Discover Fascinating Turks and Caicos Islands Facts
Dive into the history, culture, and unique insights about Turks and Caicos Islands.
Turks and Caicos Islands
Background
๐ด The Turks and Caicos Islands have an interesting history! They were once part of the UK's Jamaican colony until 1962. ๐๏ธ That's when they became their own separate crown colony after Jamaica gained independence. From 1965 to 1973, the governor of The Bahamas took care of things on the islands! But guess what? In 1973, they got their own governor when the Bahamas became independent. ๐ They even planned to become independent themselves in 1982, but that idea was changed, and now they are still a British overseas territory! ๐ฌ๐ง
Year Turks and Caicos became a separate crown colony
1962
Year of planned independence
1982
Years overseen by the Bahamian governor
8
Exports - commodities
The Turks and Caicos Islands have a variety of interesting commodities that they export! ๐ Here are some of the main exports from 2022:
- Fertilizers ๐ฑ
- Shellfish ๐ฆช
- Plastics ๐ ๏ธ
- Sulfur โ๏ธ
- Soybean oil ๐ฝ
These exports play a key role in the economy and contribute to the islands' trade. Each of these products is part of what makes the islands unique! ๐ด
Main Exports
Fertilizers, Shellfish, Plastics, Sulfur, Soybean oil
Capital
๐ The capital of the Turks and Caicos Islands is Grand Turk, specifically known as Cockburn Town! This charming capital is the heart of the islands, where you can find rich history and stunning views. Did you know that Grand Turk is not just a capital, it's a gateway to paradise? ๐๏ธ
Imports - commodities
๐ The Turks and Caicos Islands are known for their beautiful beaches and vibrant culture, but let's take a look at what they bring in from other places! In 2022, the major commodities imported were:
- Refined Petroleum ๐ข๏ธ
- Cars ๐
- Plastic Products โป๏ธ
- Furniture ๐๏ธ
- Aluminum Structures ๐๏ธ
These imports play a crucial role in supporting the local economy and enhancing the quality of life on these stunning islands!
Climate
The Turks and Caicos Islands enjoy a tropical climate ๐! This means itโs warm and sunny almost all year round. ๐ด The climate is further enhanced by the marine surroundings, which help moderate temperatures. โ๏ธ Plus, the cooling trade winds bring a refreshing breeze, making it a great spot for sun lovers. Although it's primarily sunny, it tends to be relatively dry, making it perfect for beach adventures! ๐
Executive branch
In the beautiful Turks and Caicos Islands, the Executive branch is led by some important figures! ๐ด
- Chief of State: King CHARLES III has held this position since 8 September 2022! ๐ However, he is represented by the Governor Dileeni Daniel-SELVARATNAM, who started her role on 29 June 2023.
- Head of Government: The Premier is Washington MISICK, who has been leading since 19 February 2021! ๐๏ธ
These leaders help shape the future of this stunning island nation!
Current Chief of State
King CHARLES III
Date Chief of State took office
8 September 2022
Current Governor
Dileeni Daniel-SELVARATNAM
Date Governor took office
29 June 2023
Current Head of Government
Washington MISICK
Date Head of Government took office
19 February 2021
Legislative branch
๐๏ธ The Turks and Caicos Islands have a unicameral House of Assembly, which means they have just one legislative chamber. This assembly has a total of 21 seats where representatives gather to make decisions for the islands.
Total seats in the House of Assembly
21
Natural resources
The Turks and Caicos Islands are surrounded by beautiful waters, home to some extraordinary natural resources! ๐๐ Two key resources that thrive in these waters are spiny lobsters and conch. These tasty treats are not just delicious but also a vital part of the island's marine economy and culture. Find them in local dishes and enjoy their significance in sustainable fishing practices. ๐๐
Key natural resources
Spiny lobster, Conch
Economic overview
๐ด The Turks and Caicos Islands have a unique economy shaped by its position as a British Caribbean island. The beautiful landscapes and vibrant marine life make it a major biodiversity hotspot! However, the economy faced significant challenges due to COVID-19, which severely impacted the GDP and the important tourism industry. ๐
๐ต The local economy primarily uses the US dollar, making it easier for visitors from the United States. Unfortunately, the country is heavily dependent on fossil fuels, and it experiences a negative trade balance. This means it imports more than it exports, which can create some issues. Additionally, thereโs been an increase in unemployment, showing that the economic situation remains tough for many.
Despite these hurdles, the Turks and Caicos Islands remain a stunning destination with plenty of potential for recovery! ๐
Economic Characteristics
Fossil fuel dependent; negative trade balance; increasing unemployment
Tourism Impact
COVID-19 hit hard
Currency Used
US dollar user
Government type
The Turks and Caicos Islands have a parliamentary democracy! ๐น๐จ This means that the government is elected by the people and runs on a system where the executive branch derives its democratic legitimacy from, and is directly accountable to, the legislature (parliament). It's a fun way for the citizens to have a say in how their island is run! ๐ดโจ
Ethnic groups
Ethnic Groups in Turks and Caicos Islands ๐น๐จ
In the beautiful Turks and Caicos Islands, the ethnic makeup is quite diverse! Hereโs a fun breakdown of the different ethnic groups found in this charming destination:
- Black: 87.6% ๐ค
- White: 7.9% ๐ค
- Mixed: 2.5% ๐ฅณ
- East Indian: 1.3% ๐
- Other: 0.7% ๐
This information gives us a peek into the rich tapestry of cultures that makes up the population here! ๐
Percentage of Black Ethnic Group
87.6%
Percentage of White Ethnic Group
7.9%
Percentage of Mixed Ethnic Group
2.5%
Percentage of East Indian Ethnic Group
1.3%
Percentage of Other Ethnic Groups
0.7%
Ethnic Groups in Turks and Caicos Islands
Religions
In the beautiful Turks and Caicos Islands, the faith landscape is quite interesting! ๐ดโจ The majority of the population identifies with Protestantism, making up a whopping 72.8% of the total. This group is quite diverse, with Baptists being the largest subset at 35.8%, followed by the Church of God at 11.7% and Anglicans at 10%. Other Protestant denominations include Methodists at 9.3% and Seventh Day Adventists at 6%. On the other hand, 11.4% of the population practices Roman Catholicism, and there are also 1.8% Jehovah's Witnesses. Interestingly, around 14% of people identify with other religions. ๐๏ธ
Itโs fascinating to see how such a small island community showcases a variety of beliefs! ๐
Percentage of Protestants
72.8%
Percentage of Baptists
35.8%
Percentage of Catholics
11.4%
Percentage of Jehovah's Witnesses
1.8%
Percentage of Other Religions
14%
Distribution of Religions in Turks and Caicos Islands
Languages
๐ The Turks and Caicos Islands has English as its official language. This means that the majority of the people communicate in English, making it easier for visitors to connect with locals and understand whatโs happening around them. ๐ฃ๏ธโ๏ธ
Official Language
English
Imports - partners
The Turks and Caicos Islands have a diverse group of import partners. ๐ฆ Let's break down where the goods come from in 2022! Here's how the imports stack up:
- ๐บ๐ธ United States: 75% (a whopping majority!)
- ๐ฉ๐ด Dominican Republic: 6%
- ๐ฎ๐น Italy: 3%
- ๐จ๐ญ Switzerland: 2%
- ๐จ๐ณ China: 2%
It's clear that the US is by far the leader in supplying products to the islands! ๐๏ธ
Percentage of Imports from the US
75%
Percentage of Imports from Dominican Republic
6%
Percentage of Imports from Italy
3%
Percentage of Imports from Switzerland
2%
Percentage of Imports from China
2%
Import Partners of Turks and Caicos Islands (2022)
Exports - partners
๐ The Turks and Caicos Islands have some interesting trade buddies! Here's how their exports break down by partner countries for the year 2022:
- Togo: 61% ๐น๐ฌ
- United States: 13% ๐บ๐ธ
- Zimbabwe: 6% ๐ฟ๐ผ
- Democratic Republic of the Congo: 3% ๐จ๐ฉ
- Central African Republic: 2% ๐จ๐ซ
As you can see, Togo is the clear leader in trade, taking up a whopping 61% of the exports! ๐
Total Share of Exports from Top 5 Partners
85%
Exports Partners Distribution (2022)
Population
๐ The total population of the Turks and Caicos Islands is 60,439! This beautiful island destination is not just a place for stunning beaches and crystal-clear waters, but itโs also home to a vibrant community. Imagine all the unique stories and experiences from each of these residents! ๐๏ธ
Total Population
60,439
Area
๐ด Let's dive into the wonderful area of the Turks and Caicos Islands! This breathtaking destination has a total area of 948 sq km. What's even more fascinating? Almost all of this area, 948 sq km, is land! That's right, there is no water area, which means it's all about the beautiful islands! ๐๏ธ
Total Area
948 sq km
Land Area
948 sq km
Water Area
0 sq km
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
๐๏ธ Real GDP of Turks and Caicos Islands
Let's explore the economic growth of the beautiful Turks and Caicos Islands! ๐ด
The Real GDP in terms of purchasing power parity shows a steady increase over the years, which means the economy is getting stronger! Here are the exciting numbers:
- 2023: $1.03 billion
- 2022: $1.018 billion
- 2021: $958.811 million
This growth is a sign that more goods and services are being produced in the islands! ๐
Stay tuned to see how this trend continues in the future! ๐
Estimated Real GDP for 2023
$1.03 billion
Estimated Real GDP for 2022
$1.018 billion
Estimated Real GDP for 2021
$958.811 million
Real GDP Growth in Turks and Caicos Islands (PPP)
Real GDP per capita
๐ด The Turks and Caicos Islands are doing well economically! Check out their Real GDP per capita over the last few years:
- 2021: $21,300
- 2022: $22,300
- 2023: $22,400
This shows a steady rise in the economic wealth that each person effectively has. It's like watching the growth of a beautiful palm tree instead of just laying on the beach! ๐
GDP per Capita in 2023
$22,400
GDP per Capita in 2022
$22,300
GDP per Capita in 2021
$21,300
Real GDP per Capita Growth in Turks and Caicos Islands
Imports
๐ฆ The Turks and Caicos Islands engage in vibrant trade, and their import values have shown interesting changes over the past few years! Here's a quick look at their import statistics:
- In 2016, the total imports were $438.041 million.
- This number grew to $484.842 million in 2017, showing a healthy increase! ๐ฑ
- By 2018, imports jumped even higher to $544.219 million! ๐
The trend of increasing imports indicates that the economy is becoming more interconnected with the global market. ๐๐ฐ
Total Imports in 2018
$544.219 million
Total Imports in 2017
$484.842 million
Total Imports in 2016
$438.041 million
Imports Over Time
Exports
๐ The Turks and Caicos Islands have seen some interesting changes in their export values over the last few years! Hereโs a quick peek at the export figures for 2016 to 2018:
- In 2016, the exports were $741.173 million.
- By 2017, this number dipped to $602.581 million. ๐
- However, in 2018, it jumped back up to $826.824 million! ๐
This rollercoaster of numbers shows how the exports are changing from year to year. Letโs visualize this with a bar chart! ๐
Exports in 2016
741.173 million
Exports in 2017
602.581 million
Exports in 2018
826.824 million
Exports of Turks and Caicos Islands (2016-2018)
Population growth rate
๐ด The Turks and Caicos Islands are experiencing a vibrant population growth rate! According to projections for 2024, the islands will see an increase of 1.77% in their population. This means that more and more people are choosing these beautiful islands as their home! ๐๏ธ
Projected Population Growth Rate for 2024
1.77%