HISTORY OF THE ISLANDS
The islands making up Turks and Caicos were originally inhabited by the Taino and Lucayan Indians and for almost seven centuries they were the sole residents of the islands. It wasn’t until 1492 that Christopher Columbus discovered the capital island of Grand Turk.
Shortly after his arrival, the Lucayan civilization disappeared and throughout the following three decades, the islands remained sparsely populated. It was during this time the salt making industry was born. Bermudians came to the islands to rake the salt and take it home with them but the shallow water was dangerous for nautical navigation and over 1,000 shipwrecks occurred during the journey to and from.
Since then, the Indians have left behind traditions of seafaring, salt raking, farming and the love for shellfish. Turks and Caicos is home to the Caicos Conch Farm, the only commercial conch farm around the globe.
It wasn’t until the 1980s that the islands became a possible tourist destination. They quickly grew into one of the world’s premier beach destinations, now welcoming more than 300,000 tourists a year.
The islands are also quickly becoming a leading international investment centre with a “zero tax” jurisdiction with no tax on income, capital gains, corporate profits, inheritance or estates. Turks and Caicos is one of the fastest growing economies in the Caribbean combined with strictly controlled development to protect the islands heritage.