ARCHIVE // TC // 2010

Turks and Caicos Islands

2010 Edition — territory

1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
View Intelligence Dossier Back to 2010 CSV Excel Print All Years
Communications
Broadcast media [time series]
while there are no local terrestrial TV stations, broadcasts from the Bahamas can be received; multi-channel cable and satellite TV services are available; government-run radio network operates alongside private broadcasters with a total of about 15 stations broadcasting (2007)
Internet country code [time series]
.tc
Internet users (Internet hosts) [time series]
8,969 (2010) country comparison to the world: 127
Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]
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)
Telephones - fixed lines (Telephones - main lines in use) [time series]
3,700 (2009) country comparison to the world: 217
Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]
25,100 (2004) country comparison to the world: 205
Economy
Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]
corn, beans, cassava (tapioca), citrus fruits; fish
Debt - external [time series]
$NA
Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]
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.
Electricity - consumption [time series]
11.16 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 210
Electricity - exports [time series]
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports [time series]
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - production [time series]
12 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 209
Exchange rates [time series]
the US dollar is used
Exports [time series]
$169.2 million (2000) country comparison to the world: 183
Exports - commodities [time series]
lobster, dried and fresh conch, conch shells
GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]
$NA
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP (purchasing power parity)) [time series]
$216 million (2002 est.) country comparison to the world: 215
GDP - composition, by sector of origin (GDP - composition by sector) [time series]
agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA%
Real GDP per capita (GDP - per capita (PPP)) [time series]
$11,500 (2002 est.) country comparison to the world: 97
Real GDP growth rate (GDP - real growth rate) [time series]
4.9% (2000 est.) country comparison to the world: 61
Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]
lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%
Imports [time series]
$175.6 million (2000) country comparison to the world: 202
Imports - commodities [time series]
food and beverages, tobacco, clothing, manufactures, construction materials
Industrial production growth rate [time series]
NA%
Industries [time series]
tourism, offshore financial services
Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]
4% (1995) country comparison to the world: 115
Labor force [time series]
4,848 (1990 est.) country comparison to the world: 219
Labor force - by occupation [time series]
note: about 33% in government and 20% in agriculture and fishing; significant numbers in tourism, financial, and other services
Natural gas - consumption [time series]
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 166
Natural gas - exports [time series]
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 106
Natural gas - imports [time series]
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 120
Natural gas - production [time series]
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 117
Natural gas - proved reserves [time series]
0 cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 125
Oil - consumption [time series]
0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 206
Oil - exports [time series]
0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 168
Oil - imports [time series]
80 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 202
Oil - production [time series]
0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 124
Oil - proved reserves [time series]
0 bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 111
Population below poverty line [time series]
NA%
Unemployment rate [time series]
10% (1997 est.) country comparison to the world: 111
Geography
Area [time series]
total: 948 sq km country comparison to the world: 185 land: 948 sq km water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative [time series]
2.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Climate [time series]
tropical; marine; moderated by trade winds; sunny and relatively dry
Coastline [time series]
389 km
Elevation (Elevation extremes) [time series]
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Flamingo Hill 48 m
Environment - current issues [time series]
limited natural fresh water resources, private cisterns collect rainwater
Geographic coordinates [time series]
21 45 N, 71 35 W
Geography - note [time series]
about 40 islands (eight inhabited)
Irrigated land [time series]
NA
Land boundaries [time series]
0 km
Land use [time series]
arable land: 2.33% permanent crops: 0% other: 97.67% (2005)
Location [time series]
Caribbean, two island groups in the North Atlantic Ocean, southeast of The Bahamas, north of Haiti
Map references [time series]
Central America and the Caribbean
Maritime claims [time series]
territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
Natural hazards [time series]
frequent hurricanes
Natural resources [time series]
spiny lobster, conch
Terrain [time series]
low, flat limestone; extensive marshes and mangrove swamps
Government
Administrative divisions [time series]
none (overseas territory of the UK)
Capital [time series]
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
Constitution [time series]
Turks and Caicos Islands Constitution (Interim Amendment) Order 2009, S.I. 2009/701 - effective 14 August 2009 - suspended Ministerial government, the House of Assembly, and the constitutional right to trial by jury, and imposed direct British rule
Country name [time series]
conventional long form: none conventional short form: Turks and Caicos Islands abbreviation: TCI
Dependency status [time series]
overseas territory of the UK
Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]
none (overseas territory of the UK)
Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]
none (overseas territory of the UK)
Executive branch [time series]
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor Gordon WETHERELL (since 5 August 2008) head of government: Governor Gordon WETHERELL (since 14 August 2009); note - the office of premier is suspended by the Order in Council, effective 14 August 2009 cabinet: under provisions of the Order in Council, the cabinet is suspended effective 14 August 2009 and replaced by an Advisory Council appointed by the governor (For more information visit theWorld Leaders website) elections: the monarchy is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch note: following an investigation into allegations of widespread corruption and misconduct within the Turks and Caicos Government, the UK foreign minister directed the governor to bring into effect on 14 August 2009 an Order in Council suspending Ministerial government and the House of Assembly, and imposing direct rule for a period of up to two years
Flag (Flag description) [time series]
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
Government type [time series]
NA
Independence [time series]
none (overseas territory of the UK)
International organization participation [time series]
Caricom (associate), CDB, Interpol (subbureau), UPU
Judicial branch [time series]
Supreme Court; Court of Appeal
Legal system [time series]
based on laws of England and Wales with a few adopted from Jamaica and The Bahamas
Legislative branch [time series]
under provisions of the Order in Council, the unicameral House of Assembly is dissolved and all seats vacated for a period of up to two years; in the interim, a Consultative Forum, appointed by the governor, will be established elections: last held on 9 February 2007 (next to be held by July 2011) election results: under provisions of the Order in Council, all seats in the House of Assembly are vacated
National anthem(s) (National anthem) [time series]
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)
National holiday [time series]
Constitution Day, 30 August (1976)
Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]
People's Democratic Movement or PDM [Floyd SEYMOUR]; Progressive National Party or PNP [Michael Eugene MISICK]
Political parties (Political pressure groups and leaders) [time series]
NA
Suffrage [time series]
18 years of age; universal
Introduction
Background [time series]
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.
Military
Manpower fit for military service [time series]
males age 16-49: 5,062 females age 16-49: 4,772 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually [time series]
male: 229 female: 223 (2010 est.)
Military - note [time series]
defense is the responsibility of the UK
People
Age structure [time series]
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) (2010 est.)
Birth rate [time series]
20.44 births/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 89
Death rate [time series]
4.17 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 208
Education expenditure (Education expenditures) [time series]
NA
Ethnic groups [time series]
black 90%, mixed, European, or North American 10%
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]
NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS [time series]
NA
Infant mortality rate [time series]
total: 13.43 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 130 male: 15.5 deaths/1,000 live births female: 11.26 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
Languages [time series]
English (official)
Life expectancy at birth [time series]
total population: 75.64 years country comparison to the world: 78 male: 73.32 years female: 78.07 years (2010 est.)
Literacy [time series]
definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school total population: 98% male: 99% female: 98% (1970 est.)
Median age [time series]
total: 28 years male: 28.8 years female: 27.3 years (2010 est.)
Nationality [time series]
noun: none adjective: none
Net migration rate [time series]
8.63 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 10
People - note [time series]
destination and transit point for illegal Haitian immigrants bound for the Turks and Caicos Islands, The Bahamas, and the US
Population [time series]
23,528 (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 217
Population growth rate [time series]
2.491% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 32
Religions [time series]
Baptist 40%, Anglican 18%, Methodist 16%, Church of God 12%, other 14% (1990)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) [time series]
total: 11 years male: 11 years female: 12 years (2005)
Sex ratio [time series]
at birth: 1.047 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.98 male(s)/female total population: 1.07 male(s)/female (2010 est.)
Total fertility rate [time series]
2.92 children born/woman (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 70
Urbanization [time series]
urban population: 92% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 2.2% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international [time series]
have received Haitians fleeing economic and civil disorder
Illicit drugs [time series]
transshipment point for South American narcotics destined for the US and Europe
Transportation
Airports [time series]
8 (2010) country comparison to the world: 163
Airports - with paved runways [time series]
total: 7 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 2 (2010)
Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]
total: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2010)
Merchant marine [time series]
registered in other countries: 1 (Panama 1) (2008) country comparison to the world: 151
Ports (Ports and terminals) [time series]
Cockburn Harbour, Grand Turk, Providenciales
Roadways [time series]
total: 121 km country comparison to the world: 211 paved: 24 km unpaved: 97 km (2003)