Turks and Caicos Islands

 

The Turks and Caicos Islands are located in the Atlantic Ocean, a British overseas territory in the West Indies. The state consists of two island groups of forty small islets, the capital city is Coburn Town.

 

Language.

English.

 

Time.

The time difference between Moscow and Coburn Town is seven hours.

 

Population.

31,458 people (2012). Ethnic composition: Negroes, mulattoes and whites.

 

Religion.

Most of the population professes different branches of Christianity and Protestantism: Baptism, Anglicanism, Methodism and the Church of God.

 

 

Climate.

Maritime tropical climate, sunny and dry. The average annual daily temperature is about + 30 C, at night the air is cooled to + 20 C.

Hurricanes are possible from July to November. Average annual rainfall: 530 mm, rains are most common in winter.

 

Currency.

U.S. dollar.

 

Visa regime.

Russians do not need a visa to enter the Turks and Caicos Islands if the period of travel does not exceed 90 days.

 

Customs regulations.

Foreign and national currency can be imported and exported without restrictions. Firearms can only be imported with a special permit. Drugs, poisonous substances, pornographic materials and ammunition are prohibited.

 

 

Resorts.

Tourists come to the Turks and Caicos Islands to soak up the sandy beaches (Grace Bay Beach is considered one of the best in the world) and swim in the ocean, admire tropical nature and do active recreation: diving (Eastern Caicos), snorkeling, yachting.

On the island of Providenciales there is an amazing underwater cave Hole in Long Bay. Caicos Conch Farm in Providenciales is engaged in the cultivation of rare shellfish.

Attractions: the Little Water Cay Reserve, the Pumpkin Bluff Pond ornithological park, the cave complex of the Conch Bar Islands, the Lucayan Indians lived in caves, who left petroglyphs on the walls. On the island of Salt Cay you can see salt lakes and windmills.

 

Kitchen.

Local cuisine is based on seafood (lobsters, mussels, etc.), rice, legumes, corn, vegetables, fruits and berries. Rice with sauces often acts as a side dish, but can also be served as a main dish. From peas cook porridge with seafood or grind it in puree. The fish is baked and fried, sprayed with lemon juice. From mollusks can offer to taste a rich soup, lobsters are prepared in dozens of ways.

English style tea is popular, with milk or cream; fresh juices are prepared from citrus fruits or enjoyed with them for dessert. Also, sweets are made from coconuts - their flesh is added to cookies and cakes. Popular dishes from tapioca, such as puddings, and fresh berries.

Alcohol: local rum Bambarra Rum.

 

 

Traditions.

The economy of the Turks and Caicos Islands is based on tourism services and offshore finance. The local population is engaged in fishing, seafood is exported to other countries.

The inhabitants of the Turks and Caicos Islands are known for their talented works - jewelry and souvenirs are made from shells, baskets, bowls and hats are weaved from straw. As souvenirs from the islands, you can take home wooden bells, pottery, handmade Caribbean dolls in bright national dresses.

The islanders are known for their friendliness, calmness and slowness. Locals invite guests to their home very willingly, as a gift to the head of the family you can bring small souvenirs. The main form of greeting on the islands is the handshake.

The attitude to clothing on the islands is democratic, but in public places you should not appear in sportswear and bathing suits.