Before Christopher Columbus set foot on the island of Grand Turk during the journey to the new world in 1492, the island was inhibited by Taino and Lucayan Tribes. These earlier settlers left behind a rich heritage and new words (Canoe, Caribbean, Caicos). The early inhabitants also left behind the names of the island. The indigenous Turk's head catcus named Turks island, while Lucayan term “caya hico” meaning string of islands named Caicos.
For about 700 years, the Tanio and Lucayan Tribes were the sole residents on the islands (particularly settling on Grand Turk and the Middle Caicos). The people here were skilled gardeners, farmer and fisherman. However, upon arrival of Christopher Columbus in 1492, the Lucayan tribe disappeared causing the islands to be sparsely populated for about 30 years. During this time, the salt industry was booming. Many Bermudians would rake the beaches of Turks and Caicos and taken back to Bermuda. This salt was used for cooking and preserving food.
The French and Spanish captured the island for a brief time during 1706. Four years following this capture, it was reclaimed by the British (along with the rest of the Bermuda islands). However, during the years it primary became a haven for pirates and British Loyalists fleeing the American Revolution. In 1766, Turks and Caicos became a part of the Bahamas colony and was placed under the Bahamian Government. The governor of The Bahamas oversaw affairs from 1965 to 1973. Finally in 1962, Jamaica won independence from Britain allowing Turks & Caicos then became a British Crown colony on its own and still is one today.
With Bahamian independence, the islands received a separate governor in 1973. Although independence was agreed upon for 1982, the policy was reversed and the islands are presently a British overseas territory.
Around the early 1980's, Turks and Caicos started to become a tourist destination. It is quickly becoming one the world's most premier beach destinations. It is also becoming on the leading international investment center for the offshore investor. Turks and Cacios today is a "zero tax" jurisdiction and doesn't have any taxes on income, capital gains, corporate profits, inheritance or estates.
The Most Frequently Asked Travel Questions about Turks and Caicos Islands
Where To Stay & Best Hotels in Turks and Caicos Islands - updated Apr 2024
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Turks and Caicos Islands Travel Guide from Wikitravel. Many thanks to all Wikitravel contributors. Text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0, images are available under various licenses, see each image for details.
