Page last updated on January 28, 2014

Introduction:
Background:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical 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.
Geography:
Location:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
two island groups in the North Atlantic Ocean, southeast of The Bahamas, north of Haiti
Geographic coordinates:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
21 45 N, 71 35 W
Map references:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Central America and the Caribbean
Area:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 948 sq km
country comparison to the world: 186
land: 948 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 km
Coastline:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
389 km
Maritime claims:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
Climate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
tropical; marine; moderated by trade winds; sunny and relatively dry
Terrain:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
low, flat limestone; extensive marshes and mangrove swamps
Elevation extremes:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point: Flamingo Hill 48 m
Natural resources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
spiny lobster, conch
Land use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
arable land: 1.05%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 98.95% (2011)
Irrigated land:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA
Natural hazards:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
frequent hurricanes
Environment - current issues:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
limited natural freshwater resources, private cisterns collect rainwater
Geography - note:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
about 40 islands (eight inhabited)
People and Society:
Nationality:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
noun: none
adjective: none
Ethnic groups:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
black 87.6%, white 7.9%, mixed 2.5%, East Indian 1.3%, other 0.7% (2006)
Languages:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
English (official)
Religions:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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%
Population:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
47,754 (July 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 212
Age structure:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0-14 years: 22.3% (male 5,427/female 5,227)
15-24 years: 15% (male 3,482/female 3,688)
25-54 years: 53.5% (male 13,019/female 12,548)
55-64 years: 5% (male 1,309/female 1,083)
65 years and over: 4.1% (male 875/female 1,096) (2013 est.)
population pyramid: "> Median age:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 31.4 years
male: 31.7 years
female: 31 years (2013 est.)
Population growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2.87% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 15
Birth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
17.05 births/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 117
Death rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3.06 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 221
Net migration rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
14.66 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 8
Urbanization:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
urban population: 93% of total population (2010)
rate of urbanization: 1.6% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
Major urban areas - population:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
GRAND TURK (capital) 6,000 (2009)
Sex ratio:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 0.94 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 1.21 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.8 male(s)/female
total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2013 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 11.29 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 133
male: 14.13 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 8.31 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total population: 79.4 years
country comparison to the world: 43
male: 76.67 years
female: 82.27 years (2013 est.)
Total fertility rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.7 children born/woman (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 170
Drinking water source:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
improved:
Sanitation facility access:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
improved:
unimproved:
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA
Education expenditures:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA
Literacy:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school
total population: 98%
male: 99%
female: 98% (1970 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 11 years
male: 11 years
female: 12 years (2005)
People - note:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
destination and transit point for illegal Haitian immigrants bound for the Turks and Caicos Islands, The Bahamas, and the US
Government:
Country name:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Turks and Caicos Islands
abbreviation: TCI
Dependency status:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
overseas territory of the UK
Government type:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA
Capital:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical 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 second Sunday in March; ends first Sunday in November
Administrative divisions:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
none (overseas territory of the UK)
Independence:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
none (overseas territory of the UK)
National holiday:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Constitution Day, 30 August (1976)
Constitution:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
several previous; latest signed 7 August 2012, effective 15 October 2012 (Turks and Caicos Constitution Order 2011) (2012)
Legal system:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
mixed legal system of English common law and civil law
Suffrage:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor Peter BECKINGHAM (since 9 October 2013)
head of government: Premier Rufus EWING (since 13 November 2012)
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
(For more information visit the World Leaders website )
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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
note: the UK foreign minister has determined that sufficient progress has been made to reinstate local government under a new constitution that came into effect in October 2012
Legislative branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
unicameral House of Assembly consisting of 19 seats, 15 elected and 4 appointed by the governor; of elected members, five are elected at large and 10 from single member districts for four-year terms
elections: last held on 9 November 2012 (next to be held in 2016)
election results: percent of vote - NA; seats by party - PNP 8, PDM 7
Judicial branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
highest 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)
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 can be extended to age 70; Appeals Court judge tenure determined by individual terms of appointment
subordinate courts: magistrates' courts
Political parties and leaders:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
People's Democratic Movement or PDM [Oswald SKIPPINGS]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA
International organization participation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Caricom (associate), CDB, Interpol (subbureau), UPU
Diplomatic representation in the US:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
none (overseas territory of the UK)
Diplomatic representation from the US:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
none (overseas territory of the UK)
Flag description:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical 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 displays a conch shell, a spiny lobster, and Turks Head cactus - three common elements of the islands' biota
National anthem:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
name: "This Land of Ours"
lyrics/music: Conrad HOWELL
note: serves as a local anthem; as a territory of the United Kingdom, "God Save the Queen" is the official anthem (see United Kingdom)
Economy:
Economy - overview:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical 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.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$632 million (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 213
GDP (official exchange rate):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$NA
GDP - real growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
11.2% (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 5
GDP - per capita (PPP):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$29,100 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 50
GDP - composition, by end use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
household consumption: 30.8%
government consumption: 17.1%
investment in fixed capital: 50.3%
exports of goods and services: 81.8%
imports of goods and services: -80.1%
GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
agriculture: 1%
industry: 22.2%
services: 76.7% (2012 est.)
Agriculture - products:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
corn, beans, cassava (tapioca), citrus fruits; fish
Industries:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
tourism, offshore financial services
Industrial production growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA%
Labor force:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
4,848 (1990 est.)
country comparison to the world: 222
Labor force - by occupation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
note: about 33% in government and 20% in agriculture and fishing; significant numbers in tourism, financial, and other services
Unemployment rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
10% (1997 est.)
country comparison to the world: 107
Population below poverty line:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Budget:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
revenues: $417.4 million
expenditures: $408.9 million (2012 est.)
Fiscal year:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
calendar year
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2.5% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 65
Exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$24.77 million (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 204
Exports - commodities:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
lobster, dried and fresh conch, conch shells
Imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$591.3 million (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 189
Imports - commodities:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
food and beverages, tobacco, clothing, manufactures, construction materials
Debt - external:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$NA
Exchange rates:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
the US dollar is used
Energy:
Electricity - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
200 million kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 182
Electricity - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
186 million kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 186
Electricity - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 135
Electricity - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 139
Electricity - installed generating capacity:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
50,000 kW (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 187
Electricity - from fossil fuels:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
100% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 36
Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 185
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 202
Electricity - from other renewable sources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 127
Crude oil - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 135
Crude oil - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 189
Crude oil - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 126
Crude oil - proved reserves:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 190
Refined petroleum products - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 132
Refined petroleum products - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
998.6 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 203
Refined petroleum products - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 132
Refined petroleum products - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1,063 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 194
Natural gas - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 196
Natural gas - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 197
Natural gas - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 189
Natural gas - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 134
Natural gas - proved reserves:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 196
Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
155,500 Mt (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 197
Communications:
Telephone system:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical 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) (2011)
Broadcast media:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
.tc
Internet hosts:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
73,217 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 86
Transportation:
Airports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
8 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 163
Airports - with paved runways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 6
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 3
914 to 1,523 m: 1
under 914 m: 1 (2013)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 2
under 914 m:
Roadways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 121 km
country comparison to the world: 212
paved: 24 km
unpaved: 97 km (2003)
Ports and terminals:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
major seaport(s): Cockburn Harbour, Grand Turk, Providenciales
Manpower fit for military service:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
males age 16-49: 11,842
females age 16-49: 11,755 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
male: 338
female: 342 (2010 est.)
Military:
Military - note:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
defense is the responsibility of the UK
Transnational Issues:
Disputes - international:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
have received Haitians fleeing economic and civil disorder