The Turks and Caicos Islands are an archipelago of protecting reefs, cays and islands that possess a great sand bank area that separates the larger of the 44 cays and islands and is located at 21° 45’ N, 71° 35’ W in the Western most part of the Central Atlantic Ocean. The islands' position also sets a border of the Caribbean Sea.

         The archipelago has been a maritime culture since its first recorded settlement by the Bermudians in 1678. The Bermudians prospered as a result of its habitation and the production of salt. Salt was used as a preservative for trading goods, especially for the commerical fisheries in the Northeastern section of North America. Because of the need to sail to windward from Bermuda to procure salt, the Bermudians refined the Bermuda Sloop and as a result of this refinement and trading ability of this fore and aft rig most of the Eastern Seaboard of America (which includes Canada) saw prosperity in their new settlements.

         Today, the approximately 21,000 residents are enjoying a prosperous development boom, which has alloted them time to consider their history and aspire to promote the preservation of their traditions and culture. This is a very family oriented society and the passing on of information is taken very seriously. The Turks and Caicos Maritime Heritage Federation is a result of that serious intention.