 Turks & Caicos : Profile
The British dependency of Turks and Caicos consists of about 40 low-lying cays and islands south-east of the Bahamas. Only a few are inhabited, most inhabitants living on the principal island, Grand Turk. The largest islands (from west to east) being Providenciales (generally known as Provo), North, Middle and East Caicos, and Grand Turk. The Columbus Passage separates the Turks from Caicos. The Isle of West Caicos is a marine reserve and was previously uninhabited. A marina is now being built there, on the west side of the island. Situated halfway between Florida and the Virgins, the islands provide a useful stop in an emergency, or at least a break during a long passage. The clear unpolluted waters give access to an underwater scenery of rare beauty and also the possibility of diving on some historic wrecks. Navigation is difficult among the reefs, sand banks and coral heads, with few navigation aids and those that are in place unreliable. (In 1989 the government began changing the buoyage system to red right returning (IALA B), replacing the red left returning system.) Water has to be conserved on all the islands, each of which has a Water Lady who (literally) hold the key to the supply.
The islands are hot, although the trade winds make the temperature bearable. Rain is more frequent on the west coast. The hurricane season is June to November.
Ambergris Cay
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, Grand Turk (Cockburn Town)
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, Middle Caicos
, North Caicos
, Providenciales
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, South Caicos
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*Indicates a port of entry.
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