2017 Edition

CIA World Factbook 2017 Archive (HTML)

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Countries

268

Data Records

71,914

Turks and Caicos Islands

2017 Edition · 221 data fields

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Introduction

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. Grand Turk island suffered extensive damage from Hurricane Maria on 22 September 2017 resulting in loss of power and communications as well as damage to housing and businesses.

Geography

Area

948 sq km 948 sq km 0 sq km
land: 948 sq km
total: 948 sq km
water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative

2.5 times the size of Washington, DC

Climate

tropical; marine; moderated by trade winds; sunny and relatively dry

Coastline

389 km

Elevation

NA lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Blue Hill on Providenciales and Flamingo Hill on East Caicos 48 m
elevation extremes: lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point: Blue Hill on Providenciales and Flamingo Hill on East Caicos 48 m
mean elevation: NA

Environment - current issues

limited natural freshwater resources, private cisterns collect rainwater

Geographic coordinates

21 45 N, 71 35 W

Geography - note

include eight large islands and numerous smaller cays, islets, and reefs; only two of the Caicos Islands and six of the Turks group are inhabited

Irrigated land

0 sq km (2012)

Land boundaries

0 km

Land use

1.1% arable land 1.1%; permanent crops 0%; permanent pasture 0% 36.2% 62.7% (2011 est.)
agricultural land: 1.1%
forest: 36.2%
other: 62.7% (2011 est.)

Location

two island groups in the North Atlantic Ocean, southeast of The Bahamas, north of Haiti

Map references

Central America and the Caribbean

Maritime claims

12 nm 200 nm
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm

Natural hazards

frequent hurricanes

Natural resources

spiny lobster, conch

Population - distribution

eight of the thirty islands are inhabited; the island of Providenciales is the most populated, but the most densely populated is Grand Turk

Terrain

low, flat limestone; extensive marshes and mangrove swamps

People and Society

Age structure

21.74% (male 5,826/female 5,604) 13.99% (male 3,641/female 3,711) 53.17% (male 14,097/female 13,855) 6.54% (male 1,839/female 1,597) 4.57% (male 1,096/female 1,304) (2017 est.)
0-14 years: 21.74% (male 5,826/female 5,604)
15-24 years: 13.99% (male 3,641/female 3,711)
25-54 years: 53.17% (male 14,097/female 13,855)
55-64 years: 6.54% (male 1,839/female 1,597)
65 years and over: 4.57% (male 1,096/female 1,304) (2017 est.)

Birth rate

15.3 births/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Death rate

3.2 deaths/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Education expenditures

3.3% of GDP (2015)

Ethnic groups

black 87.6%, white 7.9%, mixed 2.5%, East Indian 1.3%, other 0.7% (2006)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

HIV/AIDS - deaths

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

Infant mortality rate

10.1 deaths/1,000 live births 12.5 deaths/1,000 live births 7.5 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)
female: 7.5 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)
male: 12.5 deaths/1,000 live births
total: 10.1 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

English (official)

Life expectancy at birth

80 years 77.2 years 82.9 years (2017 est.)
female: 82.9 years (2017 est.)
male: 77.2 years
total population: 80 years

Major infectious diseases

active local transmission of Zika virus by Aedes species mosquitoes has been identified in this country (as of August 2016); it poses an important risk (a large number of cases possible) among US citizens if bitten by an infective mosquito; other less common ways to get Zika are through sex, via blood transfusion, or during pregnancy, in which the pregnant woman passes Zika virus to her fetus (2016)
note: active local transmission of Zika virus by Aedes species mosquitoes has been identified in this country (as of August 2016); it poses an important risk (a large number of cases possible) among US citizens if bitten by an infective mosquito; other less common ways to get Zika are through sex, via blood transfusion, or during pregnancy, in which the pregnant woman passes Zika virus to her fetus (2016)

Major urban areas - population

GRAND TURK (capital) 5,000 (2014)

Median age

33.3 years 33.6 years 33 years (2017 est.)
female: 33 years (2017 est.)
male: 33.6 years
total: 33.3 years

Nationality

none none
adjective: none
noun: none

Net migration rate

9.5 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.)

People - note

destination and transit point for illegal Haitian immigrants bound for the Turks and Caicos Islands, The Bahamas, and the US

Population

52,570 (July 2017 est.)

Population distribution

eight of the thirty islands are inhabited; the island of Providenciales is the most populated, but the most densely populated is Grand Turk

Population growth rate

2.16% (2017 est.)

Religions

Protestant 72.8% (Baptist 35.8%, Church of God 11.7%, Anglican 10%, Methodist 9.3%, Seventh-Day Adventist 6%), Roman Catholic 11.4%, Jehovah's Witnesses 1.8%, other 14%

Sanitation facility access

urban: 81.4% of population rural: 81.4% of population total: 81.4% of population urban: 18.6% of population rural: 18.6% of population total: 18.6% of population (2007 est.)
rural: 18.6% of population
total: 18.6% of population (2007 est.)
urban: 18.6% of population

Sex ratio

1.05 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 0.97 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female 1.18 male(s)/female 0.8 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female (2016 est.)
0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 0.97 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 1.18 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.8 male(s)/female
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.7 children born/woman (2017 est.)

Urbanization

92.8% of total population (2017) 1.71% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)
rate of urbanization: 1.71% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)
urban population: 92.8% of total population (2017)

Government

Administrative divisions

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Capital

Grand Turk (Cockburn Town) 21 28 N, 71 08 W UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
geographic coordinates: 21 28 N, 71 08 W
name: Grand Turk (Cockburn Town)
time difference: UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Citizenship

see United Kingdom

Constitution

several previous; latest signed 7 August 2012, effective 15 October 2012 (Turks and Caicos Constitution Order 2011) (2016)

Country name

none Turks and Caicos Islands TCI the Turks Islands are named after the Turk's cap cactus (native to the islands and appearing on the flag and coat of arms), while the Caicos Islands derive from the native term "caya hico" meaning "string of islands"
abbreviation: TCI
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Turks and Caicos Islands
etymology: the Turks Islands are named after the Turk's cap cactus (native to the islands and appearing on the flag and coat of arms), while the Caicos Islands derive from the native term "caya hico" meaning "string of islands"

Dependency status

overseas territory of the UK

Diplomatic representation from the US

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Diplomatic representation in the US

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Executive branch

Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor John FREEMAN (since 17 October 2016) Premier Sharlene CARTWRIGHT-ROBINSON (since 20 December 2016); first female Premier of Turks and Caicos Cabinet appointed by the governor from among members of the House of Assembly the monarch is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party is appointed premier by the governor
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor from among members of the House of Assembly
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor John FREEMAN (since 17 October 2016)
elections/appointments: the monarch is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party is appointed premier by the governor
head of government: Premier Sharlene CARTWRIGHT-ROBINSON (since 20 December 2016); first female Premier of Turks and Caicos

Flag description

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 displays a conch shell, a spiny lobster, and Turk's cap cactus - three common elements of the islands' biota

Government type

parliamentary democracy (House of Assembly); self-governing overseas territory of the UK

Independence

none (overseas territory of the UK)

International organization participation

Caricom (associate), CDB, Interpol (subbureau), UPU

Judicial branch

Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and such number of other judges as determined by the governor); Court of Appeal (consists of the court president and 2 justices); note - appeals beyond the Supreme Court are referred to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (in London) Supreme Court and Appeals Court judges appointed by the governor in accordance with the Judicial Service Commission, a 3-member body of high level judicial officials; Supreme Court judges appointed until mandatory retirement at age 65, but terms can be extended to age 70; Appeals Court judge tenure determined by individual terms of appointment magistrates' courts
highest resident court(s): Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and such number of other judges as determined by the governor); Court of Appeal (consists of the court president and 2 justices); note - appeals beyond the Supreme Court are referred to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (in London)
judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court and Appeals Court judges appointed by the governor in accordance with the Judicial Service Commission, a 3-member body of high level judicial officials; Supreme Court judges appointed until mandatory retirement at age 65, but terms can be extended to age 70; Appeals Court judge tenure determined by individual terms of appointment
subordinate courts: magistrates' courts

Legal system

mixed legal system of English common law and civil law

Legislative branch

unicameral House of Assembly (19 seats; 15 members in multi-seat constituencies and a single all-islands constituency directly elected by simple majority vote, 1 member nominated by the premier and appointed by the governor, 1 nominated by the opposition party leader and appointed by the governor, and 2 from the Turks and Caicos Islands Civic Society directly appointed by the governor; members serve 4-year terms) last held on 15 December 2016 (next to be held in 2020) percent of vote - NA; seats by party - PDM 10, PNP 5
description: unicameral House of Assembly (19 seats; 15 members in multi-seat constituencies and a single all-islands constituency directly elected by simple majority vote, 1 member nominated by the premier and appointed by the governor, 1 nominated by the opposition party leader and appointed by the governor, and 2 from the Turks and Caicos Islands Civic Society directly appointed by the governor; members serve 4-year terms)
election results: percent of vote - NA; seats by party - PDM 10, PNP 5
elections: last held on 15 December 2016 (next to be held in 2020)

National anthem

"This Land of Ours" Conrad HOWELL serves as a local anthem; as a territory of the UK, "God Save the Queen" is the official anthem (see United Kingdom)
lyrics/music: Conrad HOWELL
name: "This Land of Ours"
note: serves as a local anthem; as a territory of the UK, "God Save the Queen" is the official anthem (see United Kingdom)

National holiday

Birthday of Queen ELIZABETH II, usually celebrated the Monday after the second Saturday in June

National symbol(s)

conch shell, Turk's cap cactus

Political parties and leaders

People's Democratic Movement or PDM [Sharlene CARTWRIGHT-ROBINSON] Progressive National Party or PNP [Washington MISICK]

Political pressure groups and leaders

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Economy

Agriculture - products

corn, beans, cassava (manioc, tapioca), citrus fruits; fish

Budget

$225.6 million $187.2 million (2016 est.)
expenditures: $187.2 million (2016 est.)
revenues: $225.6 million

Debt - external

$NA

Economy - overview

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 more than 1 million visitors that arrived in 2013. Three-quarters of the visitors came by ship. Major sources of government revenue also include fees from offshore financial activities and customs receipts.

Exchange rates

the US dollar is used

Exports

$24.77 million (2008 est.)

Exports - commodities

lobster, dried and fresh conch, conch shells

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition, by end use

45.5% 21.5% 16.5% -0.1% 70.4% -54% (2015 est.)
exports of goods and services: 70.4%
government consumption: 21.5%
household consumption: 45.5%
imports of goods and services: -54% (2015 est.)
investment in fixed capital: 16.5%
investment in inventories: -0.1%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

0.5% 9% 90.5% (2016 est.)
agriculture: 0.5%
industry: 9%
services: 90.5% (2016 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$29,100 (2007 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

11.2% (2007 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$NA

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$632 million (2007 est.) $568.3 million (2006 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

NA% NA%
highest 10%: NA%
lowest 10%: NA%

Imports

$591.3 million (2008 est.)

Imports - commodities

food and beverages, tobacco, clothing, manufactures, construction materials

Industrial production growth rate

3% (2016 est.)

Industries

tourism, offshore financial services

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

1.1% (2016 est.) 1% (2015 est.)

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
note: about 33% in government and 20% in agriculture and fishing; significant numbers in tourism, financial, and other services

Population below poverty line

NA%

Unemployment rate

10% (1997 est.)

Broadcast media

no local terrestrial TV stations, broadcasts from the Bahamas can be received and multi-channel cable and satellite TV services are available; government-run radio network operates alongside private broadcasters with a total of about 15 stations (2007)

Internet country code

.tc

Telephone system

fully digital system with international direct dialing full range of services available; GSM wireless service available 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) (2015)
domestic: full range of services available; GSM wireless service available
general assessment: fully digital system with international direct dialing
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) (2015)

Transportation

Airports

8 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

1 (2013)
1,524 to 2,437 m: 3
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 1
total: 6
under 914 m: 1 (2013)

Airports - with unpaved runways

2 (2013)
total: 2
under 914 m: 2 (2013)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

VQ-T (2016)

National air transport system

16 (2015)
inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 16 (2015)
number of registered air carriers: 1

Ports and terminals

Cockburn Harbour, Grand Turk, Providenciales
major seaport(s): Cockburn Harbour, Grand Turk, Providenciales

Roadways

121 km 24 km 97 km (2003)
paved: 24 km
total: 121 km
unpaved: 97 km (2003)

Military and Security

Military - note

defense is the responsibility of the UK

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international

have received Haitians fleeing economic and civil disorder

Illicit drugs

transshipment point for South American narcotics destined for the US and Europe