and Caicos Islands, it is sunny all year round and quite dry. The weather is in the 80f to 90f (27c to 32c) range always. Generally, there isn't much rain in the country; however, hurricanes are mostly heard of during the summer. The best time to visit the country is in May and April as the weather is pleasant, there are less crowds, and the prices are lower. Hurricanes are a threat from June to November with August and September being the most prone months; so it is best to avoid going to the country then.
The official language in the country is English. As most other Atlantic countries, Turks and Caicos has a unique blend of different cultures and is quite diverse. The culture there is that of the native Taino people influenced by the French, Spanish, and the descendants of African slaves. The Islanders are 88% Afro Caribbean, 8% Caucasian and about 5% mixed and East Indian. Turks and Caicos is best known for Ripsaw, a music genre originally from the Islands whose primary instrument is the handsaw. Turks and Caicos is a majorly Christian nation, being about 72% protestant and having several other christian sects.
Being surrounded by the ocean so, the mainstay of Turks and Caicos Islands' cuisine is definitely seafood. And seeing as the Islands have gained popularity owing to their prosperous economy and tourism appeal, you can find nearly every kind of cuisine on the Islands. Drought-resistant maize are common food ingredients. Some local delicacies to definitely try are mahi, rock lobster, and one of the country's staples, conch.
There are several tourist worthy locations in Turks and Caicos and it is one of the top tourist locations in the Atlantic. Some of the places to definitely visit if one does happen upon the country are:
- Grace Bay, Providenciales: Grace Bay beach is one of the best beaches in the Atlantic without a doubt. Here the sea is crystal clear and the sands are beautiful. One may snorkel here, sun bathe, and even play with "Jo Jo", a wild bottleneck dolphin who interacts with humans.
- Little Water Cay: Little Water Cay is the designated home of endangered rock iguanas. The friendly animals are protected on this island and tourists can come see the animals using boardwalk trails so that they do not disturb their habitat.
- Gibbs Cay: For tourists looking to get a feel of the underwater life in shallow waters, this is the place to go. Here, one may snorkel the coral reefs in the waters surrounding the beach and even feed and play with stingrays.
- Salt Cay: Salt Cay has been nominated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The island holds a lot of historical significance. It was once the world's largest producer of salt which used to be the major export of the country. If you seek a secluded place where you can relax on the beach, explore the waters, and discover some valuable history, this is the place to go.
An interesting fact about Turks and Caicos Islands is that against popular belief, Turks and Caicos Islands are not located in the Caribbean but are actually located in the Atlantic Ocean.
There are several decent hotels on the Islands and visitors will be spoiled for choice of accommodation.
