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.

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

2.5 times the size of Washington, DC

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

low, flat limestone; extensive marshes and mangrove swamps

spiny lobster, conch

limited natural freshwater resources, private cisterns collect rainwater

about 40 islands (eight inhabited)

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

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%

46,335 (July 2012 est.)

17.44 births/1,000 population (2012 est.)

3 deaths/1,000 population (July 2012 est.)

17.27 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2012 est.)

GRAND TURK (capital) 6,000 (2009)

1.7 children born/woman (2012 est.)

urban: 98% of population

rural: 94% of population

total: 96% of population

urban: 2% of population

rural: 6% of population

total: 4% of population

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

overseas territory of the UK

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Constitution Day, 30 August (1976)

Turks and Caicos Islands Constitution Order 2011

mixed legal system of English common law and civil law

18 years of age; universal

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

Supreme Court; Court of Appeal

People's Democratic Movement or PDM [Oswald SKIPPINGS]; People's Progressive Party [NA]; Progressive National Party or PNP [Rufus EWING]

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

none (overseas territory of the UK)

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

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.

$216 million (2002 est.)

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

$169.2 million (2000)

lobster, dried and fresh conch, conch shells

$175.6 million (2000)

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

the US dollar is used, 1 (2012 est.)

200 million kWh (2009 est.)

186 million kWh (2009 est.)

50,000 kW (2009 est.)

100% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

0 bbl/day (2011 est.)

0 bbl/day (2009 est.)

0 bbl (1 January 2012 est.)

0 bbl/day (2008 est.)

999 bbl/day (2011 est.)

0 bbl/day (2008 est.)

1,042 bbl/day (2008 est.)

0 cu m (1 January 2012 est.)

38,880 Mt (2010 est.)

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)

Cockburn Harbour, Grand Turk, Providenciales

defense is the responsibility of the UK

have received Haitians fleeing economic and civil disorder

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