World Facts Index
The islands were part of
the UK's Jamaican colony until 1962, when they assumed the status of a separate crown
colony upon Jamaica's independence. The governor of The Bahamas oversaw affairs from 1965
to 1973. With Bahamian independence, the islands received a separate governor in 1973.
Although independence was agreed upon for 1982, the policy was reversed and the islands
remain a British overseas territory.
Geography of the Turks and Caicos Islands
|
Location:
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Caribbean, two island
groups in the North Atlantic Ocean, southeast of The Bahamas, north of
Haiti |
|
Coordinates:
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21 45 N, 71 35 W |
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Area:
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total: 430 sq km
water: 0 sq km
land: 430 sq km |
|
Area comparative:
|
2.5 times the size of
Washington, DC |
|
Land boundaries:
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0 km |
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Coastline:
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389 km |
|
Maritime claims:
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exclusive fishing zone:
200 NM
territorial sea: 12 NM |
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Climate:
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tropical; marine; moderated
by trade winds; sunny and relatively dry |
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Terrain:
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low, flat limestone;
extensive marshes and mangrove swamps |
|
Elevation extremes:
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lowest point:
Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point: Blue Hills 49 m |
|
Natural resources:
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spiny lobster, conch |
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Natural hazards:
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frequent hurricanes |
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Environment current issues:
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limited natural fresh water
resources, private cisterns collect rainwater |
|
Geography - note:
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about 40 islands (eight
inhabited)
|
Population of the Turks and Caicos Islands
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Population:
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22,352 (July 2008 est.) |
|
Age structure:
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0-14 years: 31.9% (male 3,432/female 3,312)
15-64 years: 64.4% (male 7,155/female 6,457)
65 years and over: 3.8% (male 362/female 434) |
|
Median age:
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27.5 years |
|
Growth rate:
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2.82% |
|
Infant mortality:
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15.18 deaths/1,000 live births |
|
Life expectancy at birth:
|
total population: 74.73 years
male: 72.48 years
female: 77.08 years |
|
Fertility rate:
|
3.05 children born/woman |
|
Nationality:
|
noun: none
adjective: none |
|
Ethnic groups:
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black 90%, mixed, European, or North
American 10% |
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Religions:
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Baptist 40%, Methodist 16%, Anglican 18%,
Church of God 12%, other 14% |
|
Languages:
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English (official) |
|
Literacy:
|
definition: age 15 and over has ever
attended school
female: 98%
male: 99%
total population: 98% |
Government
|
Country name:
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conventional short form: Turks and Caicos Islands |
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Dependency status:
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overseas territory of the UK |
|
Capital:
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Grand Turk (Cockburn Town) |
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National holiday:
|
Constitution Day, 30 August (1976) |
|
Constitution:
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introduced 30 August 1976; suspended in
1986; restored and revised 5 March 1988 |
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Legal system:
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based on laws of England and Wales, with a
few adopted from Jamaica and The Bahamas |
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Suffrage:
|
18 years of age; universal |
|
Executive branch:
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chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II;
represented by Governor Gordon WETHERELL
head of government: Premier Michael Eugene MISICK (chief minister since
15 August 2003, sworn in as premier on 9 August 2006); note - the office of
premier was created in the 2006 constitution
cabinet: Cabinet consists of the governor, the premier, six ministers
appointed by the governor from among the members of the House of Assembly, and
the attorney general
elections: the monarch is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch;
following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party is appointed
premier by the governor. |
|
Legislative branch:
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unicameral Legislative Council (19 seats of which 13 are
popularly elected; members serve four-year terms) |
|
Judicial branch:
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Supreme Court |
Economy
The Turks and Caicos economy is based on tourism, offshore financial
services, and fishing. Most capital goods and food for domestic consumption
are imported. The US is the leading source of tourists, accounting for more
than three-quarters of the 175,000 visitors that arrived in 2004. Major
sources of government revenue also include fees from offshore financial
activities and customs receipts.
|
GDP:
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$216 million (2002 est.) |
|
GDP growth rate:
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4.9% (2000 est.) |
|
GDP per capita:
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$11,500 (2002 est.) |
|
Labor force - by occupation:
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about 33% in government and
20% in agriculture and fishing; significant numbers in tourism,
financial, and other services |
|
Budget:
|
revenues: $47
million
expenditures: $33.6 million, including capital expenditures of
$NA (1997-98 est.) |
|
Electricity production by source:
|
fossil fuel: 100%
hydro: 0%
other: 0% |
|
Industries:
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tourism, offshore financial
services |
|
Agriculture:
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corn, beans, cassava
(tapioca), citrus fruits; fish |
|
Exports:
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lobster, dried and fresh
conch, conch shells |
|
Export partners:
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US, UK |
|
Imports:
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food and beverages,
tobacco, clothing, manufactures, construction materials |
|
Import partners:
|
US, UK |
|
Currency:
|
US dollar (USD) |
SOURCES: The CIA World Factbook, U.S. Department of State, Area Handbook of the US Library of Congress
Copyright 2004 - 2008 worldfacts.us |