Providenciales
is the urban centre of
the Turks & Caicos
Islands. Familiarly
known as "Provo," the
island offers all the
modern conveniences one
could desire while
remaining a superior
vacation destination for
one who wants an escape
from stress and
overpopulated cities.
Provo has an 18 hole
golf course, a casino,
shopping centres, three
marinas, a growing
number of bars and
excellent restaurants.
Provo is also a divers'
and water lovers'
paradise.
Beautiful beaches are
scattered on all sides
of Providenciales, the
most spectacular of
which is a 12 mile
stretch located on Grace
Bay, which is protected
by a healthy barrier
reef.
Situated
on the west side of the
Caicos archipelago,
Providenciales has an
area of 38 square miles.
Prior to 1960, the
island had a population
of 500. Today, it has
the largest population
and contains the largest
native and nonnative
population in Turks &
Caicos. Development of
Providenciales began in
1966 when the Turks and
Caicos Government and
the British Government
made a lease-purchase
agreement with Provident
Ltd. allowing them to
lease 4000 acres of
Crown Land
The
south part of the island
faces the Caicos Bank.
The Caicos Bank is a
shallow, pale turquoise
sea and is partly
composed of swamp and
tidal flats, filled with
an abundant resource of
conch and lobster.
Natural
island formations offer
safe mooring for
sailors. Sapodilla Bay
is a popular mooring for
yachts traveling through
the Turks and Caicos
Islands. On the opposite
end of Providenciales,
the deep channel of
Leeward Going Through
makes a natural and safe
harbour on the northeast
end of the island.
Providenciales
