Statistical information Turks and Caicos Islands 1998

Turks and Caicos Islands in the World
top of pageBackground: The islands were under Jamaican jurisdiction until 1962 when they assumed the status of a crown colony. 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 are presently a British overseas territory.
top of pageLocation: Caribbean, two island groups in the North Atlantic Ocean, southeast of The Bahamas
Geographic coordinates: 21 45 N, 71 35 W
Map reference:
Central America and the CaribbeanAreaTotal: 430 km²
Land: 430 km²
Water: 0 km²
Comparative: 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 389 km
Maritime claimsExclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
Territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: tropical; marine; moderated by trade winds; sunny and relatively dry
Terrain: low, flat limestone; extensive marshes and mangrove swamps
ElevationExtremes lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
Extremes highest point: Blue Hills 49 m
Natural resources: spiny lobster, conch
Land useArable land: 2%
Permanent crops: NA%
Permanent pastures: NA%
Forests and woodland: NA%
Other: 98% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: NA km²
Major riversMajor watersheds area km²Total water withdrawalTotal renewable water resourcesNatural hazards: frequent hurricanes
GeographyNote: 30 islands (eight inhabited)
top of pagePopulation: 16,249 (July 1998 est.)
Growth rate: 3.77% (1998 est.)
NationalityNoun: none
Adjective: none
Ethnic groups: black
Languages: English (official)
Religions: Baptist 41.2%, Methodist 18.9%, Anglican 18.3%, Seventh-Day Adventist 1.7%, other 19.9% (1980)
Demographic profileAge structure0-14 years: (male 2,666; female 2,588)
15-64 years: (male 5,418; female 4,907)
65 years and over: (male 293; female 377) (July 1998 est.)
Dependency ratiosMedian agePopulation growth rate: 3.77% (1998 est.)
Birth rate: 27.14 births/1000 population (1998 est.)
Death rate: 4.98 deaths/1000 population (1998 est.)
Net migration rate: 15.57 migrant(s)/1000 population (1998 est.)
Population distributionUrbanizationMajor urban areasEnvironmentCurrent issues: limited natural fresh water resources, private cisterns collect rainwater
International agreements party to: NA
International agreements signed but not ratified: NA
Air pollutantsSex ratioAt birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
Under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.1 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female (1998 est.)
Mothers mean age at first birthMaternal mortality ratioInfant mortality rate: 21.7 deaths/1000 live births (1998 est.)
Life expectancy at birthTotal population: 72.15 years
Male: 70.21 years
Female: 74.2 years (1998 est.)
Total fertility rate: 3.32 children born/woman (1998 est.)
Contraceptive prevalence rateDrinking water sourceCurrent health expenditurePhysicians densityHospital bed densitySanitation facility accessHiv/AidsMajor infectious diseasesObesity adult prevalence rateAlcohol consumptionTobacco useChildren under the age of 5 years underweightEducation expendituresLiteracyDefinition: age 15 and over has ever attended school
Total population: 98%
Male: 99%
Female: 98% (1970 est.)
School life expectancy primary to tertiary educationYouth unemploymenttop of pageCountry nameConventional long form: none
Conventional short form: Turks and Caicos Islands
Government type: NA
Capital: Grand Turk
Administrative divisions: none (dependent territory of the UK)
Dependent areasIndependence: none (dependent territory of the UK)
National holiday: Constitution Day, 30 August (1976)
Constitution: introduced 30 August 1976, suspended in 1986, restored and revised 5 March 1988
Legal system: based on laws of England and Wales with a small number adopted from Jamaica and The Bahamas
International law organization participationCitizenshipSuffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branchChief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II of the UK (since 6 February 1953), represented by Governor John KELLY (since NA September 1996): ead of
Government: Chief Minister Derek H. TAYLOR (since 31 January 1995)
Cabinet: Executive Council consists of three ex officio members and five appointed by the governor from among the members of the Legislative Council
Elections: none; the queen is a hereditary monarch; governor appointed by the queen; chief minister appointed by the governor
Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Council (19 seats, of which 13 are popularly elected; members serve four-year terms)
Elections: last held 31 January 1995 (next to be held by NA December 1999)
Election results: percent of vote by party_NA; seats by party_PDM 8, PNP 4, independent (Norman SAUNDERS) 1
Judicial branch: Supreme Court
Political parties and leadersInternational organization participation: Caricom (associate), CDB, Interpol (subbureau)
Diplomatic representationIn the us: none (dependent territory of the UK)
From the us: none (dependent territory of the UK)
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 contains a conch shell, lobster, and cactus
National symbolsNational anthemNational heritagetop of pageEconomy overview: The Turks and Caicos economy is based on tourism, fishing, and offshore financial services. Most capital goods and food for domestic consumption are imported. The US was the leading source of tourists in 1996, accounting for more than half of the 87,000 visitors. Major sources of government revenue include fees from offshore financial activities and customs receipts.
Real gdp purchasing power parityReal gdp growth rate: 3.5% (1996 est.)
Real gdp per capita: purchasing power parity: $7,700 (1996 est.)
Gross national savingGdp composition by sector of origin
Gdp composition by end useGdp composition by sector of originAgriculture: NA%
Industry: NA%
Services: NA%
Agriculture products: corn, beans, cassava, citrus fruits; fish
Industries: tourism, offshore financial services
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Labor forceTotal: 4,848 (1990 est.)
By occupation: about 33% in government and 20% in agriculture and fishing; large numbers in tourism and financial and other services (1997 est.)
Unemployment rate: 15% (1996 est.)
Youth unemploymentPopulation below poverty lineGini indexHousehold income or consumption by percentage shareDistribution of family income gini indexBudgetRevenues: $31.9 million
Expenditures: $30.4 million, including capital expenditures of $N/A (1995)
Taxes and other revenuesPublic debtRevenueFiscal year: calendar year
Inflation rate consumer pricesCentral bank discount rateCommercial bank prime lending rateStock of narrow moneyStock of broad moneyStock of domestic creditMarket value of publicly traded sharesCurrent account balanceExports: total value:$6.8 million (f.o.b., 1993)
Commodoties: lobster, dried and fresh conch, conch shells
Partners: US, UK
Imports: total value:$42.8 million (1993)
Commodoties: food and beverages, tobacco, clothing, manufactures, construction materials
Partners: US, UK
Reserves of foreign exchange and goldDebt external: $NA
Stock of direct foreign investment at homeStock of direct foreign investment abroadExchange rates: US currency is used
top of pageElectricityCapacity: 4,000 kW (1995)
Production: 5 million kWh (1995)
Consumption per capita: 359 kWh (1995)
CoalPetroleumCrude oilRefined petroleumNatural gasCarbon dioxide emissionsEnergy consumption per capitatop of pageTelephones: 1,359 (1988 est.)
Telephone system: fair cable and radiotelephone services
Domestic: NA
International: 2 submarine cables; satellite earth station_1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Broadcast mediaInternetBroadband fixed subscriptionstop of pageMilitary expendituresMilitary and security forcesMilitary service age and obligationSpace programTerrorist groupstop of pageNational air transport systemCivil aircraft registration country code prefixAirports: 7 (1997 est.)
With paved runways total: 4
With paved runways 15-24 to 2437 m: 3
With paved runways 914 to 1523 m: 1 (1997 est.)
With unpaved runways total: 3
With unpaved runways 914 to 1523 m: 2
With unpaved runways under 914 m: 1 (1997 est.)
HeliportsPipelinesRailways: 0 km
RoadwaysWaterwaysMerchant marine: none
Ports and terminalstop of pageDisputes international: none
Refugees and internally displaced personsIllicit drugs: transshipment point for South American narcotics destined for the US