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The Turks and Caicos Islands are composed of 40 islands of which only 8 are inhabited. The name T'urks is from the indigenous Turk’s Head “fez” cactus, and Ciacos is derived from the Lucayan term “caya hico” meaning string of islands. There is much debate about the first discovery of the island. Some argue that Columbus arrived here in 1492 on his way to America while others are just as convinced that Ponce de Leon was the first Westerner. However the first people to arrive here were the Taino Indians. They left behind only ancient utensils. The Lucavans gradually replaced the Tainos, but mid-16th century they too had disappeared in the wake of Spanish enslavement and imported disease.Settlers from Bermuda arrived here in the 17th century and established themselves on Grand Turk, Salt Cay and South Caicos. Slaves were used to rake salt for British colonies in America. They were later joined by British loyalists after the American Revolution. Rich cotton and sisal plantations were profitable for the economy of the islands with the harvest being sold in London. By early-19th century much of the plantations had deteriorated due to thin soil and competition; stocks perished further in a hurricane in 1813. Solar salt became the main economy of the Turks and Caicos islands.
In 1766, the Turks and Caicos Islands became part of the Bahamas colony. However this integration was not very successful. Due to the prosperous trading route between London and Kingston, the islands were annexed to Jamaica in 1874 until Jamaica’s independence in 1962. After a brief period as a Bahamian colony, the islands became a British Crown Colony in 1972, with a history of political stability despite being controlled by the Spanish, French and British over 300 years.
The English-speaking people of the Turks & Caicos Islands are a diverse lot. The natives or “belongers” are descended from African slaves brought over to work on the plantations. There is also a growing expat community that consists of Canadians, American, Scandinavians, Haitians, Dominicans, British and French, who have made the calm and relaxing atmosphere of the islands their own.
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