Skip to content. | Skip to navigation
 

Central Intelligence Agency

Navigation

Mission

The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) is an independent US Government agency responsible for providing national security intelligence to senior US policymakers.

For more on the Agency's mission, visit our Strategic Intent.
Central Intelligence Agency
The Work of a Nation. The Center of Intelligence
The World Factbook Home
CIA - The World Factbook
Central America and Caribbean :: Turks and Caicos Islands
(overseas territory of the UK)
page last updated on July 7, 2009
Flag of Turks and Caicos Islands
(CONTAINS DESCRIPTION)
Location of Turks and Caicos Islands
Click flag or map to enlarge Opens in New Window
 
Map of Turks and Caicos Islands
Click map to enlarge Opens in New Window
No Photos available for Turks and Caicos Islands
 
no photos available of Turks and Caicos Islands
Expand All | collapse All
Introduction ::Turks and Caicos Islands
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
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.
Back to Top
Geography ::Turks and Caicos Islands
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Caribbean, two island groups in the North Atlantic Ocean, southeast of The Bahamas, north of Haiti
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
21 45 N, 71 35 W
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Central America and the Caribbean
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 948 sq km
country comparison to the world: 192
land: 948 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
2.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 km
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
389 km
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
tropical; marine; moderated by trade winds; sunny and relatively dry
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
low, flat limestone; extensive marshes and mangrove swamps
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point: Blue Hills 49 m
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
spiny lobster, conch
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
arable land: 2.33%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 97.67% (2005)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
NA
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
frequent hurricanes
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
limited natural fresh water resources, private cisterns collect rainwater
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
about 40 islands (eight inhabited)
Back to Top
People ::Turks and Caicos Islands
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
22,942 (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 217
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0-14 years: 30.2% (male 3,528/female 3,401)
15-64 years: 65.6% (male 7,875/female 7,164)
65 years and over: 4.2% (male 475/female 499) (2009 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 27.9 years
male: 28.7 years
female: 27.2 years (2009 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
2.563% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 31
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
20.79 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 93
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
4.18 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 208
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
9.02 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 9
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
urban population: 92% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 2.2% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.1 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.95 male(s)/female
total population: 1.07 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 13.89 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 131
male: 16.02 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 11.64 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total population: 75.42 years
country comparison to the world: 77
male: 73.12 years
female: 77.83 years (2009 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
2.95 children born/woman (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 75
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
NA
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
NA
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
NA
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
noun: none
adjective: none
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
black 90%, mixed, European, or North American 10%
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Baptist 40%, Anglican 18%, Methodist 16%, Church of God 12%, other 14% (1990)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
English (official)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school
total population: 98%
male: 99%
female: 98% (1970 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 11 years
male: 11 years
female: 12 years (2005)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
NA
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
destination and transit point for illegal Haitian immigrants bound for the Turks and Caicos Islands, The Bahamas, and the US
Back to Top
Government ::Turks and Caicos Islands
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Turks and Caicos Islands
abbreviation: TCI
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
overseas territory of the UK
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
NA
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
name: Grand Turk (Cockburn Town)
geographic coordinates: 21 28 N, 71 08 W
time difference: UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC during Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins first Sunday in April; ends last Sunday in October
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
none (overseas territory of the UK)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
none (overseas territory of the UK)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Constitution Day, 30 August (1976)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Turks and Caicos Islands Constitution Order 2006 effective 9 August 2006
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
based on laws of England and Wales with a few adopted from Jamaica and The Bahamas
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
18 years of age; universal
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor Gordon WETHERELL (since 5 August 2008)
head of government: Premier Galmore WILLIAMS (since 24 March 2009)
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
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
unicameral House of Assembly (21 seats of which 15 are popularly elected; members serve four-year terms)
elections: last held 9 February 2007 (next to be held in 2011)
election results: percent of vote by party - PNP 60%, PDM 40%; seats by party - PNP 13, PDM 2
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Supreme Court; Court of Appeal
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
People's Democratic Movement or PDM [Floyd SEYMOUR]; Progressive National Party or PNP [Michael Eugene MISICK]
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
NA
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Caricom (associate), CDB, Interpol (subbureau), UPU
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
none (overseas territory of the UK)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
none (overseas territory of the UK)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the colonial shield centered on the outer half of the flag; the shield is yellow and contains a conch shell, lobster, and cactus
Back to Top
Economy ::Turks and Caicos Islands
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
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.
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$216 million (2002 est.)
country comparison to the world: 215
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$NA
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
4.9% (2000 est.)
country comparison to the world: 89
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$11,500 (2002 est.)
country comparison to the world: 97
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
4,848 (1990 est.)
country comparison to the world: 213
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
note: about 33% in government and 20% in agriculture and fishing; significant numbers in tourism, financial, and other services
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
10% (1997 est.)
country comparison to the world: 127
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
NA%
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
revenues: $47 million
expenditures: $33.6 million (1997-98 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
4% (1995)
country comparison to the world: 65
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
corn, beans, cassava (tapioca), citrus fruits; fish
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
tourism, offshore financial services
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
NA%
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
10 million kWh (2006 est.)
country comparison to the world: 208
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
9.3 million kWh (2006 est.)
country comparison to the world: 209
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 kWh (2007 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 kWh (2007 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 157
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
80 bbl/day (2006 est.)
country comparison to the world: 206
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 bbl/day (2005)
country comparison to the world: 146
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
83.78 bbl/day (2005)
country comparison to the world: 205
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 bbl (1 January 2006 est.)
country comparison to the world: 115
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 cu m (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 125
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 cu m (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 132
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 cu m (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 111
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 cu m (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 114
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.)
country comparison to the world: 131
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$169.2 million (2000)
country comparison to the world: 187
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
lobster, dried and fresh conch, conch shells
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$175.6 million (2000)
country comparison to the world: 205
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
food and beverages, tobacco, clothing, manufactures, construction materials
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$NA
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
the US dollar is used
Back to Top
Communications ::Turks and Caicos Islands
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
5,700 (2002)
country comparison to the world: 214
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
1,700 (1999)
country comparison to the world: 212
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
general assessment: fully digital system with international direct dialing
domestic: full range of services available; GSM wireless service available
international: country code - 1-649; the Americas Region Caribbean Ring System (ARCOS-1) fiber optic telecommunications submarine cable provides connectivity to South and Central America, parts of the Caribbean, and the US; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
AM 2, FM 7, shortwave 0 (2003)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 (broadcasts received from The Bahamas; 2 cable television networks) (2003)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
.tc
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
2,352 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 138
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
NA
Back to Top
Transportation ::Turks and Caicos Islands
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
8 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 165
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 6
1,524 to 2,437 m: 3
914 to 1,523 m: 1
under 914 m: 2 (2008)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 2
914 to 1,523 m: 1
under 914 m: 1 (2008)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 121 km
country comparison to the world: 211
paved: 24 km
unpaved: 97 km (2003)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
registered in other countries: 1 (Panama 1) (2008)
country comparison to the world: 152
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Grand Turk, Providenciales
Back to Top
Military ::Turks and Caicos Islands
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
males age 16-49: 4,937
females age 16-49: 4,648 (2009 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
male: 226
female: 218 (2009 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
defense is the responsibility of the UK
Back to Top
Transnational Issues ::Turks and Caicos Islands
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
have received Haitians fleeing economic and civil disorder
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
transshipment point for South American narcotics destined for the US and Europe
Back to Top
Expand All | collapse All
The online Factbook is updated bi-weekly. ISSN 1553-8133
For additional information on government leaders in selected foreign countries, go to World Leaders.