West Caicos
West Caicos | ||
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Location of the island within the Turks and Caicos Islands. | ||
Waters | Atlantic Ocean | |
Archipelago | Caicos Islands | |
Geographical location | 21 ° 40 ′ N , 72 ° 27 ′ W | |
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length | 11.8 km | |
width | 2.79 km | |
surface | 22.79 km² | |
Highest elevation | 10 m | |
Residents | uninhabited | |
main place | Yankee Town (historic) |
West Caicos is the westernmost island of the British overseas territory of the Turks and Caicos Islands . It belongs to the archipelago of the Caicos Islands and is located in the Atlantic about 10 kilometers southwest of Providenciales .
The flat island has been uninhabited for almost 100 years. It was once, from around 1890, used for a few years for large-scale cultivation of sisal and for operating salt pans . From this time there are only a few relics left on West Caicos, such as dilapidated buildings and railway tracks of the then "capital" Yankee Town on the west coast.
West Caicos currently serves primarily as a nature reserve for numerous sea birds. However, there are plans to build a large hotel complex on the island.
Web links
- Website of the Turks and Caicos Islands on West Caicos (English)
- West Caicos. In: visittci.com. Visit Turks and Caicos Islands Limited.