East of Miami, south of the Bahamas, the Turks and Caicos Islands are growing in popularity with tourists who, for the most part, come to explore the underwater spectacle in some of the region's best dive sites. The beaches are wide, white and handsome, great for daydreaming, with plenty of space to claim as your own.

Providenciales (Provo) is the busiest of the islands, eight of which are inhabited. It has pleasant small hotels and large luxury beachfront resorts, a casino and an 18-hole golf course designed by Karl Litten. There's an interesting Conch Farm and a Dolphin Project. But, basically, it's all about watersports.

Though once a British Crown Colony, the character is casual. Investors are lured by its island life -- and an off-shore banking trade. Construction is well underway.

North, Middle and East Caicos can be reached by plane or boat. Spend an afternoon bonefishing, shelling or feeding friendly iguanas. Time passes quickly. Eco-types love it!

Grand Turk, farthest from Provo, is the seat of the government. You may still pass a donkey cart on main street in the capital, Cockburn Town, where the architecture shows Bermudian influence.

The National Museum is known for the Molasses Reef wreck displays -- artifacts collected during the ten-year long excavation of the oldest authenticated European shipwreck in the New World.

In the country, there are caves once used as dwellings by the Lucayan indians, the earliest inhabitants, and sites reminiscent of the once-thriving salt industry. (Salt Cay, the other Turk, was once the world's largest producer of salt.)

History:

The Arawak Indians were the first people to inhabit the Turks & Caicos Islands, which were discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1492 and then rediscovered in 1512 by Juan Ponce de Leon, a Spanish explorer. In 1678. Bermudan immigrants settled on the islands of Salt Cay, Grand Turk & South Caicos, where they established and developed a salt industry. The Bahamas tried unsuccessfully to annex the islands in 1700. During the next century, both the Turks and Caicos were invaded first by the Spanish and then by the French. British loyalists tried to establish cotton plantations in 1780. The Bahamas gained administrative control of the islands and governed them from 1799 up to 1848 when Turks & Caicos separated from the Bahamas and were governed by their own council for over 20 years. The islands were placed under the administration of Jamaica from 1873 to 1962 when Jamaica gained her independence. Turks & Caicos remained a British Crown Colony. A Governor was appointed by the Queen of England, and elections were held to form a ministerial government and an 11 member Legislative Council to administer the island's internal affairs in 1976.

Geography:

The Turks & Caicos Islands' name came from the combination of two words, cays and the Turks cactus. These islands are an archipelago of 40 islands and cays and are located 30 mls southeast of the Bahamas & half way between Miami & Puerto Rico. They cover a land area of 193 sq mls. The islands are each surrounded by a continuous coral reef. The Turks & Caicos Islands are made of two groups of islands, the Turks Islands and the Caicos Islands. The Turks include Grand Turk which is the administrative and political capital. Middle Caicos, also known as Grand Caicos is the largest island in the archipelago. It is 48 sq mls, lined with limestone cliffs along the north, and has numerous caves and beaches. North Caicos is the garden center of the islands. It is accessible by boat or plane. The resort area of Whitby lies at the northernmost tip of the island. South Caicos, once a salt producing island, has now become the heart of the fishing industry. It is also the home of the Commonwealth Regatta held every year. Providenciales, with 12 mls of beach along the northeast coast has the most tourism related development. Pine Cay is one of the smallest islands located between North Caicos and Provo. It is privately owned and has its own exclusive resort development. East Caicos once had a flourishing sisal industry but is now the home to wild cattle. It can be reached by boat, but there are miles of beaches perfect for the adventurous beachcomber. West Caicos is uninhabited with a dramatic cliff coastline and excellent dive sites. Salt Cay is a time capsule from the days when salt was king. Little has changed on Salt Cay since 1900, when the salt industry last flourished. The buildings, the salinas, the windmills, and the artifacts essential to solar salt production are still in place. Parrot Cay: Local legend purports that female pirate Anne Bonny stayed here in the 1720's, lending the original name - Pirate Cay - to this Caicos Cay. An exclusive resort and villa hideaway, reached by boat from Provo, just opened for vacationers in January 1998.

Time:

EST October to April. DST April to October.

Climate:

Summer: high/low 90/83 degrees F. Winter: high/low 75/70 degrees F. Avg. humidity 35%. Avg rainfall 21". Approx sunrise: Summer 0600. Winter 0630. Approx sunset: Summer 1900. Winter 1700.

Language:

English.

Population:

Estimated today 22,500.

Electricity:

120 Volts AC. US Standard.

Medical Facilities:

Hospital. 24 hour casualty department. Air ambulance. Diving decompression chamber. Doctor on call at hotels. Pharmaceutical services.

Religion/Churches:

Anglican. Baptist. Brethren. Catholic. Church of God. Church Of God Of Prophecy. Jehovah's Witnesses. Methodist. Seventh Day Adventist.

Transportation:

Driving is on the left hand side of the road. Rentals available include Cars, Jeeps, Scooters and Bicycles. Temporary license/permit requirements Valid license required for use up to three months by US and Canadian citizens as well as citizens of Commonwealth and Caribbean countries. All other nationalities must receive prior approval from the Traffic Department for temporary use of vehicle. Local Services: Charter Airlines. Scheduled Airlines. Caicos Express Ferry services. Executive Tours Bus Service.

Marriage:

Must be present in the Turks & Caicos Islands for at least twenty-four hours prior to making this application. Must have parents' consent if under the age of 21. Proof of divorce or death certificate if applicable. License fee $50.00. If you require any further details, please contact: Registrar's Office, Front St, Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos Islands. Tel: 649 946 2801. Fax: 649 946 2821.