Mélange Travel & Lifestyle Magazine April 2016 | Page 161

Located just 575 miles southeast of Miami, this is one of the places you must visit! The Turks and Caicos is a British Overseas Territory consisting of 40 islands most of which are uninhabited. Grand Turk - Corkburn Town, located on Grand Turk, is the country’s capital housing its government offices and supreme courts. Grand Turk is the second most populated of the Virgin Islands (3,720 people) where you’ll find many colonial style buildings gracing its streets. Providenciales - Most international flights land at the Providenciales International Airport (PLS). Of all the islands, this is the most developed and populatated with 23,769 people. Many of the top beaches are here and as such, diving, snorkeling, kiteboarding, kayaking and stand up paddle boarding are some of the activites to be enjoyed. North Caicos is the lushest of all the islands with a population of less than 2,000. Known as “garden island”, its wildlife and protected wetlands, five national parks and nature reserves makes this an ideal eco-tourism destination. Middle Caicos - a causeway links North Caicos to Middle Caicos which is another favourite for heritage and eco tourism. It is the largest of the Virgin Islands but has a population of only 200. Here you will find remnants of an 18th 157 century cotton plantatiion. The Conch Bar Caves, once a haven for the Lucayan Indians, contains corridors and caverns fille dwith bats, stalacites and stalagmites. South Caicos or “The Big South” is the territory’s fishing capital. Fishing, snorkeling and cuba diving are the main attraction on this island of les than 2,000 people. East Caicos is uninhabited with a 17 mile beach on its north coast used only by sea turtle to lay their eggs. Most of the island is covered by swamp and mangroves. West Caicos. Currently uninhabited, its a great location for dishig, snorkelling and is considered to be an underwater photography mecca. West Caicos is currently being developed by Ritz Carlton. It will be the most exclusive in the world. Salt Cay is the ultimate escape from civilization. Only 2.5 squre miles and under 100 people, it is the smallest of the Turks and Caicos islands. Quaint and idyllic, you can relax at your leisure becaus e time does not exist here.