Turks & Caicos Islands

The Turks and Caicos Islands are a group of islands in the Caribbean Sea. They are located to the southeast of the Bahamas, northeast of Cuba, and north of the Dominican Republic. The Turks and Caicos Islands are considered to be part of the Greater Antilles. The islands were originally inhabited by the Lucayan people. The Lucayan people were the first to encounter Christopher Columbus when he arrived in the New World in 1492. The islands were named after the Turk and Caicos people, who were indigenous to the islands. The Turks and Caicos people were killed off by disease and warfare within a few years of the arrival of the Europeans. The Lucayan people were also killed off by disease and warfare. The islands were then uninhabited for many years. The British began to settle the islands in the late 1600s. The islands were used as a base for pirates in the 1700s. The British also used the islands as a place to send prisoners. The islands were annexed by the Bahamas in 1848. They became a separate colony in 1873. The islands became a Crown colony in 1959. The Turks and Caicos Islands were hit hard by Hurricane Irma in 2017. The hurricane caused widespread damage to the islands. The islands are still recovering from the hurricane. The Turks and Caicos Islands are a popular tourist destination. The islands are known for their white sand beaches, crystal clear waters, and luxury resorts. The islands are also a popular destination for scuba diving and snorkeling.