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

๐ŸŒด The Turks and Caicos Islands have an interesting history! They were once part of the UK's Jamaican colony until 1962. ๐Ÿ๏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. ๐ŸŽ‰ They even planned to become independent themselves in 1982, but that idea was changed, and now they are still a British overseas territory! ๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ง

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! ๐ŸŒŠ Here are some of the main exports from 2022:

  • Fertilizers ๐ŸŒฑ
  • Shellfish ๐Ÿฆช
  • Plastics ๐Ÿ› ๏ธ
  • Sulfur โš—๏ธ
  • Soybean oil ๐ŸŒฝ

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! ๐ŸŒด

Main Exports

Fertilizers, Shellfish, Plastics, Sulfur, Soybean oil

Capital

๐ŸŒ† 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? ๐Ÿ–๏ธ

Imports - commodities

๐ŸŒŠ 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 ๐Ÿ›ข๏ธ
  • Cars ๐Ÿš—
  • Plastic Products โ™ป๏ธ
  • Furniture ๐Ÿ›‹๏ธ
  • Aluminum Structures ๐Ÿ—๏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 ๐ŸŒž! This means itโ€™s warm and sunny almost all year round. ๐ŸŒด 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! ๐ŸŒŠ

Executive branch

In the beautiful Turks and Caicos Islands, the Executive branch is led by some important figures! ๐ŸŒด

  • Chief of State: King CHARLES III has held this position since 8 September 2022! ๐Ÿ‘‘ 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! ๐Ÿ›๏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

๐Ÿ›๏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! ๐ŸŒŠ๐ŸŸ 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. ๐ŸŒŸ๐Ÿš

Key natural resources

Spiny lobster, Conch

Economic overview

๐ŸŒด 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. ๐Ÿ˜”

๐Ÿ’ต 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, thereโ€™s 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! ๐ŸŒž

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! ๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡จ 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! ๐ŸŒดโœจ

Ethnic groups

Ethnic Groups in Turks and Caicos Islands ๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡จ

In the beautiful Turks and Caicos Islands, the ethnic makeup is quite diverse! Hereโ€™s a fun breakdown of the different ethnic groups found in this charming destination:

  • Black: 87.6% ๐Ÿ–ค
  • White: 7.9% ๐Ÿค
  • Mixed: 2.5% ๐Ÿฅณ
  • East Indian: 1.3% ๐ŸŒ
  • Other: 0.7% ๐ŸŒˆ

This information gives us a peek into the rich tapestry of cultures that makes up the population here! ๐Ÿ“Š

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! ๐ŸŒดโœจ 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. ๐Ÿ•Š๏ธ

Itโ€™s fascinating to see how such a small island community showcases a variety of beliefs! ๐ŸŒ

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

๐ŸŒ 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 whatโ€™s happening around them. ๐Ÿ—ฃ๏ธโœˆ๏ธ

Official Language

English

Imports - partners

The Turks and Caicos Islands have a diverse group of import partners. ๐Ÿ“ฆ Let's break down where the goods come from in 2022! Here's how the imports stack up:

  • ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ United States: 75% (a whopping majority!)
  • ๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ด Dominican Republic: 6%
  • ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡น Italy: 3%
  • ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ญ Switzerland: 2%
  • ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ China: 2%

It's clear that the US is by far the leader in supplying products to the islands! ๐Ÿ๏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

๐ŸŒ 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% ๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ฌ
  • United States: 13% ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ
  • Zimbabwe: 6% ๐Ÿ‡ฟ๐Ÿ‡ผ
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo: 3% ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฉ
  • Central African Republic: 2% ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ซ

As you can see, Togo is the clear leader in trade, taking up a whopping 61% of the exports! ๐Ÿ“ˆ

Total Share of Exports from Top 5 Partners

85%

Exports Partners Distribution (2022)

Population

๐ŸŒ 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 itโ€™s also home to a vibrant community. Imagine all the unique stories and experiences from each of these residents! ๐Ÿ๏ธ

Total Population

60,439

Area

๐ŸŒด 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! ๐Ÿ๏ธ

Total Area

948 sq km

Land Area

948 sq km

Water Area

0 sq km

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)

๐Ÿ๏ธ Real GDP of Turks and Caicos Islands

Let's explore the economic growth of the beautiful Turks and Caicos Islands! ๐ŸŒด

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! ๐Ÿ“ˆ

Stay tuned to see how this trend continues in the future! ๐ŸŒ…

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

๐ŸŒด 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! ๐ŸŒž

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

๐Ÿ“ฆ 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! ๐ŸŒฑ
  • By 2018, imports jumped even higher to $544.219 million! ๐Ÿš€

The trend of increasing imports indicates that the economy is becoming more interconnected with the global market. ๐ŸŒ๐Ÿ’ฐ

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

๐ŸŒ The Turks and Caicos Islands have seen some interesting changes in their export values over the last few years! Hereโ€™s 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. ๐Ÿ“‰
  • However, in 2018, it jumped back up to $826.824 million! ๐Ÿ“ˆ

This rollercoaster of numbers shows how the exports are changing from year to year. Letโ€™s visualize this with a bar chart! ๐Ÿ“Š

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

๐ŸŒด 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! ๐Ÿ๏ธ

Projected Population Growth Rate for 2024

1.77%