The Turks & Caicos Islands in the Caribbean are the best beach holiday destination. Enjoying up to 320 days of uninterrupted sunshine a year, these two islands offers pristine beaches and one of the best dive sites in the Caribbean. The first inhabitants of the islands were the Carib Indians. However, after it was discovered by the Europeans (some say Christopher Columbus, others say Juan Ponce de Leon), these two islands had been under control of various European and Caribbean countries. Today, Turk and Caicos islands are Non-sovereign, Overseas territory of the British crown. The Turks and Caicos Islands are composed of about a dozen islands and cays. The biggest and most populous island group, the Caicos Islands lays southeast of the Bahamas, seperated by the Caicos Passage. Ninety-six percent of the total land area of the Turks & Caicos Islands are in the northern half, the Caicos group. The biggest population concentration, as well as the urban center of the island group is in the island of Providenciales. Out of the six main islands that make up the Caicos Islands, only four are inhabited. Separated by the Turks Island Passage from the Caisos Islands, the Turks Islands are composed of two main islands (the only inhabited islands in the group), and several smaller islands. The islands of the Turks and Caicos are mostly low land, flat limestone, with much marshes and swamps. Though the islands enjoy plenty of sunny days, it is still in the hurricane belt and is frequently affected by hurricanes in the region. Though the island has limited fresh water supply, they are bountiful in spiny lobster, conch and various shellfish. The Turks and Caicos Islands are famous for the extensive coral reef system that surrounds the islands. Consistently voted as one of the top dive spots in the world, the islands promises divers of excellent visibility, unspoilt reefs, and exotic tropical fishes.