Cockburn Town... Cockburn Town is the administrative capital and the historic and cultural center of the islands. It is strongly reputed to be the landfall island of Columbus during his discovery of the New World in 1442. The town itself is well suited for a walking tour. Duke and Font Streets are lined with historic 18th and 19th century landmarks that reflect the Bermudan style architecture of the salt era. Two of these buildings are now popular inns, another in the governor's residence, other government offices, the public library, churches and private residence and fraternities. At the Turks an Caicos National Museum you will find a central exhibit that tells the story of the Molasses Reef Wreck, the oldest European shipwreck discovered in the Western Hemisphere (dated around 1505). It also discloses the rich cultural and natural diversity of the islands. Other historic sites include the Lighthouse, Fire hill and the Hawks Nest Anchorage.
|
Grand Turk is the capital of Turks and Caicos and the financial center of the islands. It has the second largest population of around 3,720 people. Grand Turk is one of the main historical points of Turks and Caicos. You will find many old buildings and ruins along with The Turks and Caicos National Museum. Grand Turk's main attraction is diving, with many dive operators and schools it can cater for novice snorkels to experienced divers. The major income for the island is dive orientated tourism. There is an outstanding protected coral reef which has clear and calm waters. There are 6 major accommodations.
Salt
Cay
It
has the air of a frozen moment, a place where time stands still. Salt Cay
was the center of the Bermudan salt industry, the mainstay of the Turks
and Caicos economy from the late 1600's until the early 1960's. When the
salt industry stopped, the tools fell where they were being used. Declared
a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, Salt cay is a time capsule from the days "when
Salt was king." She is a community of 200 hundred souls, surviving
on an arid islands with one unarmed policeman and a strong sense of family
and order. The island is largely divided into squares controlled by windmills
that no longer turn and salinas holding slowly evaporating seawater.
Twelve cars wander her roads, soft beaches border much of her shore line, herons feed in the salinas and others in the marsh land to the south. The distinctively Bermudan style homes, all with dusty but neatly swept dirt yards, set a tone, and possess an undeniable style. The White House, owned by descendants of Bermudan salt rakers, is a landmark and contains the original antique furniture.
Salt
Cay also hosts relics of the whaling industry that once existed.
The whaling station at Taylor's Hill has long been lying in ruins,
visitors to this land in the winter stare in amazement at the
gigantic Humpback Whales. The residents are very friendly and
are always ready with a bit of conversation. This is old Turks
and Caicos, a direct line to a simpler and slower time.
Grand Turk | Salt
Cay | South Caicos | East
Caicos |
Middle Caicos | North Caicos | West
Caicos | Providenciales |
| Home | History | People See & Do | Places | The Wild Tours | Essentials | Accommodation | Email Us |
|
The Original Official Web Site of the Turks & Caicos Tourist Board |  |
| This page, and all contents
of this Web site are Copyright (c) 1997-2006 by interKnowledge Corp.. All rights reserved. |
||