Turks and Caicos Islands Travel Information

Background: 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 are presently a British overseas territory.
Dependency status: overseas territory of the UK
Capital: Cockburn Town (on Grand Turk)
Currency: 1 United States dollar (US$) = 100 cents

Geography of the Turks and Caicos Islands

Location: Caribbean, two island groups in the North Atlantic Ocean, southeast of The Bahamas
Geographic coordinates: 21 45 N, 71 35 W
Area:
total: 430 sq km
land: 430 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 389 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: tropical; marine; moderated by trade winds; sunny and relatively dry
Terrain: low, flat limestone; extensive marshes and mangrove swamps
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point: Blue Hills 49 m
Natural resources: spiny lobster, conch
Land use:
arable land: 2%
permanent crops: 0%
permanent pastures: 0%
forests and woodland: 0%
other: 98% (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: frequent hurricanes
Environment - current issues: limited natural fresh water resources, private cisterns collect rainwater
Geography - note: 30 islands (eight inhabited)

People of the Turks and Caicos Islands

Population: 20,556 (July 2005 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 33%
15-64 years: 63%
65 years and over: 4%
Population growth rate: 3.55%
Birth rate: 25.65 births/1,000 population
Death rate: 4.57 deaths/1,000 population
Net migration rate: 14.46 migrant(s)/1,000 population
Infant mortality rate: 18.66 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 73.28 years
male: 71.15 years
female: 75.51 years
Total fertility rate: 3.25 children born/woman
Nationality:
noun: none
adjective: none
Ethnic groups: black
Religions: Baptist 41.2%, Methodist 18.9%, Anglican 18.3%, Seventh-Day Adventist 1.7%, other 19.9% (1980)
Languages: English (official)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school
total population: 98%
male: 99%
female: 98% (1970 est.)

SOURCE: The World Factbook