Once the Arawak Indians who lived here in Columbus's time had been rounded up and shipped away, the islands were left uninhabited until pirates used them as a stopping off point and Bermudians arrived to rake up salt to sell as a preservative. Refining salt from the sea remained the main industry until 20 years ago. Since then, tourism and offshore finance have taken over as the main sources of revenue. Today, the islands' status as both an international tax haven and a desirable holiday destination is growing steadily.

The capital, Cockburn Town, is on Grand Turk, a favorite haunt of anglers and scuba divers. Just off Grand Turk, the 20-mile wide Turks Island Passage that separates the Turks from the Caicos plunges to great depths.