22 Amazing Turks and Caicos Facts

By James Israelsen, Associate Writer

Published April 27, 2025

Turks and Caicos is an archipelago territory of the United Kingdom. The island chain lies between the Bahamas and the island of Hispaniola._[2]
Turks and Caicos has eight large islands, or "cays," and some thirty smaller cays._[2]
Over 80% of the population of Turks and Caicos live on three major islands: Grand Turk, Providenciales, and South Caicos._[2]
The largest city in Turks and Caicos, and the center of government, is Cockburn Town, on the island of Grand Turk._[2]
The Turks and Caicos Islands boast one of the finest and most expansive barrier reefs in the world._[5]
Together, the Turks and Caicos and Bahamas Islands are all called the Lucayan Archipelago._[1]
Turks and Caicos has a population of roughly 45,000 spread across nine islands._[3]
As a British territory, the head of Turks and Caicos is the British monarch._[3]
The island of Providenciales, nicknamed "Provo," is home to the pristine Grace Bay Beach. The white sand beach is a popular vacation destination._[3]
The Turks and Caicos Islands have lower rainfall than most of the Caribbean, making them an ideal vacation spot._[3]

It's Caribbean warmth all year long

According to one theory, sailors in the 1600s gave the Turks and Caicos its name, which roughly means "Pirate Islands." As a popular base for pirate bands, honest merchant marines learned to avoid them._[3]
Turks and Caicos had its first parliamentary election in 1976, in which the islanders were able to elect their local leaders._[5]
An abrupt transition from the shallow reefs around Providenciales down to the aquatic depths is nicknamed "The Wall."_[5]
The Lucayan people were the first inhabitants of the Turks and Caicos Islands._[1]
The original inhabitants of the Turks and Caicos Islands, the Lucayans, were, as a people, destroyed when European explorers uprooted them to be slaves in the Caribbean._[1]

The coming of Europeans to the islands spelled the end of the traditional way of life of its peoples

Although it is not known exactly where Christopher Columbus first landed in the New World, many believe it was on what is now Cockburn Town in the Turks and Caicos._[6]
Hurricane season in the Turks and Caicos is between June and November._[6]
Conch is the most readily available seafood in the Turks and Caicos._[6]
Diving is a popular activity on the Turks and Caicos Islands, especially on the Salt Cay._[6]
The Turks and Caicos Islands are home to flamingos, rock iguanas, and sea turtles._[4]
The Turks and Caicos Islands are a 3-hour flight away from New York City._[4]
The official language of the Turks and Caicos Islands is English._[4]