West Caicos

West Caicos
Location of the island within the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Waters	Atlantic Ocean
Archipelago	Caicos Islands
Geographical location	21 ° 40 ′  N , 72 ° 27 ′  W Coordinates: 21 ° 40 ′  N , 72 ° 27 ′  W
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.