North Caicos
North Caicos Shore
Location of North Caicos within the Turks and Caicos Islands
North Caicos is located in Turks and Caicos Islands
North Caicos
North Caicos
North Caicos is located in Caribbean
North Caicos
North Caicos
Geography
LocationAtlantic Ocean
Coordinates21°53′29″N 71°56′46″W / 21.89139°N 71.94611°W / 21.89139; -71.94611
ArchipelagoLucayan Archipelago
Area116.4 km2 (44.9 sq mi)
Administration
United Kingdom
British Overseas TerritoryTurks and Caicos Islands
Demographics
Population1,312 (2012 census)
Additional information
Time zone
 • Summer (DST)
ISO codeTC
Official nameNorth, Middle & East Caicos Islands
Designated27 June 1990
Reference no.493[1]

North Caicos is the second-largest island in the Turks and Caicos Islands (after Middle Caicos). To the west, the Caicos Cays (the closest is Parrot Cay) link to Providenciales. To the east, it is separated from Middle Caicos by Juniper Hole, a narrow passage that can accommodate only small boats. A 1600-m (1-mile) causeway connects North Caicos to Middle Caicos.

Geography

North Caicos has an area of 116.4 km2 within the high water mark, and of 207.1 km2 within the shoreline. The difference between the two values is not accounted for as land area. Sights on or near the island include Cottage Pond, Wade's Green Plantation, Flamingo Pond Overlook, and the tiny Three Marys Cays (0.64 ha) approximately 20 metres off the northwestern shore. North Caicos is 19 km (12 miles) from Providenciales, which offers daily ferry trips to the island.

Together with Parrot Cay (4.9 km2), and Bay Cay off the eastern shore (at 12.9 km2 the sixth-largest island of the territory) and a few more uninhabited offshore cays, it forms the North Caicos District, with an area of 144.9 km2.

Population

The population was 1,312 at the 2012 census.[2]

North Caicos Towns

Bottle Creek

With a population of 907 people, Bottle Creek is the island's main village. It is also the district capital and the home of the island's various government offices, its utility companies and its high school. There are a number of old plantation areas situated along the King's Road between Bottle Creek and the causeway to Middle Caicos.

Whitby

Located between the protected snorkeling area of Three Mary Cays[3] and Horsestable Beach, Whitby is a small seaside village on North Caicos' Northern shore.

Kew

This inland village is one of the oldest towns in the Turks and Caicos. It is known for being the centre of the archipelago's farming community. Kew is also the home of the Wades Green Plantation, a historic tourist site.[4] The village has a population of 234.

Sandy Point

This tiny village is located at the northwestern tip of the island facing Parrot Cay.[5] It hosts the North Caicos Yacht Club. It is the location of Sandy Point Marina, where ferry services from Providenciales arrive and a population of 23.

Education

Raymond Gardiner High School is in Bottle Creek, North Caicos.[6]

Images

  • Flamingos on North Caicos
    Flamingos on North Caicos
  • Snorkeling off North Caicos
    Snorkeling off North Caicos
  • Conch Caught off North Caicos
    Conch Caught off North Caicos
  • The Beaches of North Caicos
    The Beaches of North Caicos

References

  1. ^ "North, Middle & East Caicos Islands". Ramsar Sites Information Service. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
  2. ^ "Preliminary 2012 Turks and Caicos Islands census data published". HM Governor's Office, Turks and Caicos Islands. 2 August 2012. Archived from the original on 2 January 2013. Retrieved 27 February 2013.
  3. ^ "Three Mary Cays".
  4. ^ "Wades Green Plantation in Providenciales and Caicos - Attractions". Frommer's. Retrieved 2016-04-18.
  5. ^ "Parrot Cay, Turks and Caicos Islands - Parrot Cay Resort and Shambhala Spa Retreat - Private Villas of Bruce Willis, Donna Karan, Keith Richards". Where When How. Retrieved 2016-04-18.
  6. ^ "About". Raymond Gardiner High School. Retrieved 2020-01-19.

External links

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