General Overview
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.
Demographics
The Turks & Caicos Islands are an archipelago of 40 islands (8 of which are inhabited) forming the southeastern end of the Bahamas chain. There are two principal groups, each surrounded by a continuous coral reef. Caicos is the larger group and includes Providenciales, Middle (or Grand) Caicos, and the islands of North, South, East and West Caicos, plus numerous small cays, some of which are inhabited.
The Turks group, separated by a 35km- (22 mile-) wide channel of water, consists of Grand Turk, Salt Cay and a number of small uninhabited cays. Eight of the thirty islands in the territory are inhabited, with a total population in mid-2000 of about 17,500.
• Country name: Turks and Caicos Islands
• Capital Name: Grand Turk (Cockburn Town)
• Population: 22,352 (July 2008 est.)
• Languages: English (official)
• Ethnic Groups: Black 90%, mixed, European, or North American 10%
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 (purchasing power parity): $216 million (2002 est.)
• GDP - real growth rate: 4.9% (2000 est.)
• GDP - per capita (PPP): $11,500 (2002 est.)
• Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4% (1995)
• Exports: $169.2 million (2000)
• Imports: $175.6 million (2000)
Government
Turks and Caicos Islands is an overseas territory of the UK, having the Chief of State Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1953) represented by Governor Jim POSTON (since 16 December 2002).
• Administrative divisions: None (overseas territory of the UK)
• Legal system: Based on laws of England and Wales, with a few adopted from Jamaica and The Bahamas.
• Constitution: Turks and Caicos Islands Constitution Order 2006 (effective 9 August 2006)
• Independence: None (overseas territory of the UK)
References
Turks and Caicos Islands Government - Official Website
Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) - The World Factbook
Nation Master - World Data Center
Wikipedia - The Free Encyclopedia
Lonely Planet - Travel Guidebook
