Turks and Caicos Islands - Another Day, Another Sunset

Turks & Caicos Islands

Another day, another sunset!

As the day wears on, the vivid colours of the sea gradually fade and make way for the sunsets to put on their own magical display of colour.

postmarked in 2011 with a USA forever stamp

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The Turks and Caicos Islands are named after the Turk's-cap cactus (Melocactus communis), and the Lucayan term caya hico, meaning string of islands.

Map of the Turks and Caicos Islands

Map of the Turks & Caicos Islands

postmarked within the US in 2011 with a USA Liberty Bell stamp

the sender writes:
This is ALL of the Islands.  The Salvation Army is opening here this weekend (3/4-6/11)!
We're on Providenciales Island.

Providenciales, Turks & Caicos Islands

North West Point, Provo

Providenciales, Turks & Caicos Islands

postmarked within the US in 2011 with a USA Liberty Bell stamp

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Providenciales is an island in the Turks and Caicos Islands. The island has an area of 98 km2 (38 sq mi) and an approximate population of 15,542, making it the largest island in population and the third largest in area.  It is home to the only conch farm in the world. It was ranked the best beach destination in the world in 2011. 

Turks and Caicos Islands, Salt Industry

 Turks & Caicos
1952 - 1962
Salt industry
Salt Cay

postcard of the 80 c stamp

postmarked from within the US in 2011 with a USA Liberty Bell stamp

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It was Turks and Caicos salt that George Washington needed to preserve the food for his army during the American Revolutionary War and that the Canadian and American fishing fleets used to salt down their catches.

As late as the 1920s and 1930s, before a combination of competition, costs, mismanagement and the lack of a deepwater harbor brought the salt industry in the Turks and Caicos Islands to an end, as many as half a dozen sailing ships at a time would be anchored off Salt Cay awaiting cargo. The salt had to be ferried out to them over shallow water.

Ruins from the salt operations remain on Salt Cay. The island is now popular with tourists looking for uncrowded beaches and activities like whale-watching. Scuba diving and other water sports also attract visitors.