Turks and Caicos Islands

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 remain a British overseas territory.

Turks and Caicos Islands Information

• Population: 19,956 (July 2004 est.)
• Nationality: noun: none adjective: none
• Location:: Caribbean, two island groups in the North Atlantic Ocean, southeast of The Bahamas, north of Haiti
• Religions:: Baptist 40%, Methodist 16%, Anglican 18%, Church of God 12%, other 14% (1990)
• Ethnic Groups:: black 90%, mixed, European, or North American 10%
• Land Boundaries:: 0 km
• Area: total: 430 sq km water: 0 sq km land: 430 sq km
• Coast Line: 389 km
• Climate: tropical; marine; moderated by trade winds; sunny and relatively dry
• Terrain: low, flat limestone; extensive marshes and mangrove swamps
• Maritime Claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
• Land Use: arable land: 2.33% permanent crops: 0% other: 97.67% (2001)
• Environmental Issues: limited natural fresh water resources, private cisterns collect rainwater
• Natural Resources: spiny lobster, conch
• Highways: total: 121 km paved: 24 km unpaved: 97 km (2000)
• Railways:
• Ports & Harbours: Grand Turk, Providenciales
• Airports: 8 (2003 est.)