The Turks and Caicos Islands lie south-east of the Bahamas island chain. The Turks part of the group are named after the Turk's Head Cactus that grow on the islands. The cactus has a flower that looks like a red fez.

Contrary to popular mis-conception, the Turks and Caicos islands are not in the Caribbean sea—they are in fact in the Atlantic Ocean.

The Caicos islands of the group are named for the Lucayan Indian words (Caya Hicos) for a string of islands. The largest and most beautiful of the group is called Providenciales (known to the locals as Provo).

Providenciales used to be called Blue Hills Caicos, but a French ship went aground on the Caicos Banks, and the French sailors managed to flounder ashore onto the island, and named it Providenciales, for Providence. Providenciales has a beautiful beach on the north side, good windsurfing, and a commercially viable conch farm.

Visit the Turks and Caicos Tourist Board web site.