Facts About Turks and Caicos Islands
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.)
Turks and Caicos Islands Economy
Economy – overview: The Turks and Caicos economy is based on tourism, fishing, and offshore financial services. Most capital goods and food for domestic consumption are imported. The US was the leading source of tourists in 1996, accounting for more than half of the 87,000 visitors; tourist arrivals had risen to 93,000 by 1998. Major sources of government revenue include fees from offshore financial activities and customs receipts.
GDP: purchasing power parity – $128 million (1999 est.)
GDP – real growth rate: 4% (1997 est.), 8.7% (1999 est.)
GDP – per capita: purchasing power parity – $7,300 (1999 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4% (1995)
Labor force: 4,848 (1990 est.)
Labor force – by occupation: about 33% in government and 20% in agriculture and fishing; significant numbers in tourism, financial, and other services (1997 est.)
Unemployment rate: 10% (1997 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $47 million
expenditures: $33.6 million (1997/98 est.)
Industries: tourism, offshore financial services
Electricity – production: 5 million kWh (1998)
Electricity – production by source:
fossil fuel: 100%
hydro: 0%
nuclear: 0%
other: 0% (1998)
Electricity – consumption: 5 million kWh (1998)
Agriculture – products: corn, beans, cassava (tapioca), citrus fruits; fish
Exports: $4.7 million (1993)
Exports – commodities: lobster, dried and fresh conch, conch shells
Exports – partners: US, UK
Imports: $46.6 million (1993)
Imports – commodities: food and beverages, tobacco, clothing, manufactures, construction materials
Imports – partners: US, UK
Economic aid – recipient: $5.7 million (1995)
Currency: 1 United States dollar (USD) = 100 cents
Map of the Turks and Caicos Islands
