From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Cockburn Town
Turks and Caicos Islands position in the Caribbean Sea
Map showing Cockburn Town's position with Turks and Caicos
Coordinates (type:city): 21°27′32″N 71°08′20″W / 21.459°N 71.139°W / 21.459; -71.139
Country	United Kingdom
overseas territory	Turks and Caicos Islands
Island	Grand Turk Island
Founded	1681
Population
- Total	3,700

Cockburn Town (pronounced /ˈkoʊbərn/ KOE-bərn)^[1][2] is the capital city of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Location and features

Cockburn Town is located on the largest island in the Turks Islands (not the Caicos) archipelago, Grand Turk Island. Historic 18th and 19th century Bermudian architecture line Duke and Front Streets in Cockburn Town. The town is known for its long, narrow streets and old street lamps.

The closest anchorage to Cockburn Town is Hawk's Nest Anchorage, which, though sheltered, 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.

National Museum

The oldest known shipwreck in the Americas, the Molasses Reef Wreck, dated 1505, is exhibited in the Turks & Caicos National Museum, Grand Turk.

References

From Wikitravel

Cockburn Town is the capital of the Turks and Caicos Islands. It is on Grand Turk.