Cockburn Town
Cockburn Town is the capital city of the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Capital city | |
 | |
 Map showing Cockburn Town's position | |
| Coordinates: 21°27′32″N 71°08′20″W / 21.45889°N 71.13889°WCoordinates: 21°27′32″N 71°08′20″W / 21.45889°N 71.13889°W | |
| Country |  United Kingdom |
| Overseas territory |  Turks and Caicos Islands |
| Island | Grand Turk Island |
| Founded | 1681 |
| Population (2012) | |
| • Total | 4,831[a] |
Geography
Cockburn Town is in the Grand Turk Island, the largest island in the Turks Islands archipelago. Historic 18th and 19th century Bermudian architecture can be seen on Duke and Front Streets in the town. The town is known for its long, narrow streets and old street lamps.
The closest area where ships can come near the city is Hawk's Nest Anchorage, which, though protected from the wind, should only be entered in good light because of reefs near the entrance.
History
The seat of government ever since 1766, Cockburn Town was the first permanent settlement on any of the islands, founded in 1681 by salt collectors who arrived in the Turks and Caicos Islands. The city supposedly lies on the place where Juan Ponce de León first landed on the island.
Main sights
National Museum
Cockburn Town is home to the Turks & Caicos National Museum, which is housed in the colonial-era Guinep House, on Front Street. The house is believed to be over 180 years old and is named after the large and old Guinep tree that is in front of the building. The site was donated to the Museum in 1990.[2]
Some of the exhibits detail the history of the Lucayans (the original people of the islands), the Space Race, Turks and Caicos postage stamps, slavery and the history of the slave trade, the sisal and salt industries, royal events, as well as a general history of the islands. The museum also maintains a garden, which is adjacent to the Guinep House.[3]
Also of interest are the museum's research projects, including its "Message in a Bottle" Project, recording nearly 40 years' worth of messages found in bottles on the beaches of Grand Turk.[4]
Climate
| Climate data for Turks and Caicos Islands : Grand Turk | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | 26 (79) |
24 (75) |
24 (75) |
25 (77) |
27 (81) |
28 (82) |
28 (82) |
28 (82) |
28 (82) |
28 (82) |
26 (79) |
25 (77) |
26.4 (79.6) |
| Rainfall mm (inches) | 30 (1.18) |
30 (1.18) |
20 (0.79) |
30 (1.18) |
20 (0.79) |
50 (1.97) |
20 (0.79) |
40 (1.57) |
60 (2.36) |
70 (2.76) |
90 (3.54) |
80 (3.15) |
540 (21.26) |
| Source: Weatherbase.com [1] | |||||||||||||
Notes
References
- ↑ "Census: Population Breakdown". fptci.com. FP Turks & Caicos. 9 August 2012. Retrieved 28 May 2013.
- ↑ "Guinep House". Turks & Caicos National Museum. Retrieved 28 May 2013.
- ↑ "Botanical Garden". Turks & Caicos National Museum. Retrieved 28 May 2013.
- ↑ "Project: Message in a Bottle". Turks & Caicos National Museum. Retrieved 28 May 2013.
Other websites
 |
Wikivoyage has a travel guide about: Cockburn Town |
- Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos Island Archived 2012-06-12 at the Wayback Machine
- Cockburn Town (Grand Turk) Archived 2007-07-03 at the Wayback Machine
- Cockburn Town in Wikimapia