Native dishes are definitely of a Caribbean influence, distinguished by the fresh local seafood, prepared colourfully and with a healthy dose of exotic spices. Conch is the most popular ingredient in the island’s cuisine. Conch dishes vary greatly in preparation, from Conch Creole, Curried Conch, Conch Fritters, Conch Chowder, Cracked Conch, and Dried Conch. Lobster is also regularly served and is one of the main exports of the country. Fish platters usually include grouper, tuna or the popular hogfish.

Also found on menus are chicken and ribs, curried goat, hominy (grits), peas and rice, Cajun blackening and Jamaican jerking. A weekend favourite is the native dish of boiled fish with Johnnycake.

Popular drinks include the rum punch. This is made with local Lucayan rum, coconut rum, orange juice, pineapple juice and sirop de grenadine.

The native people are descendants from African slaves, originally brought over as slaves. Referred to as the Belongers, they are a very kind and friendly people and are also religious.

Local artists find much inspiration from the people, the landscapes and seascapes and mostly express themselves through painting, sketching and drawing. Phillip Outten, June Taylor and Ianthe George are three prominent local artists.

The national music of the Turks and Caicos is called Ripsaw Music, also known as Rake and Scrape. The basic instruments used are the saw, the goatskin drum, the hand accordion, hand made maracas and the acoustic guitar. Lovey Forbes and his son Corry Forbes are the fore runners in composing and recording Ripsaw music. Jamaican reggae, Bahamian Calypso and Soca all play a major role in the local music scene.

There are a number of local dance steps and styles in the Turks and Caicos Islands. The most popular is the Winin, consisting of gyrating the hips from the waist in a circle, from to back and up and down all in the time to the beat of the music being played. Most of the elderly folks look down on this style and prefer the more stylized moves of the Shati or the Heal and Toe Polka. The Conch Style is a local dance that is done by stepping and hooking one foot behind the ankle of the other in time to the ripsaw music.

Turks and Caicos consist of two island groups located in the Atlantic Ocean. Part of the Bahamian archipelago, the terrain is mainly low and flat with lush green vegetation extensive mangroves, and the occasional sand dune. There is 389 km of pristine white sandy beaches.

Out of the 40 or so islands, only eight are inhabited: Salt Cay, Grand Turk, South Caicos, Middle Caicos, North Caicos, Providenciales, Parrot Cay and Pine Cay. The capital city of Cockburn Town is located on Grand Turk. Tourism is the main revenue, followed by lobster exportation and its offshore financial center.

The name Turks is derived after the indigenous Turk's Head fez cactus, and Caicos comes from the Lucayan term caya hico, meaning string of islands. The first people to discover the islands were the Taino Indians, later followed by the Lucayans.

Modern history claims that Columbus discovered the islands in 1492, others argue that Ponce de Leon arrived first. The 17th century saw the arrival of settlers from Bermuda, accompanied by slaves to rake salt. Later many British Loyalists, fleeing the American Revolution, moved to the islands. The economy of the island revolved around the rich cotton and sisal plantations, until fierce competition, a poor soil and the hurricane of 1813 eventually eradicated this industry. Solar salt became the main economy of the islands.

Turks and Caicos became part of the Bahamas colony in 1766, annexed to Jamaica in 1874, re-associated with the Bahamas for just over 10 years in 1962, and finally thereafter became a British Crown Colony.

The islands are a nature lover’s paradise. In 1992 the government set aside 33 specific protected areas, a list that includes nature reserves, sanctuaries and historical sites. A third is ecologically essential wetlands ratified under the international Ramsar Bureau.

Other protected areas include marine replenishment areas as well as breeding grounds for sea turtles, colourful fish, large grouper, and manta rays, seabirds and other creatures. Humpback whales can be seen migrating on the way to their breeding grounds during January through March. Another unusuality occurs once a month, a few days following the full moon: the marine Glow Worms sparkle up the waters during their mating ritual.

The Turks and Caicos Rock Iguana is found nowhere else in the world. This shy and harmless reptile, once found on nearly all of the islands of the Turks & Caicos archipelago, has now taken refuge mainly on small-uninhabited cays away from human settlement.

Although most tourists favour sunbathing and swimming, there are a multitude of sports available for practice in the many resorts and beach areas, mostly involving water of course. Popular activities include snorkelling, kayaking, windsurfing , water skiing, jet skiing, parasailing and sailing. Deep sea fishing excursions are popular. Scuba diving was the original water sport to draw visitors to the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Horseback ridding, tennis, biking or hiking are always a delight. You can even try skydiving. Golfers will enjoy the Provo Golf and Country Club is a par 72, 18-hole championship course.

Local spectator sports include basketball, cricket and soccer.