ARCHIVE // TC // 2013

Turks and Caicos Islands

2013 Edition — territory

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Communications
Broadcast media [time series]
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 [time series]
.tc
Internet users (Internet hosts) [time series]
73,217 (2012) country comparison to the world: 86
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) (2011)
Economy
Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]
corn, beans, cassava (tapioca), citrus fruits; fish
Budget [time series]
revenues: $417.4 million expenditures: $408.9 million (2012 est.)
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.
Exchange rates [time series]
the US dollar is used
Exports [time series]
$24.77 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 204
Exports - commodities [time series]
lobster, dried and fresh conch, conch shells
Fiscal year [time series]
calendar year
GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]
$NA
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP (purchasing power parity)) [time series]
$632 million (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 213 $568.3 million (2006 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use [time series]
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% (2012 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin [time series]
agriculture: 1% industry: 22.2% services: 76.7% (2012 est.)
Real GDP per capita (GDP - per capita (PPP)) [time series]
$29,100 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 50
Real GDP growth rate (GDP - real growth rate) [time series]
11.2% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 5
Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]
lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%
Imports [time series]
$591.3 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 189
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]
2.5% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 65 2.2% (2011 est.)
Labor force [time series]
4,848 (1990 est.) country comparison to the world: 222
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
Population below poverty line [time series]
NA%
Unemployment rate [time series]
10% (1997 est.) country comparison to the world: 107
Energy
Carbon dioxide emissions (Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy) [time series]
155,500 Mt (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 197
Crude oil - exports [time series]
0 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 189
Crude oil - imports [time series]
0 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 126
Crude oil - production [time series]
0 bbl/day (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 135
Crude oil - proved reserves [time series]
0 bbl (1 January 2013 es) country comparison to the world: 190
Electricity - consumption [time series]
186 million kWh (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 186
Electricity - exports [time series]
0 kWh (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 135
Electricity - from fossil fuels [time series]
100% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 36
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants [time series]
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 202
Electricity - from nuclear fuels [time series]
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 185
Electricity - from other renewable sources [time series]
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 127
Electricity - imports [time series]
0 kWh (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 139
Electricity - installed generating capacity [time series]
50,000 kW (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 187
Electricity - production [time series]
200 million kWh (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 182
Natural gas - consumption [time series]
0 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 197
Natural gas - exports [time series]
0 cu m (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 189
Natural gas - imports [time series]
0 cu m (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 134
Natural gas - production [time series]
0 cu m (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 196
Natural gas - proved reserves [time series]
0 cu m (1 January 2013 es) country comparison to the world: 196
Refined petroleum products - consumption [time series]
998.6 bbl/day (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 203
Refined petroleum products - exports [time series]
0 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 132
Refined petroleum products - imports [time series]
1,063 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 194
Refined petroleum products - production [time series]
0 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 132
Geography
Area [time series]
total: 948 sq km country comparison to the world: 186 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 freshwater 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: 1.05% permanent crops: 0% other: 98.95% (2011)
Location [time series]
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]
several previous; latest signed 7 August 2012, effective 15 October 2012 (Turks and Caicos Constitution Order 2011) (2012)
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 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 theWorld Leaders website) 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
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]
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) note - appeals beyond the Supreme Court are heard by 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 can be extended to age 70; Appeals Court judge tenure determined by individual terms of appointment subordinate courts: magistrates' courts
Legal system [time series]
mixed legal system of English common law and civil law
Legislative branch [time series]
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
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 [Oswald SKIPPINGS] People's Progressive Party [NA] Progressive National Party or PNP [Rufus EWING]
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: 11,842 females age 16-49: 11,755 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually [time series]
male: 338 female: 342 (2010 est.)
Military - note [time series]
defense is the responsibility of the UK
People and Society
Age structure [time series]
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.)
Birth rate [time series]
17.05 births/1,000 population (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 117
Death rate [time series]
3.06 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 221
Drinking water source [time series]
improved: urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population (2010 est.)
Education expenditure (Education expenditures) [time series]
NA
Ethnic groups [time series]
black 87.6%, white 7.9%, mixed 2.5%, East Indian 1.3%, other 0.7% (2006)
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: 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.)
Languages [time series]
English (official)
Life expectancy at birth [time series]
total population: 79.4 years country comparison to the world: 43 male: 76.67 years female: 82.27 years (2013 est.)
Literacy [time series]
definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school total population: 98% male: 99% female: 98% (1970 est.)
Major urban areas - population [time series]
GRAND TURK (capital) 6,000 (2009)
Median age [time series]
total: 31.4 years male: 31.7 years female: 31 years (2013 est.)
Nationality [time series]
noun: none adjective: none
Net migration rate [time series]
14.66 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 8
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]
47,754 (July 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 212
Population growth rate [time series]
2.87% (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 15
Religions [time series]
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 [time series]
improved: urban: 98% of population rural: 94% of population total: 96% of population unimproved: urban: 2% of population rural: 6% of population total: 4% of population (2000 est.)
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: 1.05 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.)
Total fertility rate [time series]
1.7 children born/woman (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 170
Urbanization [time series]
urban population: 93% of total population (2010) rate of urbanization: 1.6% annual rate of change (2010-15 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 (2013) country comparison to the world: 163
Airports - with paved runways [time series]
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 [time series]
total: 2 under 914 m: 2 (2013)
Ports (Ports and terminals) [time series]
Cockburn Harbour, Grand Turk, Providenciales
Roadways [time series]
total: 121 km country comparison to the world: 212 paved: 24 km unpaved: 97 km (2003)