Grand-Turk Travel Guide
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Grand Turk is the capital of the Turks and Caicos Islands, although it is no longer the financial and business hub of the island nation, having lost that position to Provo. It is no longer the transportation hub either, as Provo receives 95% of the international airplane landings. The island is rather barren and windswept, and there is little vegetation. Don't come here looking for lush tropical foliage. Do consider Grand Turk, however, if you want a real bargain destination that's excellent for snorkeling and diving, with luscious white-sand beaches.
Many scholars believe that Grand Turk was the site of Columbus's first landfall in 1492. They maintain he set foot on the western shores of the island late on the day of October 12. The native Arawaks were here to welcome him to their island of "Guanahani," although they were later to pay a terrible price for that hospitality, because they were sold into slavery in the Caribbean.
Cockburn Town (Coe-burn) is the financial and business hub of this tiny island. You'll find Governor's Beach near-you guessed it-the governor's residence on the west coast of the island. It's the best place for swimming. If you are on your way to another island, at least take time to tour Cockburn Town's historic section, particularly Duke and Front streets, where some houses built of wood and limestone stand along the waterfront. The 12-sq.-km (4 3/4-sq.-mile) island of Grand Turk has several protected historical buildings, one of which is a hotel, Turks Head Inn. The other landmark buildings include the police station and Government House.
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