GRAND TURK

chief island and seat of government of the British colony of the Turks and Caicos Islands in the West Indies, north of Hispaniola. The only town and port on the island is Cockburn Town, directly across Turks Island Passage from the colony's second port, Cockburn Harbour, on South Caicos Island. The chief economic resource was traditionally the production of salt by evaporation of seawater in artificial basins. The industry became increasingly unprofitable until it ceased altogether in 1964. The export of spiny lobster increased after 1971 with the introduction of new trapping methods. Tourism and offshore banking, however, have become the most important industries. Pop. (1990) 3,691.