1570, 1586-1587, 1781-1782, 2758 UNITED KINGDOM (Turks and Caicos Islands) - The map and the flag of the Turks and Caicos Islands

1570, 1586 The map of the Turks and Caicos Islands (1)

Posted on 10.05.2015, 17.05.2015, 03.06.2015, 26.07.2015, 17.09.2016
The Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) are a British Overseas Territory consisting of the larger Caicos Islands and smaller Turks Islands, two groups of tropical islands in the Lucayan Archipelago, part of the larger Antilles island grouping, which lie southeast of Mayaguana in the Bahamas island chain and north of the island of Hispaniola. The resident population is about 31,500, of whom 23,769 live on Providenciales. Cockburn Town, the capital since 1766, is situated on Grand Turk Island. TCI are named after the Turk's-cap cactus (Melocactus communis), and the Lucayan term caya hico, meaning string of islands.

2758 The map of the Turks and Caicos Islands (2)

The first inhabitants of the islands were Arawakan-speaking Taíno people, who crossed over from Hispaniola sometime from AD 500 to 800. Soon after the conquistador Juan Ponce de León arrived in 1512, the Spanish began capturing the locals as slaves, so that the islands were completely depopulated a year later, and remained so until the 17th century. During the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries, the islands passed from Spanish, to French, and to British control, but none of the three powers ever established any settlements. For several decades around the turn of the 18th century, the islands became popular pirate hideouts.

1781 The map of the Middle Caicos

After the American War of Independence, many Loyalists fled to British Caribbean colonies; in 1783 they were the first settlers on the Caicos Islands. They developed cotton as an important cash crop, but it was superseded by the development of the salt industry, which was a highly important export product until the 19th century. In the 19th and 20th centuries, the islands were either a separate colony, or part of the  Bahamas, or of  Jamaica. In 1973 the Turks and Caicos received their own governor. In 2013 and 2014, interest in annexing the islands to Canada, an idea which previously circulated, was renewed.

1782 The map of the Salt Cay

The eight main islands and more than 299 smaller islands consist primarily of low, flat limestone with extensive marshes and mangrove swamps. The weather is usually sunny and relatively dry, but suffers frequent hurricanes. The islands have limited natural fresh water resources; private cisterns collect rainwater for drinking. Most capital goods and food for domestic consumption are imported. The primary natural resources are spiny lobster, conch and other shellfish. The United States was the leading source of tourists in 1996, accounting for more than half of the 87,000 visitors.

1587 The flag of the Turks and Caicos Islands

The official language of the islands is English and the population also speaks Turks and Caicos Islands Creole, which is similar to Bahamian Creole. Due to its close proximity to Cuba and Hispaniola, large Haitian Creole and Spanish-speaking communities have developed in the territory due to immigration. The Turks and Caicos Islands are a biodiversity hotspot. The islands have many endemic species and others of international importance. Due to this significance, the islands are on the United Kingdom's tentative list for future UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

The flag of the Turks and Caicos Islands, adopted in 1968, is similar to the flags of other British dependencies and colonies as it has the Union Flag in the canton. It is a defaced Blue Ensign; the yellow shield is taken from the territory's coat of arms and contains a conch shell, lobster, and cactus. A Red Ensign with the shield is used as civil ensign, which is an informal (yet popular) usage given that this flag has not yet been approved by Order in Council laid before Parliament. The motto of the island is: "Beautiful By Nature".

About the stamps
On the postcard 1570
The first stamp is part of the series Shells and Marine Snails, about which I wrote lower.

The second is one of a set of two issued on March 3, 2014, In Memoriam Nelson Mandela (1918-2013). Much of the back of the postcard is occupied by the background of a minisheet issued also in memoriam of Nelson Mandela, the well known South African anti-apartheid revolutionary and politician, who served 27 years in prison for his convictions, but served also as President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999. Mandela was a controversial figure for much of his life. Denounced as a communist terrorist by critics, he nevertheless gained international acclaim for his activism, having received more than 250 honours, including the 1993  Nobel Peace Prize.
• Nelson Mandela (1 USD) - It's on the postcard 1570
• Nelson Mandela (1 USD) - It's on the postcard 1770

On the postcard 1586

The first stamp, dedicated to James Alexander George Smith McCartney (1945-1980), the island territory's first Chief Minister, was issued on May 1, 2014.

The second stamp is part of the series Flowers - Orchids of the Caribbean, about which I wrote here. The last one is part of the series Royal Baby - Prince George of Cambridge, about which I wrote here.

On the postcard 1587

The first stamp is part of the series The 60th Anniversary of the Accesion of Queen Elizabeth II, issued on October 10, 2012. On the postcard is also a part of the minisheet.

The last stamp is part of the series Shells and Marine Snails, issued on June 11, 2007, and comprising 15 stamps:
• Cymatium muricinum (0.10 USD) - It's on the postcard 1570
• Tellina radiata (0.15 USD) - It's on the postcard 1781
• Tonna maculosa (0.20 USD) - It's on the postcard 1782
• Leucozonia nassa (0.25 USD)
• Trachycardium magnum (0.35 USD) - It's on the postcard 1874
• Papyridea soleniformis (0.45 USD) - It's on the postcard 2273
• Epitonium lamellosum (0.50 USD)
• Astraea brevispina (0.60 USD)
• Bulla striata (0.80 USD)
• Murex margaritensis (1.00 USD)
• Chama macerophylla (1.25 USD)
• Vasum capitellum (1.40 USD)
• Coralliophila abbreviata (2.00 USD)
• Trachycardium isocardia (5.00 USD)
• Oliva reticularis (10.00 USD)

On the postcard 1781
The first stamp is part also of the series Shells and Marine Snails. The second stamp is part of the series Flowers - Orchids of the Caribbean, about which I wrote here.

On the postcard 1782
The stamp is part also of the series Shells and Marine Snails.

On the postcard 1587
All three stamps are part also of the series Shells and Marine Snails.

On the postcard 2758
About the minisheet issued to mark The 20th Anniversary of the National Trust, I wrote here.

This is a post for Sunday Stamps II-21, run by Violet Sky from See It On A Postcard. The theme of this week is: Peace and unity, or a favourite stamp that makes you happy. Click here to visit Violet’s blog and all the other participants.

References
Turks and Caicos Islands - Wikipedia

Sender 1570, 1586, 1587, 1628, 1781, 1782, 2758: Denise 
1570, 1587: Sent from Providenciales (Providenciales / TCI), on 17.04.2015
1586: Sent from Providenciales (Providenciales / TCI), on 14.04.2015

1781, 1782: Sent from Providenciales (Providenciales / TCI), on 16.04.2015
2758: Sent from Providenciales (Providenciales / TCI), on 25.06.2015