Sunday, August 24, 2008

Description of the Grand Turks

Grand Turk Island is part of the Turks & Caicos Islands, a British Overseas Territory comprised of 40 islands and cays (pronounced keyes). This beach paradise has been blessed with crystal-clear, turquoise waters and smooth powder white beaches. Seven miles long and 1.5 miles wide, Grand Turk has served as the seat of government for the territory and the British Governor since 1766. The island is renowned for its inspiring and colorful British-Bermudian colonial architecture yet exudes its own quaint Caribbean charm.

Located approximately 575 miles southeast of Miami, and 30 miles south of the Bahamas, Grand Turk enjoys a very comfortable climate year round due to a constant trade wind and averages 350 days of sunshine per year. Approximately 3,700 people call Grand Turk home.

The island's first language is English although you'll hear certain phrases that vary from English and unique proverbs and terms which lend a distinctly Turks & Caicos flavor to the spoken word. The U.S. dollar is the official currency and there are several banks with ATMs on the island.

What to do on Grand Turk?
Grand Turk offers some of the Caribbean's most fascinating dive and snorkel sites and beaches. The island also offers a variety of other water and land-based excursions including trips to nearby islands and cays, some of which are inhabited by stingrays and the endangered Turks & Caicos rock iguana. The shallow banks surrounding the Turks islands are also a winter calving ground for humpback whales. Horseback ride and swim, horse and buggy trips, and world class sport fishing are also available.

On land, the island offers unique points of interest including a historic lighthouse and natural salt basins that are home to a variety of wading birds. The historic downtown area of Cockburn Town features many homes built in the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries; the national museum, an old prison, Columbus' alleged landing site and many pristine beaches including Governor’s Beach.

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