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Arlington (Ali) Capron
649-232-9990
Featured Listings
Now selling pre- infrastructure residential lots
WESTON ESTATES
BRIEF HISTORY OF TURK & CAICOS ISLANDS
The Turks and Caicos Islands is a country of 8 major islands and numerous uninhabited cays located 575 miles south of Miami.
The first known inhabitants of the islands were Taíno Indians, who left evidence of their occupation in the form of utensils and a ball court. Locals claim that the islands were the first landfall of Columbus in 1492. Some argue for Grand Turk, where a monument casts the claim in stone. The arrival of Europeans spelled the end for the Taínos, who had either been forced into slavery or had succumbed to European-borne diseases by the mid-16th century.
Over the next few centuries, ownership of the islands bounced between the French, Spanish and British, ending finally with Great Britain. Despite the colonial struggle for power, the islands' development slowed down as they were not on the main sailing routes, possessed no gold or decent anchorage's and lacked sufficient rain to grow sugar. The islands' remained virtually uninhabited until 1678, when a group of Bermudans settled and began extracting salt and logging trees. Salt traders cleared the land and created the salinas (salt-drying pans) that still exist on many islands. The majority of the salt went aboard boats to supply the cod-fishing industries of New England and the Maritime Provinces of Canada.
The Bermudans prospered, getting the attention of the Spanish and Bahamian government. In 1766 the latter extended its jurisdiction to include the islands. Like their northerly neighbors, the Turks and Caicos became a base for pirates, who were not averse to robbing the wealthy salt merchants' homes. The pirates' evil acts provoked a French attack in 1753, and France claimed the islands. The French were repelled the following year by a British warship from the Carolinas, though the French briefly occupied Grand Turk again in 1778 and 1783.
Following the American War of Independence, the Bermudans on the islands were joined by a group of colonial loyalists, who established cotton plantations. The loyalists brought their slaves, but the plantation era was short-lived: by 1820, the cotton crop had failed, and the majority of planters had moved on. Many left their slaves behind, and eventually they too became salt-rakers.
The archipelago's political fortunes continued to fluctuate. It became a formal part of the Bahamas in 1799, but in 1848, following a petition by the Turks & Caicos residents, it became self-governing under the guidance of the Governor of Jamaica. In 1872 the islands were annexed to Jamaica and remained tied to Jamaica until 1962, when they were again linked to the Bahamas. In 1973 the Turks & Caicos became a separate Crown Colony of Great Britain.
The islands' history over the past five decades has been quiet, though there was much excitement when astronaut John Glenn landed down just off Grand Turk in 1962. At about the same time, the islands were 'discovered' by seven millionaires (including Teddy Roosevelt III and a couple of the DuPonts), who leased land from the British government and built a small airstrip for their private planes and a deep-water anchorage for their yachts. Meanwhile, Count Ferdinand Czernin, son of the last prime minister of the Austro-Hungarian empire, scouted a tiny dot on the map called Pine Cay, on which he planned a Walden Pond-like resort; after his death it became the exclusive Meridian Club resort. Then, in 1984, Club Med opened their resort and the Turks & Caicos started to boom.
TURKS & CAICOS ISLANDS CULTURE
The majority of islanders are black descendants from the early Bermudan, Loyalist and slave settlers and salt rakers dating back 300 years. The 1/2 inch thick telephone directory reflects this heritage, with long listings under the names Astwood, Butterfield, Forbes, Lightbourne, Stubbs, and Williams. Note the addresses of most homes in the directory. There are no street numbers and addresses are typically 'behind Glass shack', 'Old Airport road', or simply 'Providenciales' ! There a growing number of street signs in the past few years, directions are given by naming landmark buildings and it is presumed that someone will always be able to help you to find your way!
The Turks and Cacos immigrant population is a rapidly expanding group of Haitians, Dominicans and Cubans as well as many residents from all over the world. The majority are Canadian and American, but there are also residents from South Africa, Europe, Oceana, South America and Asia.
Local bands play anything from reggae, salsa to rake and scrape, all creating relaxing island vibes. Musicians appear at local restaurants, bars and hotels most evenings. With the increase in residents from throughout the Caribbean, the music is becoming more varied with a strong influence from the Dominican Republic. You can bring home the sounds of the Turks and Caicos on recordings by bands like Tropical Impulse, Sagittarius and Lovey Forbes. All are available in small shops throughout Provo and Grand Turk.
The artists on Turks & Caicos have started to blossom. Works by some of the country's finest artists can be found in galleries on Providenciales and Grand Turk. Much of the art is inspired by the local scenery and marine life, with vibrant colors of the Caribbean. The Middle Caicos Artisans Coop in recent years has brought back the art of woven grass baskets and palm hats made from local plants by local people, of their own design.
Building and sailing of the Caicos sloop has recently been revived by the Turks and Caicos Maritime Heritage Federation. To see more on this beautiful part of our culture visit this link.
HOW WAS TURKS & CAICOS ISLANDS NAME DERIVED?
The popular story is the name Turks being derived after the indigenous Turk's Head "fez" cactus, pictured on the left, and the name Caicos, a Lucayan term "caya hico," meaning string of islands.
A more romantic, origin of the name is a reflection of the Islands' pirate history, when 17th and 18th century pirates used the islands as hideouts and preyed upon the passing Spanish treasure ships bound for Europe. The term "Turk" for a pirate stemmed two centuries earlier when the Ottoman Empire dominated the Mediterranean and Turkish corsairs harried European Atlantic shipping, thus translated "Turks" Islands becomes "Pirate" Islands!
The non-intuitive nom is often mispelt as Turks and Cacos and Turk and Caicos Islands. We have even see an occasional envelope arrive with the address 'Turks and Tacos' ! And speaking of mail, some mail arriving here has been branded with a trail of postmarks showing its trip here via a small detour to Turkey.
TCI uses the postal code BWI which represents British West Indies, a diversified group of Caribbean islands including Anguilla, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Monserrat, and the Turks and Caicos Islands, all dependent areas of the United Kingdom.
Additional Facts
Columbus was said to have discovered these islands in 1492, but some still argue that Ponce de Leon arrived here first
Whoever first discovered the islands, in 1962, having been a Jamaican dependency for 75 years, the Turks and Caicos Islands became a separate British Colony a status that it retains to this day
More former leaders (Chief Ministers) alive than any other Caribbean jurisdiction. (The Hon. Norman Saunders, Hon. Derek Taylor, Hon. Washington Misick, Hon. Oswald Skippings) .
TCI was Bermudian in 1766; Bahamian in 1799; under Jamaica in 1848 and in 1973 beacame a Crown
Colony.
In addition, there are numerous national parks, nature preserves, sanctuaries and historical sites.
Total Population
32,000 (est.)
Belonger Population:
34% of total
Expatriate Population:
66% of total
The Turks and Caicos Labour Force:
12,000 Persons
Labour Force Distribution :
15% Professional
12% Semi-Skilled
20% Skilled
53% Unskilled / Manual
Number of Tourists:
(approx) 220,000
Number of Condo/Hotel Rooms :
1362 Luxury Condo Rooms
688 Hotel Rooms
External Impact:
2nd largest Diaspora in Bahamas equal to total population
Physical Facts :
40 Islands
2.5 times the size of Washington DC
230 miles of Beaches Front
Third largest coral reef system in the world
Important Note:
A buyer can view and purchase any property in the MLS system through any TCREA agent, not just the listing broker or agent.
Sellers are assured that they can do business with the realtor of their choice and that their property will get maximum exposure.
So, tell me your real estate investment requirements and I will get back to you with
some specific suggestions and photos. If you would like to talk to me about real estate in Turks and Caicos, either condominium
or freehold real estateTurks and Caicos real estate investment values are skyrocketing.
Turks and Caicos has no property taxes.
Turks and Caicos has no capital gains taxes.
Turks and Caicos has no inheritance taxes.
Turks and Caicos has no income taxes.
Do you want to take advantage of an exceptional Turks and Caicos Real Estate Investment Opportunity that
could magnify your retirement account? Turks and Caicos Islands offer some of the best freehold real estate
opportunities in the world. In addition to the friendly people, spectacular miles ofpowdered beaches, magnificent turquoise seas, our Tax Haven status provides benefits to investors.
Providenciales in Turks and Caicos - is the island that is the centre for tourism with its coral reefs and perfect white sand beaches but it is just one of a handful of islands that are inhabited. One can fly in from Miami via jet in 75 minutes. American Airlines flies in
3 times daily into Provo, British Airways once a week, Air Canada and various other charters arrive weekly from New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Chicago, Detroit and other major cities. Regularly scheduled local flights connect all the inhabited Islands to one another. Most of the popular resorts are built along the beautiful Grace Bay Beach but there are still many other beach locations waiting to be developed in Provo. Cooper Jack Beach, Erebus Beach, Leeward Beach, Long Bay Beach, Sapodilla and Taylor Bay are some of them. - all pristine and uncrowded. (MAP of Provo)See below for futher descriptions of the beaches in Provo and maps.
Grand Turk in Turks and Caicos - has been the seat of this nation's government for over 400 years. Six miles long and one mile wide, this island is steeped in history from throughout the ages. Bermudian colonial architecture gives evidence of the salt raking era. Grand Turk although being the historic centre of the islands with its quaint roads and its remnants of yesteryear is now fast-gaining a reputation in the scuba industry for its spectacular reef wall. A deep water port and the current contract between the Turks and Caicos government and the cruise ship line Carnival to make Grand Turk a port of call has already increased its visibilty with investors. Governor's Beach in Grand Turk is a long strip of powdery white sand on the southwest coast and is one of the most beautiful beaches on the island. North Creek beach at the entrance to North Creek is strewn with seashells and with a resident population of flamingos.
North Caicos in the Turks and Caiciso Islands - is a 40 mile long island is just 12 miles northeast of Provo. The greenest of the islands with fertile soil and more rainfall than the other Caicos Cays, it has a population of approximately 1500 which is concentrated into four settlements. Sandy Point, one of the settlements, featuring a boat landing just opposite the 5 star resort island of Parrot Cay, and has miles of fantastic white beach. The island's best snorkelling can be found close by at the Three Mary's Cay. Horse Stable Beach on the north shore of North Caicos offers investors privacy and miles of deserted oceanfront.
Middle Caicos in the Turks and Caicos Islands - with its rolling hills and rocky bluffs is probably the most dramatic and picturesque of the Caicos Islands while being the least known. There are 15 miles of above-sea-level caverns with artifacts found inside that prove that the Lucayan indians once used them for shelter. There is no barrier reef blocking the surf but the rocks of Dragon Cay create a perfect haven for sea and marine life for those who like to snorkel. Mudjan Harbour is a 2 miles stretch of beautiful coastline, with its towering limestone cliffs fringed with white sandy beaches.
South Caicos in the Turks and Caicos Islands - once a salt producing island has an economy now fueled by the export of conch and lobster. It is well known in the diving community as the water here is clear and there is a drop-off to 7000 feet. This islands is blessed with having the finest harbour in Turks and Caicos - East harbour that can host large saling boats.The beaches here are deserted and one will find many small secluded coves and bays, which provide sheltered areas to swim and snorkel and sail.
Ask us about beachfront real estate now available for sale in South Caicos.
Pine Cay in Turks and Caicos - is a private island and home to a small group of homeowners and seasonal residents.
Parrot Cay in Turks and Caicos - is an exclusive 5 star development/resort is a destination of many movie stars and it can
be reached by a short boat ride from Provo.
Salt Cay in Turks and Caicos - is a tiny island being only 2 square miles and having a population of about 60 is a "getaway" island with a tranquil and laid back atmosphere. Like Grand Turk and South Caicos it portrays an 18th Century Bermudian style architecture. The beach on the north coast is considered be the most beautiful in all of Turks and Caicos with hundreds of yards of the white powdery sand complimented by crystal clear turquoise sea. Diving is excellent in Salt Cay sharing the same 7000 foot wall as Grand Turk. The main attraction is whale watching between January and March. See our Guest Houses listed on this Island
Turks and Caicos Freehold and Condominium Information
The Turks and Caicos islands has an open real estate market that does not require residency or any other permit to purchase real estate. The Turks and Caicos real estate market is free and open to everyone and any nationality may purchase and hold land. There are no annual property taxes, nor any capital gains tax levied on the disposal of property. The government in Turks and Caicos provides an efficient and secure means of property registration. As a well established offshore finance and banking center, Turks and Caicos holds all information in strict conidence and confidentiality of land holdings may be enhanced through establishment of a local land holding company. A growing professional community of architects and builders are available to assist with all aspect of the development process. The procedure for purchasing real estate throughout Turks and Caicos is very straightforward. Title is freehold and guaranteed by the crown which eliminates the need for title insurance. A Turks and Caicos Planning Department overseees building codes and development plans.
Ask Us! for our recommendation for real estate lawyers in Turks and Caicos Islands. These Islands and especially Providenciales offer a well developed infrastructure from which investors will benefit. There are three international airports in the country and domestic airports on all inhabited islands. The main highways and roads are being paved with increasingly well developed arterial road system
Turks and Caicos Real Estate is very easy to buy.
In Turks and Caicos has a land registry ststem called The Torrens System of Land Registry. This Registery System is acrown guarantee and is, available for public inspection and discloses all ownership information. This gives absolute title to property and there is needed no further government consents. There is a one time land transfer tax though, called Stamp Duty which is a tax of 0 to 3% based on property value in lesser developed islands and 0 to 9.75% on Providenciales. This Stamp Duty is due to the government within 30 day of completion of sale. There is no land tax on property owned in Turks and Caicos.
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BEACHFRONT
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